I need opinions on whether to use cloth or store bought diapers. and How do cloth diapers work?

Question

i am debating using cloth or store bought diapers.Boyfriend says store bought i am just wonder how cloth diapers work and just what everyone else prefers.And if store bought what brands.

Answer 1

I used disposable diapers on my first child and cloth on my second. One of the best things I ever did was make the switch to cloth diapers. I cloth diapered my son from the time he was 6 weeks old until he potty trained right before he turned three. I loved it! I can't say that there were no issues, but even disposable users have issues... They have blow outs, leaks, rashes, and smelly diaper pails, yet if someone has those same issues in cloth diapers, then they blame the cloth.



What a lot of people aren't aware of these days, is that there is a whole world of cloth diapers available on the internet. There are enough choices to make your head spin. Those gauzey flat diapers, plastic pants and oversized safety pins that you find in the baby section of your local department store are a thing of the past. And if that is someone's only experience with cloth diapers, I'd be surprised if it weren't horrible. So these things that people think are the negative aspects of using cloth diapers are myths.



The worst thing about using cloth diapers today is fighting people's stereotypes about them and the people who use them. We shouldn't have to defend ourselves for making the best choice for our babies. The good thing is that most people change their minds about cloth diapers once they are exposed to them and realize how much easier they are than they previously thought.



The advantages of using cloth diapers are numerous- Some you have already heard; healthier for baby, better environmentally, cost efficient. They are also more comfortable for baby, create more opportunity for bonding, and come in whatever print and fabric you could imagine. Imagine how it feels to put an organic velour diaper on your baby's bum, as opposed to a paper and plastic combination that contains dangerous chemicals. The feeling you get for providing the best for your child is most definately worth the little more effort that cloth diapers require.



If you are low income, and the cost of quality cloth diapers is daunting- check out ww.miraclediapers.com They are a nonprofit that helps provide cloth diapers to families in need.



This link has a ton of great info for beginners- http://www.natural-forces.com/essays/whycloth.htm



There is lots of informational links on this page- http://www.miraclediapers.org/discover.html

Also check out their list of affordable diaper sites.

Answer 2

i cannot believe the old fashiioned myths surrounding cloth diapers that ppl are going on about here



todays cloth diapers are very very modern and much more convenient than sposies



sure you can use the prefolds but noone uses pins on those today!...a snappie is what to use on a prefold



i am using fitted hemp/cotton diapers....I LOVE THEM...repeat....LOVE



is soooo easy...no dunking or soaking or anything of the false information the nay sayers are b itching about......i wash them about every day and a half



there really is no comparision between cloth and nasty sposies if you invest in GOOD QUALITY cloth diapers



do a internet search....there are quality venders and makers out there.....and easy to find on the net



i am using Crickett's Diapers and Growing Greens



look those up.....very nice websites



good luck and 100% won't regret going cloth if you invest wisely



forget sposies

Answer 3

Please look into cloth diapers. It's a known fact that disposable diapers are considered the #3 most damaging item to the Earth's environment at this point. And, believe it or not, cloth diaper service costs LESS than disposables. Lots of celebs are jumping on the cloth bandwagon, including my favortie guy, Dave Matthews. Just Google cloth diaper service in your city. They bring fresh ones and pick up dirty ones. You don't have to wash anything! You fold them up and velcro them in place. Easy, better for the baby's skin, and the environment. We need to realize that there are way too many people on the planet and for those of us who want to have children, the least we can do is make an effort in this department. Check it out :)

Answer 4

CHOOSING DIAPERS

Source: www.mayohealth.org/mayo/9608/htm/diapers.htm





Originally published in Mayo Clinic Health Letter.

Last updated Aug. 30, 1999.



Parents of newborns face a lot of changes--and changing diapers is one of the biggest. Many new parents are concerned about more than just the unpleasant aspects of changing diapers. They are also concerned about the health issues, environmental impact, cost, and convenience. The search for the best diapering alternative usually includes an assessment of the different types available and perhaps a few skirmishes in the Thirty Years' War between cloth diapers and disposables.



