What do other mothers think about your cloth diapers/nappies?

Monique - posted on 01/13/2010

I haven't had my baby yet, but most of the comments I get from people are that I am crazy and "good luck". I really got it into my head to use CD'ing after I changed my friends daughters diaper and she was so wet that all of the absorbant stuff from inside the diaper was all over her, I couldn't imagine how many chemicals have been sitting on her skin.



We even had to have a "meeting" with my husbands parents his mom purchased disposables saying that she wasn't comfortable using the cloth at her house. The meeting lasted an hour and we had to really get it in their heads that we will not accept anything but what is safe for our daughter and our environment.



Just as long as you know you are doing what's right, then other's opinions shouldn't matter, plus you can just laugh at them as they spend all their money on disposables.

Winter - posted on 01/13/2010

I find my SIL tends to justify why she uses sposies. I am not judging her, but I think she feels somewhat guilty about it. I just think that so many people are conditioned to the throw away lifestyle, and they aren't thinking about the long term effects it may have on our groundwater. It really takes little more effort! For the most part, I am a bit of a shut-in, so others don't really know about our CD habits.

Noreen - posted on 01/10/2010

I get the, "What is that?!" "You cloth diaper!!?" "How do you do it?" "Those are cute" and "I could never do that!" I used sposie's with my older 2 because I had no clue that cloth was this easy and thought cloth diapering was using prefolds and wraps. Then when Noah was almost 2 and I found out what cding was, I vowed to use them with my next. So from day one, I have used them on Abby and haven't looked back!! I LOVE it! I have converted 1.

Susanne - posted on 01/10/2010

My oldest sons wore disposables they were 8 and 6 when i had my third son it was my oldest who converted me they had been doing a recycling project in school. My oldest son found out that every disposable nappy ever used is still with us rotting extremely slowly on our landfill sites and he persuaded me to use cloth nappies. Most responses i had were oh thats a lot of work but most of the women over 60 loved it and said they loved to see my nappies blowing on the washing line lol.

Kendra - posted on 01/10/2010

we didnt start until baby was 10lbs cuz i use one size diapers... my neighbor actually converted me, i thought it would be a lot of work so when she mentioned she was switching to cloth i had her show me the diapers and i watched her change her babys butt and once i saw how easy it was.... i was sold! i only have 10 diapers as of now, i have 5 more in the mail, and next month im ordering an 18pack of smartipants brand pockeet diapers. they are pockets but the liner comes out in the washer so you dont have pull it out before throwing in the washer!! im super excited to be going completely cloth! we are military family, stationed in okinawa, so when we go visit the states my little guy will be sposies for the trip (its a VERY long flight) so hopefully he wont be too upset with mommy for putting him in 'paper pants'

Rebecca - posted on 01/08/2010

LOL, my husband wasn't real sure about CDing when I was pregnant, though I was adamant about it. I did agree to using disposables at first, which we did, spending about $20 a week. Now he talks about how we've already broken even (which we have at the rate we were going) and will do anything but stuff them (we use Fuzzibunz one size) because he says his hands are too big. Right now we're dealing with our first ever diaper rash- and she's almost 8 months old (I'm thinking its the solids)

Tara Mekosh - posted on 01/08/2010

When I was pregnant and still working I was talking to other moms about wanting to bf and cd when the baby was born. I got snickers and laughs... 'ok, well when you come back to visit you'll be giving your baby formula and using disposable diapers'. Uh... no I won't. I heard a lot of people saying things like - are u sure? More work etc.

i just ignored them and continue to. My husband and I are so happy with our choice to CD for all of the aforementioned reasons. My husband calls the sposies 'fake' diapers and the cd's 'real' diapers.

Sheena - posted on 01/06/2010

Everyone reacts like I am crazy, especially those older ladies who used the old fold up diapers many years ago. When I explain that they are not like the cloth diaper they used. (I use all-in-ones) They usually after seeing them or having them explained are a bit more accepting. I think new moms are always like that is gross having to touch the poop and washing it, but the reality is even with the disposable diaper you will have to touch it and it washes right off. My sister did say that maybe with her next child she will try them...so I might have converted one. I have several cousins that use the cloth as well so I'm not totally alone in this. I am not doing it to save the earth or anything like that...I am not a nature lover type person. I researched them thinking I might save some money and had no idea all the different types there are. I think if people are willing to try them they will be hooked.

