Questions Regarding Using Environmental Friendly/cloth Diapers

I would go with prefolds too since you won't be using them for a whole lot longer. If they are close in size, you may be able to use the same size for both of them. I love Bummis covers and Little Lion prefolds. Depending on where you live, there are some shops in the city that have good selections and Gepetto's toy box in Oak Park is carrying more and more stuff. That's how I got started. The owners there, Eric and Brandy, are really helpful and CDed their daughter so are going on first hand experience. The class at Be By Baby was also really helpful and cleared up a lot of confusion.

Those Motherease diapers someone mentioned are really great. They are a fitted diaper, meaning that it is a cloth diaper which is fitted like a paper diaper, just without a waterproof cover. This particular diaper is a terry cloth type material....very comfy, and the covers they sell (the waterproof part) are very comfy. Cloth diapering has come a long way since we were babies. They are much more comfy and alot more options now.

I personally like prefolds (which are like those "rags" you buy at the store) but don't buy the flimsy ones in the store. Prefolds are less expensive, plus you can use them for other things later. I also feel like prefolds are the only things I can completely get clean. The synthetic fibers tend to absorb smells more easily. I really like the prefolds from www.greenmountaindiapers.com. The prefolds are on this page. For kids that size I would go with the XL green edge size. I have a chunky 14month old and I am using the next size smaller.

Covers vary, I have tried the swaddlebees abc wrap and the litewrap, but I have heard thirsties and Bummis are really good too. I have like 4 or 5 of these and just alternate to a dry one at the diaper change. If the previous cover didn't get soiled you can just air it out or wipe it off and let it dry, and then just wash them every once in a while. I use a snappi to fasten the prefold and then put a cover on top. I use disposables at night, but you can use cloth at night too, you just need to add extra bulk and make sure you have a really good cover.

I have not tried a service but I am sure that would be more convienent, and maybe better for you since you have a 2 and 3 year old and *hopefully* won't be in diapers too much longer. May be more cost effective in the long run. I know there are also "trial" services on some of the websites that will send you several different kinds of diapers to try in the size you request.

I also sometimes use the Bumgenius that another poster referred too, but I don't know I think they may be too small for your children. They are *just* fitting my boy at 14 months. They advertise that they go to potty training, but I don't see them going that far. The difference with these is that they are called a pocket diaper. You have a waterproof diaper with a thin liner sewn inside, which is left open with a flap in the back, then you stuff the pocket with an insert of some kind. They are easier to deal with for those who don't really want do cloth diaper, or to give to a dad or caretaker cause you don't have to know how to fasten them, etc, but you still have to wash the whole diaper, cover and insert and I never felt like they got as clean...and fastening a prefold or a fitted diaper isn't hard, it just takes a little learning.

Alot of great how to articles here:
http://www.diaperpin.com/howto.asp#prefold

Hi D. N. I'm C. W. the only enviromental friendly thing you need is to potty train your children. They are to old to still have on diapers.

you can learn all about cloth diapers at bellybum boutique... 4347 N. Lincoln. they even have classes...

www.bellybumboutique.com

P., RLC, IBCLC
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions

We have used G Diapers and chlorine-free disposable diapers (Seventh Generation) for our daughter who is now 19 mths since she was born. The chlorine-free are still disposable but do not release chlorine into landfills nor do they irritate baby's skin like standard "bleached" diapers. The G Diapers are sort of a hybrid of cloth and disposable. The insert is made of a biodegradable disposable material that is even flushable. There is also a plastic piece that covers the insert and helps with waterproofing and then a cloth outer portion.

I researched cloth a lot when I was making a diaper decision and though they do prevent thousands of diapers from ending up in landfills, they also use quite a bit of water and energy for cleaning. Also, if you use a diaper service, they generally use very harsh chemicals to get them clean, which can be harmful to both baby and the environment. This is something to consider. Unfortunately, there really is no clear-cut "perfect" choice for a type of diaper, which I personally find very frustrating.

Here are some interesting articles I found on the subject of cloth vs. disposable and the overall environmental impact and some info on "greener" disposables:

http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2004/04/631...

http://www.cookiemag.com/brain/2009/04/eco-diapers

http://baby-products.suite101.com/article.cfm/environment...

