September 2009 Weddings
michelle142
member
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? for Moms and M's2B
Do any of you use/plan to use cloth diapers or gDiapers?
I've been looking at the gDiapers and like what I see so far.
Besides being better for the enviroment, what are other benefits of CDing? How does the cost compare to disposables?
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Re: ? for Moms and M's2B
I've lightly researched using cloth diapers. From what I can tell, the savings is pretty big. Costs up front are more, but in the end you're saving hundreds.
I'm still considering cloth diapers, but haven't made a decision yet. I've heard it's best if you have front loading washers b/c they clean the diapers better? I don't know if that's 100% true, but I don't have fancy front loaders, so I don't know if that would be a deal breaker.
<a href="http://s65.photobucket.com/albums/h205/adia83/?action=view
updated 10.03.12
updated 10.03.12
Rach - have you looked at gdiapers at all?
I like that they have the option of flushable or washable cloth inserts. The only thing is that the flushable inserts cost just as much as disposables it seems - unless I'm missing something (which is entirely possible!)
No thats pretty spot-on... thats what Chris and I looked into when we were researching. I mean, dont get me wrong - yay for saving the environment - but there's not much of a money saver there IMO, especially when you have to factor in the extra water and detergent needed for washing CDs... I mean, gods, we aren't even CDing and our water bill has skyrocketed from the extra laundry and bottle washing alone..
updated 10.03.12
The cloth inserts would actually cost considerably less than disposables. It's the flushable inserts that would cost more.
I think they want $52 for 160 flushable inserts. Where you could get twice the disposable diapers for that price depending on the brand. I'm not sure on the price of the cloth inserts.
ETA: cloth inserts are $30 for 6, so it would be just one large upfront cost and then all the washing.
AmazonMom.com
For example -- Pampers Swaddlers Newborns, 240 for $51.95, plus free shipping
Not trying to talk you down from your decision, just saying it's out there.
updated 10.03.12
I use gDiapers. I love them.
Its true, upfront costs are definitely high. For example - when we had to move up to the medium size about 2 months ago, we bought 7 shells and 18 cloth inserts for about $200. But, mediums last from about 14lbs to 23lbs, right now phoenix is at 16lbs so we've got a ways to go in this size. Now, we do use disposables for sleep, because the gDiapers leak at night (theres a way to use two inserts for night time sleeping but I couldn't figure it out). But, we only use about 1 pack of disposables a month.
If you didn't want to do cloth inserts, gDiapers also have biodegradable inserts. You basically tear them over the toilet and flush, thats it.
Benefits besides $ - CD tend to cause less diaper rash and seem more comfortable/breathable in general. They actually don't smell as bad as you would think, especially if you use a pail with a lid, you literally can't smell them (unlike disposables). Also, IMO, they're waaaaay cuter. I got all kinds of colors for Phoenix and they're so freakin cute.
Babies R Us just started selling gDiapers but you can also get them on diapers.com which has free next day shipping for orders over $50 (so I'd definitely keep that in mind for other items too).
ETA: of course I just realized you already knew about the flushable inserts. We switched to the cloth ones because we realized that it would be way more cost efficient. Buy them once and done. That and we'd run out of the flushies and forget to order ahead of time, so we'd have to use disposables for at least a day or two.
We'll be cloth diapering after using disposables for about a week right after it's born. There are a TON of CD's out there though, it's overwhelming. There are all-in-ones (look and work just like disposables), pre-folds to use with diaper covers, one-sizes, pockets, etc. There is a cloth diapering board on The Bump that has some good resources. You can also check out nickisdiapers.com to look into a huge selection of all the different brands.
H and I are kind of collecting a stash of different types. BumGenius was highly recommended by several of our friends and their new Flip system has decent reviews so we're going with some of those. There's also Thirsties, Fuzzibunz, Gdiapers (as you know) and many more.
One thing I've been told is don't get any diapers with velcro. They won't hold up unless you want to sew and replace the velcro yourself. Stick with snaps.
The cost savings: This will be big for us (in addition to being environmentally friendly.) All the daycares we asked in Omaha do accept cloth diapers, so this is something to ask if you start looking into daycare. (You just have to make sure you provide them a wetbag, etc.) We haven't actually added up the savings yet, but we have friends who used disposables on their first baby and CD's on their second, and said they saved over $1000 by using cloth. This is also assuming you wash your diapers at home -- using a diaper service could negate some of your savings. I do understand our water bill will likely go up, but (certainly no offense to anyone else), we just don't feel comfortable throwing away so many diapers. If you're going to throw something away though, the gDiaper disposable inserts are biodegradable, so they're better than typical diapers. The inserts are expensive though, like you said.
