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Author Topic:   Cloth Diapers
future_uncertain
Knowflake

Posts: 2681
From: ohio
Registered: Aug 2004

posted July 24, 2006 07:52 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for future_uncertain     Edit/Delete Message
Hey Mommies and Daddies!

My baby girl will be born in less than three months and my honey and I are researching cloth diapers. Anyone care to share their experiences? Which brands do you prefer? In all honesty, can they really be as reliable as disposables?

We want to keep those yucky things out of the landfills.

On that note, one more question... It's been argued that since cloth diapers need to be washed and dried, the benefits are really not much greater because of the energy used to clean them.

Let's discuss...

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CancerianMoon
Knowflake

Posts: 1082
From: Sydney, Australia. Cancer Sun.....Gemini Moon.....Aqua Rising
Registered: Aug 2003

posted July 25, 2006 12:28 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for CancerianMoon     Edit/Delete Message
Not sure about the environmental issue..I think there is pros and cons on both sides..

My 1st son had strong urine so i was told as for his first months of life we could not stop his skin from being irritated..no matter how fast we changed the nappies nor what i used to wash the nappies with nor what cream we used..and so started using disposables..within a week he had a baby soft tushie for the first time ever..i was definately thankful for disposables even though my initial plan was to use cloth..

Oh and Good Luck with you new bundle of joy.. be the angel girl clad in cloth or disposables!!

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lovely*
Knowflake

Posts: 2141
From: CA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted July 25, 2006 01:01 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for lovely*     Edit/Delete Message
Hi future,

I considered this issue with my first daughter.

My understanding is.. they both impact the environment, unless you consider washing your own and hanging them out to dry.

Irritation was a concern, but I do know they have liners to use in the cloth diapers now which absorb the moisture away. [still a landfill issue though]

Diaper rashes are horrible for babies. I like disposables because they are so well made today. You can also by earth-friendly disposables at your local healthfood store.

Congratulations on your baby!!! When is your due date???

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future_uncertain
Knowflake

Posts: 2681
From: ohio
Registered: Aug 2004

posted July 25, 2006 01:15 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for future_uncertain     Edit/Delete Message
Thank you CancerianMoon and lovely*!

You both answered on another question I meant to ask... that being about diaper rash. My mom used cloth diapers on me and she said I had horrible rashes, even though she'd lay me nekkid on the floor in a sunny spot to help clear it up. (Don't know if that works, but it sounds lovely!)

I used disposables with my son and he only had a few mild cases of diaper rash. He was breastfed, so I don't know if this makes a difference in the way the waste irritates baby's skin?

Maybe we can get some more input...

BTW, I'm due October 15th. My six year-old son is still holding on to the hope that the baby is a brother!

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Stargazer
Knowflake

Posts: 1108
From: Columbus OH USA
Registered: Aug 2005

posted July 25, 2006 11:58 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Stargazer     Edit/Delete Message
Hi!

I used both on my kids.... Disposable at night and in the Diaper bag for outings or sitter... Cloth at home during the day....

Neither one is an all around good environmental choice...
My issue was $$$
I used Luvs typically the cheapest...
Diaper rash... I mixed aquaphor and malox together cured everything from regular old diaper rash to the yeast variety.. I would use it as prevenative as well
Congrats on your pregnancy
Hope you are feeling good!

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pixelpixie
Knowflake

Posts: 5301
From: Ontario Canada
Registered: Jun 2005

posted July 25, 2006 01:04 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for pixelpixie     Edit/Delete Message
Future!!!!!
Did you say baby girl!!!!?????

WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited for you!!!!!
And so soon! I haven't seen you here in a while.
My baby girl was born on October 16th! Gotta' love those Libra babies.

There are diaper services now for cloth.. and some pretty good resources.. I know, it's a hard decision to make. Keep in mind, you remember the newborn stage.. the baby generally poos or pees before a feeding, during a feeding and after a feeding, and feed basically every two hours or sooner... you'd need probably twenty four cloth diapers on hand, approximately.. it's up to you if you change her that many times, or if it is quantifyingly enough... whereas disposables draw the moisture away, lessening the irritation, and the need to change so often.
You'd need a good dryer too... and expect to wash them all day long... which can work. But that is also an environmental concern...
Maybe research the diapering companies, they can be economical and will deliver.
A good barrier cream for her little bum is a good investment. One with silicone and vit E... there are several different brands, and they aren't sticky like some white chalky ones can be.. just a clear barrier between bottom and wetness.