Robin - posted on 01/05/2010

So many of our friends cloth diaper, so they are supportive. Not everyone though they finally have given up (after 2.5 years and on to baby number 2 in cloth) telling us, "sure, it won't last"!

Emma - posted on 01/05/2010

Hi, i'm from the uk we live in Suffolk.

I use bambino mio nappies and find them really good, but i get the liners and wipes from boots though as it is much cheaper!

When i tell people about using them they glaze over and dont really get why we bother but it is so much cheaper and it saves so much money they do just think its toom uch hassle, dont think its talked about enough and people arn't really educated about it!

I use the odd disposable nappy when we go out as i dont like having to fuss about with the real nappies but other than that always use reusables.

I just chuck them in with whatever washing i am putting on that day dont find it a problem at all.

I have one friend who said she is going to try them which is great but no one else really seems interested! :-)

Shellini - posted on 01/02/2010

Ahh.... I have heard the term nappy's too instead of diapers. Not from the UK, but I do have family there. I use cloth and I mostly use pocket diapers. I know what you mean about the "looks" and such.. but really... I wash laundry every day... so I toss em in. Washer takes care of it, No worse than mudd or dirt. I do use sposies when we are out for a day. I find it easier and that is a rare thing. So, we use cloth in our house. I have not been able to convert anyone either...

Louise - posted on 01/01/2010

Most people think I'm brave. I converted two people one who already has 3 kids and has bought them for her fourth. And another first time mum who's due shortly.

And I'm from the UK too!

Megan - posted on 12/30/2009

i have been "bragging" about cloth to all of my friends for months. they think i am crazy to do all that much work. I even had my boss (jokingly) offer to buy me a pack of sposies. I keep getting excuses like... i would do it but my husband never would....I am yet to convert anybody, but i keep trying!!

Amanda - posted on 12/28/2009

Moms here in the US are very tied to their disposable diapers. I have received everything from looks of horror and disgust to looks of sympathy as they assume that our income must be the reason why I am cloth diapering. It seemed like an inside joke to them or something, that I would be crazy enough to use cloth diapers. My friends are so attached to their disposable diapers in fact that even when a spouse loses a job, or they can't keep food in their cupboards they still will not convert, even when I offer to let them use my extras. I have actually started only using cloth at home now as frankly I am sick and tired of the weary expressions I was getting on a daily basis. Plus I haven't found a cloth diaper thin enough to look cute under her cloths.

Selia - posted on 12/26/2009

Quoting stefie:

Quoting Natasha:

When I tell people we use cloth diapers, we usually get one of two negative reactions (after the funny expressions):

1) Oh, we thought about that, but it's so much work and so much energy is used to wash them anyways, so you're not doing anything for the environment.
2) Oh, we thought about that, but isn't it gross to wash them in your washing machine? Isn't it unhygienic?

I don't even want to start on how frustrating those comments are! It's really too bad that people have these misconceptions and accept them so readily without being open to hearing about how easy cloth diapering really is!

On the positive side, our family doctor adores my son's diapers and just told me that she is convincing her daughter in law to go with cloth!

I have heard the same thing many times. I actually found a study that says these things. I looked into it before I converted to cloth. It turns out that big disposable diaper companies did this study and it was totally bias. It basically used a diaper service and  took 5 cloth to every one disposable, then they did extra cleaning steps that were not necessary! 

It did not consider the wasted energy of making disposables or the amount of landfill they use. But, good for those disposable mom's feeling better about themselves. Too bad they can't be more open minded and get all of the facts first. 

