Cloth diapers vs. disposable?

Char - posted on 02/27/2009

Mother ease diapers,

Sara - posted on 02/26/2009

www.abbyslane.com is my fav. site. they have a very helpful cloth 101 section. if you sign up for their mailing list, you'll get a codefor 5 % off ALL future purchases. I am doing pre-folds right now and plan to move to pockets. the "thirsty's" covers are great!

Chelsea - posted on 02/26/2009

I think that the bst are the classic chinese prefolds with the regular plastic gerber covers.  They are so easy to use you just treat them like regular diapers.  I use snappies to secure the diaper and put the cover over them.  When I change my daughter I put the diaper in the diaper pail and about ever 3-4 days I was them in hot water with 1 1/2 cups of bleach and free and clear detergent.  I second rinse them to get out all the bleach and then I dry them on high heat.  The hot water sanatizes them and I have never had any of them stain or smell as some other people find with other brands.  Another plus to the prefolds are that they are not expensive I bought the deluxe package from katies kisses (an online company) with enough diapers and snappies until she is potty trained for $200 dollars.  I have never had a leaking problem and at night time I just use two diapers instead of one and I have never had an issue.  I cannot say enough good things about prefold, they are wonderful!!!!!  Low maintanance, cheap, so easy to use and very absorbent.  There is no need to mess around with diapers that have pockets and smell over time.

Meghan - posted on 02/26/2009

I found these great diapers called "gdiapers".  It's a cloth diaper, but you put a flushable/disposable insert in.  I haven't had any problems with leaks and you only have to wash the actualy cloth diaper part if it gets wet or dirty.  They're great because you can flush them, compost them, or throw them away.  They decompose in only a couple of months.  Plus, you can use a cloth insert instead of using the throw away one.  It's pretty handy.

I use disposables occassionally as well.  I found these great ones at the store that don't have any plastic in them, so they decompose faster.  They're made out of corn....the brand is Nature Babycare.  I haven't had any problems with leaking with these either.

I hope you try to cloth diapering!

Jessi - posted on 02/26/2009

I like the one size fits all bum geniuses (pocket diapers). I tried some other pocket brands on line too, Wahmies were the cutest and the cheapest but they have a very involved closing system that had we started with on a calm newborn instead of a "busy" toddler we might have gotten the hang of better. I like the pocket style, I would recommend it, though it is all that I have used. For overnights I just added two liners to the pocket and we get leaks every couple of nights (but we did with the disposables too).

Andrea - posted on 02/25/2009

Cloth diapers are the BEST! Economically, the chinese prefold with prowrap covers are the best. DO NOT use Gerbers diapers- they just do not absorb enough! The best over all, and the ones I currently use, are Mothers Touch All In One Cloth Diapers- These diapers "grow" with your child and can be used from 5 lbs- 35lbs. Cloth diapers are "green", easy to wash ( no need to soak in a bucket of water, just soak in your washer when its time to wash), good for child's skin, and I've noticed that I do not have as many "blow outs" as I have had with paper diapers. Good Luck- try NickisDiapers.com

Anne - posted on 02/25/2009

I use the Bum Genius all in one's. I LOVE them!! I, like you have no diaper service available in my area so I wash them my self. The all in ones are great because it is one piece. They actually look like a disposable diaper with velcro tabs and all. My daughter is breastfed only, so I don't have to scrape the diapers at all, they just go right into my diaper pail. I wash them once cycle on cold, once cycle on hot and extra rinse and then dry in my dryer. I have front loader machines so I use HE tide free because Dreft does not make HE detergent. I just got back from a trip where I had to use disposable diapers because I was gone a week and stayed in a hotel room. I noticed a huge difference in my babys skin with the disposables. I have never had a problem with diaper rash until last week. Hope that helps you. Google Bum Genius All In One. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Christine - posted on 02/25/2009

I used cloth nappies for my three girls, I washed them in Lux flakes and fabric softener each time and my first child having CDH (congenital dislocated hips sever case) needed double nappies to keep her legs apart, my other 2 needed double nappies but not as long as my 1st, I had to wash 2 times a day but it was worth it. We would even go camping and I still used cloth nappies.

