cloth diapering

[SuzySunshine]

Re: cloth diapering

Jenn, I did it for the cost saving, not really the environmental aspect b/c you're right I've read several things that says its a toss up.

[poky]

Re: cloth diapering

I would think the incremental carbon footprint of having clean diapers dropped off/dirty ones picked up would depend on how many other clients they have in your area already and how efficiently they plan their routes; it may not be much at all. If you buy disposables, they have to be shipped to you, or to your local store where you have to drive to pick them up - depending on how often that is, and if you always combine trips, that part could easily be a wash... :huh:

ETA: yeah, what Alison said about delivery.

Re: cloth diapering

In the case of specifically the gas used to pick up and drop off diapers? I would have to wonder if it's any worse than the transportation needed to truck disposable diapers from the manufacturing plant (which is presumably across the country if not overseas.)

This is true. Plus, the pick up/drop off will be done in a MUCH smaller vehicle than the semis, etc. that haul crap to the big box store. And if I have disposables shipped (either from amazon or diapers.com, which i'm sure to do for the $$ savings), then I'd have FedEx or UPS trucks coming here rather than the diaper delivery folks. Thanks for helping to ease my mind a bit on that one.

As far as clients and good route planning - I'm not too hopeful on that. Johnson County isn't exactly a bastian of forward-thinking environmentalism, and I live "way out" (as Davita likes to tell me). I'd like to think I'm wrong, but I can't imagine they have tons of clients here.

[ides]

Re: cloth diapering

I'm going to go with cloth - prefolds and covers to start. For two reasons- the money savings and I personally feel it's better on their bums. I say everyone should do what they feel comfortable with without the hard sell one way or other. I HATE hard sales no matter what the issue. Once things start getting more poopy (w/into of solids) I'm thinking I'll get one of those sprayer things that hook up to your toilet. They are supposed to be a life or grossness saver whichever way you look at it.

I originally was going to go with a diaper service since I don't have a washer/dryer but the expense and availability in nyc is horrific. We are still considering buying a portable washer to hook up to the sink then hang dry or will use the laundry in the buildings basement.

[Cumberland]

Re: cloth diapering

When the Union of Concerned Scientists wrote their book, The Consumer's Guide to Effective Environmental Choices, in 1999 they determined that cloth vs. disposable is a crapshoot. Pretty much an even trade-off from an environmental standpoint, depending on whether you value water conservation or land conservation. :huh: I personally think they neglected some factors that make the cloth edge ahead a little bit, but I'm not sure there's really any wrong choice there.

I thought that study just considered diaper services- given that they do multiple washes in hot water with harsh chemicals, versus washing them at home one time.

Re: cloth diapering

I originally was going to go with a diaper service since I don't have a washer/dryer but the expense and availability in nyc is horrific. We are still considering buying a portable washer to hook up to the sink then hang dry or will use the laundry in the buildings basement.

You're going to do cloth without owning a washer and dryer??? Wowza.

[spotty_dog]

Re: cloth diapering

When the Union of Concerned Scientists wrote their book, The Consumer's Guide to Effective Environmental Choices, in 1999 they determined that cloth vs. disposable is a crapshoot. Pretty much an even trade-off from an environmental standpoint, depending on whether you value water conservation or land conservation. :huh: I personally think they neglected some factors that make the cloth edge ahead a little bit, but I'm not sure there's really any wrong choice there.

I thought that study just considered diaper services- given that they do multiple washes in hot water with harsh chemicals, versus washing them at home one time.

It's been a while since I read it. And yeah, I think that's one of the factors I felt was poorly considered that gave cloth (when washing at home) a clear advantage. But, Jenn is considering a diaper service anyway.

[Tenacious_D]

Re: cloth diapering

I want to thank you all for this thread! I hadn't really considered cloth diapering before but I think DH and I are going to give it a try. We have a washer and dryer on our apt. floor but I may opt for a service...we will see. Just the thought of creating that much waste is a little disturbing to me and so I am going to try and do my part! DH's mom cloth diapered them so I can at least turn to her for support

[HouseofWool]

Re: cloth diapering

While it might be more economical to wash my own, I know myself well enough to know that the ick factor and the upkeep will be my downfall. I figure I can use cloth during the day, and seventh generation at night.

Jane - What my sister did (and I am planning on doing) is to get the Viva brand paper towels which are pretty soft and fluffy to use as a disposable insert. She would tear them off and fold them in half (she would do this when she had a free moment so it was all ready when needed) Then when diapering, she would but that between the baby and the diaper to ease the "ick factor". Seems like the best of both worlds to me. I don't have to scrape off poo and I am not throwing a ton of stuff in the trash...