How about landfill and energy use aren't the same thing? We are slowly moving towards more eco-friendly energy sources such as solar, wind, etc., but landfills have no way of handling disposables in a more eco-friendly way. My family was skeptical I'd stick with it (except my parents, thanks Mom and Dad!) so they all ignored my request to get cloth dipes for my baby shower and got me more of what I didn't need. Although, once they saw the ones my mom got me at the shower, they realized they weren't the same as the ones Grandma used! Grandma's opinion was, "If you have a choice, why would you choose cloth? I had no choice", though she was impressed with the fitteds, and how quiet and trim the new PUL covers are compared to bulky flats and rubber pants she used.

Lorin - posted on 12/26/2009

we decided to CD mainly because of the potential to save money, and all the other benefits came as bonuses - environmentalism, skin safety, etc. i feel like the average uninformed person assumes cloth diapers mean we must be rich or wasting money on luxury, because all they know is to go to the store and buy disposables every week. i'm always surprised at how difficult it is to convince others that my cloth diapers are CHEAPER than their disposables, especially since i made them at home! all we can do is keep trying though, and lead by example.

Sunrise - posted on 12/23/2009

Oh I've heard it all. BUT I'm able to change 9 out of 10 minds and then they become followers...lol. My ex's wife and I are on one forum together and I think she's even going to convert after hearing me get on my soap box over and over about how great they are!

Katrina - posted on 12/13/2009

Cloth Diapers: Fact vs. Fiction

To learn more about advantages of cloth diapers and the health risks and environmental impact of disposable diapers, click here.

Fiction Fact

Cloth diapers are hard to care for Cloth diapers are so easy to care for
Perhaps cloth diapers were hard to care for at one time. But modern cloth diapers are so easy - with inventions like the Mini-Shower and flushable liners, the rewards are worth the little bit of extra work.

Cloth diapers leak Cloth diapers leak less than disposables
Old cloth diapers and poorly designed covers definitely leaked. But modern cloth diapers actually leak less than disposables! Did you know that many moms actually switch to cloth diapers because they were fed up with disposables leaking? Yes, it's true!

Cloth diapers will give
my baby diaper rash Cloth diapers minimize diaper rash
The rate of diaper rash has increased from 7% to over 78% since 1955, comparable with the increased rate of disposable diaper use. The chemicals, ultra-absorbent gels, and the formation of ammonia associated with disposables are the culprit. We have met many moms who finally switched to cloth diapers specifically to help their baby's bottom heal. Of course, they never turned back!

Cloth diapers require
dunking in the toilet Cloth diapers are easy to clean
There are two wonderful inventions that eliminate dunking your cloth diapers in the toilet: a Mini-Shower and flushable liners. The poop of exclusively breastfed babies is actually water-soluble: so, while your baby is an infant, just drop the diaper in your diaper pail and let your washing machine do the work during the initial rinse. After your baby starts solids, you can use a biodegradable, flushable liner. Just pull the liner out of the diaper and drop it into your toilet! In between these times, when your baby is just starting solids, the Mini-Shower makes cleaning easier.

Cloth diapers are expensive Cloth diapers can save you thousands of dollars
Depending on which cloth diapering system you decide to use, you can save approximately $1,500 per child. If you decide to use the same cloth diapers for two children, you can save $4,000!

Cloth diapers require pins No diaper sold on our site requires pins
That's right! Gone are the days of sticking you or your baby with a pin! Yikes, who would want that? Modern cloth diapers use snaps, Velcro/Aplix, or a wonderful new invention created by a dad: a Snappi!

It's debatable whether cloth
diapers are really better
for the environment Cloth diapers are best for the environment - hands down!
We are aware that early studies of cloth diapers and disposables indicated that cloth diapers pollute just as much as disposables. These early studies were funded by disposable diaper companies. Recent studies done by independent researchers indicate that without a doubt, cloth diapers are better for the environment

Vanessa - posted on 12/09/2009

I love my cloth nappies - I have 18 month old twins and one due in Feb, so I will have 3 in cloth! I mainly use terry flats and covers, but have started making some AIO's and pockets. The main comments I get are to do with washing...you don't have to watch the machine for the entire cycle you know, lol and the environmental angle - takes as much water to make a cotton nappy as a disposable - yes, but I will use that cotton nappy over and over and over again! People said I would never keep at it, especially when I fell pregnant with twins, but I don't find it that much of a hassle - and it has saved me a fortune, even taking into account my obsession with buying nappy making fabric!