One of my daughters have just had a baby and uses cloth nappies aswell and loves them if your willing to do the hard yaka for your little one it's worth it, more comfort and softness for them and living in the tropics they aren't hot and dont keep in heat.

cheers and goodluck which ever you choose

Stephanie - posted on 02/24/2009

My stash consists of a dozen BumGenius diapers and prefolds with Bummis covers. They work really well for my daughter. I also knit, so we have some fitteds to use with handknit wool covers. We wash every 2-3 days using Planet detergent because it will not build up on diapers and cause them to not be absorbent like many other detergents will. I have some links that might help clarify things for you if you're interested.

Jenn - posted on 02/24/2009

i love my cloth nappies!! i wash every 2 days, honestly you wouldn't want to leave them any longer as they start to get a bit smelly :) no leaks and they are so easy! I LOVE THEM!! www.greennappy.com.au

they are from australia but may be good to look at the website and see what a good system looks like!

good luck!

Heather - posted on 02/24/2009

hey  .

i've been cloth diapering my preemie for the past 7 months (with the exception of when we go out, then i use a disposable) and he's never had a diaper rash. also, since i've bought all these diapers (5 preemie, 6 medium, 4 large + inserts) i'm good to go for any other kids i have down the road. i think it's a good investment. plus i don't mind the washing it out part. (!).  anyways, i've got a bit of each kind - bummis, bum genius, baby kanga, bamboozle and fuzzibuns, and the fuzzibuns get my vote. The reason is, that they are snaps, not velcro, so they won't pick up all kinds of lint and junk in the velcro as time goes by, there is no velcro to stick the the fabric of my changetable cover or stick to inserts in the washing machine, and the snaps are way harder to undo for inquisitive baby boy hands, whereas he's already pulling at the velcro...the last thing i need is that kindof half on half off kinda diaper mess. Fuzzibuns have a waist snap and a leg snap, so you can adjust the fit, and the BEST part is that they are the most streamlined cloth diaper i've used, so that he doesn't have to wear big oversize bottoms, just to accomodate the bulkiness of the diaper. 

anyways.  bottom line - fuzzibuns is my recommendation. 

Tiffany - posted on 02/24/2009

I would definitely recommend starting out with some of the "baby-sitter friendly" diapers, namely all in ones and pocket diapers.  The all in ones come all set and ready to go.  They take a long time to dry, but they are super easy to use.  The pocket diapers are a little trickier in that you have to stuff them with microfiber or hemp inserts, but they are just as simple to use once you have placed the inserts in the pocket.

There are other options, of course, such as fitteds (similar to all in ones, but they require a diaper cover), prefolds and flats, and feel free to research them.  I personally do own about 2 1/2 dozen prefolds and 18 covers (for two kids), but I am reaching for them less and less now that they're toddlers.  For newborns, though, prefolds are a God send, as you will be changing diapers 10-14 times a day!

For more information, I would visit http://www.nickisdiapers.com.  Also, feel free to visit the JustMommies cloth diapering board here: http://www.justmommies.com/boards/index....

Hope that helps!

Laura - posted on 02/24/2009

I finally switched to cloth when my youngest was 2 months because of rashes, and I'm glad I did. Besides the savings, even when you factor in water/utilities, it's just so much better (and easier) to do. Even my husband was surprised at how easy they are to use.

I started out with Fuzzi Bunz, but got annoyed at how as she grew (and my son grew, as we converted him also) we needed to stuff extra inserts in to their diapers to make them more absorbent, which was kind of annoying. AIO's are good if you want to "mimic" the disposable as far as user friendliness.

For overnights, I started making my own diapers using bamboo---- what a HUGE difference. Both my son (when he was 2) my daughter from 6 mos and nursing 2 to 3 times a night to now (15 mos) these suckers held everything (and still do). (here's my site: http://bamboobums.com )

We've also used cloth for weekend trips, but haven't had to wash on the road.

