Cloth diapers and paternity leave

Since the birth of Raphael 2 months ago, we've been using mainly cloth diapers instead of disposable ones. There are different types of cloth diapers but we use mainly flat ones, the most simple type.

Here is a short how-to manual for folding and swaddling, with a few step-by-step pictures.

First, fold the cloth in the middle: 

Second, take one of the corners and bring it to the other side, thereby shaping a triangle:

Third, after turning the cloth upside down, you can fold the rest as shown in the picture:

Above the cloth we use a thin disposable fleece which can be purchased in "alternative" baby shops. This fleece can be washed and reused if it is only wet from urin. Sorry for this, but the monkey moves less than Raphael which is more convenient for taking pictures:

Above this you have to use a waterproof cover which can also be purchased in the same "alternative" baby shops

Of course you have to wash these diapers. The advantage of these flat ones is that they dry very fast.

And for finishing, here is an ad campaign for fathers to go out on paternity leave. Source: http://www.freshdads.com/magazin/kampagnenstart-echte-m%C3%A4nner-gehen-karenz  Slogan of the poster: "Echte Männer gehen in Karenz"  (Real men go out on paternity leave). This campaign started in November 2010 in Austria (its official website is http://www.maennerinkarenz.at).

According to this page, men represent 4.5% of actual child benefits receivers in Austria, although there are strong differences depending on the type of employment: 21% of self-employed men go on paternity leave, as compared to less than 8% for employees.

Well, in my case I am not really on paternity "leave" because I'm keeping on working part-time on an independant basis like in the past few years. However, I took a job which I can do mainly from at home. And although Mona spends most of the time with Raphael, I'm always there when I'm needed and I enjoy having such a flexible timetable.