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Friday, July 23, 2010

Disposable or Cloth

So back in the day when my mom was having babies, she would often resort to cloth for economical purposes. Being one of the older kids, that meant I got my fair share of cloth diaper experience which included big ol' pins, layers of cotton, unattractive leaky rubber pants, and diapers forever having to be soaked in the toilet before washing. I was convinced early on that disposable was obviously the way to go. So slick, so easy, and no additional stinky laundry involved. Genius invention, to be sure.

But now, years later, it has come to my attention the exorbitant amount of money that parents pay, and their little ones get to so effortlessly poop and pee on it. Suddenly, I'm rethinking this whole disposables-are-a-God-send thing. I have also become aware that cloth diapers are turning into the in-thing. You're a cool mom if your little gerber baby is sporting a fancy bumgenius on his roly poly butt. Cloth has become cute, efficient and most importantly, economical. Being a married woman now, I have a new appreciation for economical, needless to say.

(I'm not even touching on the fact that cotton is so much more breathable and conducive to healthy skin than the synthetic fibers in disposable diapers.)

The point of this post, however, is that as knowledgeable as I may sound, it's all surface knowledge. Aside from knowing that Bumgenius comes highly recommended, I'm not exactly sure where I want to go from here. I'm 100% interested in any feedback you experienced moms might have as to what you recommend.

What are your thoughts on cloth? What is the brand(s) you use? Do you like their absorbency? What's your clean-up method? Do you have a recommended website I can look at? Or are you some sort of coupon-freak-of-nature that gets Pampers for free (I am after all willing to fore-go the whole cool cloth-diapering mom status thing if it means less laundry)?

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. Even though it saves gobs of money, the initial purchase of cloth diapers is an investment in itself, and I want to make an educated buy. I'm researching as much as I can, but I'm a bit leary to know where to begin.

Perhaps someday I can write an experienced review of what is THE diaper of choice, THE method that works, and THE way to go. Until then, I wouldn't mind help getting my facts together...

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm not married and don't have children, but I have seen frugality blogs discussing and giving advice on cloth diapers. The one common theme that I have seen is that a sprayer/washer hooked up to the water line on the toilet is absolutely necessary. With out it, they say the cloth diapers are a real hassle (the whole "dunking" thing). With the sprayer, they say it's so much easier.

The sprayer/hook ups are available on line and perhaps even in stores. It's basically similar to the sprayer that many people have in their kitchen sink.

God bless you...

LeAnna said...

Cloth diapering really isn't hard at all, especially with all the new stuff. I did disposables with my son until he was about 3 months old, then we started doing cloth. BumGenius are great, we love ours. However, with my son, cloth started causing severe rashes at around 8/9 months. Had I of known a little more about it, I could have probably taken care of the issue, instead I became one of those coupon freaks and buy Huggies when I can get them for 4 or 5$ a pack (won't do Pampers new Dry Max, apparently it's awful stuff!)

With exclusively breast fed babies, their poop is water soluable, so I don't bother spraying it off, just put it right in the wash. That grosses some people out, but really...when all a baby is getting is breast milk, it's nothing more than billirubins (the lovely yellow hue) and leftover fluids. There's no toxins, undigestible matter, anything. And believe me, once you see that "real" poop that comes after the first bite of solid food, or formula, you'll know! That's when I started plopping it in the toilet before it went in the wash.

Research your soap. Not every soap works with cloth diapers, and can leave them smelling funky. We use Rocking Green, it's good stuff!

The thing with cloth is that not everything works for every baby. I'm planning on exclusively going cloth with our little girl, and have already built my stash back up. I have everything from sized fitteds, to all in-ones, and pocket diapers. Fitted and prefolds (the old fashioned diapers) need covers (and they make all kinds of different ones than the vinyl plastic pants, which I think inhibit breathability!) but my favorites are the pocket diapers, or all-in ones. The key is to not put all of your eggs in one basket, get a variety. Start slow, with a few diapers of each in your stash and see if you're going to want to commit. Then, buy your favorites as you go. Keep an eye on the daily deal sites (like babyhalfoff.com, hippobabybargains.com, etc...) because a lot of times they'll run sales on cloth diapers, and you can get them for about $10 each.

Or, you can go the cheap route and get the prefold cloth diapers, a bunch of snappi's, and covers of your choice. The options really are endless (and slightly overwhelming).

Check out diaperpin.com for good cloth diaper reviews, greenmountaindiapers.com for a good selection of prefolds, www.theclothdiaperwhisperer.com has great articles about different types of diapers, etc. The resources are limitless!

Angela E. said...

You just had to ask, didn't you Britt? I'll do my best to make you sorry, LOL.

I completely agree with everything LeAnna said. I'll add my 2 cents, too.