Cloth vs. disposable



So which is best? That's still not an easy question to answer. First, there are more than two alternatives. The old standby, the reusable cloth diaper, isn't what it used to be. Some types now have double or triple layers and a multi-ply, fiber-filled center strip, making them more absorbant than older styles. Some styles of cloth diaper also now come with Velcro strips, eliminating the need for those large safety pins your parents may have used. You can launder them at home or turn that job over to a diaper service.



Then there are various styles of disposable diapers. These range from fairly simple plastic-covered paper diapers to the latest high-tech, gender-specific cartoon-covered, elastic-legged, absorbent gel material (AGM) disposables.



With so many options, the diaper decision can be complex. Here are some factors to consider:



Skin care



Prolonged wetness, chemical and enzyme action, and growth of microbes in the diaper area can compromise a baby's skin and lead to the painful, inflamed condition known as diaper rash. Diaper rash occurs when the skin becomes more permeable and vulnerable to friction, abrasion, and attack by bacteria. Diaper type seems to make a significant difference in the frequency and severity of diaper rash. AGM disposables were, until recently, generally acknowledged to do a better job of keeping things dry and preventing the mixing of urine and feces--which can promote microbe growth. But parents who use cloth maintain that good diapering practices can make cloth the equal of disposables.



Controlling infection



Parents, health-care providers and day-care workers are concerned with the disease-spreading potential of diaper changing. This is especially a problem in out-of-the-home care settings where many infants and providers are constantly interacting in a limited space. A few years ago, most researchers were certain that AGM disposable diapers were clearly superior in containing urine and feces, but recent studies indicate there may be no significant difference in the infection control capabilities of cloth and disposable diapers. Diaper changing practices and clean-up procedures (including careful handwashing) are probably as important as diaper type in controlling infectious organisms.



Environment



A debate about the environmental impact of paper vs. cloth diapers has been underway for years. The pro-cloth view is that the production of disposable diapers consumes an inordinate amount of resources and energy. Advocates of cloth also argue that disposables take up two percent of landfill space, adding 2.8 billion tons of urine, feces, plastic and paper to landfills annually. Besides filling dwindling landfill space, the pro-cloth side holds that disposable diapers endanger health and the environment, especially the health of sanitation workers. The potential for disease to spread via ground water has also been cited.



Pro-disposable diaper advocates tell a different story. Production of cloth diapers uses more energy, they say, and contributes to the load on sanitary sewer systems and potential water pollution.



Who's right?



Various studies on the environmental effects of reusable and disposable diapers paint a complex picture. Most agree that reusable diapers require more water and generate more waterborne wastes through the laundering process. And home laundering uses more energy than commercial laundering.



The downside of disposables? It takes more raw materials to make them, and they are the third largest source of solid waste. Although some diapers are touted as biodegradable, the lack of oxygen in landfills means disposable diapers can take a long time to break down.



Judging the relative environmental impact of each method, then, means deciding to what extent solid waste is a more important problem than water use and wastewater disposal.



Cost and convenience



Disposable diapers, especially the super-absorbent AGM type, generally require fewer changes and less change time than cloth diapers. They also are convenient for travel and day-care use. Cloth diapers take up less purchase time, but they require additional time for washing and folding, if laundered at home.Total cost is generally higher for disposables than for home laundering or a diaper service. But if the value of water, washing machine, laundry supplies and a caregiver's time is figured in, it all may be a wash.

Answer 5

In my humble opinion, there is only one choice in this matter. That is cloth, cloth, cloth, cloth. The only real diaper is a cloth diaper.



Cloth diapers are cheaper in the long run than disposables, true, there is a larger cost up front but each time you use those cloth diapers they become cheaper and cheaper until the are less than the disposables.



Cloth diapers breathe where disposables won't. Even with wearing diaper covers over the cloth diapers, they breathe better. This means next to no diaper rashes. You just need to make sure that you change them right away. They are better for your baby's skin.



