Cloth Diapers Vrs. Disposables Diapers Part 1- Cost

As a general rule of thumb its cheaper to re-use than to buy new everytime.


 Most children can go through 6,000 to 8,000 diapers from birth to their third year. Those numbers when put toward the cost of disposables can add up to $2000 to $3000 with in those three years, if not more!

Depending on the type of cloth diaper it can cost about $300-$1,200 to diaper a child for those three years. Depends if you want the Camero or the Oldsmobile. As I said, depending on the type of cloth diaper. As you saw in my previous post there's a slew of different kinds and with that a slew of different prices. Also with Cloth Diapers you can find 'gently used' or default ones (these usually consist of small flaws- snap missing, lose threads or cosmetic issues- color distortion, wierd stitching that don't effect the diaper absorbancy just the look) for as low as half the price as new ones.

Once soiled those disposables diapers are no good, so in essence when buying disposables your buying 'trash' where as cloth diapers can be used multiple times and through out multiple children.


Always do your research!

Good luck folding those things!

That was one of my responses when I told a friend I was cloth diapering.  I tried to explain the different types of diapers that have evolved from the 'flats' but it didn't seem to sink in. I think seeing is believing, espcialling in the cloth diapering world (or at least it seems that way to me)

So here we go! Below is a list (to the best of knowledge and research) of the different type of diapers out there, how they work, and some pro's and con's

Flats

These are the traditional cloth diaper- large flat rectangles that one would fold to form a diaper for their child.

Pro's

Very Economical

Dry quick as there's not alot of layers

Versatile as they can be used to stuff pocket diapers or as a burbcloth or the like

Con's

Folding skill needed

Needs a pin or fastner

Requires a cover

Not the most absorbent

Pre-Folds  AKA  PF's

Pre-folds are a step up from flats. They're a rectangle made up of layers, usually sewn into three panels with extra layers in the center for added absrobency. The number of layers found in a pre-fold shows its quality. Each panel has a certain amount of layers- 4 in the outside panel X 6 in the inside panel X 4 in the outside panel. A 4x8x4 is considered the highest quality and most absorbent. Pre-folds are usually found in two different 'kinds', Indian and Chinese. Indian is a type of cotten usually very soft and durable, with Chinese Prefolds being very durable.

Pro's

Economical

Durable- Will stand mutliple washings and children

Versatile- can be used to stuff pocket diapers or as a burp cloth

Can be folded in multiple ways for all kinds of children

Con's

Requires a diaper cover

Takes folding skill

Will need a fastener or pin

Contour Diapers

 Contour Diapers are a trip way to cloth diaper. Made up of layers of absorbent fabric and shaped as a 'diaper', which gives them the trimness. 

Pro's

One size's are available in some brands

Adjustable for some brands- giving you the ability to fold or turn the front to adjust the rise

No folding required

Various fabric choices in type and some brands color

Con's

Requires a diaper cover

Longer drying for some brands

Fasteners or pins need for some brands

One size's may be too big for newborns

Fitted Diapers

Fitted Diapers are a step up from contour diapers. Having elestic in the legs and waist with snaps or velcro closures. Timmer than some as these to are made into the shape of a diaper.

Pro's

Great Value

Easy to Use

Various fabric choices

Requires no folding

Con's

Requires a diaper cover

Longer drying time

Diaper Covers

Diaper covers are the waterproof part of your cloth diapering system when using, flats, prefolds, fitteds, and contours. They come in a snap or velcro closures or elastic, like blummers. Polyurethane Laminate aka as PUL, wool, and fleece are popular choices for waterprrof materails in the diaper covers.

PUL- Economical choice for cloth diapering as it will last a very long time, will hold up through multiple washings and multiple children.

Wool- A wonderful natural option! Wool naturally prevents the growth of bacteria and it is breathable.  It does require a special hand wash routine, but the routine can be easy and you can air dry if it is not soiled between washes. When it is lanolized it coats the fibers, adding to the water resistant properties. Lanilin in the natural oil produced by sheep that coats their wool and keeps them waterproof in a sense.

Fleece- Is an option for easy care becuse it can be machine washed unlike the wool.