My thought?
Some cloth, some disposable. I like the idea of environmentally friendly disposable... I'm going to look into those myself.

* I have a little longer than you though. I'm due in March, though I find out more via ultrasound friday.. wish me luck!

Los of love to you and your expanding family!!!!

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MysticMelody
Moderator

Posts: 3521
From:
Registered: Dec 2005

posted July 25, 2006 01:07 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for MysticMelody     Edit/Delete Message
I bought all kinds of cloth diapers with good intentions. Waking every hour and a 1/2 to breastfeed and then still having the energy to wash the diapers and keep the house clean didn't work for me. I had received some disposables from well-meaning moms who said, "just for the first couple weeks" and they were an extreme blessing.
If your husband isn't tired after work and can handle doing a LOT of extra work while you are hormonal and sleep deprived, then it might work. If you do it, choose your pins very carefully. Someone gave me some Winnie the Pooh diaper pins as a gift and I found them a while back in a bathroom storage basket and they had popped open, breaking the plastic. All four of them. It was very weird and I was glad they had not popped open and stabbed my newborn's thin, soft, perfect skin. Get some high high high quality pins if you do it. They don't make things like they used to.
Good luck, Mom!

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pixelpixie
Knowflake

Posts: 5301
From: Ontario Canada
Registered: Jun 2005

posted July 25, 2006 01:10 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for pixelpixie     Edit/Delete Message
I have a vain question for you...
I know this is your second pregnancy ( which is why I am so excited you are now having a girlie!!!!! .) and I know you are slim.( and gorgeous)
How soon did you pop out with this one? Do you remember? I know the muscles are technically ready to slip out of the way and let the uterus tip right out on subsequent pregnancies.... did it happen for you? When did you start 'showing'?

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Eleanore
Moderator

Posts: 2512
From: Japan
Registered: Aug 2003

posted July 25, 2006 01:34 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Eleanore     Edit/Delete Message
We use cloth diapers for the most part. We do occasionally use disposables when we plan on being out for more than a few hours because lugging around a bag of doodie diapers is kind of gross, imo.
But the cloth ones are great. My son only had one case of diaper rash but that was due to an allergic response to something he ate, not his diapers. (Burt's Bees diaper ointment cleared it right up.) I had no problem with changing cloth diapers after he was born and doing a wash every couple of days (super cleaning, however, has taken a backseat, lol). Pretty quick and simple. We use a dry pail method and every two days we simply leave the load soaking in the wash with baking soda (and maybe tea tree oil) then just wash in the morning and rinse 2 or 3 times. We do use a dryer, though.
It's fairly simple and inexpensive for us. He loves his cloth diapers, too.
As for pins, we don't use those. We use "snappis" and diaper covers. Here's where we got our stuff from:
www.punkinbutt.com

Awesome customer service and wonderful products.


But you should do what is right for you. They make very good eco-friendly disposable diapers nowadays, like Tushies. Part of being a mommy is learning to be very flexible about your plans, ideas, and environment sometimes. I'm sure you're going to have a great time no matter what you choose.

------------------
"To learn is to live, to study is to grow, and growth is the measurement of life. The mind must be taught to think, the heart to feel, and the hands to labor. When these have been educated to their highest point, then is the time to offer them to the service of their fellowman, not before." - Manly P. Hall

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fayte.m
Knowflake

Posts: 9809
From: Still out looking for Schrödinger's cat. fayte1954@hotmail.com
Registered: Mar 2005

posted July 25, 2006 01:57 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for fayte.m     Edit/Delete Message
Cloth at home...disposables when out.
Using a thin disposable diaper liner will cut down on fecal staining of cloth diapers. Alot easier to launder them. Have at least two dozen of diapers. I found the non prefoldeds the most versatile.
I sewed velcro tabs and snaps, and elastic leg gathers on some of the triple layered prefolded ones. That worked great too. A little peroxide can remove many stains when directly applied. You need to double rinse, but add a cup of Electrosol automatic dishwashing powder to the bleach and cut back on regular detergent. They will come out super white! This also works on 100% acryllic baby clothes. The label will say do not bleach, but acryllics all can be safely bleached, but use the Electrosol too. Make sure the dishwashing powder is bleach based not ammonia based though, as bleach based cleaners must not be mixed with non bleach cleaners.

