Cloth vs disposable diapers

[mommyin10]

Hi. My mil has offered to pay for diaper service for a year! I'm so grateful for such a wonderful gift (especially with twins), but I honestly wasn't planning on using cloth diapers. I'm curious to hear your thoughts re: cloth vs disposable diapers, the pros & cons. Thanks :)  

[PamelaBee]

ya know...that doesn't sound too bad!!  Diapers are such an expense...and with twins, cha-ching!  I'm buying diapers for my toddler and a baby...everytime I turn around one of them needs more.  Even with coupons, they are still pricey.  I would gladly accept that generous offer for diaper service!  I think the pros and cons are, disposable are easier, cloth...you would be doing constant...and I mean constant laundry!  Take the service, at least try it.

[adgal]

Funny, DH and I were talking about this last night.  I am planning on using both and have bought both.  The cloth diapers are not like the ones from our parents day...there are no pins or folding and they are a plastic type material with cloth inserts.  I think they will be pretty easy to deal with.  I would love to use them exclusively, but I am being realistic and know I will use disposables as well, especially when we are out of the house.  I just don't see carrying around plastic bags full of dirty diapers..lol.  Lucky you though, diaper service...I would think that would make it easier.  

[blessedmomof3]

I plan on using cloth. It is cheaper, plus they don't get diaper rash as much. I did it w/ my other 2 and it was alot of work (I didn't use a diaper service and will not be this time either) but well worth it to me. We are going to buy disposables for nights and when we are out though, I don't want to get up to rinse them out in the middle of the night. I say if you MIL is offering to pay for it, take her up on that. It will save you so much money!

[mommyin10]

Thanks, ladies :) I'm definitely weighing the pros & cons. I know disposable would be easier with twins & as a first-time mommy ;) but I would like to try the cloth. Adgal, my initial thought was the old cloth diapers from years ago w/safety pins ;) I've looked into them a bit & see they're very different. Good point about using disposables when out & about! :) I'm not sure now if the offer was for a year or not. She spoke to dh & he can't remember. Either way, it's a generous offer :)

Hoping4_2: Which brand of cloth diapers have you used? Is it true that each time baby wets, you're changing clothing & bedding, too, or does the plastic cover help?  

[rubyinparadise]

I'm definitely planning to use cloth diapers. You're so lucky that your mil has offered you such a generous gift! The expense works out to roughly equal to what disposeables cost. At least, that is the case with the diaper service in our area.

From what I have read, your baby is just a lot less likely to develop diaper rash with cloth diapers.

I am going to start out with the diaper service but my two concerns are:
1. What are they using to wash the diapers? If they use bleach/harsh chemicals and our son has sensitive skin like we both do, that could be an issue, in which case I will switch to GroBaby diapers. (Personal preference based on my research.)

2. I am afraid of using traditional diaper pins so I plan on using a product called Snappi Cloth Diaper Fasteners. They're available on Amazon and they've got high reviews.

I do plan to use Nature Baby Care disposables when we travel, and possibly overnight.

[blessedmomof3]

I'm using Bumkins All In Ones. They don't need a cover, they are water proof and you don't need inserts either. Also, they are Velcro so you don't have to worry about fasteners.  This will be my first time using these, when I had my kids they just had the old ones, but even then I didn't have to change clothes every time. The covers worked just fine. I'm excited to try these though, because they come w/ cute designs, or you can just get the plain ones. I've got the NB, but I know they wont fit right away because she will be 3 weeks early. I just got online and started researching the different kids and brands. The initial cost is high, then you it evens out because you don't have to keep buying dispoables. As for the service, I'm sure they use hypoallergenic detergent, but I would defiantly ask about how they wash them. I know the ones I bought said not to use bleach and to line dry. They say to start out you need at least 10 and that's just for one day. So, if you wash them all at the end of the day they can dry over night while you are using disposables. That's my plan at least.

[Ecologic]

We are also thinking of doing both: disposable and washable - we'll see if we can keep up with the cleaning of all those little washable diapers!