Nicole - posted on 12/09/2009

my cohorts think they are cute- I made mine with nifty prints. I get a kick out of public changes- the looks of horror and intrigue crack me up. get called a hippie a lot... oh well.

Dana - posted on 12/07/2009

I get praise from the older generation, and shocked disbelief from my generation. The only mum I've been able to convert was one who was already interested, but didn't know about the modern cloth nappies. She now sells them for a living :-)
We used disposables for a week when we went interstate, as we were staying in hotels and washing nappies would have been impractical. At the end of that week we had thoroughly had enough. My husbands words were: "I can't wait to get him out of these disposables, they stink"

Stefie - posted on 12/02/2009

Quoting Natasha:

When I tell people we use cloth diapers, we usually get one of two negative reactions (after the funny expressions):

1) Oh, we thought about that, but it's so much work and so much energy is used to wash them anyways, so you're not doing anything for the environment.
2) Oh, we thought about that, but isn't it gross to wash them in your washing machine? Isn't it unhygienic?

I don't even want to start on how frustrating those comments are! It's really too bad that people have these misconceptions and accept them so readily without being open to hearing about how easy cloth diapering really is!

On the positive side, our family doctor adores my son's diapers and just told me that she is convincing her daughter in law to go with cloth!

I have heard the same thing many times. I actually found a study that says these things. I looked into it before I converted to cloth. It turns out that big disposable diaper companies did this study and it was totally bias. It basically used a diaper service and  took 5 cloth to every one disposable, then they did extra cleaning steps that were not necessary! 

It did not consider the wasted energy of making disposables or the amount of landfill they use. But, good for those disposable mom's feeling better about themselves. Too bad they can't be more open minded and get all of the facts first. 

Amber - posted on 12/01/2009

I get reactions like... those old timey things .. when they think about cloth they think about the old times .. they dont realize cloth has gone a long ways .I use the award winning haute pockets and just started like two days ago and my baby is 7 mo ... a friend told me about them and I started researching them.Alot of lll girls use them and wa laaaa .. Im hooked!!!! I am going to use them for this point on and with my next child if I have anymore:)

Kristina - posted on 11/29/2009

On the positive side, our family doctor adores my son's diapers and just told me that she is convincing her daughter in law to go with cloth!

I just have to say, "Hooray for family docs!" Gotta put a plug in when I can.

Kristina - posted on 11/29/2009

Most other moms think I'm a bit crazy. I have met lots of parents of grown kids and non-parents who think it's great, though. I haven't converted anyone, but I have helped bring over a few on-the-fence pregnant moms. Of course, with our flatfolds and wool covers, we aren't exactly a model of "modern cloth diapering"! If we used the cute, convenient, expensive AIO's and pocket diapers, it might appeal more to the sort of non-cloth mom I'm usually around. It does help the argument, though, that my husband is the stay-at-home parent. I often get, "Well, it can't be that hard if Daddy is willing to do it all day!" I just feel sorry for them that they have such low expectations of daddies!

My husband calls them "nappies," as well. He's from Cape Town, SA, and grew up in cloth. Without him, I never would have even thought about CD'ing!

Kayla - posted on 11/27/2009

I get the "Oh my gosh that's so nasty" remark quite often. People here are small minded. On occasion I get the "Wow, I didn't think they would have changed so much from when I was little" response as well. I have only converted one friend, but I have several others thinking about it. I joined a forum (www.baby-gaga.com) and they have a cloth diapering thread so we share all our tricks and every once in a while we manage to convert a drifter or two.

Angela - posted on 11/27/2009

I have had all positive feedback, though a few still call me a little bit granola ...lol. The new ones are so cute and easy to use what is not to like about them. My MIL brags about me to everyone and can't get over how her son has jumped on board. We can't be happier with what we are doing for our daughter and the enviroment.