------------------
~I intend to continue learning forever~Enigma
~I am still learning~ Michangelo
The Door to Gnosis is never permanently locked...one only needs the correct keys and passwords.~Enigma
The pious man with closed eyes can often hold more ego than a proud man with open eyes.~NEXUS
Out of the mouth of babes commeth wisdom that can rival that of sages.~Enigma
In the rough, or cut and polished..a diamond is still a precious gem.
-NEXUS-

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future_uncertain
Knowflake

Posts: 2681
From: ohio
Registered: Aug 2004

posted July 25, 2006 05:12 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for future_uncertain     Edit/Delete Message
WowWowWow! I just came home to all these awesome responses.

Sounds like the best thing to do is kind of go half and half, which we thought we would probably do: cloth at home and for short outings, disposables for sitters/grandparents, and longer trips.

I would love to do the environmentally friendly disposables, but as much as I wish I could, I can't afford it.

Pixelpixie... due in March!!!! I had no idea you were even expecting! I guess you just recently found out yourself then, huh... Congrats! (I wonder what it'll be this time! :heart

When did I start showing? My clothes were tight around the waistline by 2-3 months. By four months I had a recognizable belly if I didn't wear super-loose fitting clothes. So far I've gained about 20 lbs and I still have 2 1/2 months to go. I try not to worry about it too much. I'm kind of surprised, though, because I eat less now that I'm pregnant. (squished stomach, summer heat... one meal a day is usually all I can handle.)

I worry about how fast the weight will come off. We're not "supposed" to worry about these things, but you can't help it sometimes!

After your second one, did you bounce back as quickly as you did from the first? How old were you when you had your kiddies?

Take care, PixieMama!

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MysticMelody
Moderator

Posts: 3521
From:
Registered: Dec 2005

posted July 25, 2006 10:35 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for MysticMelody     Edit/Delete Message
Punkin butt You women rock, wish you were my neighbors. My tribe.

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aqua
Knowflake

Posts: 2805
From: dreamland
Registered: Jan 2004

posted July 26, 2006 12:58 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for aqua     Edit/Delete Message
hey Future ! its so great to hear from u after such a long time and with such a great news !!!!!

take care !

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Kim Rogers
Knowflake

Posts: 313
From: Watertown MN USA
Registered: Apr 2006

posted July 26, 2006 03:29 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Kim Rogers     Edit/Delete Message
Hi Future,

When my daughter was a baby she got rashes really bad from cloth diapers. It didn't matter which laundry detergent I used, and I tried them all (even Dreft). These were the same ones used on my son, so I know the cloth was ok. Some kids are just very sensative to perfumes & chemicals.

I found cloth to be much more of a problem. Even with a good diaper pail I had that amonia smell. That can't be too healthy.

I saw a documentary on recycling, and one of the landfills used the methane produced to power a small town near by. So any way you go there will be pros & cons. I am definately pro-desposable as long as they are purfume free. Also don't use wipes with fregrances.

PS. Classic/old style Desitin is still the best. I have a 20 month old grand daughter.

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fayte.m
Knowflake

Posts: 9809
From: Still out looking for Schrödinger's cat. fayte1954@hotmail.com
Registered: Mar 2005

posted July 26, 2006 08:38 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for fayte.m     Edit/Delete Message
Pinxav
pronounced "pink salve"
another old fashioned diaper rash ointment.

------------------
~I intend to continue learning forever~Enigma
~I am still learning~ Michangelo
The Door to Gnosis is never permanently locked...one only needs the correct keys and passwords.~Enigma
The pious man with closed eyes can often hold more ego than a proud man with open eyes.~NEXUS
Out of the mouth of babes commeth wisdom that can rival that of sages.~Enigma
In the rough, or cut and polished..a diamond is still a precious gem.
-NEXUS-

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lovely*
Knowflake

Posts: 2141
From: CA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted July 26, 2006 12:22 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for lovely*     Edit/Delete Message
I agree Desitin is the best. Cod liver oil, zinc oxide..good ol' Desitin.

PS. On second thought, I think those diaper liners can be flushed.

Kim, my husband is a environmental/ land-use lawyer..it's true. they can do that with methane from a landfill [the cost to do it is exorbitant tho]

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pixelpixie
Knowflake

Posts: 5301
From: Ontario Canada
Registered: Jun 2005

posted July 26, 2006 12:55 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for pixelpixie     Edit/Delete Message
Thanks, Future!
So happy to be pregnant along with someone I adore! I wish you luck and love and patience and strength as you deliver a healthy baby girl!
Yeah, I am unexpectedly preggers. Now eight weeks.. although I go for an ultrasound in two days and will determine whether I am farther along.... I feel typically pregnant. My clothes are already tight in the waist.. but I just feel like a fat dumpling right now, as I don't technically look pregnant.. just bigger in the middle, with a little pooch jutting out. I am bloated and eating constantly, though I haven't gained much weight..( maybe two pounds) but I am def. retaining water... I look sort of bloated all around.
Hubby says I have the 'glow' already.. I just tell him it's the oilier skin due to increased hormones. No pimples though .. yay.
Everything is going swimmingly so far.
Thanks for the luck!