I have picked up a bunch of cloth diapering supplies at rummage sales and mostly off craigslist. Most are medium sized which is fine because I am not planning on starting the whole CD operation until we move for residency at which time the new one will be 3-4 months. We have the following so far:

- ~6 inserts
- a stack of plastic covers and pins (not my first choice, but they were practically free)
- a couple of all in ones
- and about 8 covers/snappies again in varying sizes.

I still need to get a stack of prefolds but am completely baffled by the number of options out there... Indian/Chinese/Premium/Diaper Service Quality... And then it looks like there are different sizes? It really is like a whole new language. But I am so excited to be able to make this kind of savings over a couple of kids.

[spotty_dog]

Re: cloth diapering

I still need to get a stack of prefolds but am completely baffled by the number of options out there... Indian/Chinese/Premium/Diaper Service Quality... And then it looks like there are different sizes? It really is like a whole new language. But I am so excited to be able to make this kind of savings over a couple of kids.

Don't hesitate to ask if you want any input at all. There are several of us out here keen to offer our knowledge.

Re: cloth diapering

Jane - What my sister did (and I am planning on doing) is to get the Viva brand paper towels which are pretty soft and fluffy to use as a disposable insert. She would tear them off and fold them in half (she would do this when she had a free moment so it was all ready when needed) Then when diapering, she would but that between the baby and the diaper to ease the "ick factor". Seems like the best of both worlds to me. I don't have to scrape off poo and I am not throwing a ton of stuff in the trash...

Similar idea - I have some of these for when the real poo starts! http://www.wildflowerdiapers.com/store/ ... oduct=2474

Also a note about the G-diapers, even if you throw them away they are still better than regular disposables because they break down, not hang around in the landfill for eons.

I hang dry my diapers because we don't have a dryer but also I think they will last longer with less wear and tear from the dryer. The sun also really fades the stains!

[ides]

Re: cloth diapering

I originally was going to go with a diaper service since I don't have a washer/dryer but the expense and availability in nyc is horrific. We are still considering buying a portable washer to hook up to the sink then hang dry or will use the laundry in the buildings basement.

You're going to do cloth without owning a washer and dryer??? Wowza.

Now that is some serious dedication.

Opps I'm outted. I really want to do cloth!

I still need to get a stack of prefolds but am completely baffled by the number of options out there... Indian/Chinese/Premium/Diaper Service Quality... And then it looks like there are different sizes? It really is like a whole new language. But I am so excited to be able to make this kind of savings over a couple of kids.

It took me ages to figure out what to get. I was really overwhelmed at first. I decided on indian prefolds - supposed to be softer than chinese but people like both. Both of these are diaper service quality. I'm starting with the newborn size (3 doz) then will go to infant size (2 doz) which should fit through 35 lbs once he's too big for the first size.

I found the cottonbabies.com website informational and diaperpin.com is full of reviews and basic info.

[spotty_dog]

Re: cloth diapering

Opps I'm outted. I really want to do cloth!

I've heard plenty of people say that if you're already used to going to the laundromat, a couple extra loads a week is no big deal. And I hear good things about the tabletop washer too!

I'm starting with the newborn size (3 doz) then will go to infant size (2 doz) which should fit through 35 lbs once he's too big for the first size.

Just FYI, you may find that you need to double up the preemie/newborn size once the babe is a week or two old. They tend to be very thin! I was in infant size by about a month? They lasted until, oh, 6 months I think. Not 35 pounds, definitely!

Or are you talking about infant and premium sizes? If so, you'll probably find the infants quite bulky on a brand new baby, but that's just aesthetic. Well, and it might affect the size of the cover you can use.

Re: cloth diapering

A thought on the gdiaper...I agree that it would be more biodegradable in the trash. However, I have heard that trash is so compacted and mashed down that it doesn't degrade as one would expect. I've also heard about them clogging toilets.

[Michele]

Re: cloth diapering

I bought 36 prefolds at the beginning and really didn't need that many....by the time I made it through the lot of them, the used ones were nasty!! Maybe my experience was different.....maybe Daegan didn't soil as many diapers as normal....but I also didn't like the diapers to sit more than 2 days before I washed them.... I now use them as doublers for the BumGenius....of course they are ridiculously thick then, but we use them as night diapers so he's not moving around much.