Diapers Q&A

Who uses cloth nappies (diapers)?

I teach Child Studies to Year 9 (14 year olds) at a Sydney high school. In our 'Newborn Care' topic we're just about to compare cloth vs disposable and they are convinced that no one uses cloth anymore. Do you? Why?

Public Comments

1. yes because my daughter is alergic to some thing in disposables besides its way cheaper however i do love disposables her twin brother uses huggies
2. Oh god why would you use cloth???? With a new baby you have enough to do without cleaning wee and poo out of nappies (also a bit unhygienic these days) and then washing them all. You would be washing around 10 nappies a day..... That has to be worse for the enironment, using water, electricity, washing power etc etc. As opposed to disposable nappies being bio degradable these days.
3. yes because it reduces rashes on the new born and the only work you will get is to do laundry at least you have a less expensive newborn care.
4. My sister did because she couldn't afford disposables
5. Yeah, my Bendigo (Vic) based baby's bottom is covered with cloth :) We have used disposables a few times when we've been away, but haven't even finished off a whole packet. Why do we use cloth? Well, for starters, my grandmother buys 4 dozen nappies for each pregnant woman in the family. Secondly, you do so much washing anyway, it's not much extra trouble to wash nappies. Thirdly, it's cheaper. Fourthly, disposable nappies contribute so much to landfill. Yeah, I know washing nappies uses a lot of water, but so does manufacturing disposables. My grandmother had a lot of trouble finding 4 dozen nappies for me, as they were being pre-booked at the local shops. As soon as a load were put on the shelves, they were snapped up. Clearly people are using them! Tell them the flannel ones are better than the terry towelling. Softer on the baby's bum, and they are larger. :)
6. My step daughter just had a baby boy and is convinced that cloth diapers are healthier for the baby. Less chance of diaper rash. Has diaper service and price wise is less than buying disposable ones. IE. approx. $20.oo for a package of 14 disposable and costs her $19.00 delivered to her door and pick up soiled ones at the same time. for the same amount of cloth ones. This is in Calgary Alberta Canada
7. people with lots of help
8. i use mostly disposables but i have a couple cloth that i actually made myself. the ones i made a re called aio or All In One. they are exactly like a disposable but made of cloth. i had never heard of that type of cloth diaper until a few months ago i though it was just prefolds and plastic pants lol. my son is 2 so we aren't going to make any major investments into a whole supply of diapers but plan to use them for future children. the ones i made are made of an old fleece baby blanket for the outside and a hand towel for the soaker and an old tshirt for the inside. he loves them and they are super comfy. but i am the only one i know who has even considered using cloth every one tells me i am crazy. its really not any harder than disposables and they are better for baby. also you are only looking at one load of diapers every other day if that is all you use.
9. I have 5 grandchildren, most of them uses the dispospal kind, but I have always advised them to keeep the cloth on hand just in case something happens.My daughter had to use them when she was small because of irratations and they seem better as for as that. There are people that still uses them. Alittle more work maybe, but more comfy for baby, I would use these being at home and using the others on them on our outings , worked out good for me and had a happier baby!
10. yes because sometimes i think my baby is much more comfortable in them. although i have to change them more often than the disposable. plus, it would be so helpful once you potty trained the baby. the tendency is he wouldnt like the wetness so much that he would complain or tell mommy to go potty before he wets himself. disposables are so convenient though.
11. I had my daughter when i was 19 (shes now 5) i used cloth nappies because they were cost effective, I used a lux based wash that my mum taught me to make that left the nappies white and smelling great Even after a big woopsy, i also had her in summer so it meant i could lie my nappies down flat and she could go naked without much of a problem, i also believe its better for nappy rash as the babies bottom breathes better and you are more quickly alerted to accidents so they are changed earlier and its better for the environment. and they made great rags once she was toilet trained (if there good enough for her bum there good enough for my floors or car) lastly why the hell not!!!!!!!