cloth diapers?

Question

I am thinking about changing from disposal diapers to cloth diapers. I was wondering if you know the positive and the negative of the cloth diapers. Is it worth the extra work?

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.

Some of the things that people think are the negative aspects of using cloth diapers are myths. The world of cloth diapers has changed so much in the last decade that plastic pants, diaper pins and soaking dirty diapers in the toilet are a thing of the past.
I'd say the biggest negative 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 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.

Answer 2

I love cloth diapers! If you do a google search on cloth diapers advantages you'll come up with tons. Basically they are better for the baby and better for the environment.

They are better for the baby because they don't have nasty chemicals like dioxin (yes, disposable diapers contain dioxin) and help the baby potty train earlier.

Better for the environment because of all the garbage, but also human waste is not supposed to go into a landfill- it's an environmental hazard. Some people say it doesn't matter which you use because washing cloth diapers uses water, but water is a renewable resource and the plastic components of disposable diapers are made from petroleum products, which are not a renewable resource.

Answer 3

Not only are cloth diapers better for baby and the environment but, they are also less expensive. Convential diapers are made with chemicals including dioxin which is what tampons contained when toxic shock syndrome was a problem in the early eighties. Not only do cloth diapers prevent your baby from exposure to all of the chemicals used in diapers, they also keep disposables and feces out of the landfills.

Answer 4

I raised 3 kids with the first 2 using nothing but 100% cotton diapers. The last, I used disposable and cloth.

Using only cotton, be prepared for leaks and lots of them. Diaper rash is a constant problem too. However, cost is a lot less.

My middle child was allergic to the disposable diapers, so I had to stay with the cotton.

My third, was mostly disposable and diaper rash was at a minimum. Heat rash was not.

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

I know growing up, my family used cloth diapers and I hated the smell! I know they still have some baby diaper services - where they pick up the dirty diapers for you and wash them and leave you with a fresh supply of clean ones.

But for me and my house, I have 3 kids and there is no way I'm going to take time away from my kids to deal with stinky cloth diapers!

Answer 6

I would use disposables at night and at expected "poo" times. Cloth diapers during the day and after "poo's". I also used the blue diaper liners. There was never a problem with diaper rash.

Answer 7

positive good for the environment negative messy leaks need plastic diaper to put over it. pins can stick baby and what do u do with the poopy ones is there a service or something that will clean them for u? might save some money

Answer 8

I tried cloth years ago, they are a lot of work and my son had diaper rash so bad, it just wasn't worth it for us.

Answer 9

Environmentally the cloth diapers are not as benign as you might think. The energy to wash them and the energy to treat the waste water they produce, not to mention the phosphates that the soap might contain pretty much balance out the environmental impact of the production and disposal of disposable diapers.

I have two kids. With the first, we started out wanting to do the cloth diaper thing. By the time our second was potty trained I firmly believed that the "diaper genie" should be listed in the top 100 greatest inventions of all time.

Answer 10

Cloth is a lil messier, but I think it feels better for them.