Cloth Diapers?

In the April 2008 issue of Parents magazine there is an article called "Man of the Cloth". It answers the questions you probably have. What are the trade offs? Would it help the environment? How much laundry will you have? The stay at home dad conducts a hands'on experiment to find the pros and cons and tests a couple different types of cloth diapers. I found the article quite interesting. I think you would find it very useful.

I just bought a Bum Genius all-in-one cloth diaper for my 6 month old. I've heard great things about them, but unfortunately they are expensive ($20/each). It feels WAY more comfortable than a disposable diaper. I bought it at Titzy's in downtown Royal Oak, but I know you can also get them online.

Be careful- you just might get addicted to cloth diapers! I highly recommend the site www.jilliansdrawers.com Diapers have changed a lot since my mom had me in them... I was new to cloth diapers and I searched ALL OVER the internet trying to figure out what all these strange new words meant- there is a whole world of exciting products out there designed to eliminate pins, leaks, and employ convenience. The Jillians website was easier to understand and the customer service was so helpful in answering my questions- I spent HOURS on the phone getting educated and talking over our specific needs with Mandy. They really know what's they're doing there. Also, their shipping was pretty fast too! They will treat you right and help you make the right choices for you. When I started looking, I had no idea it was possible to use cloth without plastic pants and was very concerned about sticking my baby with safety pins- but I never had to pick up one pin or struggle with one pair of hot, stinky plastic. I've tried Kissaluv's, Happy Heiny's, BumGenius, Fuzzi Bunz, prefolds and indian prefolds with Snappi's and convenient velcro closure covers. My favorites are Kissaluv's for newborns and Fuzzi Bunz pocket diapers for older babies. My kids spent forever in their medium size. I was surprise how long my babies were able to wear them, how well they fit, and how GREAT they were at preventing leaks! Especially for night time and trips in the car. The best part is that I felt really good knowing that I was doing something good for my baby's health (my second had terrible rashes before we switched to cloth) and felt good knowing that I was doing something environmentally friendly. BTW- I found 1/3 cup baking soda and 1 oz of vinegar in a downy ball to be a very effective and cheap alternative to the more expensive brands of detergent for cleaning diapers and after, 2 years of cloth, I've rarely had stains. Anywho- if you want to know more or have questions, please feel free to e-mail me. Blessings! Lori ~

I know someone already suggested jilliansdrawers.com, and I highly recommend the site also. They have a try it for $10 program that I used when I began using cloth diapers. It was nice to try all the different styles and decide which ones I liked and my husband was willing to use.

We have been cloth diapering full time since August and haven't had any problems...Good luck with the decision. I know it is a ton of work to figure everything out.

And, don't listen to the parenting article about cloth diapering. My husband and I lauged at it. It didn't mirror our experience in anyway shape or form. We found it very comical.

We have an 18 month old son and have used cloth pretty much exclusively.

Just a few suggestions. Some people suggested a wet pail - that's where you soak the diapers, liquid in the pail. We've never done that, and most people who use CD's now recommend against it. We just use a trash can with a step-flip lid and toss them in there directly (ours has a pull-out liner, but you could just use a wetbag liner as well). We rinse poop off with a diaper sprayer: http://www.kellyscloset.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD... (If you google, you can also make your own for about $10). If you exclusively breast feed, you don't even need to spray off the poop, it just rinses right out in the wash.

Here's a great resource on detergents: http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/detergentchoices.htm The most important thing is to NOT use fabric softener on them.

As far as rashes go, we've had very few issues, and the issues that we have had have NOT been the result of the cloth diapers.

Really, the best thing to do is to read, read, and read some more.

Here is a good place to start: http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/basics.htm

I am a grandma now, but I raised 4 of my six children from birth and they were allergic to disposables.

Cloth is not that hard just keep a bucket with a gallon of water and dreft baby detergent in it. collect the diapers for the day in this bucket. (Of course rinse in toilet any soiled diapers. Then put in bucket. ) Do a load of diapers every day, The big difference you will notice is it only costs a fraction to use diapers of the clothe variety.