Cloth diapers aren't that difficult to maintain. Under normal circumstances, for one child, you shouldn't have to do more than one or two loads of diapers a week. That really isn't that much when you think about how much better off your baby will be in the long run not to mention your wallet.



Cloth diapers, when taken off your baby, should have any waste dumped into the toilet and flushed away, then they should be put in a diaper pail with water and white vinegar to cut down on the odor causing bacteria.



Cloth diapers should be washed with a detergent just like your other laundry, don't use the kind that says "chemical free" because they leave a residue in the diapers. Make sure you use a 2nd rinse cycle. During the first rinse cycle put in a cup of white vinegar and let the 2nd cycle rinse it out.



Cloth diapers should not be washed in bleach because bleach will break down the fibers in the diapers causing them to prematurely wear out and become nothing more than rags.



Cloth diapers should not be washed or dryed with any kind of fabric softener because it leaves a coating on the fibers and makes them less absorbent.



Cloth diapers can be dryed in the dryer but if you can, hang them in the sun, it is a natural bleach and helps get rid of stains and gives the diapers a very fresh clean fragrance. I use a drying rack instead of a clothes line to dry mine. That way I don't break my back reaching up to hang them up, I don't drop clothes pins and I don't hang myself on the clothes line.



Yes, I say mine, I'm incontinent and have to wear diapers 24 / 7 due to a medical condition. I wear cloth diapers all the time. The only time I will wear disposables is on a long trip where it isn't easy to wash or store used cloth diapers.



Give them a try, I think you will like them, today's cloth diapers are not your grandmother's diapers any more. There are so many different styles of diapers and diaper covers that are just as easy to use as disposables.



Good luck.

Answer 6

I bought the bum genius all in ones that grow with the baby. They have a "dry weave" outer layer and a microfiber insert that soaks up all the urine. I use disposable at night and she goes all night with one diaper. We've rarely had diaper rash, and I've had far more leaks out of disposables that with the bum genius brand. However, when all the bummies are dirty I use traditional cloth with a plastic cover (not pants). These do often leak and I know that I would get tired of changing these all the time. When it's time to potty train, these may be the way to go so she can feel the wet/dirty immediately. I really do brag on the Bum Genius for keeping the moisture away from her and keeping everything in the diaper. I just carry a plastic bag when we leave the house with cloth. They are a bit bulky, so I do often just use disposables when we are out for a long time. And, in the summer time it is kind of overly smelly to keep up with dirty cloth diapers in the car. Way to go on choosing cloth. It's not that huge of a fuss and it's so good for your pocketbook and the environment.

Answer 7

I have a 20 month old and have use Pampers since he came home. They do not smell (like some) when he goes pee and do not leak. I used Pampers New Baby when he was small and now use Pampers Cruisers.

Answer 8

Cloth diapers work by either buying a bunch and washing them yourself, or hiring a service that picks up the dirty diapers and drops off clean ones. You usually have to use diaper pins and a plastic/rubber diaper that goes over the cloth to guard against leaks. I'd say the only reason people go with cloth is because they're supposed to be gentler on baby's skin and better for the environment than disposable diapers.

However, I read a magazine article in a parenting magazine that showed the cost of buying diapers vs. using a service is about the same cost (diaper service is slightly more expensive), and all the energy required to wash diapers doesn't really make it that environmentally superior.

Answer 9

hi. i am a mother of a 1year and 6 months old kid. we used cloth during day time. and during night time, a diaper. reason for this is if you use diaper all the time, it can cause urinary tract infection to the baby and it's very painful when they pee once they have that. you need to have lots of cloth diapers, like 3 dozen. everytime they pee, you just simply wash it and hang to dry, iron and use it again. it's a lot of hassle, i know. but it's economical and safe for the baby.

Answer 10

It is an issue of preference. If cloth you rinse them out in the toilet and send them off to be washed or have to "treat" them with disinfectant at home and then wash them. I have used both.

