Diapers Q&A - Do cloth diapers really keep babies dry, and do they leak?

Do cloth diapers really keep babies dry, and do they leak?

I'm expecting my first child (a boy) in October, and am thinking about using cloth diapers instead of disposables. Seems like a responsible choice both for the environment and for my bank account. But is it responsible for my son? I'm looking for specific experiences with cloth diapers, please, not links or other information about maintaining a green home. Of course, I'm referring to the new cloth diapers that come with velcro, no diaper pins, that include flushable liners, and that can be used from birth through potty training.

Public Comments

I found using cloth nappies was just as good as disposable but definitely more time consuming. With a good set of pilchers you shouldn't get to many leaks but you can't leave a cloth nappy on for as long as you could a disposable. All in all I would say if your committed to the cloth you'll like it as much if not more than disposable cause like you said it's cheaper by far.
There are so many brands of cloth diapers out there. Some work better than others. I have tried so many different types, styles, brands! Personally, I love the pocket diapers. You can add extra inserts for added absorbancy, and they are just as easy as disposables with snaps or hook and tape (velcro). My favorite brands are knicker nappies, fuzzi bunz, and bumkins. And potty training is so much easier with cloth diapers. Washing is easy too... I could go on for hours about cloth dipes. So, if you want, email me for more info!!
I would suggest that you buy some cloth diapers and disposable types and see which ones work best for you and your boy. There are those that would argue heatedly regarding the advantages of one over the other but in the end it is up to you and your particular circumstances. If you try both you can make this important decision for yourself.
We used cloth for the first 3 months. They were ok, they do leak at times but it takes a while to get the folding downpacked and know which pilchers are best. The plastic ones hold the moisture in but they stink, and the fluffy ones just soak through lol..I think the trick is to change more regularly. It is a better option for the environment, so long as you have plenty of water and time to do washing coz u go through them like there is no tomorrow and before you know it you have 3 loads of nappies to wash!!! We went for the disposables after 3 months, mainly because our daughter got too big to fold the nappies double and she just soaked through constantly and it drove us mad. But at least we save alot of money for that short time :)
Ah the dreaded cloth diapers!! They were used a LOT in the 70's when my sisters had their babies. They do not keep the baby dry, and OMG yes do they ever leak!! You need to put rubber pants over the diapers and it does still leak....usually all over your favorite dress just before going out for the evening! There is also the risk of your baby getting stabbed with a diaper pin....that happens a LOT with cloth diapers. I can appreciate you wanting to go with something that's more environmentally friendly, but I think the first time you have to dunk and wash out a severely loaded diaper in the toilet, you'll switch to disposables!
I have mixed feeling on cloth diapers so I will give you the pros and the cons. You decide what is best for your situation. The initial cost of cloth diapers can be expensive because you will need to have quite a few on hand. It will save you money in the long run, but they require a lot of attention. As far as keeping a baby drier I would have to disagree with that. They are after all cloth diapers. Think of cleaning up a glass of spilled water with a towel. Soggy. You also have to keep in mind that they can be quite messy and smelly while you save up enough to wash. Rinsing them out in the toilet can help, but still. Disposable diapers are the easiest to use because you use them and throw them away. No rinsing, storing, or washing. Are you prepared to do laundry everyday or every two days? Think about your lifestyle and if you can commit the time to cloth diapers.
I have very young brother and sisters and they both were nappied in cloth ones. I now have kids of my own and I use disposables. I remember with my siblings folding them, putting liners in them (for poo) and putting them on the kids butts. My parents had two buckets, one for soaking, one for rinsing then you wash in a machine and hang out to dry (or use tumble drier) and that was every day with one kid in nappies. They had to be changed every two to three hours, but the pilchers did help with the leaks, there are different folds for boys and girls nappies to put the layers where needed. Overnight you can use a terry towelling and a cotton one to bulk it up a little. But after living with that, I decided to be a lazy ass and use disposables and am loving it. It is a personal choice and there is environmental consequences to both choices (landfill for disposable and laundry soakers and water for cloth). If you start with cloth it would be better to continue because of the out lay.
