Most of us always try to convince people that cloth is better, but I think this is most likely what the other party is thinking/hearing a lot of the time when they are not receptive.
Cloth is better for you baby
They think:
Disposables couldn't be bad for my baby or they wouldn't be able to sell them
You say:
Cloth is better for the environment
They think:
I could care less
or
I am already environmentally friendly in so many other ways, this will just be my one convenience item.
You say:
They are less expensive
They think:
But disposables are so much easier
or
I don't have the money up front to purchase them. Cloth has too high of a start up cost.
In all honesty, these are all things about cloth diapers that most people know. Most people know that cloth is less expensive in the long run, that they are more environmentally friendly, and that they are going to be better for the baby. So you aren't telling them anything new. So here is my new approach to introducing people to cloth.
Instead of focusing on a few key points I try to relate it in an analogy that they would understand (even better if you can do it without them knowing that it is a segue to cloth)
A couple analogies that have really worked and gotten some attention and have lead to a deeper conversation are these:
"Hey Susy, I know you hate washing laundry. I found a lady that does a fantastic job. She will wash two loads of your laundry a week for two years for $2000. You do need to provide the laundry detergent, bring the clothes to her house to wash, and pay any increase in the electric/water bill that she sees though".
-basically this is what they are paying Pampers and Huggies to do for them. They will spend about $2000 more per child just to have a decrease in laundry of 2-3 loads. Once they learn how easy diapers are to launder they would think they were crazy for doing anything but cloth diapers. This statement just puts it into perspective.
"Hey I found out a great way to reduce the amount of laundry you have! Here is a coupon for $2.00 off some Depends. Just go to the store, buy a pack of Depends, and wear those instead of you underwear everyday. You will have less laundry!"
-This does sound funny, but the point is simple. You wouldn't want to wear uncomfortable plastic underwear everyday AND it is not cheap! So why would be put our babies in something so uncomfortable and why would we want to spend all that money on them?
Let someone feel the inside of a disposable diaper then let them feel the soft inside of a cloth diaper. Then just ask them which one feels more comfortable.
-When you feel the two diapers back-to-back you really do get a sense of exactly how uncomfortable a disposable can be!
Just have fun! And the best way to get someone to convert it to do what you already do! Keep you baby in a cloth diaper! If they see how easy it is for you they are more willing to give it a go.
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