Cloth Nappies vs Diapers??

[mushi]

I am a big fan of the traditional cloth nappies....not only are they environmental friendly but are also more comfortable and rash-free for the baby.....moreoever you can toilet train yr baby so much in advance since u know the pee-pooh pattern of yr baby.....just wanted to know how many people think like me....not many i assume

 

[kmalia]

Baby is due this November, so i have no practical experience, but am planning to go cloth. For all the reasons Mushi mentioned, plus, they have come up with such great designs that work just like disposables, except of course you don't throw them into the trash!

There is a FREE cloth nappy workshop being held this saturday (20, Sept.) through http://www.doubibou.com/

 

[MLBW]

I was very ambitious about using cloth diapers with my son--for the environmental as well as economic benefits. However, I discovered that my son is very difficult to change--to try to get a regular disposable diaper on him is often a big chore--and it doesn't require any special folding etc. The nice pre-folded diapers are really great but they are often 2 times or more expensive than the standard cloth diapers. The only way I would be able to ever do cloth diapering with my son is if I used the prefolded type. After doing the math, I discovered that using disposable diapers is actually cheaper in the long run than using the prefolded diapers. Plus, I don't have to deal with scraping poop off of diapers, soaking them and washing them--especially in the humidity of Hong Kong and then hanging them to dry. (I don't employ a helper to do these tasks for me--I am "the helper" as well as "the mommy"). At this point I don't plan to have any other children so investing in $900-1400 USD in cloth diapers that in a matter of a year or two I'm going to have to throw away just didn't make sense to me.

 

[rebekah]

I started my baby on cloth when she was in the medium size. I was feeling better and they are certainly better for her skin, and i find they really are no more work, just one load of laundry a day (or less if you choose), i throw them in when she goes to bed and has her night time diaper put on.

 

[firsttimemom]

It will turn out to be a lot cheaper esp if you are planning to have #2...#3.....

 

[MLBW]

It will turn out to be a lot cheaper esp if you are planning to have #2...#3.....

What is the life span on a cloth diaper? If you have 3 kids, do you need to replace the diapers by the time you get to #3? Is it hygienic to keep using them for each kid?

 

[MLBW]

I started my baby on cloth when she was in the medium size. I was feeling better and they are certainly better for her skin, and i find they really are no more work, just one load of laundry a day (or less if you choose), i throw them in when she goes to bed and has her night time diaper put on.

Do you have access to washing your diapers in hot water or just use an antiseptic? How long do you find that the diapers take to dry in Hong Kong or are you able to use an electric dryer? Do you do all the washing/drying yourself or do you have help?

 

[noc]

I have a couple of cloth diapers which my baby seems to really love, but they are so bulky, I can hardly fit any of her one-piece clothes on top.

 

[Frenchy]

I've used disposable nappies after birth as you need to see how many times your baby pee, and started the cloth ones when he could use the Medium size, which he should be able to use till the potty training. It's really not a lot of work to clean (I have no helper neither), I just rinse them after use to take off the biggest "pieces" and the smell, and put them in the machine every 2 or 3 days. And they dry really quick !
I've also bought some extenders so they fit in his one piece clothes (you find some at Eugene's).
I'm still using some disposable nappies (Moltex ones, biodegradable) at night and when I got out so I don't need to come back with a wet... or worse... nappy in my bag !

 

[mushi]

i have thin pre-cut cloth nappies that work well on new borns but after a while i have started putting a cloth pad (like a washable sanitary napkin) inside the nappy and then a plastic one on top....this way there no leakages and i change them after he wets them instantly....

yes u can use the same one for 2 or more kids and yes they are hygienic but after the first kids wears them out u will notice they are so haggard already u may not want to use them on yr second one, or the time gap may be too big inbetween.

the main reason i am still continuing them is so that i can toilet train my kid as quickly as possible...my 1st one was trained by 13-14 months completely...with a diaper that gets difficult.

normally my helper washes them and then soaks them in detergent/antiseptic and then washes them again....on holidays i do the same just that teh final one wash is in washing m/c.....if it is not raining i dry them on the clothes line and they dry real fast if u r using a de-humidifier or a heater nearby.