We are left to do the best we can - good luck with your decision! Of course, potty training is really the most eco-friendly option, but I don't know your situation.

D., the options are overwhelming. We tried different and settled with good quality pre-folds that we wash ourselves. They are the most economical. Most covers are expensive. We use nylon Dappi pullups for covers, which were $2 each, but I'm not sure where to get them anymore. We wash our own. Another place that has intro classes for cloth diapering is Be By Baby at Lincoln and Roscoe. They also sell a lot of supplies, so you might be able to just go in an ask about it. If envirinmentally friendly is your main concern, you can try G Diapers sold at Whole Foods. They are not more convenient than cloth (though less laundry), and no cheaper than disposable, but the inserts partially dissolve in water, so even if you throw them away, they have less negative impact on the environment.

IMHO you're late in the game, so you want to invest as little as possible on cloth (though they do retain their resale value quite well). I would shoot for either "onesize" diapers like the ones Motherease makes (they have great covers too) or you can do flat or prefolds, which I would order on line. Those burp rag diapers they sell won't do the job for toddlers. You can either pin the prefolds or can use a "snappi".

Personally, I like the onesize diapers (you could also opt for a large size of a fitted diaper) because they snap instead of having to fight with folding them properly. They're more economical than pocket diapers, which are the other major type you'll find. check www.diaperpin.com for reviews - very helpful.

You could also opt for a service. Given your short time period this may be the way to go. They will set you up with everything.

Hello D.,

I took a Cloth Diapering class at Be By Baby (http://www.bebybaby.com/) and it was very helpful to know all the options out there before you buy. Fuzzi Bunz seemed like the way to go for us, so that's what we've been using on our little guy since he was born.

Babies R Us have environmentally friendly diapers which are disposable. They sell them in a package of about 40-60, I believe. To go with them, they sell the panty/diaper to keep from leaking. These are sold in three different sizes.

We used a diaper service for a year, little investment there, just get 2-3 diaper covers at $15 each. The service in Chicago-land is http://www.bottomsupdiapers.com/
We got covers from http://www.bebybaby.com/

due to a lot of reasons, we are now using these--Nature Babycare Eco-Friendly Diapers 100% disposables, you can pick em up at Babies R Us or from Amazon.com
good luck!!

Go to lovebugsco.com! She's local and lives in Lindenhurst. You can try before you buy!

I don;t have any advice about cloth diapers, I do thank the moms on here who gave good advice. I, too, am looking for more eco-friendly options. However I must say that I am disturbed by the responses by some moms that D. N should just potty train her children. I found some responses to be offensive ans nasty. Yes, her children are at typical training ages, but we do not know her circumstances. We all know boys take longer to train, and who knows if there are any developmental delays she's dealing with. Please keep an open mind and open heart when answering a response.

http://www.bumgenius.com/ is a cloth diaper and i love them i used them on my daughter they are a 1 size fits all they work very well good luck

I used cloth diapers for 6 months after my son was born, and grew tired of washing them myself (they also were too tight on his expanding butter-ball legs). I switched to Nature Babycare diapers, which are disposable, eco-friendly diapers. They work incredibly well - my son has never had a blow-out or leak in them. They are expensive at most baby stores, so I get mine through Amazon.com's auto-ship program (no tax, no shipping, and a discount for the auto-ship).

Have you thought about maybe just potty training them?

If not, then I'm a big fan of Bum Genius.

Dear D., Why not just potty train those sweet kids of yours?It will only take a day or 2...Get the paperback "Training in 24 Hours" or just set up the potty chairs show them with a doll, offer a reward like a cookie or popsicle or anything that they really like and just give lots of liquids and then keep them trying on the potty every 20 or so minutes...make it contest or such with a STAR CHART...The sooner you convert them the better since if they get used to the potty they will not do it in their diapers...The best way is to switch to training pants which are thicker underwear that kids wear instead of diapers.You'll have a few accidents, but if you give this your top priority and celebrate their successes, they will want to be BIG Kids and do it on the potty...After a week with no accidents you can all celebrate with an outing or party...Balloons or anything that makes it all a fun celebration into young tot hood will help them get over baby diaper stage...and save you money and time too!!!
YOU can do it!!!