Diapers Q&A

Cloth diapers or disposable diapers?

I am having my first child and I was wondering whether to go with cloth diapers or dispobable diapers. Could you give me the benefits of each as well as any short comings with each? Which one do you prefer and does going with cloth diapers really save money? Thank you to everyone that answers.

Public Comments

1. disposable unless you wanna wash all of the crap off of them. my mom used them with my sister and she said it was a mistake.
2. I used both for my first two sons. I am now pregnant with my first daughter. I used cloth diapers when I was home (I was home a lot) and disposable when I was out and about. The advantages of cloth diapers: They are cheaper in the long run and better for the environment. You should get one to two dozen and you should keep a pail (with a lid) to pre-rinse before washing or else rinse them in the toilet. (It sounds gross but it works.) Also, because cloth diapers are less absorbant, you change your child more, making them less susceptible to diaper rash and and " the wet crankies." The disadvantage of cloth diapers: If you do not have a diaper service in your area, then you will have lots of washing to do. You will find yourself washing clothes more often too because leaks are common. It is not a pleasant job but all good moms make sacrifices for their children. The worst thing that I remember was the ammonia smell.
3. I don't have a baby here YET that is! hehe but i would say, get both. never know when rashes will break out and the creams are cutting it. (Note to the community: cutting it means that maybe the rash cream is not helping and so I suggested cloth b/c they're very breathable)
4. Cloth, all the way. So much cuter, better for the Earth, wicked easy these days etc etc. Sure, 'sposies can be more convenient but they smell and they are just not cute enough for a baby butt.
5. best of both worlds...is the gDiaper!! check it out: http://www.gdiapers.com/shop/ *watch their demonstration video* thumbs downers: ,,!,, to each their own.
6. disposable i used them on all 3 of my kids, some much easier
7. Hi, I used cloth diapers for 3 months with my kids and thereafter used disposable nappies. I preferred the disposables because I ended up doing a lot of washing with cloth diapers, not just the diapers but the clothes too as quite often they would leak and I'd have a real mess to clear up. I used the cloth ones because of environmental reasons but to be honest with all that washing I'm not sure that is the case. I now use environmentally friendly nappies that decompose quickly. They rarely leak and they are quick and easy to use. If you are concerned about cost then you have to look at the cost of cloth nappies plus all the washing and washing powder that it entails.
8. Disposables are not eco-friendly. They cost more energy and non-renewable resources than cloth diapers to produce. They do not biodegrade well. However, they are a lot more convenient. Disposables are also less likely to cause diaper rash. Unless you have dependable help with your newborn, you'll find that washing, folding cloth diapers may take time that's hard to find. Also, you have to use diaper pins (always have extras for when one inevitably breaks, gets lost). Cloth diapers will cost you significantly less and they make great burp rags. But they smell more while they're in the diaper pail waiting to get washed.
9. I do both. I use cloth at home and disposable at day care and when we go places. I really prefer cloth for my daughter. It makes her bottom softer and helps me stretch my dollars. The poop stays in better - even now with solids, she rarely poops out of a cloth diaper but has poopsplosions all the time when she's in disposables. However, my day care doesn't do cloth diapers so I have to put her in disposables for that. I also use disposables when we run errands because I don't want to carry around a bag of poop when I have to change her. When disposable diapers were first introduced into the market, they were used for outings and travel and I feel like I am reverting to that original intent. I kind of have the best of both worlds by using both. I save a little money, don't have as much waste, and my daughter's bum is nice and soft but I don't have to carry around a bag of poop. The only con to cloth diapers is the washing, but once you get the routine down it's not so bad. I have come to peace with the fact that I can't get every stain out of every diaper.
10. Cloth is nicer for you baby's bum, just be sure to make extra garbage somewhere else in your day today life. Ask them to double bag your stuff at the market or something. It would be a shame to save all that waste and stuff.
11. If you are not 100% gung hoe CD... i'd do disposable. I'm on the fence, and do both. here is what I think: SPOSIES: pros: they are convenient. they get thrown away. they are small and are not bulky Cons: they leave a gel on the skin if they are left on too long cheap diapers: luvs or store brands suck They cost about 20 cents per diaper, but if you look for a really good deal sometimes you ccan get them as cheap as 17 cents per diaper. This is for good diapers: pampers swaddlers. CLOTH pros: it's good for the environment it's supposevely better for baby's skin, however I have never had any rashes in either diaper. they are cuter they are softer on baby's skin they are fluffier cons: they have to be re-used and sometimes the poos are gross you have to buy bigger clothing because they are so big. it means you have to do more laundry. Does not bother me. it's easier if you do cloth wipes as well. Good cloth diapers cost about 16$ per diaper (fuzzy bunz, bum genius) You can end up spending a lot of money... Either way, there are a lot of different pros and cons. I'd buy a few and see if you like it. There is a lot of hassle involved, but if you're green... it should not matter much to you. Best advise: wait until about 6 weeks to start the CD routine. It's too much work too early on, and will scare you away. So far, it has not saved my family money, but then again I spend a lot on about 20 diapers... and still use disposables 80% of the time. However, I feel "better" when I'm using cloth for some reason. My hubby also refuses to CD so that does not help. Here is a good "cloth 101" site: http://www.abbyslane.com/faqs.php Good luck!
12. i too have been asking everyone this question for the same reason. so far everyone i have talked to that has done the clothe diapers has said that they are a huge hassel and ur baby is more likely to get diaper rash. i dont like the way thow away diapers affect the environment but i also dont want a screaming baby with bad diaper rash. i decided on throw away for the first year.
13. I used both cloth and disposable with my first, and cloth only with my second. For me, the biggest plus has been cost savings- I've spent about $500 on cloth diapers, and that's to diaper two children from birth to potty learning. I use maybe an extra container of detergent every six months, and I line dry them when the weather permits, so our utility bills haven't changed that I can tell. I just hate throwing money in the trash.
14. I used mostly cloth with all three of mine. With my first two I used sposies at night and on outings. With my third I finally found diapers I like for nights and he hasn't worn a disposable diaper in about 7 months. (He's almost 20 months old.) My next baby is due in October and this one will never wear disposables. (Unless our washer breaks! lol) You WILL save money. If you have a second or third baby you can use the same diapers. When you're all done with the diapers, you can sell them. http://www.diaperswappers.com and http://www.diapertraders.com is wear I bought all of my diapers. If you buy your diapers new you can get almost all of your money back. If you buy your diapers used, you can sell the for the price you paid and get ALL your money back. I'll just caution that you should not, under any circumstances, buy the Gerber prefolds or any other prefolds you find at Walmart or Kmart. They're terrible. You get what you pay for.
15. Cloth diapers are MUCH better for the environment. Disposable diapers NEVER break down and are SOOOO bad for the environment. There are many cloth diaper services (that really are cheaper in the long run) that deliver the diapers, etc and will pick them up and wash them....so you don't have to deal with washing etc. Cloth diapers tend to encourage "potty training" earlier. I would personally go with cloth diapers for the most part and have some disposable diapers on hand for long trips or certain days when I'm away from home with the baby.
16. Disposible ones