If you don't CD

Athena0809

Help me out, my friend a prenatal educator wants to introduce into her centering group a workshop on CDs not to convince moms to CD but to show them there's an alternative. she wants to have ready the answers in order to address them there, rather than having to come back to them for answers. This small group are all young, first time moms. So, if you don't use CDs, why don't you? I CD so I have no idea why someone would not CD, so I'm no help here. Your input is much appreciated!!!

LacieMI

I considered it for a long time, and my DH was on board too.  Honestly, in the end I was completely overwhelmed by the number of options and the fancy pants names I couldn't even keep all the acronyms straight and then comparing brands/styles/fit, etc... I really needed someone to HELP me figure out what the frick I was doing.  I tried posting on the CD board, but when I put my question out there, I got just too many opinions on what people liked and everyone had a different opinion (which was my exact confusion in the first place).   Call it lazy, but in the end I was just too confused and it was a huge investment to commit to a style that may or may not have been the right style/item for my baby.  That all happened about the same time that there were tons of Amazon diaper coupons out there, and I started buying cases of Pampers for $2-10 per CASE.  While I am still intrigued by cloth diapering and I respect those who use them, I don't have any huge regrets with disposables.  

tlxh7

We do both, so I feel somewhat qualified to answer your question.  When we don't use CDs, there are a few main reasons:

- Diaper rash.  We have inserts and CD safe diaper cream, but sometimes Lila gets a really bad rash that just can't be kicked with those options.

- Some travel.  There have been multiple weekends that we have gone away where using cloth would just be stressful, so we use disposables.

- Awkward growth stages.  Lila has had 2 or 3 times over the last 9 months where her cloth didn't fit right, and she leaked out of everything (seriously, everything).  We would use disposables for a week or two, then went back to cloth once the leaks stopped.

Athena0809

Hmmm, really interesting, thanks ladies! Lacie, I remember being very overwhelmed too! Maybe simplifying the options for these girls would be a good start. Mullen, you made me laugh I remembered when I told DH we were CDing (while pg) and he said "ewww, I'm not touching poop" he's come a looong way!

Quick questions, did any of you ever considered it for environmental issues? I ask because when my friend and I were discussing this, sending the sposies into the landfill was a huge issue for us (if not maybe my number one reason to CD), so it'd be interesting to see this from the point of view from someone that doesn't CD. Also, if you were in this group, would you appreciate learning about all the chemicals--and why they are bad, in sposies, as well as a comparison on the cost of both options or do you think that would be pushing it?

Thanks again ladies, my friend will be so happy we got some insight!

deo

I really wanted to do CD but decided not to for several reasons (My husband wasn't really into it,  we moved 4 weeks after DS was born so I had other things to think about at the time)

Like the PP's I was really overwhelmed by all the choices and acronyms/lingo when researching it.  Everyone was recommending something different. I found it really confusing trying to figure out what to buy.  I was worried about buying a bunch of diapers and they wouldn't work out. I wish I had known someone in real life who had done cloth diapering.

Most of my concern was around doing the laundry.  Laundry is my least favorite chore and I consider myself laundry challenged. I've shrunk and bleached more clothes than I care to admit.  I was worried that I wouldn't pre-rinse them correctly or use the wrong kind of soap and would ruin the whole load of diapers.  I had re-useable nipple pads and I managed to ruin the absorbancy on those, I'm not sure how.

I might still give CD a try for the next baby.  I hate the idea of throwing away so many disposable diapers.

kuipogirl

I really wanted to use them. Environmental and financial were the biggest reasons for me. We plan on having more kids so reusing them would definitly be cost effective and I hate the thought of adding to the problem of way too many diapers in land fills.

I ended up not doing them though because we live in a condo and don't have washer and dryer hookups. It would have been too much for me to take them to get cleaned, I already have a hard enough time with my regular laundry. A second smaller reason was my husband was very against the idea because of the grossness factor but he would have gotten over it if I had decided to do it.

