Cloth Diapers Vs. Disposable?

I use a combination of cloth diapers and elimination communication. I also have experience with disposables because I have much younger siblings (one is still middle school aged!) and my parents only used disposables with us.

The main benefit of using cloth for me is that they are so inexpensive. I use the regular prefolds with whatever covers I can find second-hand and I've maybe spent $30 total to diaper both my girls (not counting electricity for the washer/dryer, of course).

The benefits of elimination communicaton (EC), for me, are numerous. I thought it was totally insane when I first heard of it, but it really worked for us! EC is a modern variation on the methods used in traditional societies to potty babies. In these societies they don't have either disposable diapers or the facilities to wash cloth diapers. Many babies in these societies are also completely toilet-trained by one year old.

The method is very simple really and completely non-coercive without any rewards or punishments. I started both my girls at birth, though you can certainly start a bit later. You can even start after a year, though it's much more difficult. If you start before 4 months old and want to do EC full-time then you basically lay the baby down on a prefold diaper with a waterproof pad underneath and a washcloth over if he's a boy. Then you observe him and notice what he does right before he eliminates and his timing. When you notice him eliminating it helps to make a noise that he will associate with releasing the muscles to eliminate. I use a ssssss noise for peeing and a low hmmmm noise for pooping.

Babies definitely do have a little control over their bladder and bowels from birth. Not much control since the muscles are very weak, but by using this method, they exercise these muscles consciously and gain control much sooner than full-time diapered children, who eliminate fairly randomly, do. When my older daughter was 11 months old, she stayed dry 99% of the time as long as I took her to the potty every 2 hours. At 13 months she started signing "toilet" whenever she had to go and I was able to take her out of diapers completely and reliably at 14 months.

For a more complete overview of this method please visit www.diaperfreebaby.org - it was truly amazing to be able to tell when my 4 month old needed to pee and to see the look of joy on her face when she went in the potty! This method can be done part-time or even just occasionally. Babies almost always need to pee when they wake up in the morning or from a nap so it's a perfect time to potty them. Little babies pee when you take their diaper off so just holding them over a bowl or making the cuing noises while they pee on the changing table ('cause it'll happen anyhow!) can make a world of difference with potty-training later on.

EC is not for everyone, but I'm so glad I learned about it before my older daughter was born :)

You mention washing poopy cloth diapers as a concern for you. It was a concern for me also. If you breastfeed then for the first 6 months, you don't have to worry about rinsing the poop out before you put it through the wash. Exclusively breastfed babies' poop just rinses right out in the wash and doesn't clog up anything or stay in the machine at all. By using EC, both of my girls had maybe one poop in a diaper each after they started eating solid foods.

Best wishes with your decision!
~B.

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I use gDiapers and LOVE them!!! I wish I had discovered them sooner. It's like using cloth diapers, but without the yuck factor. I just wash the outer diaper with my regular laundry so no additional environmental impact. I flush the inner liners. When we go out we usually use the biodegradable disposables, Nature Babycare... These work great (super absorbant and don't cost any more than Pampers) and are available locally at www.coolerchoices.com. Best of luck!

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I would highly recommend learning about "elimination communication." There's a website, and several good books = Diaper Free, The Diaper-Free Baby, Infant Potty Training. My daughter has used the no-diaper approach with her 3=year=old and her new baby, and I've also known and helped many other mothers. It really solves the "diaper dilemma" and has many many other benefits as well, such as enhancing bonding and self-esteem, etc. You can do it to any degree that works for your family, from never using diapers at all to using them some of the time. And as far as cloth vs disposables, I think cloth is a much much better choice, and although they may not hold as much as disposables, it is far better to change a baby's diaper immediately anyway.

