Cloth Diapers or Disposable?

HollywoodDoll · May 2009

Just curious? Are cloth diapers worth it? i mean, if you're out in public and baby goes...where do you put the messy cloth diaper? plastic bag? but it'll smell vs. just throwing away a dispoable one right?

Is the cost better? i assume there would be more machine washing going on, so more water, does that equal out with disposable diapers?

My mind seriously has so many questions.

what are you all going for?

maryannelise · May 2009

I will be using disposable. I don't have much experience w/ cloth diapers so I can't really say either way.

madalynnsmommy09 · May 2009

We haven't completely made up our mind yet, but are strongly leaning towards going with cloth. I still want to do more research on it, but so far what I have researched we are leaning towards cloth.

corgidogs · May 2009

I am going with cloth. In my opinion it is definitely worth it. You can spend up to thousands on diapers in the childs lifetime. You spend about $100 a month on diapers when you could spend about $300 total for reusables.

TeamRey · May 2009

I had cloth when I was a baby. However my mom used disposable when we were out. They had a service then that would pick up the diapers and clean them for you.

I don't know how much that service costs or if it is even still around. I feel like now have to do the laundry yourself it just seems like so much more work and having a baby takes up a lot of time and adds so much more laundry already that I am sticking with disposable.

haleymay18 · May 2009

We are using cloth diapers...

It is recommended that you purchase enough that you aren't running the machine with just one or two diapers in it...

epuorro · May 2009

My sister had a baby 2 months ago and she's using cloth. I've actually been pleasantly surprised because I thought it would be so much extra work for her. She said it adds 1-2 loads of laundry a week, but that's not too bad.

You get this bag - it's like a small cloth laundry bag that you put in your diaper bag to put the dirty diapers in and then you just dump the bag out into your washing machine. Pretty easy!

The cost is also better than disposable.

I think I'm going to go for cloth after seeing how easy it's been on my sister.

Alex17 · May 2009

Haven't decided yet. But my babe will have to go to daycare, and I'm not sure if daycares will even do cloth diapers.

mandabear324 · May 2009

Disposable.

easjer05 · May 2009

I think they are worth it and intend to use them.

First - what will you do with the clothes if the diaper (cloth or otherwise) have a blow out? Which will happen at some point. Just keep a plastic bag in the diaper bag. No biggie!

You'd be surprised - all diapers smell, and you wash cloth diapers regularly, so generally, they don't have a whole lot of time to stink things up. Just use an airtight container to toss them, no biggie. Have you ever changed out a diaper genie? Yuck. Those tend to sit around far longer becuase you are done with them, whereas you'll need your cloth again, so they don't sit more than a day or two.

The cost is better, bottom line, unless you don't have your own washer. Even with the increase in laundry bills - and that's going up anyway, because of the baby laundry. Usually it's only an extra load every other day or so. Which, can of course, add up, but isn't that bad.

You can find a wealth of info on the Eco-Friendly Family board and another great place to start and get some cost comparisons and environmental comparisons is www.diaperpin.com.

GL!

easjer05 · May 2009

Alex17:
Haven't decided yet. But my babe will have to go to daycare, and I'm not sure if daycares will even do cloth diapers.

Many won't but more and more are open to it, especially if you are using pre-stuffed pockets or all in one's. After all, what is the big deal or difference? It should be exactly the same as clothing that has poop or vomit on it - it goes in a bag in the diaper bag.

Even if we can't find a daycare that does cloth, we'll cloth diaper at home. It's still worth it, imo.

MrsBunches · May 2009

I want to at least try using cloth diapers. There's diaper service in our area, so I won't be washing them myself. I've heard that they can save you money in the long run especially since kids in cloth diapers potty-train an average of 18 months earlier than kids in disposables. They're also a lot more?absorbent?and can cut down on leaks and "blowouts." Kids also tend to get fewer diaper rashes because they don't have all those crazy chemicals up against their skin. As far as being out, I guess I'm planning to carry some heavy duty plastic bags with me which should cut down on the smell. I also may take disposables as a temporary solution if I know I'll be out for a long time.

