Thread: Diapers

Originally Posted by Wildtim

Looking to have our first kid here soon (so isn't pregnant but we are working on it) , so this topic has come up.

I see how cloth can be cheaper, but less convenient overall. So how do you guys who have gone th cloth rout handle the little annoyances. Like what do you do with them when you have to change away from home? Is there really a greater likelihood
of leakage as the disposable companies would have you believe? Is there increased skin irritation again as advertised by the competing product?

Also anyone who doesn't use a service, how difficult is it to wash them, and are there any ill effects to your washer?

We used both for our two kids. Easy is definitely the disposables. Cloth is cheaper though. Both are ok though. Was happy as a clam when they were potty trained.

Originally Posted by Wildtim

Like what do you do with them when you have to change away from home?

We always keep a plastic bag or two in the diaper bag for dirty diapers or clothes, but if we know we're going to be out for a while we'll use disposables. There are people who never use disposables. I think you just have to make sure you have temporary storage for the dirty ones.

Originally Posted by Wildtim

Is there really a greater likelihood
of leakage as the disposable companies would have you believe?

No. I've had more problems of leaks and blowouts with disposables. Cloth has plenty of material to absorb whatever comes its way.

Originally Posted by Wildtim

Is there increased skin irritation again as advertised by the competing product?

I have not had problems with this. If you change a diaper whenever it's wet or soiled, dry the baby and put a clean diaper on--there should be no problems. And if you notice a little irritation, throw some butt paste or vaseline on there. With a cloth diaper it's easy to know if it's wet, because it feels wet. With disposable diapers a baby can go quite a while in a pee-filled diaper, but it feels dry so you don't change it. From what I've heard, even though dry, having a mix of urin and whatever chemicals they put into those gels is what causes most of the irritation. We watch a couple kids, and they use disposable diapers. Those kids have mild irritation much more than mine.

Originally Posted by Wildtim

Also anyone who doesn't use a service, how difficult is it to wash them, and are there any ill effects to your washer?

I don't use a service, and washing is no problem. We have a front-loading washer that gets them clean with no fuss. A regular washer should work fine too, but I've never tried it. I've had no ill effects on the washer, but now that he's started eating raisins, I've noticed a few skins left in the washer (they get imbedded in the diapers and are too big to pass through the holes in the washer). There are plenty of washing regimes on the internet, but if you'd like to know the specifics of mine I'd be happy to pass them along.


I love having the extra work. It's not much more, and for me it's worth it. (Sort of like shaving with a straight.) Is it better for my son? I'm not sure, but in my mind it is. The time I spend washing, folding, and occasionally ironing diapers is no problem, because I feel I'm doing something good for him. Regardless or what type of diapers you use, don't think of changing them as a chore, but rather as a chance to spend some time with your kid. It's a couple of minutes of one-on-one time, that is a perfect opportunity to smile and laugh with each other.