I’ve been spending more and more time over at the Diaper Swappers forum. If you are new to cloth diapering like I am and haven’t heard of this place, you gotta check it out. It’s like a cloth diaperer’s dream. These gals, they are HARDCORE. Well, most of them are. But that’s what makes it fun. Because they are INTO IT. And they sort of make you want to be into it too.
But I’ve also noticed that there are several different and distinct categories of mamas who cloth diaper. We are not like the bumGenius and one-size-fits-all. And there’s no real way of knowing what your Cloth Diaper Personality is going to be until you actually start to use cloth diapers. You may go in thinking you’re going to be one and end up being the other quite by surprise. As far as I’ve noticed, the personalities are as follows:
The Couture Craver
The mamas are constantly on the lookout for the newest and hottest diapers. The special embroidery, luxurious fabrics, trendiest designs… they spend hours searching hyena cart for the latest and greatest. And price is of little consequence. These ladies will sell off less exciting portions of their “stash” in order to get the $$ needed for the cutest fitteds or covers out there if they have to. The Couture Craver has little use for bumGenius diapers, as they only come in five colors and no prints. If they use prefolds, they are dyed for maximum eye-candy-ness. These are the ones who will take photos of their stash to post causing everyone else to drool and ask, “Where did you get THAT?” Nothing wrong with these ladies, but they have an eye for fashion and design and “it” factor. If you want to see some cool diapers, ask these mamas where they shop. Just watch your willpower when you do!
The Practical Purchaser
There are several types of practical when it comes to cloth diapers, but I’m talking about those who look for function over form. Sure, the latest cover is adorable, but does it hold in wetness? Yes, prefolds are inexpensive, but are they the most efficient option out there? This is the mama that cringes at the notion of plunking down even $15 for something that isn’t going to deliver bang for it’s buck, and beyond. I have to admit, I am one of these mamas. I will see an adorable diaper cover or fitted and think, “Hey… maybe I can one or two of those…” But then I start thinking sizes. I could buy one and my daughter might be able to wear it several months or it might just be several weeks. The Practical Purchaser is drawn in by the allure of the one-size diaper. bumGenius is the end-all, be-all. A diaper that works well and lasts for the (usually) the entirety of the diapering years? That kind of practicality can be hard to resist. These are the mamas that are drooling over the new bumGenius one-size organic diapers. Anything that says, “You won’t have to buy any more diapers” is aces in a Practical Purchaser’s book.
The Eager Economist
This is the mama who hangs out at the FSOT (For Sale or Trade) forums at Diaper Swappers, and often scouts for good deals on the FFS (Free For Shipping) forum. She also is the sort who will, if she has to, happily use prefolds with the cheapest covers she can find. She prides herself on finding the best deal out there. If there’s a coupon code, she knows what is is and where to use it. She might not have a lot of extra money to spend on diapers but is a firm believer in cloth diapering so she perseveres. Hence the deal scouting if she wants at all to have the “fancier” diapers. Or maybe she has the money to spend but has an inherent inability to spend it. I can understand and admire that, having that sort of issue myself. This woman is also hardcore. She will take pride in never paying full price for a diaper EVER. Believe me, if anyone can do it, she sure can. And she is quite happy to sacrifice convenience for low price. In other words: a force to be reckoned with.
The Granola Gal
These are the mamas who are into every organic and natural. They want no synthetic fibers to touch their baby’s bottoms. They are serious about lessening their family’s impact on the environment and line dry all their diapers as well as using natural detergents for their diapers. They get very excited about natural fibers like hemp and bamboo. And if they can find all of these natural fibers in a diaper that is adorable to boot? Well then stand aside! She is willing to spend a little (or in some cases, a lot) extra in order to buy only organic and even if a particular diaper fits all her other desires, if it isn’t organic then it’s not cutting it. These women are true environmentalists and chances are, they drive a hybrid. Not to stereotype, of course, I mean them the greatest respect. They want the best for their baby AND for the earth. What could be more noble than that?
So there you have it. I’m sure there are more Cloth Diaper Personalities out there, but this should cover the basics, don’t you think? So tell me, which personality are you?