Cloth diapers can be used for more than one child as well so with your second child, that's where the savings really comes in.
I really hope I'm not offending anyone who uses disposables. I don't judge anyone who does at all, this is just what H and I've decided we're most comfortable with doing. And for all I know, the CD's wont work out. One of my friends has a son who has to be in disposables because he gets an awful rash from cloth (and most diaper creams can't be used with cloth diapers.) Her other son, however can't use disposables for the very same reason -- he's allergic to most of the substances in the disposables. Go figure.
We've inherited several gDiapers from my sister, including our entire stash of newborn and Small's which saved us a TON of money. Some of those my sister inherited from some of her friends. gDiapers use Velcro and only the ones that had obviously been through about 2.5 babies (so we're talking the equivalent of 100-200 uses/washes at least) showed fatigue. And like Tara said, if you are handy with a needle, they could easily and cheaply be replaced if they did start to loose their stick.
I am so surprised that daycares in a lot of your cities aren't okay with CD's, especially since more and more people are giving them a shot. Have you guys all asked personally on daycare tours? H and I found some in-home daycares that wouldn't take them (which we found odd) but all the facilities said they all have a few babies in cloth. I think some of them are only okay with using all-in-ones though, since not everyone knows how to fold pre-folds or how to put inserts into a diaper, etc.
Also? Who cares what the diapers look like? I don't know about your kid....but mine wears pants.
I know that last statement came off snarky, but really. The whole cloth v. disposable debate is kind of a subjective one. You just do what works for you. What works for those of you who CD doesn't work for me, so I use disposable.
I've said it before and I"ll say it again - don't let anyone tell you how to parent. Do what works for you and your baby.
I'm obviously not a mom or mom to be, BUT from what I understand on the DC board there is one, singular, government union day care that is a center that will take cloth- the rest nix it. So, I'm really (pleasantly) surprised Omaha is so cloth friendly considering how many bigger cities are not.
Stand up for something you believe in.
Ya, that did come off a bit snarky, but thats cool. Clearly saying IMO wasnt enough, I guess I should have said "as an added bonus". Is their appearance why I decided to do cloth diapers, no. Do I get a kick out of seeing her in her gDiapers, yes. When its hot will I let her roam around the house in just her diapers, absolutely. Am I saying people who chose disposables are terrible, of course not. But she asked about them and since I have experience, I decided to respond.
Also, with the smell, there was a post on the cloth diaper board a few weeks ago discussing this. The question was "don't the cloth diapers start to smell" and the whole conversation went from there. We don't have a diaper genie yet (which sucks, definitely get one moms to be) so ya, disposable are really stinky.
Do you just put your CDs in a regular trash can with a lid and a cloth liner inside? That's what I'm gathering most people do with cloth diapers. I'm looking at a few liners like this: http://nickisdiapers.com/catalog.php?category=369
I haven't heard anyone complaining too much about the smell, but I hope I'm not in for a rude awakening...
The point I was trying to make is that a mom shouldn't make the decision of CD v. disposable based on the look of the diaper, nor should they decide based on which one is going to smell worse (because there are ways to deal with that.) Really, CD v. disposable is a lifestyle choice. Everyone has to make it for themselves, and no one is right or wrong.
I second the diaper genie for everyone. Brilliant invention.
Third-ed-ed.
updated 10.03.12
Ya, right now we just have a designated trash with lid that we're putting the CDs in. We use a wetbag to line the can - so ya, those in your link look perfect. Eventually I'd like to get diaper genies for both the CDs and disposables - as Ames said, seriously brilliant invention, and its one of those things where old school (i.e. regular trash bin) is just outdated, lol.
The smell really isnt that bad, and for us at least, the poopy ones didn't really have a bad smell until solids. But even then its not like unbearable, and again as Ames pointed out, you'll have to deal with odor regardless.
Its all good Ameila. Anything parenting can be a touchy subject. I'm sorry if I came accross judgmental or anything for not clothies, cause I certainly am not. I agree, its totally a personal choice and whatever works for your situation and baby is whats best.
clearly not a parent, but im gonna jump in.
you can plan all you want for yourself and get educated beforehand (which you should) but when your baby gets here...you better be willing to be flexible.
you might not be able to handle CD, your child might not be able to handle disposable either at all or specific brands.
i learned through SIL that aside from diapering you have to be flexible in lots of things...birth plans, BFing, etc. its all dependent on you and baby. no two parents and babies are made the same.
*slowly backs out of the thread*
Very well said!
I understand that completely! I'm just trying to research all options available to us.