Cloth diapers

Now, I know what you are thinking.  The shabby white rectangle cloth somehow finagled to fit around a baby's tiny little legs and waist- fastened at the sides with clothespins or safety pins- bulky and sad looking with the noisy plastic waterproof pants over them.  Yes, that is what they use to be, and what I was lucky enough to wear during my diaper days...(apparently my sensitive little bottom just couldn't take the chemicals of disposables)  Well, cloth diapers have come a long way since then.  Did you know that if your baby isn't potty trained until 2 years (or older for MANY kids!) then you will probably spend $2000 or MORE on disposable diapers!?  If you are like me, and you want several kids- or 5, then that means $10,000 on DIAPERS.  Trash, basically.  It's disheartening.  When I read the ridiculous expense diapers would be, I began my research of cloth diapers.  Much to my surprise, not only have they come a long way in their functionality but also in appearance!  I'll give you the short rundown.

Prefolds and covers: almost exactly what I previously described- however, the covers don't HAVE to be plastic water pants.  They make cute ones in colors and prints that velcro or snap closed. *$1 for the prefold (cloth) and anywhere from $7-$17 for the cover (which can be reused without washing if it doesn't get yucky)
Fitteds and covers:  Same as above, only the cloth part is actually designed to fit on just like a diaper.  *$5-$15 for a fitted
Pocket diaper: looks like a regular diaper, (but cute) and there is a pocket on the inside that you stuff with a liner that soaks up whatever comes out of the baby.  *$15-$25, $5 for extra liners
All in 2:  Same as above, only no pocket, you either snap or lay the liner in. *$18-$25
All in 1: Exactly like a disposable diaper, only you don't throw it away, you wash it.  (You obviously wash all of them...)  *$20-$30
ALSO many of these come in sizes, or one size that can adjust to fit the baby.  Obviously- the sized will fit better, but the one size will be more economical and in the long run, save more money.

Babies need their diaper changed around 8 to 12 times a day, so you need at least that many diapers, and twice that many if you don't want to CONSTANTLY be doing laundry.  I have already started my collection (with the help of my mom of course) but I won't be done until several weeks after she is born, so I can see exactly which ones I really like best.  Here is my collection so far- with a few in the mail on the way: 

All of these are Pocket diapers.  The top two are one size (adjusted to smallest setting), the middle two are sized (small), and the bottom one is a duo- there are only two sizes (so it adjusts but will eventually be too small).  I have some Prefolds and covers on the way, as well as some All in Ones.  I am trying to have a variety of about 10-12 diapers to try when she is first born, then I will buy the rest in the kinds I like. 


There is obviously a lot more that goes into cloth diapering...like how you store them before you wash them, how you wash them, what to do when you are traveling, smells, etc.  But I will save that for those that are actually interested!  I am slightly obsessed and thanks to a few sleepless nights recently, I feel like I could start my own business with these or teach a class or something, and I don't even have a baby.   So do you think I'm crazy, or what?