Dumping (forgive the pun), vs.reusing

If your little one could look like this: 

or like this: 

which one would you choose?  On looks alone I know which one I would choose, but there's so much more to consider.  While it would feel good to do something for the environment, ultimately it comes down to costs for me.

I'm unhappy with the idea of forking out money on a regular basis and lugging home large quantites of disposable nappies with my groceries every week.  It seems so wasteful as well to use something once and throw it away.  But... they are easy to use and are less hassle in terms of maintenance.

So what are the real benefits to using re-useable nappies.  When I first started looking into this I knew nothing about them except OMG they're so cute!  I didn't have a clue about what they were made of (not nasty terry towel anymore - try warm fluffy fleece), and how they actually worked.  I mean do you really put a used dirty nappy in a washing machine? *shudder* (btw the answer is no)

So... here's what I've found out so far, and if you've got any useful experiences to note, or hints and tips, please do leave a comment at the bottom for others to see!

1. They are definitely better for the environment.  Reusing nappies is reported to save up to 40% carbon emissions.  There's no reason why wet nappies can't just go in a regular wash of clothes. 

2. The initial outlay can be quite expensive, but over time it saves money, on average about £500 including washing costs.

3. Unlike disposable nappies they don't smell.  Disposable nappies have a chemical in the nappy liner which react with urine causing the smell.  Solid contents can be flushed away without any lingering smells in your bin!

4. Although bulkier than disposables, they can aid a baby's posture and development as they keep the baby's hips apart at the right angle.

5. And to finish on a nice round number - there are so many patterns and colours to choose from, I might die from cute overload!