Cloth diapers are they worth all the fuss?

Question

ive been looking up Cloth diapers and seeing if they are worth getting and on eof the kinds say that you can only use them for 30 days or maybe thats just the garuntee (kushies) i dont understand i know how to wash them and and put them on but what is the best kind to use like the ones with disposible liners or the mirofiber insert ones or what help please!! Thank you Angel L

Answer 1

In my humble opinion, there is only one choice in this matter. That is cloth, cloth, cloth, cloth. The only real diaper is a cloth diaper.

Cloth diapers are cheaper in the long run than disposables, true, there is a larger cost up front but each time you use those cloth diapers they become cheaper and cheaper until the are less than the disposables.

Cloth diapers breathe where disposables won't. Even with wearing diaper covers over the cloth diapers, they breathe better. This means next to no diaper rashes. You just need to make sure that you change them right away. They are better for your baby's skin.

Cloth diapers aren't that difficult to maintain. Under normal circumstances, for one child, you shouldn't have to do more than one or two loads of diapers a week. That really isn't that much when you think about how much better off your baby will be in the long run not to mention your wallet.

Cloth diapers, when taken off your baby, should have any waste dumped into the toilet and flushed away, then they should be put in a diaper pail with water and white vinegar to cut down on the odor causing bacteria.

Cloth diapers should be washed with a detergent just like your other laundry, don't use the kind that says "chemical free" because they leave a residue in the diapers. Make sure you use a 2nd rinse cycle. During the first rinse cycle put in a cup of white vinegar and let the 2nd cycle rinse it out.

Cloth diapers should not be washed in bleach because bleach will break down the fibers in the diapers causing them to prematurely wear out and become nothing more than rags.

Cloth diapers should not be washed or dryed with any kind of fabric softener because it leaves a coating on the fibers and makes them less absorbent.

Cloth diapers can be dryed in the dryer but if you can, hang them in the sun, it is a natural bleach and helps get rid of stains and gives the diapers a very fresh clean fragrance. I use a drying rack instead of a clothes line to dry mine. That way I don't break my back reaching up to hang them up, I don't drop clothes pins and I don't hang myself on the clothes line.

Yes, I say mine, I'm incontinent and have to wear diapers 24 / 7 due to a medical condition. I wear cloth diapers all the time. The only time I will wear disposables is on a long trip where it isn't easy to wash or store used cloth diapers.

Give them a try, I think you will like them, today's cloth diapers are not your grandmother's diapers any more. There are so many different styles of diapers and diaper covers that are just as easy to use as disposables.

By the way, they will last for years if you take care of them properly.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Once upon a time, when babies actually slept in dresser drawers becuase their parents were too poor to afford a crib, and weren't surrounded by primary-colored plastic toys, people used real cloth diapers because disposables hadn't been invented yet (a diaper was only disposable if you accidently flushed it down the toilet after soaking it). Neither had plastic diaper covers. If you were luck a female relative knitted little diaper covers to absorb the inevitable dampness.

Think of how many times you wash your clothes before you throw them out - 10 times? 20? 30? Or does that seem ludicrous...

If you're interested in washing your own, buy the best quality you can - trust me, you'll know when they're getting a tad thin.. If you're not intested in doing that, get a diaper service.

Oh by the way - a lot of little baby bottoms are sentitive to the pastics in disposables - so let your baby's bottom do the talkin'.

Answer 3

I use plain cotton cloth diapers and diaper pins. I love them. Its much easier changing the baby, and washing the diapers than I had expected. The cheapest start up method that I've found is buying a couple packages of cloth diapers at Wal-mart for around $12 for a package of 12 diapers. You'll also likely want to get a package of plastic diaper covers or some other type of diaper covers to keep your child's clothes dry.

Another option is the Fuzzi Bunz. I'm considering switching to them because they seem absolutely wonderful. Here's their site: http://www.fuzzibunz.com/

Edited to add:
After changing, put the soiled/wet diaper into a diaper pail, and then once a day wash them all. First, run it on a cold rinse cycle, then a regular HOT wash with detergent, then an extra rinse to make sure the soap is completely rinsed out.

As for the actual diapering process here's a good site with instructions:
http://www.babysabode.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?&Screen=cloth-diaper-folding

Answer 4

YES!...and they don't have to be fuss

i am using fitted hemp/cotton blend diapers from Crickett's and Growing Greens and they are FAB

you HAVE to go quality if you want it to be worth it though......hemp if by far one of the best fabrics to use for diapers

do a web search and you'll find many vendors and info on modern cloth diapering.......it has come a long way since prefolds and pins

my husband and i invested about $200 in our daughter's diapers and haven't regretted a single second .....and washing them really isn't a big deal.....you just pop 'em in the washer and wash

and since my baby is breastfed her diapers don't stink one bit!.....they actaully smell sweet

hemp is antimicrobial, lasts forever without breaking down....can be used with subsequent babies and is super super absorbant

good luck and invest wisely........go check out Crickett's and Green Mountian Diapers on the web among others

Answer 5

If you are interested in cloth diapers for environmental conservation or other reasons, another option is a diaper service. They apparently now have cloth diapers that are pinless (with Velcro).

I went with Pampers Swaddlers and love them. They are a little bit more expensive than the other disposables, but worth every penny. They are made of a cloth-like material that is way gentler than regular Pampers Baby Dry and better than any of the Huggies, IMHO.

Answer 6

try a diaper service, cloth diapers are fine I used them for 11 and 13 year olds when they were babies, much better for the environment. They only downside is as the get older around 2, they are not very absorbant. Cannot always handle the volume.

Answer 7

My cousin found some cloth diapers that she LOVED. I'll find out the site that she got them from and e-mail it to you!

Answer 8

I used regualr old cloth daipers, secuerd with pins and covered with plastic pants. The fancy cloth dipaer are nice, but expensive. It takes alot of work to use cloth, so you have to be dedicated to it. Good luck

Answer 9

My niece is spending the weekend with me and my 7 week old daughter. My niece is 4 months old and she uses cloth diapers. But you have to wash them over and over again. They may be better for the enviroment, but their a big hassle.