Pocket Diapers

Pocket Diapers consist of an outer waterproof fabric and an inner fabric made of fleece, suede cloth, cotton, organic cotten, and in some brands bamboo. These two layers are sewn together, forming an opening in the back called a "pocket". This "pocket" allows you to stuff "inserts" into it to help adjust to how absorbent they need to be for your little one. The "Inserts" come in a veraity of fabric types and thicknesses. They act to wick or pull away the moisture from your baby's sking.

Pro's

Almost as easy as a disposable

Available in a one-size option or sized

Can adjust how absorbent its need for your little one

Quick and easy changes

Snap or velcro closures

Quick dry time

Con's

More expensive

More items to wash (diaper and insert)

Some parents may want their kids to feel the moisture for potty training reasons

All In Twos AKA AI2's

The All in Two's are made of a water proof shell and a soaker, the absorbent materail. These allow you to re-use the shell and replace the soaker when wet or soiled.  Many of these AI2's have a pocket, like the pocket diaper making the diaper a very literal "All In Two" giving you the choice of 1 diaper but using it 2 ways. Or you can simply use a pocket diaper like an AI2.

Pro's

One Size avaliable or sized

Reduces wash because you are reusing the "shells"

Various fabric choices

Closures are snap or velcro

Quick and easy changes

Quick dry time

Cons

 Expensive

Some brands require you to snap in the soaker

Some arn't so trim for baby

Diaper Inserts, Doubles and Liners

Inserts are typically made up of at least 3 layers and can be added to pocket diapers, prefolds, fitteds and AIO and AI2's when extra protection is needed. Don't forget that your prefolds and flats can be used in pocket diapers or AI2's as Inserts.

Doublers are usally 2 layers and only boost the existing absorbancy. Not usually absorbant enough to be used by themselces.

Liners are usually 1 layer and protects the diaper from rash creams and stains. Also make catching messes easier. Some are disposable and some are washable.

All In Ones AKA AIO

These are considered the ultimate solution- a one piece diapering system. The cover and absorbent materail are all built into the diaper, very much like a disposable with out all the bad nastys.

Pro's

No stuffing or folding required

Available in one size option or sized

Various fabrics and color choices

Easy one step change

Good option for daycare/childcare centers, travelling or outings.

Great for families intimidated by cloth diapering

Con's

Very Expensice

Some brands are not very trim

Long drying time for many brands



The Ball Starts Rolling

I'm 30 weeks pregnant and had decided to CD from the start of my pregnancy, actually even befor I became aware that I was pregnant.

My fiances sister was the first one I discovered that CD'ed and I've looked (and am still looking) to her for hints, tips, and help. It wasn't until a month ago I found another local lady that CD'ed, and then another, and another, and today another. So, I'm up to knowing a total of 5 CD'ing moms in my small town. I'm not a member of MOPS, or any church group, or anything else, so there may be more out there. *climbs on roof top and looks around*  But I still feel adrift at sea, even with my fiances sister close at hand.

I joined a few facebook groups, including The Cloth Diaper Whisperer, Cotton Babies, Diaper Shops, and some others to reach out and make new friends, get hints and tips, stay up to date and all the good stuff. But *heavy sigh* I wish there were more like me and my fellow CD'ing moms out there and nearer to me.

I still get alot of hassle from people when I tell them I plan on CD'ing, even my own family! (That was until I showed them some Happy Heinys and Lil' Joeys) My mom was even relieved when I showed her tricks with the prefolds. I'm still not to sure on how Daddy is with them but I guess he'll just have to deal now won't he? (evil snicker)

I think part of it is that no one around here carries any CD. I took one of my HH into work with me the other day and people were shocked at how far CD have came. So I got to thinking, if I could show my progress with CD'ing and help iorn out all the myths and questions about CD'ing it'd be a better world for me and baby and maybe future babies to come!

I was even talking to one mom today about it. She said she CD her first two children, but from the sound of it she had pre-folds the whole time. But she was using disposables on her recent child. Luckily she was able to find some that had cotten in them and some that were unbleached, but it seemed she was considerding going back to CD.  I sent her home with some sites to check out that carried the whole variety of the CD'ing world.

I'm looking forward to CD'ing my kids and actually can't wait! Though I still feel lost, or more over whelemed with everything out there. Though I must say I'm having a blast looking through all the different brands, styles, prints and sizes!