Something today provoked me to spend many hours pondering whether I should use disposable or cloth diapers when the baby comes.
As you can tell, my day was beyond exciting.
Prior to this morning I never considered using anything other than disposables, for no other reason than I just never thought twice about it, as if there was no other option.
So I did what anyone would do in the twenty-first century and turned to Google, The Knower of Anything You Could Ever Want To Know, Ever. Then I thanked the god of computer nerds for the Internet because how did people ever survive without the trusty, ol’ Google search box? This deserves some serious investigation by an intelligent Notre Dame graduate student. Or really, anyone but me.
After my extremely thorough and scholarly thirty or four minutes of research, I have decided to put together a little list of pros and cons to using cloth diapers. So without further ado, here we go.
PROS OF USING CLOTH DIAPERS:
- Environmentally friendly. Obviously we won’t be adding a bazillion used diapers to a landfill. I’m no granola tree-hugger by any means, but I’m always looking for small ways to do my part when it comes to being green. (I can’t believe I just used the cliche phrase ” being green”. Ugh. I’m sorry.)
- Cheaper! Let us never forget that I am an accountant and love to save money. With cloth diapers there is obviously a little more of an initial outlay of cash to stock up on diapers, but then that’s it. Some websites show that you can save several thousands of dollars by not purchasing disposable diapers. That’s triple zeros. I like that.
- Healthier for the little squirt. Without getting too detailed and scientific (I barely passed Biology 2 in high school), there are apparently some serious chemicals in disposable diapers which can cause skin diseases, cancer, and other yucky things that I don’t really like to think about. (I just love avoiding serious matters.) With cloth diapers, however, you can use organic and natural materials which are safer for little babies. Furthermore, babies who wear cloth diapers are less apt to getting bad diaper rash.
- Easier potty training. I have read that when the time comes and little Sally or Billy is ready to say bye bye to diapers the process is much easier if they have worn cloth diapers. The reasoning behind this is that they’re more likely to know when they’re wet in cloth diapers and be more aware of when they need to use the toilet.
CONS OF USING CLOTH DIAPERS:
- Laundry. And more laundry. Oh, and then some more laundry. Luckily, in case we have all forgotten already, we are living in the twenty-first century and have these crazy machines that do the laundry for us! Amazing! So, not really that big of an issue.
- EWWW. High risk of nasty-ass baby butt blowouts. I’m highly aware of the disgusting alien poop that babies somehow produce, and having to deal with it in a reusable cloth diaper kind of grosses me out. Dropping a few nuggets into the toilet is one thing, but what if it’s worse? I’ve read about various methods of dumping the crap (PUN! INTENDED!), and some people like the ’swishing’ method, that is, dunking the diaper into the toilet and flushing the toilet giving it a quick little spin cycle. I think maybe I could get used to that after awhile…?
My first question when I started considering this this morning was to Rob, asking what his thoughts were about it. And surprisingly, he said he would be on board with it. He also said that since I’m going to be home most of the time, I may as well give it a shot and see how it goes.
SO! To all the mamas and mamas-to-be, what did you decide? Disposable or cloth? What is your advice? Are there more pros and cons that I’m not thinking of?
Help.
13 comments
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June 1, 2009 at 3:11 am
lindsey v
I am neither a mom, nor a mom-to-be. Heck, I am not even a big sister or even have one little cousin! So, I don’t really have a real piece of advice for you. I just thought of something while reading and wasn’t sure how it would be addressed with cloth/non-disposable diapers…
What happens if you are out and about and need to change the baby? Do you just toss them? And will this start to add up as she gets older and you start taking her to stores, restaurants, etc.? Just my non-mom thought.
June 1, 2009 at 6:06 am
Jenny
We have several friends who have recently gone with cloth diapers and swear by them. I hope to give it a try, but my husband is not yet sold on the idea. I have until November to convince him! = )
June 1, 2009 at 7:45 am
ilikemylife
id like to challenge the whole thought on severity of diaper rash. i’ve had several mommies that their babies (me being one of those babies: i had super sensitive skin and the only diapers that work on me, i still use on gavin Pampers) got worse diaper rash from the cloth not being able to absorb as much. i am totally on board with the $$ saving and the ecofriendly side of cloth, but everything else… if you get a good brand of disposable diapers they more than prove themselves. think about when that time of the month comes for you… which would you rather wear? thats my first thought always… im glad the times of “being on the rag” are more than long gone.
then there is the hassel. i can promise you-you will be doing lots of laundry anyway… but i couldnt imagine having to do even more than i do. (well gavin also has acid reflux, so that upped our ante)
honestly, someone couldnt pay me to use cloth after using disposable, but i do know some good moms that swear by them.