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MysticMelody
Moderator

Posts: 3521
From:
Registered: Dec 2005

posted July 27, 2006 01:22 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for MysticMelody     Edit/Delete Message
My daughter was very sensitive. I made wipes from a recipe from the internet with paper towels, water,and just a little gentle baby oil and non-perfumed baby bath/shampoo. They worked nicely and didn't cause a rash.

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MysticMelody
Moderator

Posts: 3521
From:
Registered: Dec 2005

posted July 27, 2006 01:24 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for MysticMelody     Edit/Delete Message
I liked A&D ointment the best. This is reminding me of baby time.

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Kim Rogers
Knowflake

Posts: 313
From: Watertown MN USA
Registered: Apr 2006

posted July 28, 2006 09:36 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Kim Rogers     Edit/Delete Message
I remember A&D ointment. It was good for some of the lighter uses.

It does sound like baby time, & why not? We have 2 Mommies to be!

Bless you both.

------------------
"When the student is ready the teacher will appear"

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BlueTopaz124
Knowflake

Posts: 1382
From: Portland, OR
Registered: Jan 2004

posted July 28, 2006 10:19 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for BlueTopaz124     Edit/Delete Message
Diaper service and Desitin or A&D ointment.

We tried it the first ~6 months or so with my son. It's very convenient, but I didn't like the plastic pants he wore over the diapers, too leaky. They're probably better now. I like the fact that they're delivered like clockwork every week and they take away the poopie ones.


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pixelpixie
Knowflake

Posts: 5301
From: Ontario Canada
Registered: Jun 2005

posted July 28, 2006 11:17 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for pixelpixie     Edit/Delete Message
TINK is preggers too... but she's not very vocal lately, probably busy! There could be more of us lurking around baby sections and cooing at strangers' babies with a happy smile somewhere around here as well.....

Had an ultrasound today, saw the heartbeat! Awesome stuff! Baby is doing great, right on schedule..... it feels so official now. beat really did it for me.

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Harpyr
Knowflake

Posts: 2255
From: land of the midnight sun
Registered: Dec 2002

posted July 29, 2006 01:55 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Harpyr     Edit/Delete Message
We use cloth diapers during the day and the Seventh Generation disposables at night. I really adore wool covers. They really breathe and while you can feel the dampness of a wet diaper, they don't leak (as long as they are properly lanolized). I think that diaper rashes used to be more of a problem with the cloth when people used those awful plastic pull up covers. They just don't breathe one iota and that makes for red bottoms. Cloth diapering 'technology' has really come along way from when we were kids and I just love it. I wish I had done it with my first baby..course I didn't have my own washer and dryer then and that would have made it muuuch harder.
I use a creme that is made in Tok, Alaska.. it's all natural stuff..almond oil, jojoba oil, lanolin, witch hazel ext., sodium borate, rose water, herbal infusions of rose, lavender and chamomile, essential oil blend of lavender and beeswax. It works like a charm!

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TINK
Knowflake

Posts: 3831
From: New England
Registered: Mar 2003

posted July 29, 2006 09:55 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for TINK     Edit/Delete Message
The heartbeat did it for me too

Cloth diapers were the one thing I couldn't convince the husband to try. He's traditional when left to his own devices. I've won the battle on the birthing center front, the vaccine front, the natural childbirth front, the breastfeeding front, the sling front, the organic front and even the circumcision front. But the cloth diapers were a no go. Marriage is about compromise, I keep telling myself.

Consequently, I told him to prepare himself for sole diaper duty.

In the meantime, I'm well stocked on Weleda Calendula creme and Burt's Bee's Diaper Rash creme.

*sigh* that punkinbut site was so damn cute.

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Philbird
Knowflake

Posts: 3396
From: Here, there and everywhere.
Registered: Jun 2004

posted July 29, 2006 11:02 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Philbird     Edit/Delete Message
WOW! I'm really surprised you guys are pregnant! Congrats!

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