home CDing vs. a service?

love.love

anyone tried both?
we CDed with DS1 and now that DD is almost here I'm trying to gear up to get back into the cloth diapering. We are currently potty training DS but it's not going so well, and I'm just sort of dreading the thought of all the extra laundering on top of chasing a toddler and caring for a newborn.

A service sounds appealing, but we do already have CDs, so it seems silly to pay a weekly fee to rent them. I just feel like I don't have time!
anyone tried both? pros, cons?
or tell me it's no big deal and to quit freaking out, it's just a bit of laundry. lol.

kgbspygirl

My sister uses cloth and never used a service. I helped her often and I can't tell you that it is as easy as disposable but I didn't think it was any big deal. We rinsed them into the toilet with the detachable shower head then scrubbed the remnants with a toilet brush and tossed them into a pail with a liner. when the pail was full, we took out the liner and dumped them into the washer.

I am totally CDing. It's much better for the environment and her son never ever had a single hint of a diaper rash. plus, they're adorable. 

Allie30

It depends on the service.

I used a service for the first two months and I just fired them because I wasn't pleased with the quality -- they used gerber prefolds (instead of what the CD mamas call "diaper service quality") and about half of the diapers would come in with holes or tears in them -- I don't appreciate paying for torn diapers! It was cheaper for me to handle it myself. 

That being said, the SERVICE was excellent -- and I appreciated not having to do the laundry.

However, in talking to moms who moved here, this seems to be a problem with the local diaper service and they had much better experience with diaper services elsewhere in the country. So I'd review the DS  in your area.

I just started self-cleaning with CD, and we'll see how it works out. 

cyprissa

What service was it? Modern diaper? I was considering them but if they aren't good, I'd definitely like to know. Thanks!!

Allie30:

It depends on the service.

I used a service for the first two months and I just fired them because I wasn't pleased with the quality -- they used gerber prefolds (instead of what the CD mamas call "diaper service quality") and about half of the diapers would come in with holes or tears in them -- I don't appreciate paying for torn diapers! It was cheaper for me to handle it myself. 

That being said, the SERVICE was excellent -- and I appreciated not having to do the laundry.

However, in talking to moms who moved here, this seems to be a problem with the local diaper service and they had much better experience with diaper services elsewhere in the country. So I'd review the DS  in your area.

I just started self-cleaning with CD, and we'll see how it works out. 

julygal

I haven't used a service, but thought I would chime in with my experience.  My kids are about the same age apart.  DD was starting to potty train but not close, so she was still in diapers.  The last weeks of being pregnant with DS I began to worry about how I was going to manage 2 and my usual tasks especially the added CD loads, so I sold off most my stash. I got rid of all the pockets I didn't love and decided I would re-vist CDs when I was a bit more settled. WE only CD part-time so I just switched over to sposies. When DS turned 2 months old I began re-building my stash with the CDs I loved.  At that point I was out of what I call "the newborn fog" and was back to multitasking.  Honestly I am glad I took a hiatus from CDs while I adjusted to having two.  For me the extra laundry would have cut into the rare moments I could nap, spend alone time with DD, spend alone time with DH, etc.  So I guess if you are really committed to using CDs, then I would do a service for a month or two until you know what having two is like, know what you can take on, and have time to get out of "the newborn fog."   I agree with a pp though that decision might be based upon what the service was like in your area.