 I am hoping that by the time we have our second we will be living somewhere with a washer and dryer because I will certaintly be doing it then.

melgrady

Not having our own washer and dryer is the main reason we don't CD. There are 4 washers and 4 dryers for our 57 unit apartment complex and I have to fight to use the machines when I get home from work. If I was a SAHM I would make it work, but not when I am exhausted after a full day at work.

sparkymcgeee

My reason was a few things. First was the start up cost. I just didn't have a hundred dollars to spend on it. I did have 35 for 200 diapers though. Second was I have a TERRIBLE washer. I didn't think it would truly do a good enough job of washing the diapers. Third, I work and DH goes to school so E is at a sitter. I didn't think it would be convenient for her or me to CD. I didn't want to deal with three or four dirty CD's when I got home at 7 every night. I wouldn't expect her to wash them for me.

I want to CD the future children. I hope to be a SAHM at that time with a better washer. I did consider it for quite awhile before deciding to go with sposies.

ETA: As for your question about whether or not I want to hear about the chemicals and such. No I wouldn't. I know it's bad for the environment. To me that would be like shoving your agenda down my throat. Tell me it's better for the environment in a brief succinct way and then move on. Just like you would tell me how the prefolds are better because of such and such now and then you would move on. I don't need to hear about every single chemical and what it does and why that's bad.

 

 

tokenhoser

I think it's better to focus on positives (ease of use, money savings, etc) than on negatives (landfills, chemicals). People know the negatives. They don't actually change behaviours until the positives are worth it.

Deo - did you use fabric softener? Bounce sheets or liquid will both decrease absorbancy.

 

LMBecky11

We don't. I feel like it is easier to do disposable. I don't have to worry about cleaning them and they don't leak. I work, and bring my LO with me to work. My husband works. I feel like CDing just doesn't fit into our lifestyle. And I would have no help in cleaning them if we did do them. If I was home all day, then I may have considered them. Disposables might be expensive, but I get a lot of coupons in the mail for them and there are sales a lot of times.

carissa_danielle

mullenem:

We don't mostly because DH couldn't handle it.  He'd think it's sooo disgusting.  The man can't hardly change a poopy disposable without gagging.  I know that you're supposed to dump poop into the toilet from disposables too, but no one I know has ever done that...so that part would really be an issue with him.

Also I hate doing laundry.  The thought of "prep" (which I admittedly know nothing about) and doing that much laundry (especially in the beginning when she's peeing/pooping as soon as I get the diaper under her butt) does not thrill me.

Hope that helps!  I wouldn't really mind CDing and I know that it's come a LONG way since the days of cloths and pins and plastic covers, but I don't think that very many people know how far it's come as far as ease is concerned.

EXACTLY this!
Also, my DC provider would never mess around with CDs. She would look at me like I had a 3rd eye in the middle of my forehead if I mentioned CDing to her.

Soon2BMRS615

This is a decision we struggled with.  When DS was first born, we lived in a huge apartment building with not many washer/dryers.  Also, the washing machines were all new high efficiency ones with no option for presoaking or extra rinsing.  

We now live with my parents who would FREAK if we told them we were washing diapers.  Not that we haven't washed clothes that got poop on them, but whatever.  I wasn't going to fight with them about it.

All that said, for any future kids we will *most likely* use either cloth or g-diapers. 

kelly321

meimsx:

ETA: As for your question about whether or not I want to hear about the chemicals and such. No I wouldn't. I know it's bad for the environment. To me that would be like shoving your agenda down my throat. Tell me it's better for the environment in a brief succinct way and then move on. Just like you would tell me how the prefolds are better because of such and such now and then you would move on. I don't need to hear about every single chemical and what it does and why that's bad.

This. And you would need to tell me why the amount of water and detergent used to launder the CDs is not bad for the environment.

