There are many myths out there concerning cloth diapers. We are going to bust some of the common myths in hopes of encouraging more people to start to cloth diaper their baby:
Myth #1
All cloth diapers are bulky and won't fit under my baby's cloths
Fact
Cloth diapers come in many shapes and sizes that will fit your needs. If you are looking for a trim diaper, avoid one-size diapers which tend to be bulky on smaller babies. You have to remember that disposable diapers start small and then will get bigger as it starts absorbing fluids. Cloth diapers tend to stay the same size or get smaller as they start absorbing fluids. By comparing a full disposable diaper to a full cloth diaper, you will probably find that the cloth diaper is the same size as the disposable.
Myth #2
I will have to do a lot more laundry than what I already have to do.
Fact
With cloth diapers, you will have to do more laundry, but depending on the number of diapers you have, you do not need to do laundry everyday. If you have enough diapers to last you 3 days, then you only need to do an extra load of laundry once every 3 days!
Myth #3
I have to store dirty, smelly diapers
Fact
After everything is said and done, you end up storing disposable diapers for a lot longer than you do with cloth diapers because you choose when you wash them.....you can't call the garbage truck to come when your diapers begin to smell really bad!
Myth #4
Washing cloth diapers will cause my utility bills to go up a lot.
Fact
The hydro and water needed to wash you diapers is a lot lower than you may think. Based on 2008 Hydro Quebec rates, it will cost you $0.40 for a hot wash, $0.18 for a warm wash, $0.02 for a cold wash and $0.17 for a dyer cycle (http://www.applecheeks.com/). One reason people notice an increase in their utility bills after a baby is born is not because of just washing diapers, it has to do with the extra water and hydro used because you are probably spending more time at home so the lights are on more, you flush the toilet more, you use the dishwasher more, etc. If you do use cloth diapers, you will be doing more loads of laundry but the increase in water usage just because of washing the diapers wouldn't be drastic.
Myth #5
Cloth diapers leak more than disposable diapers
Fact
Any diaper will leak once it becomes saturated. If you are someone who likes to keep their baby in a diaper until it is so full it falls off, then cloth diapers are not for you. However, if you like to change your baby's diaper every 2-3 hours, then you won't be changing your baby's diaper any more often with cloth. We found that making the switch to cloth diapers we were not changing our baby's diaper any more frequently. For night time use or when you need to go longer between diaper changes, you can add more layers in your diaper to make it more absorbent.
Myth #6
With cloth diapers I will have to scrub dirty diapers to get them clean.
Fact
Scrubbing the diapers is an option....but not an option we chose because of the mess. If your baby is exclusively breastfed, then you do not have to do anything to your diapers before putting them in the wash since breastfed babies' bowel movements are water soluble. If your baby is not exclusively breastfed, then you can add a liner to your diaper (we love the Bummis liner) so then if your baby does have a bowel movement you dump the liner and everything on top of the liner in the toilet and flush! The mess is all gone! The Bummis liner we use is super soft and is safe for septic tanks.
Myth #7
With cloth diapers I will be handling the dirty diapers more than with disposable.
Fact
If you have a waterproof bag/liner in your diaper pail, all you have to do is put the dirty diapers in the bag and then when it is time to do the wash, you take the whole bag, turn it inside out into the washing machine and then start the wash! You don't have to touch the diapers until they are clean.
Myth #8
Cloth diapers are expensive to buy
Fact
The initial investment is more than disposable diapers, however once you buy a set of diapers, you are done spending money unlike disposable diapers. If you do not want to make the commitment to buy a whole set of a particular diaper, there are many stores that have a trial program where they send you a variety diapers to try. At the end of the period, you decide if you want to keep any of the diapers. If you do not like any of them, there usually is only a small rental fee. If money is an issue, buying a one size diaper is the most economical option because it grows with your baby. By using cloth diapers instead of disposable diapers, you could save thousands of dollars according to some companies...and the amount you save increases if you take good care of your diapers and use them for additional children.
Myth #9
My baby won't like sitting in a wet diaper.
