CEDAR FALLS - Amy Ball never planned on being a cloth-diapering mother.

Her son, Kaden, now almost 2, spent his first few months in disposable diapers like most children, but a series of bad rashes and a chance meeting with a local diaper seamstress convinced Ball to seek out other options for her son.

When Kaden was about 4 months old Ball met Jennifer Kreitz through a nursing support group. Kreitz was changing her daughter's diaper when Ball noticed it wasn't the usual disposable. She was instantly intrigued.

"I bought two just to see if I would like them," Ball said. "Kaden has very sensitive skin, and I saw an improvement right away."

Kreitz started her business, Doodlebugz Custom Cloth Diapers, shortly after her son, Will, was born in 2002. Will was in and out of the hospital during his first 11 months, and anytime he was home Kreitz had him in one of her creations. She briefly tried marketing her diapers, which come in all colors, sizes and styles, at the Cedar Falls Farmers Market, but found after a few weeks she had enough interest to simply continue her work from home.

When Will died in September 2003 Kreitz took a break from her business. She was drawn in again early the following year. A friend helped her design a logo, and for awhile the diapers were sold in Roots Market. She still sells them in the Covenant Women's Place, and is trying to expand to Cedar Rapids.

For now the business is moving along enough to "buy groceries and put gas in the car," Kreitz said. Most days that is enough. Kreitz doesn't want to spend 10 hours a day behind her sewing machine. That isn't why she decided to stay home. But, there is still room for growth.

Kreitz knows her business isn't destined to grow much beyond Northeast Iowa, though the online cloth diaper business has skyrocketed. Both large companies and stay-at-home-mothers with sewing machines are marketing their wares on the Web, touting the new designs, ease of use and environmentally aspects of reusable duds.

Kreitz's 2-year-old daughter, Ella, and 5-month-old baby, Amelia, have both been wearing cloth diapers from day one. But Kreitz isn't completely against disposable diapers. They have proved useful on long car rides or when the family is out and about.

"It's like breast-feeding; you have to be dedicated to really make it work," Kreitz said.

Having her own children has also allowed Kreitz to try out different styles and materials before offering them for sale. She can now say with confidence a certain style of diapers is perfect for a newborn, while other styles are better for babies on the go. Personally, Kreitz is a big fan of all-in-one diapers that don't require assembly. These are also best for day care.

"It's just like a disposable diaper except instead of throwing it in the trash, I throw it in the pail," she said.

Kreitz also tries to support local stores through her business, buying as much of the fabric and sewing supplies as she can through area craft stores. However, some specialty items, like the sherpa and hemp used for the inserts and the material used for the waterproof covers, must be bought online.

Amy Ball said having a nearly unlimited choice of fabrics for diaper covers has been one of the unexpected perks of buying locally.

"My husband and I got married in Hawaii, and Kaden is a honeymoon baby, so I have covers with surfboards and beachy things," Ball said. "We get to have some fun with stuff like that. She has such a wide array for fabrics, especially for girls."

Ball is already eyeing diaper covers for her 2-month-old daughter, Meghan.

Contact Emily Christensen at (319) 291-1520 or emily.christensen@wcfcourier.com.