1. I seriously considered CDing, but for me what tipped the scales against it was that our washer isn't in our apartment. It's downstairs in the cellar, and I was reading about how you had to do like 2 rinse cycles, then wash them, then another couple of rinse cycles until you were sure all of the detergent was out. It would have taken me about an entire day to do one load, and considering you need to do them every couple of days - no way. 

I looked into a CD service to wash them just to check out prices, but there are none in my city, which is actually really surprising since it's really organic-natural-green about a lot of things (we even have a Green mayor). If the service had reasonable prices, I may have still CDed.

2. Then there was the fact that DH is grossed out by bodily fluids in general and poop in particular (if that counts as a fluid).

3. Even if I had CDed, I would have only done it PT. I just wasn't up for dealing with it while on the go or traveling. I would have used disposables at those times anyway.

4. As someone else mentioned, I was totally overwhelmed by the choices, and even after checking out a lot of "starter" websites, I still felt like I had no freaking clue what I needed or wanted. What I would have needed was someone to say: "Try this option first (AIOs or something, I don't know). It works for a lot of people. If that doesn't work, then try this (e.g. pre-folds). If neither of those work, well then, you've already narrowed down your choices and can look into the other options!"

I find that a lot of the websites discuss all the different kinds, but I still didn't know what I wanted because I had absolutely no experience. It would be like a vegetarian deciding to try meat for the first time and someone describes all the different kinds of meat. Great, thanks, but what will I like??? What will work for me?? I needed someone to say, "Try chicken. A lot of people like that. If you don't, then try a steak."

That's a weird analogy, but do you get what I mean?

Athena0809

Thanks ladies, I sent the link for my friend to this thread she was thrilled to get such great responses! We agree presenting CD in a positive way is the way to go! Mostly because her intention is not to have a CD 101 but rather present it as just another option.

I realize how overwhelming CD can be, not just that there are many choices but as with everything people have different opinions on everything.

The ones that said not having good washer/having one in their homes, I don't think I'd be CD if I didn't have my own washer and dryer for sure!

I see that a few mentioned they'd consider CD next time around. Let me know and I'll share with you the links to what made it so simple for me!

Thanks again gals!

oooCarrieB

My husband works from home during the day while taking care of our baby. And then he works at night. I work days. I really considered cloth diapering, but sometimes you just have to realize that you cannot do everything. Expecting my husband to wash diapers during the day is just not possible on top of everything else he does. I make my own baby food, I nurse, but the cloth diapering was too much work. 

kacelle

We use them, so I can't really answer your question, but it's neat that you're starting a workshop!  I was asked to do the same thing by my supervisor at the pregnancy resource center where I'm interning.  I'm viewing DVDs on cloth and making up video worksheets and homework for the clients that go through our pregnancy and parenting educational program.  So excited to get to share my love of cloth!  I agree with posters that recommended that you focus on the positives, although we'll also be discussing chemicals in disposables' effects on babies (just because everyone I've mentioned it to in the past has had no idea).  No need to shove it down participants' throats though!

Mrs.Saxy

DH wouldn't do it. I'm a slacker at laundry, it's always backed up and I know diapers would suffer.

If you're out somewhere you have so much other stuff to bring, a bag for dirty diapers is another *thing* when you have other bags and stuff.

 IMO it's pretty much the same cost. You have to get diapers for different sizes then the water and detergent used for it. It's takes time to get stains out. I work/travel at least 72 hours a week, taking 2 grad courses at a college 30 minutes away, have a 4 year old and just am too busy to CD.

yes, I know it's better for the environment,... 

Mrs.Saxy

Steph&Harry08:

Also, if you were in this group, would you appreciate learning about all the chemicals--and why they are bad, in sposies, as well as a comparison on the cost of both options or do you think that would be pushing it?

Thanks again ladies, my friend will be so happy we got some insight!

I'm really over talk about how bad chemicals are and what they're in. There's fricking chemicals in AIR.

