What's Your Preference? (diapers)

There are so many diapering choices now that it can be very overwhelming. Many new parents go with disposables because it is mainstream and the least daunting choice. I myself am guilty of having done so. Luckily there are some great green diaper options out there, even for disposables.

What most parents don't realise (in my opinion) is that disposable diapering is your most expensive option in the long run.

There are so many choices in cloth diapering though, it can be very daunting finding your preference. There is all-in-ones, that are basically just like disposables, instead of tossing you wash them. There are pocket diapers, that are covers and inserts. There are pinless cloth diapers that you use a cover over top, and more.

I started cloth diapering my son some months ago and was shocked at how easy, and cheap it was. A few less packs of disposable diapers later and the cloth diapers I had bought had paid themselves off. I was spared some of the confusion because I started out by getting on freecycle and putting up

I got an assortment of some that one lady didn't need anymore, just some covers and inserts and a few pinless, and have slowely added as we go. My favorite pinless are dappis, you can find them on ebay, but don't get the dappi covers, they suck (in my opinion). My fave covers are the prorap or kushies covers- for inserts and extra absorbancy we use either the cheap gerber prefolds as inserts, or we bought microfiber towels that work wonderful also.

I perfer using covers and and cloth diapers seperatly because I find it is easier to wash these, and get the stains and smell out of the diapers themselves when you aren't worrying about damaging or compromising the pul layer on the outside. I perfer using pinless for the obvious reason of being easier and less hassle then using pins. But I have used pins also.

So that is my preference, now it's your turn ;-)

just be careful with kushies...they use vinyl as a waterproof layer and it doesnt allow baby bun to breathe...which is one of the best functions of clothies so that they dont get dipe rash....when you add the vinyl....might as well use a sposie....sorry...my opinion

i use dipes or covers that are made with PUL that breathes....or if using a fitted i use a fleece soaker overtop instead of a wrap....i wasnt referring to sposies in the biodegradable sence at all i think any cloth is better than sposies from the environmental standpoint....i just know a lot if people who clothed because of dipe rash and found that vinyl covers didnt help at all compared to breathable systems, also some of the fabrics used to make the best cloth dipes have been bleached or use non organic fabrics like cotton where when it is grown it is grown with pesticides....so for me clothies are more about my son and also the environment...but my son first....PUL is also really soft...not stiff like vinyl...i find that when we used the one kushies wrap we bought before baby was born it rubbed his legs raw...pul is laminated fabric so it is still really soft

also here is something i found on PVC aka vinyl...which says it is bad for the enviro anyways....Skip PVC.  Polyvinyl chloride ("PVC") is bad for the environment - from manufacturing to disposal.  It is also bad for your baby.  PVC is often stabilized with lead, and the lead can migrate to the product's surface where it is available for pick up by your baby.  Plus, PVC is made soft and flexible with the addition of phthalates - and phthalates are endocrine disruptors.  So, from diaper changing covers to mattress covers to rubber duckies and other soft flexible toys and teethers, skip PVC - http://www.5minutesforgoinggreen.com/65/non-toxic-nursery/

i am not attacking you if that is what it seems like i am just trying to show you what i have found and why it important for the environment and baby to not use vinyl..... from http:www.parentingbynature.com

What is the concern about Vinyl (PVC) products?

Vinyl, polyvinyl chloride, or, as it is commonly abbreviated to, PVC, is a widely-used plastic. Concerns have been raised in recent years over the costs of PVC to the natural environment and human health. Many Vinyl products contain additional compounds to change the chemical consistency of the finished product. Some of these chemical additives and plasticizers can leach out of these products. Studies on rodents involving large amounts of phthalates have shown damage to the liver, the kidneys, the lungs and the developing testes. A link has also been drawn between the rise in childhood allergies and the offgassing of these phthalates. This is a real concern where babies are involved as their faces, hands and mouths are continuously exposed to these chemicals and harmful compounds. In January, 2006, the European Union placed a ban on six types of phthalates, an endocrine disrupter, that had been used in children's toys over the years, however, no such ban has taken effect here in North America, as of yet (Dec 2007). There are many resources online to learn more about PVC and it's hazards. All of the products we sell are PVC-free, and we encourage you to shop for Vinyl-free products for your baby.

understandable....i just think vinyl in itself is bad for the enviro...part of being "green" for us is trying to reduce the amount of products we buy that are harmful...educated decision....i also thought you meant that was the diaper system you used...as in tons of dipes and covers.....4 covers isnt a big deal lol....i have 1....but i used it once and it irritated him and leaked like crazy

anyways my favourite dipes right now are pockets is what we use....looking for something that hold up better to ds....maybe my bamboo fitteds and some fleece or wool soakers is next on the try it out list:)

awesome idea...i have yet to find the cloths here in port alberni ....but i am gonna try some bamboo this week...got some bumgeniuses to try...lots of ppl rave bout them

cool thanks i will have toe get hubby to look next time he goes to autoshop

We tried the BumGenius diapers for two weeks and my wife and baby were none too pleased.  We found that when we put them on tight enough not to leak, baby got very upset or itchy at the elastic.  The doubling of our washing load was not fun for mom or dad.

We ended up using Seventh Generation disposables and love them.  I'm unhappy about the landfill use and disposability in general, but the convenience and happiness we get from the disposable "lifestyle" choice we made in this particular case outweighed that downside.

We're going to try to use the famed elimination communication method to avoid the whole issue altogether in the very near future.  Babies are smarter than we give them credit for, and want more autonomy than we typically give them.  No diaper beats cloth or disposable no matter how you slice it.

We use the Bum Genius 3.0's and LOVE them!  When my DD was born, I had no idea there were so many cloth options and I envisioned the pins and noisy plastic covers so, we originally started with sposies.  DD constantly had a rash on her little bum and then she got a UTI (common when using sposies).  I found out a friend of mine was CD'ing her DD, and she told me all about the BG's and where I could get them.  I did my research and eagerly placed my order. 

I also decided to go with the Imsy Vimsy flush-able liners because I knew my hubby may not get on board unless poo clean-up was more simple. They are awesome!  You can wash and re-use them up to 4-5 times if the baby only pees on them and it makes poo removable a snap.  I researched material listing to ensure that there were indeed biodegradable...and they are.  They are simply made with tree pulp & a form a rayon.  Some people are skeptical about the fact that they claim to be biodegradable because they don;t fall apart the first time washing them...but, hello, if they fell apart THAT easy, I doubt they would even be effective for the purpose in which they were created.

I don;t find washing the diapers to be a challenge at all.  We rinse the diapers after each change and squeeze excess moisture out.  (Not required, just our preference), and then we toss them into the washer and I wash every other day.  Then, I do any household laundry that may need to be done.  We have not had any odor problems (because we rinse and squeeze first).

I use a doubler at night and during the day I generally change DD about every 3 hours.  Any longer than that then there will be leaks.  But regardless if you use sposies or cloth, diapers should always be changed every 2.5 - 3 hours anyways...to prevent UTI's.

Anyways....all that being said...we went cloth and we will never go back.   :)