There's a lot of good information in the eco-friendly family board if you're interested.?

blessedinthewest · May 2009

babytime09:

My sister had a baby 2 months ago and she's using cloth. I've actually been pleasantly surprised because I thought it would be so much extra work for her. She said it adds 1-2 loads of laundry a week, but that's not too bad.

You get this bag - it's like a small cloth laundry bag that you put in your diaper bag to put the dirty diapers in and then you just dump the bag out into your washing machine. Pretty easy!

The cost is also better than disposable.

I think I'm going to go for cloth after seeing how easy it's been on my sister.

I have never known anyone that used cloth. Well except for my grandma 50 years ago when I wasn't around. So after you take the diaper off do you have to rinse it in the toilet or something?

Valerie Armour · May 2009

It is our goal to go with cloth diapers, and they make little lined bags that close up for dirty diapers while your out, so smell shouldn't be a problem till you get home to unload...

easjer05 · May 2009

MrsGarciatobe:
I have never known anyone that used cloth. Well except for my grandma 50 years ago when I wasn't around. So after you take the diaper off do you have to rinse it in the toilet or something?

Not these days! In fact, there are tons of options - many of them VERY cute, many just like disposable diapers. My friends that cloth diaper have an airtight pail and just throw them in there. If it's a really poopy diaper, they may first rinse with a little shower-head like attachment that attaches to the toilet line - so no actual dipping in the toilet.

epuorro · May 2009

MrsGarciatobe:
babytime09:

My sister had a baby 2 months ago and she's using cloth. I've actually been pleasantly surprised because I thought it would be so much extra work for her. She said it adds 1-2 loads of laundry a week, but that's not too bad.

You get this bag - it's like a small cloth laundry bag that you put in your diaper bag to put the dirty diapers in and then you just dump the bag out into your washing machine. Pretty easy!

The cost is also better than disposable.

I think I'm going to go for cloth after seeing how easy it's been on my sister.

I have never known anyone that used cloth. Well except for my grandma 50 years ago when I wasn't around. So after you take the diaper off do you have to rinse it in the toilet or something?

No, I guess you don't have to rinse it before you wash it. Seems weird, I know! I imagine when the baby's poop turns solid you'd just plop the poop in the toilet and then wash the diaper in the washing machine.

mooeta · May 2009

Cloth... no doubt. My DH and I are committed to it. I have a HE washer and we would line dry to help with the environmental impact. In my opinion nothing equals disposables. Your child will be born, live their life, and pass away before the diapers you put them in even start to decompose. I just won't do it, not to mention the chemicals they put in the disposables to hold more liquid, to control smell, and to make them bright white. Just not for me.

Jenice32 · May 2009

We're going to use cloth. The cost is much better and even with the additional water use it's still better for the environment. But, I will probably use disposable diapers when we travel.

manda_mullins · May 2009

We're doing cloth. There are a lot of great resources out there and cloth diapers have evolved a lot over the last few years. They are very user friendly.

?

I suggest you ask for some info/websites/resources on The Eco-Friendly Family board. They helped me a lot when DH and I were trying to decide whether or not to CD.

?

Alex17 · May 2009

What about the switching to cloth at home and disposable at daycare?

I would think this would cause diaper rash or some kind of irritation?

I'm totally just assuming that, does anyone have any experience with that?

Temp785382312506150 · May 2009

I'm still undecided.

blessedinthewest · May 2009

Twenty bucks for one cloth diaper? I'm finding it hard to see the cost savings. You can buy a box of 92 newborn diapers for 18 bucks.

mooeta · May 2009

Alex17:
What about the switching to cloth at home and disposable at daycare?

I would think this would cause diaper rash or some kind of irritation?

I'm totally just assuming that, does anyone have any experience with that?

no some people do that especially when daycares won't use CDs. Do what you can, I guess that's all we can do.

Alex17 · May 2009

mooeta:
Alex17:

What about the switching to cloth at home and disposable at daycare?

I would think this would cause diaper rash or some kind of irritation?

I'm totally just assuming that, does anyone have any experience with that?

no some people do that especially when daycares won't use CDs. Do what you can, I guess that's all we can do.

Yeah, I am definitely interested in doing it.

Alex17 · May 2009

MrsGarciatobe:

Twenty bucks for one cloth diaper? I'm finding it hard to see the cost savings. You can buy a box of 92 newborn diapers for 18 bucks.