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Gdiapers are good, but expensive. I never used a diaper service but I believe cost wise it's about the same as disposables, but less than doing your own cloth. Poop doesn't go in your washing machine, it goes in the toilet and then it's helpful to soak the cloth diapers before washing. If you have a large sink in your laundry area, that's helpful. If you're super squeamish, you probably won't like cloth - but with disposable liners that you flush with the poo, it's pretty easy. Nothing holds as much as disposable, so when my twin girls were younger we'd use disposables while traveling, and I still use them overnight. However, you can get what are called 'pocket' diapers that allow you to have variable thickness and absorption. Personally, after experimenting, I went with Bumkins. Not the all in one, but the cover and contoured diaper. Cloth diapers no longer means folding, or diaper pins, etc.. and is really quite easy. It just requires laundry, which lets face it you'll be doing a lot anyway, and a few more minutes to deal with the dirty one. On the plus side, less diaper rash, cheaper, friendlier for the environment, and diaper covers are soooo cute now. I also hear it means earlier potty training, but my girls are too young for me to know that yet. diaperco.com has a FAQ page that is really helpful on cloth diaper options, though they don't always have a good stock and you might find yourself buying diapers elsewhere.

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I am a mama of an 18 month old and have used cloth since day one! (well day 4 actually, when we got home from the hospital :) I have used a total of 2 package of disposables since she was born- an no real diaper rash ever! In fact, I know 2 ppl that switched to cloth BECAUSE of rash. I have tried a bit of it all. We started out with the diaper service (DEFINITELY the way to go in the beginning, no matter how your little one comes into your world.) We used the Bummis Whisper wraps with the service. I picked them for how great they are, plus the ability to transition from service to washing at home without having to buy more covers. I LoVE them. I did try a few Imse Vimse, Thirsties, and ProWraps. All ok, but the Bummis were the clear winners in our house. We have had less than 5 "poo-splosions" even in the newborn phase.
When my daughter was 5 months old I switched off the service and started washing my own prefold diapers I bought. If you are in Portland, I highly recommend both Stella Bella Resale on NE Broadway (they have new diaper supplies) and Mother Natures on 21st and Clinton for prefolds and wraps.
I found washing my own pretty simple once I got the routine down. We store diapers in a dry pail and then do two loads (one cold soak with vinegar, one hot wash with soap) every few days. Not too hard and it gets them clean. For what it's worth I also work part time and completed grad school applications this year and still feel like cloth diapering is not too overwhelming. We even use them on short trips like weekends to the Coast or Seattle. I rotate g Diapers in for plane trips or hotel stays. Love them too, but costly and not as green due to packaging and they are made in Australia (lot of fuel used to get it here.)

I also added Fuzzi bunz and a few other pocket diapers into my rotation at a year. LOVE the new Haute Pockets as well since it comes with the night time doubler and is One size like BumGenius. We have fullly transitioned to this style now. They are much better than AIOs, dry quicker and can be found used more often. Also idiot proof for friends or caregivers not familiar with cloth, since the changing process is just like a disposable. GREAT for nighttime diapers. WIth a doubler they hold it all for up to 12 full hours with no rash.

Ok, enough diapering enthusiasm from me. I live in SE portland and I'm happy to share anymore information with you. Feel free to email or call ###-###-####.
Good Luck!

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I have used both cloth diapers and diposies. Personally I prefer cloth. They are so easy to use and I feel much better about the environmental impact. (MUCH CHEAPER TOO)There is a large upfront cost but there is a hugh savings in the long run. I use BumGenius and am very happy with thier performance I also know that Fuzzi Bunz is a good diaper too. As far as the poop in your washing machine you can also purchase a diaper sprayer that attaches to the plumbing behind your toilet. Then you can spray the yuck into the toilet. I purchased my diapers through a local women in Kirkland... She runs a boutique out of her home and you can also order online. You can find her at www.cozybabyboutique.com She is very helpful and its nice to be able check out the diapers before you make the big investment. Good luck in whatever you choose.

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I have not used cloth diapers personally, but I have several friends who do. The cleaning issue seems to be the biggest concern for most people. My friend estimates that she saves about $300 a year by using cloth. She wrote up a whole thing about her experience. Sorry if it is a little long.

*cloth diapers do have resale value, and i've sold several of my old dipes online. there's a website called diaperswappers, that's a forum, but i've bought and sold lots of dipes, trying to figure out which kind i like and what works the best for us..