Leveda - posted on 11/27/2009

Quoting Cassie:

I get a lot of people asking me if I'm "green" now. I'm slowly migrating that way, but for me it's not a fad - I really do want to and enjoy doing it. Most people have the reaction of why? Most of my friends tell me they couldn't do the rinsing and washing of the diapers.

people have said that to me too.  "oh cool, you're going green!" like i'm doing it because it's popular or something.

Natasha - posted on 11/25/2009

When I tell people we use cloth diapers, we usually get one of two negative reactions (after the funny expressions):

1) Oh, we thought about that, but it's so much work and so much energy is used to wash them anyways, so you're not doing anything for the environment.
2) Oh, we thought about that, but isn't it gross to wash them in your washing machine? Isn't it unhygienic?

I don't even want to start on how frustrating those comments are! It's really too bad that people have these misconceptions and accept them so readily without being open to hearing about how easy cloth diapering really is!

On the positive side, our family doctor adores my son's diapers and just told me that she is convincing her daughter in law to go with cloth!

AM - posted on 11/24/2009

Some people think I'm crazy. They think about poo in the washing machine and house the stinks. But it's not an issue and I wish they would be more open minded. I can't stand the smell of pee'd disposables now. So disgusting.

Terri - posted on 11/24/2009

One of my friends just told me she didn't think it was hygenic to wash diapers in the washer. She's so silly and uninformed.

Cassie - posted on 11/16/2009

I get a lot of people asking me if I'm "green" now. I'm slowly migrating that way, but for me it's not a fad - I really do want to and enjoy doing it. Most people have the reaction of why? Most of my friends tell me they couldn't do the rinsing and washing of the diapers.

Agnese - posted on 11/16/2009

I live in Italy and I've been easily converting many other mums. There's a growing interest on these nappies here, even a dedicated website about them: www.pannolinilavabili.info

Mandy - posted on 11/14/2009

I also get mixed reactions. My babysitter was somewhat fearful when I told her I would be cloth diapering, but after two weeks she told me that had she known how easy it would be, she would have cloth diapered her own sons. My husband, who initially was not supportive of my decision to cloth diaper, has now told me on several occasions how easy it is (our daughter in 9 months now).

Kelly - posted on 11/14/2009

When people see my Bum-Genius One Size diapers, they are impressed. Especially when I tell them I have NEVER had a blow out with them. Of course, someone always interjects "Wait until you start her on solids and we'll see how much you like them then!". Geez. It's only poop. By the time they are on solids, pooping is not as frequent as it is in the beginning. I also get a lot of "wow, I admire you but I could never do that" like I was training for a marathon or something.

Angela - posted on 11/11/2009

I have had some mixed reviews, mostly about how much time they take to wash, silly I know, its hardly any different than doing a load of laundry, some of my friends think I am crazy to use cloth just because I am a mom of four (two in cloth diapers)
I think its wonderful to not have to rush out to buy diapers.
Mostly I get great reviews from friends and family. I speak about the benefits of cloth almost as much as I do on the benefits of breastfeeding!

Hannah - posted on 11/07/2009

I love the idea of being able to see how much landfill you have prevented, that was my main reason for choosing reusable nappies.

I am using my cloth nappies on my second daughter now, although she seems a bit more fussy about them than my first. I remember one mum saying to me that her daughter hadn't liked them and that 'life was too short' to be uncomfortable in nappies. Which I thought was a bit shortsighted, but I am a bit obsessive about my recycling!

Lara - posted on 11/07/2009

Everyone thought i was crazy to do cloth diapers. Even at my baby shower everyone kept buying me disposible! I only had a few problems at first with them. When my son first got home from the hospital the cloths were too big and i had a hard time keeping his cord uncovered. But after the cord fell off its been smooth sailing. And if i may add Snappis are awesome for cloth diapers. I wish you could buy them at the store. I swear by them!

Bethany - posted on 11/06/2009

When Charlotte was a couple of months old I dropped in to my old work and the question they asked was How are you going with the cloth nappies? Of all the challenges I had faced, that was what they wanted to know. They said it with a bit of a smirk, like I was going to say I had given up, but it is one of the easiest things about motherhood so far.

