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[CaitlynsMommy]

As I get ready to strip my diapers, I was wondering how cloth diapering is considered AP by a lot of parents.   I can understand environmentalists or "crunchy" types wanting to cloth diaper but why is it usually identified with AP?  Just random thoughts this morning.

BTW, we use cloth because of the money saving aspect (unless you get carried away  ) and that DD gets fewer rashes when she is in cloth.  I also like the environmental benefits.

Thanks for reading my ramblings! 

[daisy]

the only reason i've heard is that CDing takes more time, thus more positive interactions with baby during changes. i go thru CDing phases and am currently not in one. i prefer attaching in other ways.

[Leslie4]

I didn't think it was considered AP, but since a lot of AP moms are also crunchy, they seem to be the same moms doing both. I always assumed that's where the association came in.

I tried cloth diapers when my oldest was an infant, but ended up doing disposables by the time he was 6 months old and never looked back. I was able to use cheap disposables, so it was actually cheaper for us.

[RachelAbigail]

I didn't think it was considered AP, but since a lot of AP moms are also crunchy, they seem to be the same moms doing both. I always assumed that's where the association came in.

    Yeah, it's crunchy, not AP

[doubleblessings]

I agree it is not really AP, but for me I DID feel more in tuned/attached when we had them in cloth.  I was more aware and changed them more often when they were in cloth.  It was very easy to let them be wet in a disposable, because they didn't feel wet and I didn't want to "waste" the diaper.  I think it helped mine stay more in tune with their own  senses? and for me to stay more aware of them in reguards to that.

However, I don't think that using disposables = unattachement.

[ThursdaysChild]

I've been wondering...What the heck is 'crunchy'?

[TuneMyHeart]

I don't think cloth dipes are AP, but I think AP mamas are generally more into things are better for the baby and environment, so there's your explanation.

crunchy -http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=crunchy+mama

[CaitlynsMommy]

Thanks, everyone.  It being crunchy makes more sense.

Here's a pretty good def. of crunchy mama from the Urban dictionary:

Mother who supports homebirth, breastfeeding, baby wearing, cloth diapering, co-sleeping, gentle discipline, etc. One who questions established medical authority; tends to be vegetarian and/or prepare all-organic foods.

Great minds think alike!   

[GodChick]

Crunchy types are usually more Earthy, all-natural types.  I consider cloth dipes to be "crunchy" but not necessarily AP.  I agree that it's just an overlap because a lot of AP moms are also crunchy.  I do cloth dipes while babes are exclusively breastfed, when they're easy to wash.  Once they start eating food, I use sposies.  (disposables)  I also use sposies at night, because I have yet to find a cloth diaper that would last the night without being so huge and stuffed with doublers that the baby's back was arched! 

[ThursdaysChild]

Thanks for the definition.

I started using cloth diapers when Emile was 1. I liked them and still have them, actually. They're all ratty now and used as cleaning cloths. I started again when the twins were about 7 months old or so. I brought them to Lebanon when we moved here 4 years ago. But they outgrew them, the electricity situation made it a real pain and I had no dryer. I ended up wishing that I'd left the diapers back in the States (or sold them) and brought more books instead. Aunt ended up giving them to some relative that was having a baby.

I like cloth diapers, but they're just not too practical where I'm living now. Good thing my youngest are 5...LOL. But if we end up with another little one, I'd be happy to use cloth over here if it was necessary for their skin, etc. But it wouldn't be my first choice. Back home though...you bet!

[MommyGirl]

Like others have said, "attachment parenting" and "natural parenting" overlap a lot, but aren't synonymous by any means!   

Oh, and we've done both.  I really liked cd'ing, but sposies were the better choice for our family at times.
I like that in so many areas of life and parenting we DO.have choices. Some are major, some are minor but significant.  With moms who want to do the "best" for our families, sometimes the choices are difficult. Other times it can be difficult to discern the "best" from the "best-for-us".

And... In some areas I think we need to be willing to accept and encourage other mothers to recognize that the "adequate" choice is really acceptable.  (And, ironically, the merely adequate IS sometimes the "best" for our family and situation!)

[BlueEyedBoys]

So I came at AP from cloth diapering!  I was crunchy before I was AP.

I think that once you are willing to question "the mainstream", it leads to more researching and questioning about consecutive parental decisions.

So, for us, we were introduced to cloth diapering and were like, "Oh, that makes sense."

And then we decided to breastfeed longer than "normal".

And that led to co-sleeping (whether we wanted to or not ha!)

Like MommyGirl said, it's easy to get obsessed.  Liked the way you put best vs. best-for-us.  Big difference, there!