Cloth diapers?

Question

I am considering using cloth diapers when my son is born. Can anyone tell me their positive and negative experiences with them? Besides being economical, I like the fact that they are natural. But since I haven't had any experience with them thus far, I'm just wondering if I am making a proper and convenient choice. Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

It can be tiring at first and may be too easy to just stop and switch to disposables but I promise, if you stick it out it gets much easier and a lot healthier for baby's bottom. The less diaper rash alone is well worth the hassle in the first weeks. Also, look into diaper services in your area--they can make cloth diapering a breeze by picking up soiled diapers and leaving clean ones a few times a week!

Answer 2

I don't know that they are much more economical. I used a *lot* of hot water while washing cloth diapers. We were in the USAF at the time and living on base, so I don't know how pricey it was. But I usually ran a wash cycle to rinse them thoroughly, then a cycle to wash with dreft and hot water. Then there is the dryer time. So, that can add up. Plus they are very pricey to start with.

I did use disposable when we went out and very rarely had any leak problems with the cloth ones. Actually, I had more messy poop leaks from the disposables!

Some people have a "thing" about handling those soggy, messy cloth ones. And they have to be changed more often than disposable.

Right now, we are using disposable on our 4 mo old. I wash enough clothes right now without adding loads of diapers to the list.

Answer 3

If you can stand to boo boo in your washer and dryer and clog it up then by all means use cloth diapers.

If you are prepared to put forth the effort and time it takes to wash clean and have them ready then by all means use cloth diapers.

If you are ready to pay for a diaper service after you have exhausted yourself trying to prepare cloth diapers then by all means use cloth diapers.

Put it this way

Cloth Diapers = TIME and EFFORT

Huggies = a FEW more $$$

Which is more expensive??? Giving your time or giving your money?

I always put things in perspective like this: time vs. money

Once you do that you will begin to see the light. Don't get me wrong I like natural. My wife breastfeeds to save money, but we use Huggies Supremes. In breastfeeding, I found that the time (in this case less time) far outweighed the amount of formula over a year's time and it's better for the baby's health which is just and added bonus. Diapers can be tedious all the way around, but I'd rather pay than wast my time AND money on cloth diapers.

Congratulations and Good Luck to ya on making a decision.

Answer 4

cloth diapers are definatley a hand full. you have to wash them and keep them clean. it takes a way longer time to put them on than a non cloth diaper. I think they even leak more. My mother used them on my older sister and she's told me some stories. They used them mainly because they werent financially well. But you do save A LOT of money with cloth diapers, and you do help the environment. All in all, if your willing to go the extra mile and use cloth diapers then go for it.

Answer 5

Well they are cheaper in the long run, diapers have gotten way too out of hand pricewise. And they can be used from diapers to spit clothes (not at the same time :)! )
However, you have to wash them almost immediately if they are soiled or the stains will not come out (for some reason baby sh*t is alot different...) And they are a bit more unsanitary...When you are out in public, you must have the plastic overlay and even then they aren't always leak-proof...Also, you have to flush away the solids and then carry the soiled diaper along with you until your in your car or home.
But ultimately the choice is yours, even though they are more expensive, you get a longer time period of use and a disposible way of getting rid of a nasty mess if so created!

good luck and happy parenting!

Answer 6

We had no problem with the use of cloth diapers, though it can be a pain washing them! Second child, we hired a diaper service which was not much more costly after the water bill decreased (from not washing diapers).
Third baby, we tried the disposables and found that this one developed a lot of rashes around the leg openings.
The safety pins were my big problem since I usually ended up doing a blood test on my thumb.

Answer 7

I don't think they are convenient because you will be doing all the work. You will have to change often and wash often. This will include using bleach to clear stains off the fabric. If you have the time to be scooping the extra poop into the toilet and washing every day I sure do admire you. I think it is great that less trash will go to the landfills but it is sure a lot of work. good luck

Answer 8

Well i would say that cloth diapers are a lot more work and when the baby is born you are going to be busy enough. Also when you go to someones house you will have to cart the dirty diapers around with you. I like huggies no work at all to them.

Answer 9

Convenience and cloth diapers dont mix. Theyre a load more work than disposables, and they're quite leaky.

But many women use them and like them.

Answer 10

I used Bumkin All in One's with my son and they worked great. (I used them with prefold inserts) They had adorable prints and worked well. I didn't have any leaking problems.

Fuzzi buns are supposed to be nice too.

I eventually stopped using them because I had morning sickness with my second child and could not handle cleaning them any longer.