If the baby reacts to plastic pants Gerber or platex are the two my kids could use.

Congradulations on the 3rd child, I believe you will find cloth a big savings on your budget and also There will be less in landfills to excelerate global warming.

R.

Using cloth diapers is a process to be learned, just like using disposables. There are MANY options available for cloth diapering - super cheap options (like prefolds or flats and velcro covers), super easy options (like all-in-one diapers or pockets), and super environmental options (like fair-trade, organic fitted diapers and wool covers). I am part of a cloth diaper gmail group that started to help parents connect with each other and ask/respond to questions about cloth. You can email me if you would like to check it out and I'll pass your email address along to the moderator.

A few suggestions:

Find someone who is using cloth and check out her system. You won't be as intimidated to make the switch when you know more about the process and how easy it can be.

Know that cloth diapering is very individualized. What works for some won't work for all. You should check out your options or try a few samples before you get settled into a cloth diapering routine.

Check out Hopscotch Children's Store between Lake and Cherry. The owner is very friendly and stocks many cloth diaper options. If you've never been there, it is a child-friendly environment, so don't be afraid to take your other two along.

Hope this helps! Please email me if you have ANY questions...I would love to help you make this transition smoothly.

~J.

Hi Sherry
I used cloth all but about 6 months out of 3 years. I loved them, and the benefit for the environment. It takes disposable diapers 450 years to break down, wow I know! A note on dioxin, a deadly byproduct poison that is created when the materials used to make diapers are whitened with chlorine. Direct links have been associated between dioxin exposure and cancer, birth defects, and reproductive disorders (goes for anything bleached). So I used the unbleached ones, you just have to wash them more before using. In the summer I dried them on the line for the sun to whiten. And maybe popped them in the dryer to soften up if they needed it. I used prefolds, and diaper covers like the bummies. If the cover dosen't get soaked or poopy you can air dry it and use it again, unlike w/ the pocket covers. 3 doz got me through a day and a half. I could wash almost every day, so you may want more depending on how busy you are. And if you cut a strip of poler fleece to use as a lining theres no diaper rash. And once the poop gets solid you can pop it off the fleece into the toilet. A lovely thought I know. But the disposables say to shake the poop out as well. Any way what ever you choose will be right for your family.
A. H
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/apr/17/break_it_down_ho...

I used cloth for my second and it made me feel good to know that I was not putting a ton more disposables into a landfill somewhere. There are a variety of diapers to choose from and you'll want to get a few different ones to try before you make your big purchase. You can even get them used or like new at diaperswappers.com Get more general info at www.diaperpin.com The best online stores, IMO, are nickysdiapers.com and greenmountaindiapers.com If you want to buy local, see Molly at www.treecitydiapers.com in Ann Arbor. She's a great source of info.

While you have a newborn, you may want to use a diaper service to start out. It's cheaper than disposables and you don't have to do the laundry for the 10-15 diapers a day you will go through. Once your baby is making fewer wet/dirty diapers, you won't have to buy as many diapers if you decide to do it yourself. You will not regret your choice!

Best of Luck to you!
J.

my only advice is stock up. whatever you decide to get - get a lot at first. you may spend more money just remember your saving money in the end. people make the mistake of just getting a few and then getting tired of washing them so they go back to disposable. stick with it!

hello i just started using cloth diapers on my 3rd baby also. i use bum genius 3.0 they up to 35 lbs. they are easy to use. i wash them every 2-3 days. so really your only adding 2-3 more loads of laundry a week! check out zbeardiapers.com, she lives in holt and she has many diapers to look at to help you choose the best diaper for you. goood luck.

we love the cloth diapers! and have NEVER had a problem with diaper rash (i read someone else's reply and perhaps it was the detergent they were using)
i have a ton of information, if you are interested. a great website is http://diaperjungle.com/
we have experimented with just about every kind of cloth diaper to find out which system works the best for us, so i have a lot of experience with the different types. mothering magazine recently put out an issue focusing on cloth diapers. very comprehensive articles and information. http://mothering.com/
my daughter was 9lbs at birth and is 23lbs at 5 months, she is a heavy wetter, and the diapers have been wonderful the whole time. we are working on elimination communication and she now uses sign language to tell us when she needs to go, or when she just went.
i have found that using the cloth ones is so simple, and inexpensive, i cannot imagine doing it any other way. especially the environmental impact. and the cloths are great for lots of uses, like leaky breasts in bed.
there was a learning curve for me and my husband our first time, i know a lot of tips and tricks. please let me know if you want more info. i am happy to share.
may your birth be beautiful and what a joy for your family - congratulations!

