Anyone use cloth diapers?

[Jen_in_NH]

Ok, my fellow DISser's.... Has anyone here used cloth diapers with their babies? This is our first child, and I'd really like to use them, but don't really know much. I've been reading online, but can't really tell which are better and why. What did you use, did you like them, how well did they work overnight? I'd prefer something that didn't involve diaper pins, as I'm all thumbs most days, and my husband is worse.

I'll probably keep disposables around for going out, but would prefer not to use them on a regular basis. I know this sounds silly, but both of our dogs are trash hounds (and trust me, they're experts at getting into anything) and love to shred and eat paper. My friend had to put her dog down after he ate a diaper, and I'm terrified of the same thing happening to us.

Anyways - thanks for the help!

Jen

 

[mickeyboat]

Man, I don't know anyone who used them! Would you get a diaper service or take care of them at home? Do they even have diaper services anymore?

Denae

 

[CathrynRose]

They still have them, at least they did 11 years ago. (services)

Im telling you, theyre a mess. Theyre super inconvenient, and not as absorbant as disposables. I hated them, and I think I used them 2 weeks?

 

[ToTLaugher]

I used cloth diapers with my first child who is almost 13 now. I planned on using them with my 2nd child and was signed up for a diaper service, but when I called them from the hospital to start the deliveries they told me they were going out of business. I was not able to find any service after that.

If you are willing to wash them yourself I would suggest talking to people in your birthing class or someone connected with La Leache(?).

Also try asking on the budget and family boards. There are probably some who use them there. Sorry I couldn't help you more.

Congrats by the way!

 

[lil mermaid]

I don't use cloth diapers, but I can tell you that they are not what they used to be. The have greatly improved. Also - there are no pins.

You can find a lot of information on the Diapering Board at the Baby Bargains website http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=60 There are lots of Moms there who swear by them.

Congratulations on your new baby!

 

[akhenaten]

I used them with my DD who is now 17 and for a short while with my Ds who is 13. I used a diaper service...and I thought it was neat. I did not like the idea of rubber pants and purchased some velcro covers that you place the diaper in. My Dd used them until she was almost 1 but it came to a point where she was wetting through her clothes every time..and I could not do it anymore(My Mom amd MIL said that is why they used rubber pants) My Ds was in them for only abut a month...also because he would wet his clothes...

If I had to wash the diapers myself , I would not have used them at all.....
I also realized why our folks tried to toilet train their kids at a much younger age!

congratulations and good luck to you...

I never used one but the diaper genie is pretty self contained ..would that protect your dogs?

 

[lbgraves]

I used cloth diapers on DS for 16 months and DD for 9 months. I used the regular diaper service quality diapers that I ordered online and pins with the plastic pant covers. They were not a big deal. I rinsed them out in the toilet...they now have something that you can hook inside your toilet to put the diaper in & rinse them out...wish I had been able to use that! I washed them with white vinigar then dreft in the washing machine. Don't use fabric softener or dryer sheets because they will decrease the absorbancy.

I used disposables at night when the kids were awake to change them but DS slept thru the night in a cloth diaper many times because he slept thru the night when I didn't expect it. No problem with either of them with diaper rash. I had to start doubling the diapers for DS, which is why I finally stopped using them for him. His clothes weren't fitting right. I started stocking up on all the online diaper deals at the time. The best part is I sold the cloth diapers to someone here who is now using them on her third child. I know they saved us alot of money. They cost about $2 each.

 

[minnieandme]

I've used them on DS13 when he was a baby but it wasn't by choice. Every brand of diaper I used on him broke him out in a rash. Luvs diapers was the worst and made his skin raw. I had to use them for about a week until he healed and was able to use Pampers instead with no problem. My mom is the one who mostly changed him at that point cause I just had a hard time trying to get that stupid pin to stay put.

 

[justjulie]

I used cloth diapers for both my boys. They were the ones that you folded down the middle and then covered by the velco diaper covers. They were great although I did use disposables when we went out.

I used a diaper service. They supplied the diapers, diaper pail, deodorizers and picked up once a week. I never had any problem with them.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

Yes, we use only cloth diapers and we always have!! Cloth diapers have come a long way since the days of prefolds and pins. We use Fuzzi Bunz for the most part, although we have also used Happy Heiny's with good success. We do love Fuzzi Bunz better, though. We do our own diaper wash, and it's really not a big deal at all. I do diapers every other day or so. We have a sprayer to spray off the messy ones right into the toilet. Our daughter has never had a diaper rash, and we feel a lot better about not putting chemical-laden disposables near her private parts.

BTW, there is really no need to switch to disposables for going out. Buy a zip-up wet bag, pack several diapers in the diaper bag, and you're good to go! Just empty the wetbag into your diaper pail when you get home.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

They still have them, at least they did 11 years ago. (services)

Im telling you, theyre a mess. Theyre super inconvenient, and not as absorbant as disposables. I hated them, and I think I used them 2 weeks?

Nooooooo! Not true! They're very convenient now, and they don't leak a bit. They've come a long way in terms of cloth diaper design!!

 

[sha_lyn]

I haven't but oceana has used cloth for 3 1/2 yrs. She stays more on the disney for families board.

 

[SeaShelley]

Bravo to all who chose to give them a try. I got a package as shower gift (almost 13 years ago) and they made wonderful burp cloths and later dust cloths!

 

[got2travel]

I used a diaper service for DS (now 11). If I were to have another child, I would absolutely use cloth.

Just as convenient as disposables. The service provided a pail that I would just dump the used diapers in, no rinsing or anything. Once a week I'd put the bag of used out and I'd get a bag of clean, folded diapers in it's place.

I even used them when going out. I used to use the plastic grocery bags doubled up. But now that there are 1 and 2 gallon ziploc bags, those would be perfect.

If I remember correctly, using the service was actually slightly cheaper than buying disposables.

 

[Thistle]

I used them for both of my babies. The ecological reason is about 50/50 for both so that really wasn't a reason for me. The one thing I found I really liked was when I picked up my babies they didn't crinkle. They had these soft little behinds that were just so charming.

 

[punkin]

I used them for both. The first one (14 years ago) was regular cloth diapers. OK, but a little inconvinient. It took a real commitment. The second one (8 years ago) I used mother-ease and they were great. They are like snap on terry-cloth underpants and they have velcro closure covers which are waterproof. I LOVED them. They were just as convienient as disposables, and I almost never used disposables even when going out. Google mother-ease and you will find someone who sells them. I highly recommend them.

One of the benefits of using cloth is that kids toilet train a lot earlier.

 

[Thistle]

One of the benefits of using cloth is that kids toilet train a lot earlier.

Good point! They can feel when they're wet whereas they can't in disposables.

 

[minnierocks]

I used cloth diapers with both of my kids and would do it again in a heartbeat! They were cost-effective and I had no problems with leaks. I feel it made potty training easier because both of them knew what it felt like to be wet. Of course, I was at home a lot. It might not be convenient for someone who works outside the home. Out of courtesy, I did use disposables for when I dropped my kids off at Grandma's or in the church nursery.
They do take some getting used to-but I got into a routine of doing a load of diapers every day (I had two in diapers at one time).
Good luck!

 

[Thistle]

Oh my bad. I figured my mom used cloth with me so she could use them on the kids too.

 

[sha_lyn]

DS and I have both changed diapers for oceana's 2 boys, and the one she use are just as easy as disposables. I think she uses fuzzie buns. She also uses home-made cloth wetwipes if I remember correctly. Oh and a cloth waterproof bag for wet/dirty diapers when she is out on the house.