June 1, 2009 at 7:46 am
ilikemylife
oh oopps this is shannon chaput i was trying to make a makeshift wordpress account and i guess im still logged in… which ps wordpress is far to complex for me
June 1, 2009 at 8:46 am
Nic
Cloth diapers are a terrible idea. Jen was considering them and I stepped in and had to declare that they aren’t even an option. Just think about a nice day out with the baby…The take a enormous dump in their pants. Me I can just change the diaper throw it away and off we go. You with the cloth diaper will change the diaper and stuff the poop cloth into your bag and continue walking around stinking up everywhere you are at. When you someone asks what that smell is your response will be “Oh I’m carrying a poopy diaper”
Cloth diapers would be an option for Logan if I could guarantee that he would only poop at home. But each and every time is a surprise.
June 1, 2009 at 9:14 am
Mom Taylor
I am for the cloth diapers at home. You can always have disposables for when you are out. I also used disposable at night because it kept Rob drier. Otherwise he would sometimes pee through everything. Believe it or not, cloth diapers aren’t that bad. They have good diaper pails now too. Some people think that babies get diaper rash real bad with cloth diapers, but mine never did. I give you credit just for considering the idea. Most young moms wouldn’t even think about it. Go MOM!
June 1, 2009 at 10:01 am
Mo
Can you guess my answer? ………………………….
Giving you a few more seconds……………………………………….
No?
Ok. I’ll tell.
Gross. Icky Icky Poo Poo [in the words of courtney]. I mean, go ahead and try them…but you want speed here woman and I feel as if running to to toilet to dump out crap from a cloth while your newborn lays on the changing table doesn’t sound fun to me.
ALSO a few things. I’ve heard that it actually takes more energy to constantly keep washing and drying the diapers every week than it does to just use the disposable ones.
ALSO it’s nice when friends or family can change the baby’s diaper for you real quick and I feel as if cloth diapers would cause some people to feel a bit awkward. i.e. ME! But, I love you and I’m sure I’d get over it. You know I’d change your babies cloth diaper with joy in my heart [and a disposable diaper in the back of my head]
ALSO I also heard that babies with cloth diapers get horrible diaper rashes because the poo/pee stays close to their skin & disposable diapers are created to pull away from the skin. Colt hasn’t had one diaper rash. Ever. I’m a fan of that.
ALSO…Gavin Hillary has 10 poopy diapers a day [i found out at the shower] that is 10 poopy rags you’ve got laying around in just one day. Times that by 7 days a week. 70 poop rags. Icky Icky Poo Poo. So much for your nap…time to go wash some more poop rags.
ALSO…I’m making this sound horrible but that’s just beaause I wouldn’t do it. BUT! You should definitly do what you want…regardless. I will support you. BUT…if by chance you do do disposable [no pun...do do...haha] DO PAMPERS. Huggies suck. Seriously.
ALSO…I have a friend who is using a new type of diaper. It’s 1/2 disposable 1/2 cloth and the disposable part is supposed to be biodegradable. I will find out about those for you and let you know.
I like you’re new catagory. So I’m A Mom. Very exciting.
June 1, 2009 at 10:40 am
OT mama
Okay, since I planted this little seed in your 21st century brain here are my thoughts….. I totally agree that when you are out on the town disposables are the most practical, but DO NOT pitch a poopy filled diaper in someone’s store (OT) trash can and not tell them…yes that has happened to us and we didn’t appreciate it AT ALL. UGH!
Next, babies get diaper rash when wearing any diaper that is not changed when they are wet. I think moms get used to the additional absorbance capabilities of disposables and don’t change baby Huey as often as they perhaps should. Haven’t you ever picked up a disposable diaper that weighs at least 10 pounds…hello- that didn’t happen in one pee session!
