You read it right. Addiction. You are probably laughing (or not, if you are an addict) and thinking that I am making it all up, but read on, dear skeptic!
So, you decided to use cloth diapers. Whatever the reason, be it financial, or eco-impact, or for babies health, your reason is good enough. Then you start to do a little research or talking to friends. Typing the words “cloth diaper” into Google hits you with a mountain of information that ranges from reviews to pricing to benefits, and hundreds upon hundreds of places to buy them. And so the addiction, errr habit… uhm affinity begins.
After long nights in front of your computer, you think you have decided which diapering system you want to use. Maybe you got some referrals from friends, or read some ( read: hundreds) of reviews, or maybe you made up your mind that you are doing this to save money, so cheap is the way to go. You buy a diaper, or two, or maybe an entire stash to get you started. The diapers arrive, and since you have done your homework, you throw them into the wash immediately and run off to post somwhere (your blog? one or more of the more prolific diaper chat boards? an email to the friend that got you started on cloth or even Twitter) that your diapers have finally arrived!
If you are lucky, you are still expecting and you just spend the next few weeks or months petting and arranging your new fluffy purchases, starting you off slowly in the direction of diaper obession. If you have a child in diapers, then they are immediately stripped of the old paper diaper and fitted into all of that warm fluffiness ( please, PLEASE tell me that you allowed the new diaper to cool from the dryer before putting it on!). You stand back to check it all out. Yep, it is soft. Yes, it sure is cute. And, it has stopped at least one disposable from entering a public landfill. You have done a great thing! Time to celebrate?
And that is when it REALLY happens. You are HOOKED. You see, for a cloth diaper addict, celebration means a new diaper. Maybe one you have been stalking ( yes, we stalk) or a diaper that has a bunch of new great reviews. Maybe you just want more of what you have got, what works for you and your now fluffy bottomed little one. And so the search begins and you purpetuate the addiction that will soon fill every available space on your changing table ( and beside it and under it and in the closet…). Oh and the cost. Take a seat, please.
What does a cloth diaper addiction cost? Well, first there is all of the time you spend surfing around for deals and reviews and stocking information. Then there is the stress of stalking ( again, yes… we stalk) that diaper that you watch sell out immediately after stocking. And then, the monetary cost. I have seen diapers, CLOTH DIAPERS, sell for as much as $70 each. ONE DIAPER. And, there was probably a fight for it! Have you ever tried to get a hold of an Elbee Baby fitted? Or how about a Mosaic Moon knitted diaper cover? I have. Got a few, too ( neener! neener!!)
The good news is that once your child is out of diapers, you can pass them along or resell them… and move on to other addictions. Like hand made clothing and adorable hand made leather shoes. Which remind me, all three of my girls need new slippers, and out there on HyenaCart or Etsy, the perfect pairs are waiting!