I used cloth exclusively -- starting with a diaper service for the first couple of months (literally, it's expensive), and then for the next nearly 3 years with each girl.

Two things about cloth that are *usually* considered a problem: carrying them, and washing them.

There is a perception that somehow having to have the space to bring diapers along means there is no space to take them back. I found used diapers took up exactly the same space the clean ones had, so I was carrying the same amount as if I'd never changed anyone while we were out. Once or twice, because I used the cheap, flat flannel ones, I even 'disposed' of a diaper or two -- usually because of what was in it or where I was at the time. I carried a handful of medium-sized zipper plastic bags (freezer weight) to take home diapers, so the odour wasn't apparent.

Cleaning diapers has turned into some kind of mystical, complex thing. Not only did it turn out to be 'just one more load of laundry', I didn't find it onerous to do even while camping across the country for a month once, with a 2yo.

You need somewhere water-tight to store diapers between use and wash. Many people use diaper buckets but for a variety of reasons, that didn't work for us. We used a large rubbermaid tote, with a snap-on lid. Filling it about 1/4 full of cold water, into which we tossed about 1/2 a cup of an enzyme pre-treat (called Diaper Pure, but there are a bunch) which stops so much ammonia forming, and helps to pre-treat the stains (which I didn't care about, as I knew what was going to happen to the diapers the next time they were used -- stain removal, what a massive waste of energy!)

When it became full (running out of diapers just didn't happen, we had 8 dozen -- one real benefit of using the super cheap ones), it made about 1/2 a load in our extra-capacity washer. We'd pour the whole thing into the washer, rinse it once in cold water, wash it in hot water with detergent (it leaves less residue overall and I could use a lot less for the same clean -- usually 1/8-1/4c of ultra concentrated), and then rinse it in plain hot water (no fabric softener).

We either dried them in the dryer (no dryer sheet) or hung them on the line. Line-dried diapers are a great deal more absorbant than dryer-dried. The other major benefit of the super-cheap, flat flannel diapers is that they dry in a fraction of the time the pre-folded, lined and super-absorbant kind do.

I used the simplest fold I've ever seen: in half one way, in half the other way, then in thirds. When I used them, I'd unfold 1/3, lay the baby onto it so the thin side was under the bum, give the material a 1/2 twist and bring it up to clip at the sides. I used Di-Di clips instead of pins. We used vinyl rather than nylon or plastic covers, just because they lasted longer, and only had about 10 of those.

If the diaper was 'only wet' I would rinse the cover in very hot water in the sink and hang it over the shower bar to dry. If it was dirty, it went into the diaper bucket and was laundered with the diapers.

Oh, the one other thing that paper diaper manufacturers have created is the idea that the purpose of diapers is to keep baby's bottom dry. Nonsense. That's just the distinction between paper diapers and cloth... it's not an important one. Diapers are to keep from having to wash upholstery, bedding, mattresses, shoes and carpeting multiple times a day. There is no reason to let a child hang around in a soiled or wet diaper, but the diaper is to protect the rest of the world, not the child.

Sherry,

I tried cloth diapers with my first child, and really didn't like it. My daughter is now 17, so I'm not sure what changes they made over the last 17 years, but I tried a cloth diaper service that brought clean diapers every week and picked up the stinky ones, so no washing was involved. The service provided a "wrap" that you put the diaper in and then wrapped around the baby using velcro tabs, which is a lot easier and safer than using baby pins. And then plastic pants went over the top of the diaper to prevent leakage. Problems is, there was still tons of leakage, not to mention my daughter's behind was always sore from the wetness. I'd be carrying my daughter and feel the front of my shirt get soaked from the pee leaking around the plastic pants - very unpleasant. So after a couple of months of struggling with the cloth diapers, I gave it up and went to the darkside.....plastic diapers that load up our landfills. I wish I could say my experience was great, but it sucked. Good luck!