Our wash cycle is: cold rinse, HOT wash, cold rinse, extra rinse (to ensure all detergent is out) and HOT dry. OR, I'll hang dry and fluff the next am for 15 min.

Good luck and diaperswappers is good for second hand dipes- you can save a lot there, also check out the real diaper association for articles and other info.

Danielle - posted on 02/24/2009

We use one-size fitted BellaBottoms.com & dappi covers for the day, and bum genius 2.0/3.0 for night. That method works well for our long skinny girl.

We used to put disposables on her when we went out, but found that she actually leaked more often! Also, they have this natural smell to them that we didn't like. If my daughter was in a disposable my mom was always telling me she smelled like piddle even if I had just changed her. Now we only use disposables if we're on vacation. A lot of places don't want you to throw diapers in their garbage, so I found I had a diaper bag of dirty diapers either way.

We read reviews at diaperpin.com and came up with a list of dipes to try - bought a couple of each & found our method. It's important to find dipes that your spouse likes to use too!

We recently bought the maximum capacity pail from cottonbabies.com with the liner, & I do a load every 3 days or so. The pottypail.com bucket is wonderful too. Also, try cloth wipes for at home - they work way better than any disposable wipe we've used while out & about.

We didn't find out the gender & we're not going to with the babe we're expecting in August - It's worth the wait, I promise!

Danielle - posted on 02/24/2009

We use one-size fitted BellaBottoms.com & dappi covers for the day, and bum genius 2.0/3.0 for night. That method works well for our long skinny girl.

We used to put disposables on her when we went out, but found that she actually leaked more often! Also, they have this natural smell to them that we didn't like. If my daughter was in a disposable my mom was always telling me she smelled like piddle even if I had just changed her. Now we only use disposables if we're on vacation. A lot of places don't want you to throw diapers in their garbage, so I found I had a diaper bag of dirty diapers either way.

We read reviews at diaperpin.com and came up with a list of dipes to try - bought a couple of each & found our method. It's important to find dipes that your spouse likes to use too!

We recently bought the maximum capacity pail from cottonbabies.com with the liner, & I do a load every 3 days or so. The pottypail.com bucket is wonderful too. Also, try cloth wipes for at home - they work way better than any disposable wipe we've used while out & about.

We didn't find out the gender & we're not going to with the babe we're expecting in August - It's worth the wait, I promise!

Chantel - posted on 02/24/2009

I started out with the Kushie classics and have since bought sever other brands, with the better brands they are all one size and pockets and they have all worked great. BG 3.0's, HH, BK, g diapers, and Blueberry's. I very very rarely get a leak and when I do its my fault because this is several hours without a change!!!! Also the microfiber works great but if you want something that will go longer get some bamboo flats to fold and stuff in!!!



We do use posie at night because she is easily irratated so we put powder on her for overnight and this has kept the red bum away. We do use cloth when we are traveling unless we are somewhere that laundry isn't easily accessible!!

Elizabeth - posted on 02/24/2009

Don't look at cloth as an all-or-nothing... we do about 70% cloth and 30% disposables. We do 'sposies for daycare or if he has diarrhea or travel, babysitter, etc. But if you figure the average kid goes through, say, 5000 diapers in his life, then that is 3500 disposables I've kept out of the landfill.

My advice to you would be to plan on using 'sposies for the first month, and then pick up a small assortment of different kids of CD to try because everyone has thier favorites and the ones that just don't work for them. I'd recommend diaperswappers.com as a place to buy "pre-owned" ones (sounds better than "used diapers", lol). Don't rush out and buy 15 of one kind and then find out that they leak for your baby... that having been said, my favorites are the BumGenius and the Fuzi Bunz. I like the Bum Genius because they are "one size" (though my 17 month old is starting to grow out of his) and the Fuzi Bunz because they have snaps and not velcro. If I could go back in time, I'd get all BG to start out with, and then just buy the large FB, but every kid is different.

Good luck!