*a lot depends on the size and build of your baby. what works great for one doesn't for another. my 11 month old is VERY petite, still wears smalls, and 6-9 month clothing, so some style dipes don't work for us.

*there is an initial investment (we spent $150 ish), then pretty much nothing until the baby outgrows the size initially purchased (unless you find that adorable one you gotta have!). but there are so many cute diapers out there, and i have a very simple stash compared to many!

ok, now for the basics:

AIO (all in one) or AI2 (all in 2). no cover is needed- outside is PUL (polyurethane) and inside is all the cloth layers, various different materials. the thick part can be sewn in, snapped in, or just laid in the diaper. these range in price from $15-$50 each. they make them plain, with designs, personalized. we use these when we are out- makes it easy for a quick change, no covers to deal with.

prefolds- these are the "old fashioned" diapers. they need a cover. there are chinese prefolds, indian unbleached, and flats. they need a snappi (link at bottom) or pins (i don't use pins) to hold together, and a cover. cost $1-$10 each, again depending on if you want plain or decorative) we use these at home- this is the most cost effective way to go.

fitteds- these are all material, one piece, no cover included, and needs some sort of cover to make water proof. they are like prefolds, but they usually snap or velcro closed (and often have pretty designs). price varies.

pockets- i don't like these- it's basically a shell cover, and you stuff the inside with a prefold. too difficult in my opinion. i don't know much about these, except that i have a couple and never use them.

COVERS:

wool- there are tons of wool covers- knitted, crocheted, pull on panties like, etc. the most common is "longies", which are wool pants like this: http://www.aubreydoodlepants.com/ or shorts, or the like. wool is pretty expensive, because, well the yarn is pricy, and someone knits it up,which is labor. they are super cute though :)

fleece- same as above, but not knitted

pul covers- i have supper bummis whisper wrap, a PUL velcro close cover. there are lots of other brands, type in “cloth diaper cover” into google and you’ll find a plethora.

wipes- most WAHMS (work at home moms) stores carry cloth wipes.

BAGS

we use a wetbag, not a pail. it's a big zippered bag that has the PUL lining, and a pretty outside. it's pretty stinky when you open it up, but otherwise, there's no scent. there's also deo discs and powder that you can add to it. here's where i got mine: http://hyenacart.com/SMJAE/index.php?c=12... you can also use a pail.

ok, now considerations for newborns- most cloth users just use prefolds for newborns, because they go through so many. we didn't start cloth until 3 months, so this is just what i've heard. it's cheaper to do the prefold way until they are more established in a size. we are still in the same size that we were at 3 months. we have a friend who is 18 months, and he's in the same size he was when he was 6 months (med). so these dipes do last a long time. for our next one, we'll probably do regular disposables for the first couple weeks, then start cloth- just too much laundry to do with a brand new baby while mommy is recovering from birth.

WASHING

ah- and laundry. i have enough to go about 4 days, but i will usually do 3 days if the bag starts to reek. i do a rinse in cold water w/ vinegar, then wash on hot (i turn the water heater up for dipe laundry) and tumble dry. when it's sunny, i'll air dry the aios for the first part, then finish in the dryer so they are soft. prefolds i only do in the dryer.

ok, now links:

www.hyenacart.com - this is a forum, shops, amazing place, very supportive. lots and lots and lots of cloth stores, etc. great place to get cloth diapering support, suggestions, etc. also with natural parenting, attachment parenting, and the like.

www.diaperswappers.com- the diaper swapping place i mentioned above.

www.cottonbabies.com- where i got most of my prefolds, and lots of other accessories, like the snappi to hold the prefold together.

MY FAVS

www.lucyshopechest.com these are my favorite for AI2s, they fit ariana great, and are very reasonably priced.

www.hyenacart.com/inspired great fleece covers

www.sassyturtlethreads.com “turtle shells” diaper covers- these fit great

www.verybaby.com i like VB hybrids- trimmer in between the legs

unbleached indian prefolds from cotton babies or anywhere

bummis super whisper wrap

I hope this is helpful!

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