I am lobbying Lilypie to add a ticker for Cloth Nappies, counting up the cubic feet of land fill prevented.

Katie - posted on 11/05/2009

Most other moms think I'm crazy to put myself through so much extra work. But washing the diapers is really easy, and isn't any harder than having to go the store to get more diapers. And my baby isn't filling up the land fills from birth, I love that!

Meghan - posted on 11/04/2009

A lot of ppl have thought I was crazy and no-one thought I would stick with it. But its soooo easy and so much better for the little one. Once ppl see them they are less afraid of them, and some moms say now that for their next one they will definately try cloth. I'm thinking of making some of my own to add to my stash for the next baby... whenever that'll be.

Jenny - posted on 11/03/2009

I use fuzzi bunz exclusively now (though we used prefolds and bummis wraps and pants when our oldest was younger). my husband and I enjoyed showing off the snappis and prefolds when we were using them. Now we really like showing off the fuzzi bunz. I have gotten odd looks, but mostly it's "wow, that's really neat, I remember them being a lot different." or in the church nursery when we tell people we'll come change the diapers cause they are cloth and the older ladies say, oh we did cloth when we had kids in diapers, it's always fun to see their faces when we show them the fuzzi bunz and say, but yours didn't look like this. :) I have converted one person to fuzzi bunz from disposable, and I have helped a couple more make the decision to cloth diaper.

Jessica - posted on 11/03/2009

I get "Those are so neat!" (Fuzzi Bunz)! Mostly positive, only one negative person I can think of. I have converted two! :)

Tessa - posted on 10/27/2009

I like to tell other mums what the chemicals in disposable nappies actually do to their kids skin.
I always get funny looks just because of the way we live. We're an orgainic/natural lifestyle family and I often have to tell people not to offer my daughter food that their kids are eating because of what's in it. So I dont care what looks I'll get for a cloth bummed baby. I'm the type to breastfeed in public and tell people off for trying to give me funny looks :D

Kylie - posted on 10/26/2009

I'm in the UK (I'm actually Australian but I've been here 7 years). Noble but insane, I think is how I am described by friends. I think everyone thinks they're Terries, not lovely soft fleece with Velcro. My husband wanted me to keep disposables for him to use when I was out, but he's in love with the cloth now!!!



I'm not sure why people are not more open to using them, especially in our area where the council gives a £45 voucher to use towards them, with no minimum spend, so to try them is potentially free!!!

Bethany - posted on 10/24/2009

AMEN!

Cara - posted on 10/24/2009

I cant believe how mom's i've spoken to glaze over when i mention the health risks attached to disposable nappies, as though convenience was a perfectly good reason to risk infertility in your sons and possibly cancer! My daughter has never worn a disposable and never will.

Bethany - posted on 10/23/2009

I use Terry Squares, and most people say they couldn't be bothered and they think they would be too lazy to do "all that work", which I take as a compliment, even though it is not all that much work at all.



Older women sing my praises to their daughters and grandaughters. Youger women throw all their excuses at me. I am so proud to have used cloth for nearly 9 months now.



There should be a Lilypie time line for it. There is one for Breastfeeding, there sould be one for cloth nappies. It could count up how many disposables on average I have saved, or how many cubic feet of landfill I have prevented.



After quietly modelling CD use, my friend has finally converted her 10mth old to CDs and can't believe why she didn't sooner. So much cheaper in the long run.

Nicole - posted on 10/23/2009

I have been using cloth diapers since my daughter was born (6 months). I think they are very easy to use and very inexpensive.

Hannah - posted on 10/23/2009

Lol Peggy, yeah I get the feeling people think I am a crazy tree hugger too! Or that they feel sorry for me because they think I can't afford disposables! I really wish some of my friends would give hem a try to realise how great they are, but it's good to see so many people are using them these days.

Never mind people thinking reusable nappies are strange, I find it really weird looking at disposables and wondering why they bother printing little cute pictures on something that is going to be pooed on and put in the bin.