Ummm. Do the math. You only have to purchase cloth diapers once. Say 15 -20 cloth diapers = $400.

Buying diapers for 2+ years at $75 per month (on average) = $1800 for the first two years.

ETA: Not to mention the benefit to the environment.

I'm not trying to say you are wrong if you don't use cloth ( I still haven't even decided), but it is cost effective.

breech · May 2009

i am going cloth this time around. i feel like it wouldn't be that much more wash b/c every single time my son pooped it was on his clothes ( wearing disposables) so adding a small diaper to that isnt bad. honistly is just a matter of opinion. cloth is not for everyone, neither is disposable. i say do a little research and see what feels right for you.

sdc06 · May 2009

We use cloth on DS and we LOVE it! My friends never expected it from me but I do! The EFF board is a great place to answer your questions. I would also be happy to answer any questions that you may have. For going out, We use a wet bag. It is a zip top cloth bag with a waterproof liner. I have never had a problem with smell. I do 2 extra loads of laundry and honestly cloth has not been any more work. at all. We mostly use all-in-ones for going out. We use pocket diapers at night so I can control the absorbancy and we also use fitteds at home. HTH

sdc06 · May 2009

Oh and we will be using cloth again on this little one.

blessedinthewest · May 2009

Alex17:
MrsGarciatobe:

Twenty bucks for one cloth diaper? I'm finding it hard to see the cost savings. You can buy a box of 92 newborn diapers for 18 bucks.

Ummm. Do the math. You only have to purchase cloth diapers once. Say 15 -20 cloth diapers = $400.

Buying diapers for 2+ years at $75 per month (on average) = $1800 for the first two years.

ETA: Not to mention the benefit to the environment.

I'm not trying to say you are wrong if you don't use cloth ( I still haven't even decided), but it is cost effective.

Don't you have to buy different sizes? So 15 when newborn then more when the baby grows?

I guess I was just a little shocked. I didn't realize they were so pricey. I thought maybe 5 dollars each.

Alex17 · May 2009

MrsGarciatobe:
Alex17:
MrsGarciatobe:

Twenty bucks for one cloth diaper? I'm finding it hard to see the cost savings. You can buy a box of 92 newborn diapers for 18 bucks.

Ummm. Do the math. You only have to purchase cloth diapers once. Say 15 -20 cloth diapers = $400.

Buying diapers for 2+ years at $75 per month (on average) = $1800 for the first two years.

ETA: Not to mention the benefit to the environment.

I'm not trying to say you are wrong if you don't use cloth ( I still haven't even decided), but it is cost effective.

Don't you have to buy different sizes? So 15 when newborn then more when the baby grows?

I guess I was just a little shocked. I didn't realize they were so pricey. I thought maybe 5 dollars each.

Nope. Bum genius ones are adjustable newborn through toddler.

breech · May 2009

MrsBunches:

. I've heard that they can save you money in the long run especially since kids in cloth diapers potty-train an average of 18 months earlier than kids in disposables

i never heard anything about potty training earlier. i dont believe that what your child wears has to dowith his/ her ability to potty train.

manda_mullins · May 2009

Yeah the BumGenius are supposed to be awesome.

?

They fit from newborn to toddler, and if you plan on having more kids obviously you can use them with those as well. We have 15 of them.?

?

So for a couple hundred dollars, you can diaper all of your kids. That's how it's cheaper. Oh and then you can resell them.

easjer05 · May 2009

breech:
MrsBunches:

. I've heard that they can save you money in the long run especially since kids in cloth diapers potty-train an average of 18 months earlier than kids in disposables

i never heard anything about potty training earlier. i dont believe that what your child wears has to dowith his/ her ability to potty train.

Well, multiple studies will disagree with you, lol.

Basically, to potty train, kids need to know what is happening, associate the waste with the action of urinating/defecating and then be able to anticipate it.

Because disposables are so full of chemical absorbents, it's rare for kids to feel the waste and be able to associate it with the act of urinating/defecating, let alone anticipate it. Which is why they make pull-ups now to allow older toddlers the chance to feel the waste.