The wool or bamboo diaper covers are seriously leak proof and fitted as well as any disposable so the “leakage” factor shouldn’t be an issue either.
I was a swisher. Not pretty but normally quite effective. I also was guilty of pitching a cloth diaper if it was beyond my ability to hold down my breakfast, and seriously didn’t feel bad or guilty over that at all. Let’s face it…cloth will even decompose before disposables. And if you have to pitch one cloth to every 250 disposables, you are still saving $ and being “greenish”.
If you are only using them at home, you will have approximately 6-8 diapers a day to launder….they don’t need to be ironed, they are easy to fold (or stuff in the diaper stacker) and won’t you love taking them out of the warm dryer and knowing that you are the only one who touched them before they bundled your baby’s booty?
But your decision:) She can always have the luxury at Mamie’s house:)
June 1, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Megan
I dont have kids, but will some day, and I’ve read A LOT about both kinds of diapers. We live in Orange County now, and it’s, you know the O.C., my natural-istic ways aren’t the norm here. If we move somewhere else, I’ll be all about the cloth diapers, ESPECIALLY with girls, because of all the chemicals in the disposables.
Someone asked what do you do when you are out and have to change a diaper? This is my thought: you carry disposable gloves in your diaper bag, put a glove on, you take the cloth part out, you rinse it in the toilet (that’s what you’re supposed to do), then put that in a plastic baggie or whatever, throw that back into your diaper bag to be washed at home, and ta da, finish changing the diaper, and it’s like maybe 1 more step than a ‘normal’ diaper change.
June 2, 2009 at 6:51 am
Jessica
Hello kaley!!!
I have been wanting to share my info for the last few days but haven’t had a moment to type. So here goes!!! I am giggling because Gavin has 10 diapers a day…usually all pee but one poo. We actually have had big constipation issues, so I wish he had a few more dirty diapers each day. But, it is what it is:) Mo, I must have misunderstood the question, LOL!!!
Here is my advice…
I purchased Kushies. They have a biodegradable, disposable liner that is supposed to be safe for septic systems. I did not purchase the newborn size. I knew I would be trying very hard to get used to being a mom and wouldn’t be able to handle it in the beginning until we had a routine established. Also, the first size only goes through 10 pounds. This would have been a total waste of money. I only plan on using them at home and will not use them while out and about. I figure this is a nice compromise. Some might argue that the true money saving benefits only work when using them all of the time. I have no idea if this is true. I am just feeling like I am pulled together enough to experiment with them and he will be six weeks tomorrow. My biggest complaint so far is that they are a bit bulky. Also, I haven’t tried them at night. So, we will see.
Hope this helps!!!
P.S.
I loved your Disney pictures. It looks like you had lots of yummy food and good times. Gavin is jealous that Ava has already been to Disney.
June 5, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Kate
I love Mo. I love Mo’s answer. Listen to MO. Pampers are the best. (I like their wipes the best too.) And trust me…I’ve done enough diapers to know!
June 21, 2009 at 12:39 am
Jackie@Our Moments, Our Memories
Girl, I am laughing so hard – people sure have definite opinions about this! Mo is cracking me up. I like what Mom Taylor said, too – makes sense.
July 31, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Sharon
First of all, you don’t know me, but I found your blog and it is freakn’ hilarious!
Take a look at my blog on the cloth diapering decision that my husband and I came up with. You can see if they have a delivery service in your area and it may be a better option for you instead of having to wash them yourself. Also, I would still plan to have some eco-friendly diapers on the side for when you plan to go out. This baby that I’m carrying is my first, but I’m just assuming that cloth diapering outside the house could be a bit of a pain…not impossible (you could bring a “wet bag” with you and it could work just fine) but it may just be more convienent when you’re in public trying to make the diaper change a quick easy task. I have however used cloth diapers with my little brother (I was 12 so I helped out a lot) and it worked out great. Another thing to consider is cloth wipes. If you’re planning to use cloth diapers then wipes are really easy because you was it all together. Coth wipes will save you a boat load over disposeables.
It also depends on what you decide to use. I suggest you go onto babycenter.com and join the cloth diapering group. You’ll get all of your diaper questions answered right there. http://www.nickisdiapers.com is the cheapest place on the net to buy diapers and it’s free shipping!
Good Luck!