I'm not going to have my child suck on lead paint or play with detergents/cleaners under the sink, but there are millions of healthy people out there who wore disposables, had formula, ate dirt, etc... 

kacelle

Mrs.Saxy:

DH wouldn't do it. I'm a slacker at laundry, it's always backed up and I know diapers would suffer.

If you're out somewhere you have so much other stuff to bring, a bag for dirty diapers is another *thing* when you have other bags and stuff.

 IMO it's pretty much the same cost. You have to get diapers for different sizes then the water and detergent used for it. It's takes time to get stains out. I work/travel at least 72 hours a week, taking 2 grad courses at a college 30 minutes away, have a 4 year old and just am too busy to CD.

yes, I know it's better for the environment,... 

FYI, most people I know that CD use one-size diapers.  CDing can be done on a couple hundred dollars.  I also have never had to get stains out of the diapers.  The only reason I mention this is that there's a lot of misinformation about the time and effort it takes to CD discouraging people from trying!  

ETA: Our water bill hasn't gone up since starting to CD.   

McAllie5

kacelle:

Mrs.Saxy:

DH wouldn't do it. I'm a slacker at laundry, it's always backed up and I know diapers would suffer.

If you're out somewhere you have so much other stuff to bring, a bag for dirty diapers is another *thing* when you have other bags and stuff.

 IMO it's pretty much the same cost. You have to get diapers for different sizes then the water and detergent used for it. It's takes time to get stains out. I work/travel at least 72 hours a week, taking 2 grad courses at a college 30 minutes away, have a 4 year old and just am too busy to CD.

yes, I know it's better for the environment,... 

FYI, most people I know that CD use one-size diapers.  CDing can be done on a couple hundred dollars.  I also have never had to get stains out of the diapers.  The only reason I mention this is that there's a lot of misinformation about the time and effort it takes to CD discouraging people from trying!  

ETA: Our water bill hasn't gone up since starting to CD.   

Ditto on what kacelle said. And IMO, sunshine is the best bleach there is. (The actual sun, I mean, not a brand.) I don't mean it like "see, you should be cloth diapering", but just to clear away the misinformation. To OP, when we go on road trips we use disposables. The main reason is because I don't have access to a washer dryer or I don't feel comfortable asking my family if I can use theirs. I'm over the mental hurdle of "poop in the washer", but they aren't. I'll be honest though, it's kind of nice to just toss the waste and be done with it, although it is really much more expensive and DS gets a rash every time.

tokenhoser

I won't argue that it takes some work, but saying they cost the same is just silly. It doesn't. The diapers I'm using cost $200 and we've been using them for 7 months. They should last to potty training. Two loads of laundry a week hasn't really impacted our bills at all, and the cost of detergent is about $20 every 3 months.

If laundry was really that expensive, we'd all wear disposable clothes.

bluesapph

I researched during my pregnancy.  My husband was flat out against it -- it seriously grossed him out.  We decided to wait and decide when baby was a month old.  Well, at that time it was an easy decision.  I'd had a very traumatic birth which led to several health problems for both of us.  I was completely overwhelmed just trying to BF.  Our little guy wasn't gaining weight and I was at the lactation consultant every other day.  I was waking up to feed because he wasn't gaining. We were taking our son to orthopaedic specialists.  I was a hot mess.  We had zero help and my husband was back at work.  Family and friends had dropped off food the first week then didn't really do anything after that.  The idea of cloth diapering seemed pretty ridiculous at that point.  It just wasn't a priority.  Surviving was.  In our city we are able to put disposable diapers in the compost bin so it isn't going in to a landfill but is processed separately.  It made me feel slightly better about the whole thing.  Yeah, I would have loved to cloth diaper but sometimes I think we have to prioritize and realize our limitations.  Maybe next time, maybe not.  

jazzyag

We didn't CD DD#1 for the first month probably because we were just so overwhlemed with the changes in our life and it seemed that laundry was just another thing to add on top of it all.

kristennd

We tried. We bought a ton of cloth and did it for the first month or so. But it was too stressful for a variety of reasons and our water bill somehow did double (they even came and looked for other causes) so we ended up giving it up. I'm still trying to find a shelter that will take them.

