Cloth Diapers vs. Disposable

bossybluejay · January 2015

I never really considered doing cloth diapers because I figured I wouldn't really have the time to deal with the extra mess and doing the laundry every day. But, the more I look into them, the more shocked I am by the price difference between cloth and disposable diapers. What are you planning on using? For STMs, what are your thoughts? How much more effort does it take to use cloth vs. disposable diapers?

girlymama79 · January 2015

In planning to cd this one. I used disposables before.

gingerbabe · January 2015

I have a friend who used cloth diapers her first baby but used some kind of service that cleaned the diapers. I don't know the details, but it ended up being cheaper to use disposables for her, so she switched to disposable around 6 months. That is only because she was using a service though.

I am so bad that I wish I could throw away every onesie that was affected by a blow-out. I hate cleaning them out after a blow out. It's time consuming and disgusting. So I know cloth diapers are not for me

If you think you can handle it, go for it!

aliciac2008 · January 2015

We plan on using cloths diapers, but getting the hose that hooks to your toilet to make it easier to clean up the mess. I work from home, so laundry won't really be a problem for me. I've actually never really understood what's so bad about doing laundry. You throw it in there and leave for an hour and then switch it. It just doesn't seem like a lot of effort to me. And I'm looking forward to not having to rush to the store to buy disposables.

I did a lot of research and my plan is to get 24 diapers to start with. Half bumgenius 4.0, and half bumgenius freetime. I'll see which one I like more while still having enough to last a couple days. Once I figure out which one I really like I'll probably get another 12 or so.

bossybluejay · January 2015

aliciac2008 said:

We plan on using cloths diapers, but getting the hose that hooks to your toilet to make it easier to clean up the mess. I work from home, so laundry won't really be a problem for me. I've actually never really understood what's so bad about doing laundry. You throw it in there and leave for an hour and then switch it. It just doesn't seem like a lot of effort to me. And I'm looking forward to not having to rush to the store to buy disposables.

I did a lot of research and my plan is to get 24 diapers to start with. Half bumgenius 4.0, and half bumgenius freetime. I'll see which one I like more while still having enough to last a couple days. Once I figure out which one I really like I'll probably get another 12 or so.

I'm not as worried about the laundry as I am about cleaning the poop out. It also seems like a lot of the brands don't fit as tightly as disposable diapers do, so there is the potential for pee leaks.

I'll have to look more into it but I definitely see a lot of pros, with a few cons. I like that it's one upfront cost that will last for multiple babies...even with a diaper cleaning service at $25/week, its still cheaper than disposables.

aliciac2008 · January 2015

I hear cleaning the poop really isn't that bad once it's your own kid. I've never done it, but I'm thinking about it like picking up my dogs poop. I wouldn't want to pick up some other dogs poop, but I don't mind my own. New born poop is water soluble so you actually don't need to clean it off at all. And I think (I'm not positive) the poop is solid enough when they start eating solid foods that the poop isn't that gross? I bet I'll be so used to it by that point it won't matter anyway. Like I said, we are getting one of those hoses that attaches to the toilet to make getting it all off a lot easier. I'm not sure how effective the washer is at getting it all out, but I would imagine pretty well.

I also think about the how much garbage and waste you use while using disposables. Like you said, definitely a lot of pros, but I could understand why someone would rather use disposables.

enjoylife · January 2015

We will be cloth diapering, I have with my two sons already. Tons of perks (cost savings, cuteness, environment, no chemicals ) but also some challenges like figuring out your wash routine to make sure everything is clean. There are lots of resources out there, what works for one mom/baby may or may not work for you. YouTube has a cloth 101 series that is great for explaining different types of cloth diapering systems. One pieces, two pieces, etc. Poop and pee cleanup is part of the deal when having babies, I will say I have far less leaks or blowouts in my cloth diapers than I do with disposables (we travel with disposables because I don't want to do laundry on vacations). Pp is right before solids soiled diapers can go directly into the laundry once solids are intro'd though and poop is looking more like people poop then it needs to be dunked, sprayed, plopped off

We use a diaper sprayer that connects to the toilet which also comes in handy when spraying out puke buckets and tiny potty chairs when you get to potty training. Several of the big online companies have cloth diaper trials that you can rent new diapers try them out for a few weeks/month keep what you like and return some or all of them if it doesn't work for you and you are usually only out the shipping and possibly a small fee. Fwiw we have never had problems with child caregivers using cloth either, babysitters, daycare, Sunday school we have some easier, go on like a disposable, for them to use and so they are usually well received. Good luck!

ombradellarosa · January 2015

I want to cloth diaper because I feel like it's better for baby and the environment, but I definitely don't want to wash them myself and I don't expect DH to want to either. I'm not even sure there is a diaper service where I live or how I would afford it. My mum had one with me and they were really poor. Maybe I should ask her how she did it.

missjenniebean · January 2015

FTM planning to CD, no matter what anyone tells me. It may take a little extra time, but I'll save a few extra dimes. Plus they are so advance now that they have inserts. *gasp* Plus, better for the environment.

A lot of cities also have CD groups where you can join and they will donate cloth diapers and/or come pick it up to do laundry. A lot of our kid/baby thrift stores in town have the contact cards hanging up.

ETA: the *gasp* was for all my negative nancy's at work who are alll EEEWWWW GROOOSSSSSSSS and ugghhhh laundry. NOT to be sarcastic for anyone on here. :}

heylittlediddle · January 2015

gingerbabe said:
I have a friend who used cloth diapers her first baby but used some kind of service that cleaned the diapers. I don't know the details, but it ended up being cheaper to use disposables for her, so she switched to disposable around 6 months. That is only because she was using a service though.

I am so bad that I wish I could throw away every onesie that was affected by a blow-out. I hate cleaning them out after a blow out. It's time consuming and disgusting. So I know cloth diapers are not for me If you think you can handle it, go for it!

In my experience you get very very few blowouts with cloth. That's actually one of the benefits. You have to make sure to do then research and get good quality brands and also make sure you are using them properly but I can't remember one cloth blowout with ds.

lwyz · January 2015

I'm actually super excited to cloth diaper! (Everyone's laughing at me for actually being excited about diapering.) But I personally don't really see the difference between throwing some diapers in the wash and throwing them in the trash. Until they start eating solids you don't even have to rinse them. Plus they're so cute and so much cheaper than disposables!

heylittlediddle · January 2015

Also for those worried about cleaning poop look into diaper liners. For instance look at the charlie banana brand. You buy boxes of liners (I think like 10 bucks for 100).

You lay the liner over the diaper and then when they poop you just take out the liner , the poo stays on top and you toss it.

Also as far as laundry you don't even haven't touch the dirty diapers. Just open the wet bag and dump it in. Don't forget to use the right kinds of soap to not ruin diapers

Also when drying do not use dryer sheets as this can make inserts less absorbent.

Again if you research and follow directions they aren't too difficult and definitely save money.

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