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So many options; Cloth Diapers vs. Disposable Diapers.

Posted by Becca on 6/4/2012 to Cloth vs. Disposables
I'm no disposable diapering expert, but from what little observation I make of the cluttered shelves in the baby aisles of my local grocery and super stores, it seems that you have only a couple of options when it comes to disposable diapers expensive, more expensive, and most expensive. Of course, there seem to be very slight variations from one brand to another. I remember how soft the Pampers Swaddlers were on my newborn and how Huggies had a nice snug elastic in the waist to keep that newborn poop from spilling everywhere, but honestly, when it came to reliability in diapering my daughter, neither brand was up to the task. Cloth diapers were always the hands down winner in the few weeks of my daughters life that I actually used disposable diapers.

So how do the options compare?

When it comes to cloth, the prefold or flat diapers, which are very absorbent and great for any body type and skin. With a little folding, you can customize these diapers to easily fit your baby's absorbency needs and size. And they're great on your wallet. At $1-$3 a diaper, you're not going to find a cheaper cloth diapering system.

Fitted diapers are wonderful if you want great leak protection. With a cover or without, they're a gentle option against your baby's skin and come in so many different options of fabrics that the options seem limitless. Again, this is a great option for babies with sensitive skin because you can always find a diaper that is gentle enough for any allergies.

Pocket diapers are very customizable when it comes to the type and amount of absorbency you need and they are super easy with Velcro or snaps on the closures and only one piece to put on your baby.

All In One diapers are even easier than pockets because there is no stuffing involved. Just wash, and go!

My favorite cloth diapering option is wool. Coupled with cotton, hemp, or bamboo wool makes a perfectly gentle and all natural diapering option for all seasons! Warm in the winter and breathable in the summer you just cant go wrong when you put all natural fibers against your baby's precious skin.

Of course if you like the idea of cloth diapers but aren't ready to make a total switch, theres always the hybrid option. Cloth diapers with disposable inserts are called hybrids and are great for cutting down on some waste while still giving you the ease of a throw-away diaper. If you're interested in hybrids, I suggest you check out gDiapers, Flip diapers, or GroVia. If you use them and the idea of switching to all cloth all the time appeals to you, they have cloth inserts as well as disposable ones.

I guess my point in saying all this is to bring to your attention this one, simple fact: cloth diapers are extremely versatile and diverse and you will most certainly be able to find a diapering system that suits your lifestyle!

You cant say the same for paper diapers.

Comments

Date 6/7/2012 4:08:40 PM
Sierra
While I have used gDiapers to their fullest about 4m-10m both with paper and cloth inserts (worked pretty well too), I wanted to also point out that when we go on a long vacation now we just buy a package of gDiaper paper inserts and use them in our bummis covers. Less waste, compostable, no chemicals. A bit easier in the later years because less poop gets away on the covers, but they are an easy hand wash either way. :)
Date 8/6/2012 10:10:50 PM
Amanda
We love our gDiapers. We used them on our son witht eh disposable inserts for 22 mths. Now we use them on our little girl. She is a heavy wetter and it's been a challenge finding something that works well...diaper rite prefolds fit perfectly AND soak up her excessiveness wettness. I love the versatility of gDiapers:)
Date 5/12/2013
Zab Di
I decide to start cloth diapering with my 1 year old bc for a while I had 2 babies to cloth and I stared feeling so bad bc all the disposables that I was throwing away. I'm not the greenness person of the word but I love all the nature stuff. Then I decide to make the change. Im not going back to disposables!!! It is super fun and I feel awesome no making all garbage with disposables.
Date 9/21/2013
Mary
I think this is a good article to give to someone who is on the fence about cloth diapering. My sister might benefit from this!
Date 10/3/2013
Mary S
My friend is starting to use cloth diapers! Yay! Another mama has joined our ranks! Thanks for this article!
Date 11/10/2013
Moriah P
We just made the switch to cloth on our 5 month old last week!! Cannot believe we didn't do it sooner! Better late than never I guess. But oh my gosh I totally agree with you on the prices!! Cannot believe we were spending that much money on things we were just going ti throw away!!! At least with cloth once you're done you can wash and reuse!!!
Date 12/3/2013
Kara
This just made me more excited to get started on cloth diapering when our LO arrives in may!!
Date 12/5/2013
Katherine Blankenship
I'm going to send this article to my sister in law. I don't think she knows anything about using cloth and maybe this will spark an interest!
Date 1/27/2014
Laurie P
My hubby is not a fan of CD's. Won't really have much to do with them, BUT this past week with all the terrible weather, I think he's found a new appreciation for them since he couldn't really leave the house to buy any disposables lol. My rule has always been that if he wants to use them, he can buy them himself. I won't be doing it.
Date 4/11/2014
Jolene Kirk
Thanks for this,trying to get hubby on bord with cloth diapers. Will have to show him this page :)
Date 6/9/2014
veronica carufel
I'm familiar with cloth diapering since I nannied and very happy I am doing the switch for baby number two on the way. I have to show hubby this, since whatever may work for me, may not work for him since he is new to all of this cloth diapering :) but very open and supportive! I agree! CD is very versatile compared to any disposable out there.
Date 12/25/2014
Sara L.
We used disposables for about the first two weeks due to hearing that newborn poo stains. What a nightmare! Little bub had horrible a Raised diaper rash that nothing helped. It was gone as soon as we switched to cloth.
Date 3/1/2015
Rhiannon H
The few times I use disposables I can't stand them! They're smellier, they feel so scratchy, and gave my lo a horrible red bottom that took 4 days to clear. Cloth diapers it is for us! I just wish I'd done it for my first. :)

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