Hi Sherry, My name is M., I am a mother of 3 older children. I used cloth diapers for all 3 of my kids and loved it. You will probably need to purchase 5 dozen to start with, along with rubber pants. I loved putting those clean, soft, white diapers on my babies bottoms. I purchased a large plastic diaper pail with cover. I would fill the diaper pail 1/2 full with water, then add about 1/2 cup of clorox bleach to soak them. If you breastfeed too then the diapers will be a breeze to keep clean due to breastmilk poop not staining as much. Anyway, good luck to you. Hanging the cloth diapers out on the line will also keep them white and soft. M.

I use cloth diapers with our son.. it's relatively easy and certainly cheaper.

check out

http://www.luvingmammadiapers.com/
You can call her and get ideas.. she a SAHM.. her website alone has good info.

I use the cheapest and probably most challenging route.. although i find it pretty easy.

I use chinese prefolds and snapee instead of pins and have a few covers. It works for us and our son is 15 months.

I used cloth with both my children (who are 28 and 22 now). At the time it was necessity, financially. No it isn't hard, just different. I saved bread wrappers to put in the diaper bag to transport wet diapers when we were away from home.
I look back on it and guess you could say I was recycling, I figured I was just being frugal. Now I hear all these enviormentalists saying how much landfill is taken up by disposable diapers and feel I did my share to not burdening those landfills.
You will need to change the diapers more frequently as when the baby is wet it is wet. No stay dry liners. They did have liners out for the poopie diapers so it was easier. They just flushed away liner and all.
Two extra benefits are that both my children were totally potty trained at 18 months because when they were wet, they felt wet, and neither one liked that feeling. Also the cloth diapers made good dust cloths later.
Good luck and God Bless

Hi Sherry,
We use cloth and love it. We ordered them through
www.greenmountaindiapers.com OH~ and we wash our own.
If you have any questions feel free to email me and ask.
Johnetta

I tried cloth with my 1st baby, without much success. Come to find out it was because I was trying to use the same diapers my friend used on her son, bc they worked really well for her. I decided I wanted to try again with my 2nd baby, and found Green Mountain Diapers (somebody else mentioned them too)I LOVE the website. Karen gives really detailed info about each type of diaper, and pictures of how they fit different babies. If nothing else, it's worth checking out for information.
After an adjustment period of a few months, I am definitely happy with my cloth diapers, and will never go back to disposables.
Karen also gives a link to Charlie's soap on her website. They make a natural detergent that is great for cloth diapers. I was a little skeptical, but it works really well. (It even cleaned the fuzzibunz from my 1st baby so well I don't have to "strip" them anymore!)

Hi Sherry,
I used cloth diapers with both of my children, but that was a long time ago (my kids are 23 and 26). It not only saves a lot of money, but it is kinder to landfills. I did like to use disposable diapers in the diaper bag though. Then you don't have to cart around soiled diapers. It's worth giving it a try. If you find you don't like it, diapers make good burping cloths and they are real nice and soft for buffing your car as you take off the wax. Good Luck!

Sherry,
Did both actually with my oldest two. The pro side of cloth diapers is that they're natural fabrics, therefore environmentally good. They're reusable. And when the baby gets too big for his britches, they make great dusting cloths. Also can be used for burp clothes.

On the down side, it's getting harder and harder, I think, to find plastic pants to put on the outside, and it isn't always leakproof, unless they've improved since I had babies. And with the constant new and improved of all the disposables, using cloth seems so passe and obsolete. And I wonder now how easy they are to find anymore. But the disposables are not environmentally friendly, if that's important to you.
Go for it. Absolutely nothing wrong with it.

HI I own Luving Mamma Diapers we have diaper classes every other saturday out of our home if that would help.
thanks!
B.