Caty - posted on 02/24/2009

i havn't tryed the new bg's get but the 2.0's i had compleatley fell apart on me, i did get a good year of use out of them, but had to pay to repair them to be able to use them on my 2nd child, i'm not really picky about brands though some of my favorate pocket diapers have been made by work at home moms, i also AIO's fitteds and prefolds depending on my mood, so far i'm the only one that dosn't use disposables, we use cloth everywhere at night when we go out even on vacation, and we've CDd while camping before too

Alicia - posted on 02/24/2009

Thanks everyone for your responses; great advice!  I've asked my doctor to let me be surprised by baby's sex, so won't know until the birth if it is a boy or girl, but I appreciate the confirmation that it's ok to do a combination of cloth and disposable, as my husband had concerns about cloth while traveling.  Sounds like I'll definitely have to try the BG's!

Karen - posted on 02/24/2009

Another vote for the bG one sized pockets. I recommend you just start small - get a few (a pack of 3?) and see if you like them. We also use disposables for outings, and have come and gone with using them at night. Right now she's back in the cloth at night and doing fine (at almost 2 years, 30lbs). Also we used disposables for the first month. I started with 3 bG 2.0 (in 2007) at about 1 month old, liked them, and just got more and more - now have about 25 (ish?) and a handful of other brands, and they're still going strong at ~2 years.

As the other posters say, washing at home isn't as bad as it seems - you need additive free detergent (I used All Free and Clear when I lived in the US, Ecover now in the  UK) and use just a little with a hot wash. With breast milk poo you won't need liners as it's totally water soluble, but after ~6 months when baby starts on solid food the liners are a godsend - you just flush the poop and wash the rest.

Best of luck with it all.

Kristen - posted on 02/23/2009

I have to agree with Marlene! I, too use disposables for bedtime (no matter what kind of cloth diaper I tried, my son always woke up with wet jammies) and I find that pampers are the best disposables (always leaks with huggies), too. I also use disposables when we go out so I dont have to carry around a HUGE diaper bag with stinky diapers!!! I love chinese prefolds with thirsties covers, and have been told that prefolds and covers are the best for newborns (my son was 9 months old when I switched to cloth full time at home). For conveniece, you might like kissaluvs contour diapers. they are like prefolds that are shaped like a regular diaper. i actually bought one and then used it as a model to turn my prefolds into contours (just cut and sew the edges!) I also like bumgenius pocket diapers. i have four of them and my husband finds them to be the easiest to use. also, they keep my son dry like a disposable would. never gets diaper rash with them.

since you will be washing diapers at home (which really is much easier than you think!!!) i suggest getting disposable diaper liners. you just lay them inside the diaper and throw them in the toilet when you change your baby's diaper. prefolds need to be washed several times to become absorbent and i found that it was better to pay a little more for nice prefolds than to just buy cheap ones from walmart. they tend to give my son a rash. also, just use a tiny ammount of detergent in the wash or use soap nuts. cold rinse, hot wash, cold rinse again. and wash diaper covers in cold water separate from the prefolds.

sorry this is soooooo long!!! hope it helps! congrats and good luck!!!!

Crystal - posted on 02/23/2009

I use pocket nappies there for there is not so much to wash, just the nappy and inserts! unlike if you use the wool covers etc that need to be treated with care etc.

I like my BumGenious3.0 and my Green Kids oh and also my Wild Child all very well made and with a bamboo insert from greenkids i have yet to have a leak.

I would watch out for cheap brands though, i got tempted by some and after 3mths of using them the waterproof liner is coming away from the fabric :( not happy but guess you get what u pay for :)

Good luck

Marlene - posted on 02/23/2009

Oh, I meant to add, I use a disposable for outings and overnight.  I've found that Pampers works well for my son (and my friends' boys) but the Huggies leaked alot - Moms of girls told me they like Huggies.  Just keep in mind that at one time or another, any brand, cloth or disposable, will leak!  (just some more than others)

Marlene - posted on 02/23/2009

Do you know if you're having a boy or a girl?  I find that the Chinese prefolds work well with bummis covers for boys, but my friends with girls didn't like them.