However, with cloth, they are more likely to begin to make those connections sooner.

mommyof2texans · May 2009

Ok..so my DH thinks putting poo in the washer is an abomination and does not want the same washer washing his clothes. Can someone talk a bit more about the whole washing part. Before the poo gets to solids...do you rinse them first or just throw them in the pail as is? How does the washer sanitize itself if that makes sense? How do I reassure my DH that the poo doesn't stay in the washer and get on his clothes?

HollywoodDoll · May 2009

Hmmmmm! Great advice ladies. I think im now leaning towards cloth. My ONLY concern is that the hubby will find it more difficult than me. I'm going to research even more, now that im leaning towards CD.

Thanks beautifuls!

easjer05 · May 2009

It also depends on what type of diaper you buy. You can easily be under $3 a diaper if you choose to go the prefold/cover route. Perhaps not as cute, or quite as absorbent, but cheap. The more advanced you get, all in ones or one size diapers, the more expensive you are.

But don't forget - cloth can be reused through two, or even three or four children.

So you only invest the cost once. That $20 diaper could potentially last through 2-3 years on 2-3 children.

wakko · May 2009

18 Bum genius 3.0 One Size Fits All
Cloth diapers these days are not the same kind that our grandmothers or our mothers used. They look like disposables, have the same kind of fit around leg and waist (though are fluffier), and don't have to be rinsed in the toilet, or pinned up with giant ducky pins. They have snaps or velcro.
They're very eco-friendly and much cheaper than disposables, particularly if you wash them yourself. Though there are diaper services that still wash diapers, for a fee of course.
I'll be using them - I just can't justify having many hundreds of pounds of diaper waste in the garbage for my child.
And according to the eco-friendly board, they have fewer blow-outs, and rarely any diaper rashes with cloth.

Alex17 · May 2009

Mommyof2texans:
Ok..so my DH thinks putting poo in the washer is an abomination and does not want the same washer washing his clothes. Can someone talk a bit more about the whole washing part. Before the poo gets to solids...do you rinse them first or just throw them in the pail as is? How does the washer sanitize itself if that makes sense? How do I reassure my DH that the poo doesn't stay in the washer and get on his clothes?

I have never used them myself, but my SIL does and she has an 11 month old so his poo is more than just BF poops. She would dump the poo in the toilet and then wash the diapers in the washer. I don't know if other people do this or not?

I have no idea when the babies are tiny if you rinse it before washing.

easjer05 · May 2009

Mommyof2texans:
Ok..so my DH thinks putting poo in the washer is an abomination and does not want the same washer washing his clothes. Can someone talk a bit more about the whole washing part. Before the poo gets to solids...do you rinse them first or just throw them in the pail as is? How does the washer sanitize itself if that makes sense? How do I reassure my DH that the poo doesn't stay in the washer and get on his clothes?

You can rinse them first.

But as you know with kids - poo will get into the washer anyhow.

In fact, if you aren't already, you should be regularly 'cleaning' your washer by running an empty super hot cycle, with bleach, to kill germs.

ETA - the early poos are water soluble, so they will be fine thrown straight in, but rinsing with a toilet attachment just before a load doesn't hurt anything.

HollywoodDoll · May 2009

Mommyof2texans:
Ok..so my DH thinks putting poo in the washer is an abomination and does not want the same washer washing his clothes. Can someone talk a bit more about the whole washing part. Before the poo gets to solids...do you rinse them first or just throw them in the pail as is? How does the washer sanitize itself if that makes sense? How do I reassure my DH that the poo doesn't stay in the washer and get on his clothes?

My husband thinks the same darn thing! any one have an answer for this?

anhella · May 2009

Mommyof2texans:
Ok..so my DH thinks putting poo in the washer is an abomination and does not want the same washer washing his clothes. Can someone talk a bit more about the whole washing part. Before the poo gets to solids...do you rinse them first or just throw them in the pail as is? How does the washer sanitize itself if that makes sense? How do I reassure my DH that the poo doesn't stay in the washer and get on his clothes?

Breast milk poop is water soluble and you can just toss the whole poopy diaper in the wash as is.

When they child starts pooping solids you just shake it out in the toliet. They make little toliet spray thingies so you could hose down say a older childs diarreah diper before putting it into the laundry.

I really like this website https://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/basics.htm

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