Well-disposed

One of the big decisions you have to make in the care of your baby is whether to use disposables or cloth nappies. It’s a very loaded debate: you risk derision at every turn. Some people will think you’re mad for spurning disposables - who would contemplate that much laundry? Some will think you’re an environmental terrorist for using disposables - think about the land fill burden you’re leaving for the next generation! The truth be told, it’s a much more complicated decision than you would think. In Australia, where water is a scare resource, washing nappies every day is not necessarily the best environmental choice. And it means that your “visitor caregivers” have a much harder time stepping into your routines. On the other hand, cloth nappies are a LOT cheaper - disposables can cost $40 a week! Sound confusing? We’ve ended up acknowledging all the conflicting sides of the debate, weighing up what is best for us (cost, convenience) and we’ve chosen cloth nappies.

We haven’t gone completely rustic and are going with the big square bits of towelling of old. We’ve ordered these fancy cloth nappies called “Fuzzi bunz” from the States. They’re an all in one nappy with with domes (snaps) instead of pins. They have soft towelling insides and colourful waterproof outsides. You get to avoid the hassles of folding nappies, pins and plastic covers. And don’t they look cute? I realise I sound ridiculously optimistic. I’m sure I sound like a naive woman who’s never cared for a newborn. All I know is that we’re giving it our best shot, and if it all ends up with the fancy cloth nappies sitting on the shelf within a week so be it.

Not much else to add this week. Fortunately, I’ve been sleeping a lot better the last few nights. I also had a visit with my Endocrinologist on Tuesday. Everything is fine, my levels are good, and there’s no change to my thyroid meds.