I recently read that the average cost for 1 year of disposable diapers for one baby is $575!!

[adgal]

The type I bought are with the velcro as well.  I don't want anything to do with folding or pinning..lol.  

[slippinandsliddin]

Funny you posted this-

I have used cloth for my three kiddos- and did it all myself- washings and changings- my ex huusband never changed a diaper with any of the kids- and he could have used disposables if he was scared of cloth. He tried to fake it once at church. (He was also NOT working .. nough on him)

AnYHOW- I just started my cloth diaper stash yeaterday and today I am plannning an sewing a few - and liners with some old fabric/flannel. I actually got the BUmmis this time- the covers- as before I always used plastic pants- but they can be hard on a newborn- but I just did not have the $10 each for them- and not that great at sewing!

My new partner actually wants me to use disposables ... and yes- he will actually change diapers- which is so foreign to me- as all my ex's brothers (3) were the same way) and I have never seen a man change diapers ...

I wanted to add that I think cloth helped my kids (and me to be motivated more) to be potty trained early. My oldest was going on the potty at 13 months- and completely PT at 18 mos. My son was about 22 months.

BTW- I have always stored them in a wet pail with baking soda and water in them. And used a "free" powder detergent. I have also always added a tinge of bleach to the wash- but some people say to not do that- and dont use too much or it will cut down on life of diapers. I dont like line drying mine- as they get stiff as a shingle- but the sun can cut germs/stains. Also- I store my pins in a bar of soap (you can leave the wrapper on) so they go thru easier. YOU CAN also search online for washing and folding directions- as people use different folds- especially for a BOY- more in front. :)

HTHS!

[rubyinparadise]

This is probably a really dumb question, but if I'm using a diaper service, do I still need a diaper genie?? I have no idea how diaper genies work. Is it just a pail with some kind of deodorizing feature? Our diaper service says we don't even need to rinse them out, but then, they only pick up once a week. I can only imagine how nasty the smell would get!

[adgal]

I bought a diaper genie.  It seems to basically be a trash can with 2 layers that close, sealing in the waste...if that makes sense.  It doesn't seem to have an actual deodorizer or anything, at least that I can tell.  I am having  a hard time describing...hope I made a little sense..lol.

[eternidad200]

Hi ladies, I just saw your posts about cloth and have to tell you it is the best, good for babies and great for enviroment. I have been using cloth diapers for James since he was born. At first we used the diaper covers and that did not work at all, they liked and wet the whole bedding.
Second we tried the all in ones, it was a mess too, specially at night I had to change James and the whole bed was wet.

Now we found the g diapers and we love them, when I go out I used they inserts which are flushables and when we are at home I use regular clothes diapers which I fold in 3 and it is working great, they dont leak or anything. i love this brand, you can find it easy at babies r us or online.

[eternidad200]

Oh also I use cloth wipes, bought the wipe warmer at Babies R us , and so far is greattttt.

[slippinandsliddin]

I just wanted to add that I did some sewing yesterday and made some prefold diapers and liners. I have yet to try and make the fitted type of diapers- there are lotsa patterns online.

Anyhow I added a pic to my photos and I think this is the link:

http://s3.amazonaws.com/medhelp_images/user_photos/119802?1262886359

I used old flannel sheets, pj's and old T-shirts. I hear that flannel is best for the liners. But- I hope my little boy doesnt mind the flowered liner of old Pjs... :) I am going to try and make sure they are just as absorbant as my "bought" ones. I think the t-shirt ones (with flannel inside) are probably a little less absorbant- but may be oK for a newborn. :) I also have not tried to sew the covers- as have no material ...

[slippinandsliddin]

OOps- and BTw- my sewing machine is antique- (black with gold) and bought at a yard sale for $20. It works- but does not do any special stiching and is tempermental!! So I can't serge/zigzag so I have to sew wrong sides together and turn Right side out ... takes a little longer. But I  think they turned out pretty OK ... basically no cost= free.