The downside to store bought is that they fill up the landfills and some people say that is wrong. You have to vote your conscience on this one! They are easy but, can be expensive. Get unscented so that your baby won't react to the perfume with an allergy until you know if they are sensitive. You will get some from the hospital so take them home and see if you like them. Someone will probably give you some cloth ones anyway and you can use them to burp the baby if you don't use them as diapers. They are good to do the mirrors later on!

Answer 11

I honestly think that cloth diapers are so very messy. I don't think they are really a good choice. I am sure they are less expensive and could save you money, but they are suppose to be made for using more than once. You are suppose to wash them and rewash them and than reuse them. Atleast that is what I have been told. I have not ever really had any experience in using them, but everyone I talk to says that they are no good. With store bought diapers, all you have to do is throw them away, and there is no messy clean-up. I would suggest Pampers, or Huggies. They can be pretty expensive, but I have found them to be the most preferred. Good luck!!

Answer 12

I'm a mother of three and I always used store bought diapers. My Mother used cloth diapers for my brothers and sisters. Cloth diapers are good if your child has a reaction to store bought, but are a huge pain!! you have to clean them off, you have pins which are hard to use when you child starts moving when your trying to change him/her and you end up poking them and they cry and you feel bad!!!! My favorite store bought has to be pampers. I like the stretch tabs!! Hope this helps u.

Answer 13

well i am 5 weeks pregnant and i am going to use store bought but have cloth for backup incase i run out and dont have the money to buy store bought. I am going to use huggies beacuse they are the best especially for newborns and then if i cant afford those i will use snugglers cos they are second best. with cloth nappies they are a pain beacuse you are constantyl washing and the baby will usually get bad nappy rash if they are left in a wet nappy to long and with store bought they stay dry even afteer the have weed in there.

If money is the issue try using store bought at bed time whenthe baby is likely to be wet for a while before changed and use cloth during the day. There a few ways to fold cloth nappies if you are choosing to use these the hospital will show you the best way and usually you need to buy liners to place in the folded nappy this helps to keep the nappy drier and free from yucky brown stains. I guess it is up to the mother what she chooses to use but store bought is definatyl the best in my opinion.

Answer 14

I have 3 children my first we used a diaper service w/ cloth diapers & also store bought. I personally like the store bought b/c it is less of a hassel. You don't have to wash them & they don't leak as bad. I used huggies & luvs both of which were fine. Luvs are a little cheaper & it seemed w/ my son they didn't leak out the side as bad as the huggies did, but both brands are nice. I guess it's one of those things that it is a matter of personel prefrence.

Answer 15

I have used both with my sons and I would say disposable out weigh the cloth, The stink that the cloth made even when rinsed out was terrible and keeping them white was a chore in itself. Not to mention you have more leakage with the cloth along with more diaper rash because it takes more chemicals to keep the diapers white and fresh.

Answer 16

i use store kind i think it is easyer b/c they go all the time and it is a 123 thing and just try diff kind of diapers. i use white cloud but latey i have to use pamper cause walmart has been out of white cloud i like white cloud and pamper and luvs huggies they r okay but they cost so much and the other band work the same so i would try them all and see what works the best good luck

Answer 17

I would recommend that you use store bought diapers because you will have to constantly wash out boo boo diapers. If you are willing to smell boo boo and have it all over your hands then go for i. They are much cheaper to purchase but its a bigger mess. So i say go with the the throw away dipers so once its off you dont have to risk smellong and touching them.

Answer 18

cloth???? why would you want to go through that unnecessary trouble? i thought about that once upon a time and then realized that you have to wash poopy cloths......why??? i have had three kids and the best diapers i have found are huggies, i wouldn't even go with huggies supreme, just plain ol' huggies did it for me! one thing that has held true is that if you go low on the price 9 times out of 10 so does that quality. you want something sturdy for the surprises to come ;) good luck!

Answer 19

store bought. you have to manually wash cloth diapers and its a HUGE hastle.