I am a mother of 4, 3 have moved out and have one left at home. I am 47 years old and back when my children where babies I could not always afford diapers.My mother made me some cloth diapers and I really loved them, exept my Daughter always broke out with a rash. I think they are great exept not as absorbant. If I did it all over again I would sure try it again. I used corn starch to help keep the skin protected, You have to change them more often and of course more wash. But they do have diaper services in certain places. Way better for our enviroment too.
Hope this was a little helpful

Cloth diapers are awesome. I use cloth at home (and when I am at my mom;s house), and disposable at night and when I go out. so I guess you could say it is a 50/50 split.
We switched when the baby was about 2 months old, and the extra bit of work has been worth it.
I use Fuzzi bunz diapers, and love them. It's a pocket type cloth diaper and, to care for them is quite easy. Just throw a load in the wash on cold rinse, then do a hot wash and re-rinse in cold. Keep in mind that if the baby gets a diaper rash, you need to use disposables, too.
anyway-it's not for everyone, but i enjoy the cost savings, producing less household waste, and giving my baby's butt a change from constant exposure to disposables.
I think the average cost is about 500 for the number needed for fuzzi bunz, which works out to be a subtanstial savings over just using disposable.
I'm a freelance writer and wrote an article on www.babygooroo.com that mentions some of the benefits. Here is the link:
http://www.babygooroo.com/index.php/2007/11/26/reduce-rec...

i didn't do clothe with my 1st 2, but when # 3 comes along i am for sure. a couple of girlfriends i know love their clothe diapers, unfortunately i don't know the brand :(
but i know the one gal got her's on e-bay.

here is how I do it (so simple its crazy)

bought huge box of little plastic bags from costco
bought diapers (5 dozen)
bought cheap covers! 2 dozen
bought $6 container on wheels with lid! (for toys later!)

take off diapers, put in pail. (no water no anything)
a) breastmilk poop doesnt smell and ammonia evaporates!
b) when food comes I put the lid on if needed

when traveling I put about 24 clean diapers in a bag and take them - I take extra bags for dirty diapers.

in my diaper bag I have several of these super thin bags and several cloth diapers and an extra cover or two
at each change I pu tthe little offending diaper in its own bag and knot it! then I put it bag in my diaperbag and on I go.
when I get home I put the whole thing in the pail.
(ever wondered where to put a dirty disposable when you were at a friends? now its not a problem!)

to wash I dump all into the washer. if you have a top load you don't even need to touch them! one wash later you have a whole new set of clean diapers.

never run out to the store again for a pack of diapers in the middle of the night!

anyway I love it and I love the impact on the enviroment let alone the health of using cloth vs the disposable with the gel that has the carcinegenics.

its a win win!

(ps you use the same cover over and over again until its soiled so dont think you need a lot of them)

I tried cloth diapers with my son for a time because it was so much cheaper. The problem with them is that there is nothing to keep the urine away from the baby's skin, so if you are not right on top of it all the time rashes happen. Especially overnight. It can happen so quick and it heartbreaking to see your little one with a painful rash. I'm sure you're familiar with rashes because they can happen with disposables too but cloth in my oppinion is not better. I hope I helped.

i use happy hineies (sp?) they are great b/c it's the cover and cloth all in one. i also used the origianl tri-fold, but i found the older she got there would be more of a mess, so that's when i switched to cloth.
hope this helps...

I use flat muslin squares with a simple kite fold with another muslin square folded into a rectangle or a purchased boster to soak up everything placed in the center between legs, then a flushable liner to catch the waste. clip it together with nappi snappi and cover with water proof cover. This is a cheap option than the all in ones.

I put used ones in a pail with bicarb soda and tea tree oil for the smell and disinfectant properties. Throw them in the wash on rinse then a full cycle on hot if you have it. Then I line dry. The most complex part is the folding, which i do at night and actually find relaxing, as it reminds me of giant oragami. The folded nappy's are stored under the change table to grab and put on they take a few seconds longer than a disposable to put on but is worth it.

There are some great Australian websites if you type into google cloth nappies.