I recently started using Bum genius 3.0 and they go from birth to 35 lbs with snap down tabs. I wish i had started earlier, they do not leak ever( disposables always did) and he always feels snug and dry. They look so cozy on his bottom and no more red marks. I put in a extra liner at night to prevent leaks. BG comes with 2 liners each. Cotton babies.com. Everywhere I go when I change him people want to know abot them. I did pay 204 for 12 and I would recommend 18 or so so you always have plenty. I wash every other day, it is not time consuming at all. Fill the washer FULL with cold with added free det, has to be specail det though very important. I use planet and get it off Amazon in bulk for cheaper than Dreft. Wash them in cold then wash in warm one more cold rinse and they are done. I put inserts in the dryer and hang the diapers in house to prevent wear and tear and then when the insets are done throw in the diapers for 10-15 minutes and then I am done. Evan my husband loves them. baby runs around the house now in a tee and diaper because he looks like he is wearing a outfit. Thay are cute and colorful. I would not get white as they can greay over time. You can evn use them for the next kid. No more running to the store every other week for a $20 box of diapers and a $9 box of wipes. Buy cheapo baby washcloths or order homemade cloth wipes and use a natural spay. Ebay called Honey chunkcs, I love it in the spray botttle. They even have biodergadebale paper liners at Wal marrt ( kushies) I put in when I know he is goin to be poopy and then just pull that out and flush it and no mess. But if I miss the line then i just roll it off with tp into the toilet or you can spray it out. I do not need to spray as it is solid now. These are not the diapers of old , it is like a disposable in ease of use but I can use it again!! I LOVE, LOVE ,LOVE them and really wish I had tried earlier. I like pocket diapers because I think the All in ones seem a little ickier as they have like 7 layers to trap stuff and take forever to dry but to each his own. It is not gross at all. Saves me money and I feel good about doin something great for the earth and my son. He loves them to and people say they eliminate rashes. Mine has never had one. Good Luck and I hope I convinced you :-) You would not regret it I promise. I can not say enough good about them. I love to take a fresh, super soft load out of the dryer and put them in the diaper hanger. Also you will need a wetbag to hold the dirty diapers and to prevent smells. I got mine at Leslie boutique , 1 med for trips ( they roll up like a disposable anyway and velcro together) and 1large for the house. I would recommend then to anyone and will use them with all my future childre as well.This brand requires no presoaking and I have never had a stain, they are pristine! Email me if you want more info.
For the first few months after having my son I used cloth diapers, and I found them to be fantastic. I used the original square cloths, with snappy clips, so no pointy needles. I would say the ones you are thinking of using wold be pretty good, and advance, for sure. I found that cloth nappies were great and kept my son dry, they never leaked for me, and since switching to disposables (so he can move around better...he is 5mths old now) I have found that during the night they actually leak far more than the cloths ever did. I also don't really like the way the disposables cause little creases on my son's skin from rubbing. Cloth nappies are also way more cuddly :-) When it came to washing them, it is time consuming but if you have heaps it is easy to keep one load ready for use, one load soakin or washing, and one load drying. However, my son (who is solely breastfed) only does a poo (nice word!) every few days, unlike some babies who go many times in one day. I have to say that made life a bit easier, and I may have switched earlier if this hadn't been the case. when he did go, I just rinsed straight away and put it into a bucket of water with whitening powder, and then at night before bed washed the lot. But I always had disposables on hand for those times when the washing just couldn't get done/dry in time! Good luck, you will make the right choice for your baby, whichever way you go! :-)
my only cloth diaper experience was with the Bungenius 3.0's. I loved them and they fit from newborn to toddler...Saves you a TON of money on buying different sized ones. My son would leak out of a disposable but if I stuffed the pocket with 2 liners he never leaked at night. Also the layer that is against babies skin is microfiber so it always feels dry to the baby. He never had rashes. Good luck and congrats! http://www.bumgenius.com/index.php