Athena0809

kacelle:

We use them, so I can't really answer your question, but it's neat that you're starting a workshop!  I was asked to do the same thing by my supervisor at the pregnancy resource center where I'm interning.  I'm viewing DVDs on cloth and making up video worksheets and homework for the clients that go through our pregnancy and parenting educational program.  So excited to get to share my love of cloth!  I agree with posters that recommended that you focus on the positives, although we'll also be discussing chemicals in disposables' effects on babies (just because everyone I've mentioned it to in the past has had no idea).  No need to shove it down participants' throats though!

I wish it was me running this workshop! It's a friend, and since we both CD I said to her I bet I could get some input from the gals here! I'd love to teach a CD 101 class, from the posts here I can tell there are, sadly, lots of misconceptions about CDs. I didn't want to turn this thread into a debate otherwise I would have tackle every objection that was posted here

Good luck with yours!!! Will you let us know how it went??? I'm sure you have plenty resources but what did it for me was these videos. It's what convinced DH!

kelly321

bluesapph:

I researched during my pregnancy.  My husband was flat out against it -- it seriously grossed him out.  We decided to wait and decide when baby was a month old.  Well, at that time it was an easy decision.  I'd had a very traumatic birth which led to several health problems for both of us.  I was completely overwhelmed just trying to BF.  Our little guy wasn't gaining weight and I was at the lactation consultant every other day.  I was waking up to feed because he wasn't gaining. We were taking our son to orthopaedic specialists.  I was a hot mess.  We had zero help and my husband was back at work.  Family and friends had dropped off food the first week then didn't really do anything after that.  The idea of cloth diapering seemed pretty ridiculous at that point.  It just wasn't a priority.  Surviving was.  In our city we are able to put disposable diapers in the compost bin so it isn't going in to a landfill but is processed separately.  It made me feel slightly better about the whole thing.  Yeah, I would have loved to cloth diaper but sometimes I think we have to prioritize and realize our limitations.  Maybe next time, maybe not.  

Thank you for mentioning this - I completely forgot to mention that in the end I was happy I had decided not to cloth diaper because our start was rough as well. I got HELLP, DD was a preemie and in the NICU, I got a deep vein thrombosis, DD had projectile spit-ups and had to be checked a couple of times for pyrolic stenosis, I wasn't allowed to BF because DD was having problems gaining so we had to monitor her intake, so I was pumping and supplementing while watching my supply go down and down and down despite all of my best efforts, etc, etc, etc. It was really rough, and I have no family in the area to help. To me, CDing seemed like it would be one more added stress and I was happy I had chosen to go with disposables. Honestly, I don't think I'll consider CDs for future kids again.

riverbed

I planned on it, I even bought them, I had prefolds and covers and I had some fitteds and pockets.  Then we said we would wait till his circ healed becuase I was worried the neosporin would mess them up, then he had a diaper rash, and i got so many conflicting answers as to which cream would work with cloth, and what to do if I had to use a cream like A&D. 

Then he had surgery, and I wanted to wated until the incisions healed.  Then when Is tarted using them I didn't actually have enough to keep up.  I would forget and then run out, and then we were using them for night only because he was always blowing out of the disposables, but I never had a good enough size load to wash. 

I guess it all comes down to me being lazy.  But I have started thinking we may try again, now that his poop is plopable and he only goes once a day usually.  But then we get into me having to get daycare on board. ::Sigh::  I wish I could do it.

 Also I second that I think it is super confusing all the different info about washing, how its all different if you have an HE machine, and all the different types.  It was totally overwhelming!

tokenhoser

This post is really good:

https://www.theecofriendlyfamily.com/2011/12/clothdiapers-good-bad-honest.html

Angel0423

I use disposable diapers for the reason they were created, convenience.  I work full-time. I have no desire to wash diapers or deal with the smells.