Cloth Diapers vs. Disposable Diapers - DadLabs Video

[SirIsaac00]

We line dry even in inclement weather, by using a drying rack that we can set up indoors. There are always creative ways to overcome perceived obstacles. We are blessed with plenty sunny days to do it outside and space for the inside. Some would have to be even more creative to find solutions.

[DadLabs]

@SirIsaac00 Cool technique. Thanks for adding this suggestion.

[epicklet]

@SirIsaac00 Have a look around for one of those nifty drying racks that you can pull up to the ceiling, like our grandmums used to use (and me!). They are out of the way, dry fast overnight cos it's warm up there and look quite attractive. It won't let me post a photo :( so you'll just have to google it yourself. They look great and take a whole big load of washing. No wear on your clothes like with a dryer, either.

[fuzztanks]

You do have to consider that with disposibles, you're throwing the poop into the landfill where it then gets into the water supply. It's also illegal to do this.

[warmfuzzis]

If there are 2 working parents, do a DIAPER SERVICE...like you mentioned, you'll pay about the SAME (usually a little less) AND you don't have to do the work! Baby benefits, Planet benefits & Parent's benefit.

[DadLabs]

@warmfuzzis I hear you. Working parents have to find smart and time saving solutions.

[dersa20]

i think one needs to use both!

disposable for when on the road and at home use cloth!

at least that is what i think i will do with my baby

[ichigo8504]

@dersa20 The Flip by Bumgenius and the hybrid version of Grovia will take care of that problem. With the flip, if the PUL cover is still clean after the child urinates, all you do is wipe it down and stick a new insert in. With the Grovia, they have biodegradable disposable inserts available.

[TrennaMW]

Awesome video on a complex topic. You just forgot the water to manufacture sposies! I chose flat diapers, folded into a "pad" that slips in velcro-close cover. A generous supply of top quality flats and one-size fits all covers cost me less than $150 with accessories, and will fit birth to potty. I have less laundry drama than sposies, because cloth keeps poo off clothes. Also, I spend nothing on diaper cream/powder/etc., or wipes! 10 months, no rashes!

[DadLabs]

@TrennaMW The diaper cream expense is something we definitely sis not take into account. Good point! Thanks for watching.

[amicoadkins]

I DO have to point out that they are comparing the price of Bum Genius cloth diapers to midline disposables. What about comparing MID LINE CLOTH DIAPERS to midline disposables? You don't HAVE TO buy a $300-500 starter pack of cloth diapers. You can do it like we all did in the good ol' days. Squares of cloth, and pins. Very simple. And nearly free. We're saving a butt-ton of money even over other cloth diaperers, it seems, as we make our own cloth squares, recycled out of other items.

[DadLabs]

@amicoadkins Good point. In our defense, there are so many variables in this equation that it's really hard to get an apples to apples comparison.

[forbidden1998]

both hurt the environment do what easiest for u!!!

[ichigo8504]

@forbidden1998 How does cloth diapering hurt the enviroment? Water is renewable energy, you reuse the diaper and can pass it on to someone else(can't do that with a disposable) and Rumparooz make their cloth diapers with biodegradable material. A disposable will forever be in a land field for centuries and polluting our drinking water, because no one throws the child's waste in the toilet like you're suppose to do.

[sonika1203]

couple of points to add. 1 line drying is actually better for cloth diapers as sun is the best disinfectant and stain remover. hence makes all sense to line dry (apart from environmental reasons). Second cloth diapering is great way to be connected with baby's toilet patterns and use natural hygine (elimination communication). This reduces the number of diapers and is also a great way to keep the li'l one's bum super clean and smooth- i.e. no, what's that thing called?..diaper rash..

[DadLabs]

@sonika1203 Good point. Line drying really changes the financial picture as well. But probably works better in some climates and seasons than others.

[Novasmom08]

My whole stash cost me about 150$....I LOVE them and save so much money...

Personally I would go with covers and prefolds...its cost effective and you don't need as many.

[anyusernamewilldonot]

For anyone who's trying to make up their mind: I used a mix of disposables and cloth for my son until he was about 4 months old because I was afraid of taking the plunge and going all cloth. When I made the switch I realised it's really no harder. I was suprised how little extra work it really is. It's really only 2 to 3 extra washes per week if you go with the recommended number of nappies. Give it a go! You might be pleasantly suprised like me!

[DadLabs]

@anyusernamewilldonot Excellent comment. Thanks for your insight.