Fact
Everyone seems to concerned about babies sitting in a wet diaper expect the babies themselves. With the increase in popularity of disposable diapers that draw away wetness from a baby's bottom, everyone thinks that the diapers need to have that feature. Cloth diapers have been used by our parents and grandparents and they never had a problem with this issue. If you are still concerned about the wetness against your baby's bottom, there are many diapers that do have a quick dry layer (such as fleece or suede cloth) that is right next to your baby's skin so that they will not feel the wet absorbent layer. Cloth diapers can be just like disposable ones!
Myth #10
Cloth diapers are hard to fasten onto your baby
Fact
You can still buy the cloth diapers that require a pin to put them onto your baby, however there are many more diapers that use either Velcro or snaps to fasten onto the baby. Putting these types of diapers onto your baby is no harder than putting a disposable diaper...something that even Dad can do!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
Our Top 10 Reasons Why Cloth Diapering is Best
After cloth diapering for many months now, we are still super happy about our decision to start using cloth. We are sure that as we continue to use cloth, our top 10 reasons why cloth is best will change, but here is our list right now:
10. Using cloth diapers is better for the environment (not only are there less diapers going into the landfill, but if there are less diapers being made, less natural resources are being used)
9. Babies in cloth diapers experience less diaper rash than babies in disposable diapers.
8. Your baby isn't exposed to the chemicals that are put in the disposable diapers to help them absorb fluids.
7. Cloth diapers are harder for babies/toddlers to take off.....especially side snapping diapers
6. You don't have to worry about having to go to the store to buy diapers once your initial set of diapers are bought...saving you time!
5. Babies who wear cloth diapers toliet train faster than babies in disposables.
4. You do not have to store dirty smelly diapers for long periods of time waiting for garbage pick up.....you can wash the diapers whenever you decide to, so the mess and smell are gone!
3. Cloth diapers look nicer than disposables (seeing a coloured diaper under an onesie is way nicer than seeing a paper diaper peaking out!)
2. Using cloth diapers saves money! Some companies claim you can save at least $2000 a child using cloth over disposables (the savings are even greater if you use the diapers for more than one child!). Plus you can sell your diapers after you are done with them!
1. Cloth diapers contain "blow outs" way better than disposable diapers.....less outfit changes!
10. Using cloth diapers is better for the environment (not only are there less diapers going into the landfill, but if there are less diapers being made, less natural resources are being used)
9. Babies in cloth diapers experience less diaper rash than babies in disposable diapers.
8. Your baby isn't exposed to the chemicals that are put in the disposable diapers to help them absorb fluids.
7. Cloth diapers are harder for babies/toddlers to take off.....especially side snapping diapers
6. You don't have to worry about having to go to the store to buy diapers once your initial set of diapers are bought...saving you time!
5. Babies who wear cloth diapers toliet train faster than babies in disposables.
4. You do not have to store dirty smelly diapers for long periods of time waiting for garbage pick up.....you can wash the diapers whenever you decide to, so the mess and smell are gone!
3. Cloth diapers look nicer than disposables (seeing a coloured diaper under an onesie is way nicer than seeing a paper diaper peaking out!)
2. Using cloth diapers saves money! Some companies claim you can save at least $2000 a child using cloth over disposables (the savings are even greater if you use the diapers for more than one child!). Plus you can sell your diapers after you are done with them!
1. Cloth diapers contain "blow outs" way better than disposable diapers.....less outfit changes!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
bumGenius Organic One-Size All-In-One Diaper Review
Description
An organic one-size, all-in-one diaper made of a PUL outer shell, with 6 layers of organic cotton inside. It is available with either snaps or hook and loop (Velcro) closures. There are 3 rows of snaps on the shell to adjust the rise of the diaper, which makes it fit babies from 7 to 35 pounds. The snaps on the diapers match the PUL.
Cost: $24.95 USD, $28.79 Canadian
Size
One size fits 7 to 35 pounds
What we love about them
*One size fits all
*A variety of colours
*The stretchy tabs found on all bumGenius diapers makes putting the diaper on the baby and getting a good fit really easy!
*Dries faster than the bumGenius all-in-one diapers
*The cotton is soft and flexible
*There are 2 layers of cotton sewn into the shell of the diaper, then the other 4 layers are placed in the center of the diaper for extra absorbency and are attached only at the front and back of the diaper to decrease drying time.