Resources: I LOVE www.jilliansdrawers.com for 2 reasons. First, they have an AWESOME trial program. It's better then any other trial program out there, as you pay $10 plus shipping each way (amounts to about $30) when it's all said and done. You actually get your deposit money back, in the form of ACTUAL MONEY (versus just store credit). Which is nice if you happen to find out cloth diapering isn't your thing. Listen to me VERY CAREFULLY. It is worth EVERY PENNY of that $30 to do the trial. They have quite a variety available in the trial kit, and you'll be able to find what you like. Also, I LOVE the various info they have under the FAQ section. It's a very easy read, very well laid out. I actually preferred the layout to that of Diaperpin and some of the others. Do not do what I did. Don't do hours of research trying to avoid throwing away $30 and order 2 dozen FuzziBunz. Only to discover that they don't work for your kid. It will make you cry.

Toilet Sprayer - I totally agree. Not really necessary until solids, and then it is a must-have. Unless you like dunking diapers in the toilet. Although I did notice that when I sprayed Lilly's diapers (when she was exclusively breastfed), it did cut down on staining. Doesn't really matter which diaper sprayer you buy, as they're all pretty much the same with different lables, LOL. And they all cost a whopping $45. Because you can't hook a kitchen sprayer up to your toilet with ease. Like you can these. So they make you pay. ;)

Detergent - Definitely research to make sure it's CD friendly! (Jillians Drawers has a great chart as well). I use Allens, and I'm happy with it. Thought I haven't used anything else, so I've got nothing to compare it to. I have heard that Tide works great (original only!), and the benefit there is that it's available at the grocery store vs. ordering online.

Now, personally, with all I've seen/read/used....I have this sneaking suspicion that CuddleBugs could be the answer to every mother's problem, LOL. Okay, maybe not quite, but they're pretty awesome. Courtney may have told you about them. They're hard to describe (especially in my current state of mind). But they're very cool. And the gal who developed them can use them ALL NIGHT with her very heavy wetting boys. They don't have a website as of yet (they're working on it!), but you'd be welcome to take a look at mine next time your down this way.

Now, as to disposables. Realize that even if you go cloth, you'll need to buy some disposables over the years. (think traveling, think if you end up with your sister's fertile abilities and have to lay on the couch preggo & exausted and don't want to wash your 7 month old's diapers). Huggies has the best coupons, and the best long-standing reputation. Luvs changed their diapers about 1.5 years ago, and they are junk. Ditto what LeAnna said about Pampers. Don't touch them. I love huggies. You can often get them cheapest without coupons from someplace like Sams, if you already have a membership. I also sometimes do Amazon.com using subscribe and save (which takes another 15% off the price and gets you free shipping). You can always cancel subscribe and save after the first shipment. My goal for Huggies is generally around .20 - .24 cents a diaper. Off the shelf price can range from .30- .40 cents a diaper.

www.babycheapskate.com is an awesome site. It has a diaper price goal chart there, too.


That was probably more than 2 cents, wasn't it?

Megan said...

Hi Brittney,

I'm expecting a baby in January and would like to use cloth diapers if I can.

My friend has some excellent reviews and tips at

http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2009/09/one-size-pocket-diapers-reviews.html

http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2009/09/basic-cloth-diapering-supplies.html

Hope that helps!

Kate said...

http://www.snappibaby.com/products/snappidiaperfastener.html

http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=36&products_id=97

http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=277

This is what I use and I love it! Nothing fancy but it works great for us!

Brittany said...

I have just started try to use bumGenius (One Size 3.0) for night time and have had nothing but problems. Smelling like Windex after being wet on (a very common problem with microfiber), leaking if I only use one insert and one doubler. I would NOT want to use these full time. I've found using two inserts and one doubler and drying them outside in the sun will work though for just one at night time. I've line dried them inside I still have smell problems, but not as bad as drying in the dryer. Drying them outside took all smell issues away.

For day time use I use "Bummis Organic Cotton Prefolds", "Snappis", and "Bummis Super Brite" (my fav!) or a "Bummis Super Whisper Wrap" cover. These won't hold over night with a toddler.

I use the "Bummis Fabulous Wet Bag" for keeping the used diaper in. I HIGHLY recommend the wet bag, no washing diaper pails and NO SMELL AT ALL!!! I wash ever 2-3 days. Dirty diapers, I just flip and dump in the toilet and it rolls right off (he's 15 months old, so he's on a solid adult diet). The only time a sprayer would have been nice was this past Saturday when he had a upset stomach, so with a milk diet baby, a sprayer would defiantly be a plus! :) I had to wash mine out in the bath tub...YUK!! :P I use All Free & Clear, cheap, works good, can buy at Wal-Mart, NICE!!! :D Unzip wet bag, dump diapers & covers in washer, turn bag inside out and toss in too!! I do 1-2 cold rinses, wash in hot with 1/4 of the detergent called for and then do 2 rinses, and finally dry on high in my dryer. This works great for the Bummis. I do the same with my bumGenius, until the dryer then I take them out and hang them some where.

I LOVE my prefolds....the care is so much easier then everyone that I've heard with pocket diapers, all in one diapers, etc... So I really don't care that it takes an extra 10 seconds to change him. :) It saves a lot of time in washing and caring for them!!

DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT try to use the Gerber "prefold" cloths from Wal-Mart!!! They will not hold a teaspoon of liquid!!!!! :D

So that's my CD book! LOL!! :D

And yes, Huggies are the best disposable! ;)

~Brittany

Brittany said...

I have just started try to use bumGenius (One Size 3.0) for night time and have had nothing but problems. Smelling like Windex after being wet on (a very common problem with microfiber), leaking if I only use one insert and one doubler. I would NOT want to use these full time. I've found using two inserts and one doubler and drying them outside in the sun will work though for just one at night time. I've line dried them inside I still have smell problems, but not as bad as drying in the dryer. Drying them outside took all smell issues away.

For day time use I use "Bummis Organic Cotton Prefolds", "Snappis", and "Bummis Super Brite" (my fav!) or a "Bummis Super Whisper Wrap" cover. These won't hold over night with a toddler.

I use the "Bummis Fabulous Wet Bag" for keeping the used diaper in. I HIGHLY recommend the wet bag, no washing diaper pails and NO SMELL AT ALL!!! I wash ever 2-3 days. Dirty diapers, I just flip and dump in the toilet and it rolls right off (he's 15 months old, so he's on a solid adult diet). The only time a sprayer would have been nice was this past Saturday when he had a upset stomach, so with a milk diet baby, a sprayer would defiantly be a plus! :) I had to wash mine out in the bath tub...YUK!! :P I use All Free & Clear, cheap, works good, can buy at Wal-Mart, NICE!!! :D Unzip wet bag, dump diapers & covers in washer, turn bag inside out and toss in too!! I do 1-2 cold rinses, wash in hot with 1/4 of the detergent called for and then do 2 rinses, and finally dry on high in my dryer. This works great for the Bummis. I do the same with my bumGenius, until the dryer then I take them out and hang them some where.

I LOVE my prefolds....the care is so much easier then everyone that I've heard with pocket diapers, all in one diapers, etc... So I really don't care that it takes an extra 10 seconds to change him. :) It saves a lot of time in washing and caring for them!!

DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT try to use the Gerber "prefold" cloths from Wal-Mart!!! They will not hold a teaspoon of liquid!!!!! :D

So that's my CD book! LOL!! :D

And yes, Huggies are the best disposable! ;)

~Brittany

Julie said...

I do both.... For cloth I use Bum Genius one size diapers (http://www.bumgenius.com/one-size.php) Washing them is no big deal, but I did buy a sprayer for when our little man is eating solids. I will say that it's already come in handy many times with his older brother's accidents! = / I use the disposable when we're out and about and cloth at home...or at least that's the plan. Lately the diapers have been leaking so I've been using disposable on and off and I'm still trying to troubleshoot. The newborn inserts don't seem to be absorbent enough for him anymore, but the other inserts are too big and folding them over makes the diaper waaaaay too bulky. I'm trying to figure out how to adjust the snaps to make the diaper comfortable for baby (not tight over that chubby little belly!!!) and not leak! They only leak when he pees but I can't let him go for more than 2 hours. This is a problem if he sleeps long... I'm still trying to work this out, so I don't know if any of it is helpful?!

Kendra @ Domestic Princess in Training said...

No kiddos for me...just yet. Wish I could shine some light on your decision but I’m can’t speak from experience. I have friends that use both and they each have their valid points so I can see how you’re in a bit of a pickle. When it comes time for us to have little ones if I get to stay home I think I’m going to go with cloth. If they have to go to a nursery I think I will go the other way since most daycares will not mess with cloth.

I did on the other hand want to pop in a say thank you for your sweet comment on my last post!

Congrats on your growing family...so exciting!

Kendra aka “Domestic Princess in Training”

beka said...

Hmm. With the first few kids, Mom and Dad did mostly cloth diapers....
With the last few, haha, we did more disposable ones. The youngest is almost a decade, so "back then" we weren't about to look into some good-for-the-super-green-environment sort of diapers. ;)

I just remember putting the cloth ones into the wash. Oh, the smell is memorable. hehe!

Fair Maiden said...

Hi Brittany,
I'm due in 4 weeks and we are planning on doing mostly cloth diapers. I have several friends that use Coolababy/Sunbaby diapers (they are decently priced on Ebay and there isn't much of a difference between the two) and that's what I'm planning on using. My Mom used cloth diapers with me and my 6 siblings and what is available now is so much nicer than what was available 10 years ago. The pre-folds work great as extra inserts and are cheaper than buying extra inserts for the diapers.

I don't plan on using the cloth diapers when we are going places, but after shopping for disposables yesterday (as I know we won't be up to dealing with the cloth in the first couple weeks) I am SOOO thankful that we are doing cloth. I can't imagine how we would do it if we had to buy disposables to use all the time.

As for cleaning, LeAnna is right on there with breastfed babies. Their pee and poop is just water based and not hard to clean off the diapers at all. My friends diapers haven't even stained after months and months of use. Of course, hanging them out to dry in the sun helps a lot with the "cleaning process" but it really isn't that hard at all.