Cloth Diapers?

Yes, cloth diapers.

I don't know where it came from, but I have a significant tree-hugging part of me that is repulsed by the amount of plastic diapers babies go through before they are toilet trained (1 TON!). Add in the fact that each plastic diaper takes 500 YEARS to decompose and I'm ready to consider alternatives. So, we're going with cloth diapers.

Now, to answer your first question: No - I'm not actually planning on cleaning them myself. There's a wonderful delivery service in Chicago that will come and drop off clean diapers, and pick up our dirty ones every week! Bottoms-Up Diaper Service. We did the math, and it will cost the same per week as putting the baby in pampers, without all of the waste. Additional benefits: more breathable, faster potty training and lower risks of diaper rash. It's a win-win.

I've done the research, and Z's on board. We have a friend who has their baby in cloth, and has sold us on how easy it is. They've done all of the research too and recommended their favorite diaper cover brand. Thirsties. Cute colors/patterns, and the new "Duo" wrap style has a snap system down the front that let you crop the diaper to grow with the baby. Brilliant!! 10 diaper covers and your set for the whole first year. The only down-side? They aren't sold at either of the stores where we registered, so we have no way to tell everyone about our plans to NOT use disposable diapers.

So, there you have it. The Zalinski's: Making a difference, one diaper at a time. (...And yes, before you ask - I plan on making my own food when the baby is ready to eat solids too)