[yoginhc]

Missed a few points... Cloth babies potty train a year (on average) sooner than disposable diapered babies, which factors both into the economics, and the convenience issues. Also, Diaper services cut down not only on hassles of home washing, but greatly shift the washing resource balance due to the scale of the operation.

[DadLabs]

@yoginhc Both excellent points. Thanks or adding that.

[DeSlacheable]

You can buy less clothes and less cloth diapers by doing baby's laundry once a day (I'm a stay at home mom). I spent less in the beginning than others, but I expect my things to wear out sooner then theirs. Also, by practicing elimination communication you can stop changing diapers as soon as 6 weeks. Keep in mind that just because my 6 week old child will use the toilet, doesn't mean I can't keep a diaper on him anyway. I just wont need to change it as often.

[DadLabs]

@DeSlacheable Um. I thought you just said that your 6 WEEK old was using the toilet.  *checks ears*

[DeSlacheable]

@DadLabs Look up elimination communication.

[DadLabs]

@DeSlacheable Will do. Thanks.

[dollyhouse]

@DadLabs Yes she meant 6 weeks.

[mollymae91]

I would like to add that it definetly also depends on whether you live in an apartment or your own place with laundry. It's almost 6 dollars to do laundry at the local laundromat. plus about 3 hours. We can get away with doing laundry once a week right now, but if we were to cloth diaper, We'd have to do it at least twice a week...so it would get really expensive. Just another aspect.

[Chibiicap]

I think its good to rotate depending on the situation.

Are you going to be out all day? A disposable might be better.

At home, you can use cloth. I also think that disposables may be better at night, they absorb better and keep the wetness away from the skin. Cloth are bulky and feeling wet all night is not fun.

[DadLabs]

@Chibiicap Good point. This doesn't have to be a pure either/or situation. Parents can choose situationally as well.

[dollyhouse]

@Chibiicap It is a good idea in theory, but this is kind of dangerous for baby's skin. Once the baby gets used to not having chemicals against his or her skin, he or she can easily get diaper rash when mommy or daddy puts a disposable on them.

[Chibiicap]

@dollyhouse

i dont think there is a problem with it if there is consistent use of both types.

cloth diapers have their downsides too. but in all honesty disposables are more comfortable

[dollyhouse]

@Chibiicap I dont see how using PLASTIC is more comfortable. Try using plastic pants for 3 years.

[Chibiicap]

@dollyhouse

baby diapers arent plastic anymore. even though the plastic holds better.

i think they should make adult diapers how they make baby diapers. adult diapers are still plastic when baby diapers are not

[KatMomof3]

between having 3 kids and a fluctuating income, I WISH I'd known cloth could be so easy... I'd totally recommend going cloth diapers, cloth reuseable wipes... and remember, the ones that still look new after your'e done with diaper days, you can donate (tax deduction) or resell... which saves you AND the person buying them money.

[DadLabs]

@KatMomof3 Good point. I'm not sure we would have made a different choice, but I wish I had understood the numbers before we went with disposables. Who knows?

[TheTroubledTroubador]

Why can't you make your own cloth diapers? That would save money

[Spike23080]

I agree, you can always make your own with shirts and other clothes that would be thrown away anyways. Plus its a eco friendly option.

[scwallac]

Hey guys - in your calculation, you didn't include the opportunity cost of doing all that laundry. Whether that opportunity cost is measured in actual dollars or in quality family time, there is certainly an opportunity cost associated with babysitting a washing machine.

[TheTroubledTroubador]

@scwallac come on what time does it take tp push a button or two :-P

[mollybcutie2000]

@TheTroubledTroubador Yeah I agree it doesn't take any time at all. What about emergency diaper runs that takes time out :) It's silly .. It all comes down personal preference.

[DadLabs]

@scwallac You've put your finger on it. How you value the time vs impact on the environment. That's probably the decision point.

[indiaryofjane]

great debate. I do all cloth now. I just don't like the idea that my diapers from when I was an infant are still decomposing. EW. I wash twice a week, have 2 kids in diapers and line dry... outside sun dry when possible.

[DadLabs]

@indiaryofjane The real savings kick in when you can pass reusables down to a second kid.

[indiaryofjane]

@DadLabs indeed. I purchased some for my now 2 year old who's potty learning, but I purchased one sized dipes so that little sis (10 months) can use them too. It's great. I also am a licensed daycare provider and parents are always surprised when I say I cloth diaper and would have no problem having them bring cloth if they so choose as well.

[hadleyjack]

good debate, thanks guys

[tiagom135]

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