Attentive to “novelties” and to the various ways of improving the daily life of my loulous, I gave in to the sirens of Washable layers. It must be said that a week rarely goes by without a mother talking about it in very complimentary terms: it would not only be green, but also practical, breathable (no more skin problems or redness!) And economic. Not that I am not interested in the future of the planet, on the contrary, but it is above all the financial aspect of the thing that challenged me. So I tested.
I started by reading up on washable diapers in bulk, and invested in a set of second-hand classic washable diapers. Classics, that basically means: cloth diapers, with waterproof protective pants that you put on top of them. I lasted two months. For one, it is said everywhere that it takes a few seconds longer to put on her baby. In reality, the manipulation is twofold because you have to put the diaper, then the panties from below. Not always very obvious when we are in a hurry because baby is agitated or crying! Two: the cleaning. Here is the big black point of the layers. My baby is breastfed, therefore, he has very watery stools, and with the regular diapers, I had a bit of a constant feeling that I had “my hands in”.
And once removed, where do you put her diaper all wet with pee? (no, I don’t have room to change my baby in my bathroom). So I had a small basin always handy, but ah, it is also necessary to clean it regularly! Some store dry, others in water to which a tea tree essence type product has been added. I tried both, and ultimately decided on dry storage.
In both cases, we do not escape a minimum of maintenance storage buckets, and once again, you have to “put your hands in” to stuff it all in the machine. Then comes the time of washing (thank God, we are at the washing machine area!), Hanging out, drying (count 24 hours) and finally recovering all these layers. And off we go for a ride, until next time! Suffice to say that for me, too much was too much, and if my parental leave offers me more availability than ever, I had not considered devoting my days almost exclusively to my daughter’s diapers!
And then … I read that some had seen their problem solved with the use of “all-in-one” diapers (TE1 for close friends). Go for a new try, I didn’t want to admit defeat! I tried diapers with a fabric bottom and waterproof exterior: not bad, but long-long-long drying times. And then I discovered TE1 “pocket”, in which we slip one or more inserts (absorbents), and oh miracle, I did not unhook any. I was a little skeptical at first as the brand is Chinese (it seems the best-selling brand in China, but I didn’t go to check!), But I couldn’t fault the quality. The layers are in waterproof polyester and fleece interior (hydrophobic material that keeps the buttocks dry). I hang them out in the evening and they are dry the next morning. The inserts (microfiber) can be washed at the same time or separately, and are also dry overnight. Once dry, I still have to prepare the layers by garnishing them with their inserts, and voila.
If I want to give my testimony, it is above all for warn moms who might think cloth diapers are the panacea. They are good for the planet and for our wallet, but for my part, if I had had to go back to work, and you see me sorry, I would never have found the courage to get into machines- drying-out in the evening when coming home from work. And if some have embarked on the adventure at the same time as their full-time job, I take my hat off to them!
Carole
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