I said I wasn't going to use cloth diapers with my son, because I didn't want to have the hassle of having to wash them all the time. But when he started going through 15 WET diapers and a couple of poopy diapers a day I changed my mind. I would start out by only buying a few to see if they will work for your son and also buy disposables. I bought Kushies, which I found at Wal-Mart.com for a reasonable price compared to the other brands, and they work great. I have never had a problem with leaking, I think because I use the additional liners you can purchase. I think for a pack of 5 of the diapers it cost $38, but that is also for the infant size, not the newborn. There are other brands, such as bumkins, fuzzibuns, and bum genius. I would research though and depending on the brand you decide to use look to see where you can get them cheapest. Here is a link from consumer reports with information and links to websites. Good luck! http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/babies-kids/baby-toddler/care-and-dressing/diapers/cloth-diapers-4-07/overview/0704_cloth-diapers_ov.htm
It is a personal choice and there are many brands available. What may work best for me and my baby, may not work for you. Keep in mind that some daycares will only use disposable and if you have others helping you to care for your baby, you may have to teach them how to use cloth diapers. You can always try cloth and if it is not working switch to disposable. Good Luck
Cloth diapers are an excellent and economical choice for families. Today's cloth diapers are nothing like the cloth diapers that our parent's and grandparent's used. Many cloth diapers are fitted, trim and very absorbent. Just like clothes, you will need to find a diaper that best fits your child. Many families often give up because they try one style of diaper and find that it leaks. This is not a reason to give, simply a reason to try a new style of diaper. It is similar to disposables such as Huggies and Pampers - many families find that Huggies constantly leak on their child, so they make the switch to Pampers! The same is true for cloth diapers. Your best bet is to (as someone already mentioned) try either a Diaper Loan Program or buy a sample package of several styles of diapers! You can then try them at home with your child and pick a diaper that fits your child best. Cloth Diapering is very responsible for your son. Disposable diapers have many chemicals in them! Cloth diapers can be completely natural (and some are organic making them completely free of any chemical). Children who are cloth diapered are less likely to have diaper rash. Children who are cloth diapered are more likely to potty train early (because they can feel when they are wet). There is definitely a little bit of extra work in cloth diapers - there is no denying this. But with the efficiency of washing machines and the many gadgets and accessories that exist for cloth diapering, it really can be quite simple! Some diapers are more convenient than others. All in One diapers are the most convenient and mom/dad friendly diapers (also most expensive). They have the diaper, cover and liner/insert all attached in one piece - looking just like a disposable diaper. Fitted and pocket diapers require at most two extra steps. They will possibly need a diaper cover (to repel leaks) and occasionally a liner/insert (for heavy wetting, such as overnight). Contour and Prefolds are your least convenient but most economical choice (ie. cheapest). They require a fastener (such as a rubber Snappi or diaper pin), a diaper cover and a liner/insert. The fact that you are even considering cloth diapers in my opinion is at least worth a try! It doesn't hurt anyone to try some diapers (whether you purchase a few different styles or use a loan program)!
I switched to cloth diapers for both of my boys in November 07 and I absolutely LOVE them. They are so much better than disposables. On the rare occasion that I do use a disposable, there is always a leak. When I use cloth it is really not an issue. And, yes, the pocket diapers really do keep their skin dry.
the bum genius 3.0 is a one size diaper and I use it as an overnight diaper for my daughter. The inserts will be soaked but the part that touches her skin stays nearly bone dry! I was amazed. I have had more leaking problems with disposables by far, and have yet to have a leak while using cloth.
diaper pins are obsolete since the 'snappi' is available not sure what you mean responsible for your baby - studies can be skewed any way you want them - and some have shown that the chemicals used in disposables can cause reproductive harm - makes sense to me personally since the chemicals used are caustic in themselves i use prefolds - and have 1 AIO one size pocket diaper - which is ok - just not my preference because of: 1, the cost factor, 2, the smell of the microfiber when wet, 3, just not my favorite diaper - i use it as a diaper cover the 'new velcro diapers' still have many choices - you have the AIO's, AIO's one size, some fitteds and contours have velcro - so i am assuming you mean the AIO's - if you go the AIO route, it would probably be best to go with a one size, they have snaps to adjust as your baby grows - most average about $20 a piece so there is a cost factor if you are using cloth for budget considerations i have had great experiences with the old fashioned prefolds and diaper covers -