*The trimmest one-size diaper we have seen.....and trimmer than many sized diapers (on the medium setting, we feel it is trimmer than the bumGenius medium all-in-one diaper)
What we could live without
*The cotton that is sewn into the middle of the diaper tends to take longer to dry where it is attached to the diaper (at the front and back)
*There isn't a quick dry layer between the cotton and the baby (but natural fibers are not suppose to bother the baby when wet....they haven't bothered out babies)
*When putting the diaper on the baby, you have to make sure that the cotton is tucked inside the diaper, otherwise when wet, it will wick onto your baby's clothes.
Brooke and Victoria's verdict
An awesome all-in-one diaper.....probably our favourite one right now! The fact that it is a very trim one-size diaper makes it even better. We did not use this diaper when our sons were in a small bumGenius diaper so we cannot comment on the size of this diaper compared to the small all-in-one diaper, however we think it is smaller than the medium all-in-one. This diaper would be great for parents who have more than one baby in diapers because you can use the same diaper for all the kids!
We prefer the snap closure over the hook and loop because we have had problems with the hook and loop system standing up to multiple washes (but all our problems were covered until the warranty). With the snap closure, you do not have to worry about fastening the tabs onto the laundry tabs so all you have to do it take it off your baby and put it into the diaper pail. The strechy tabs make the diapers fit really well and makes it easier to put the diaper on the baby. This diaper is usually dry after 60 minutes in the dryer on medium, but to decrease drying time, we like to hang the diapers to dry overnight, then put them in the dryer in the morning (this trick doesn't work for the bumGenius all-in-ones). We highly recommend this diaper to all parents. We each have 3 of these diapers and will be adding more to our stash for sure in the future!
An organic one-size, all-in-one diaper made of a PUL outer shell, with 6 layers of organic cotton inside. It is available with either snaps or hook and loop (Velcro) closures. There are 3 rows of snaps on the shell to adjust the rise of the diaper, which makes it fit babies from 7 to 35 pounds. The snaps on the diapers match the PUL.
Cost: $24.95 USD, $28.79 Canadian
Size
One size fits 7 to 35 pounds
What we love about them
*One size fits all
*A variety of colours
*The stretchy tabs found on all bumGenius diapers makes putting the diaper on the baby and getting a good fit really easy!
*Dries faster than the bumGenius all-in-one diapers
*The cotton is soft and flexible
*There are 2 layers of cotton sewn into the shell of the diaper, then the other 4 layers are placed in the center of the diaper for extra absorbency and are attached only at the front and back of the diaper to decrease drying time.
*The trimmest one-size diaper we have seen.....and trimmer than many sized diapers (on the medium setting, we feel it is trimmer than the bumGenius medium all-in-one diaper)
What we could live without
*The cotton that is sewn into the middle of the diaper tends to take longer to dry where it is attached to the diaper (at the front and back)
*There isn't a quick dry layer between the cotton and the baby (but natural fibers are not suppose to bother the baby when wet....they haven't bothered out babies)
*When putting the diaper on the baby, you have to make sure that the cotton is tucked inside the diaper, otherwise when wet, it will wick onto your baby's clothes.
Brooke and Victoria's verdict
An awesome all-in-one diaper.....probably our favourite one right now! The fact that it is a very trim one-size diaper makes it even better. We did not use this diaper when our sons were in a small bumGenius diaper so we cannot comment on the size of this diaper compared to the small all-in-one diaper, however we think it is smaller than the medium all-in-one. This diaper would be great for parents who have more than one baby in diapers because you can use the same diaper for all the kids!
We prefer the snap closure over the hook and loop because we have had problems with the hook and loop system standing up to multiple washes (but all our problems were covered until the warranty). With the snap closure, you do not have to worry about fastening the tabs onto the laundry tabs so all you have to do it take it off your baby and put it into the diaper pail. The strechy tabs make the diapers fit really well and makes it easier to put the diaper on the baby. This diaper is usually dry after 60 minutes in the dryer on medium, but to decrease drying time, we like to hang the diapers to dry overnight, then put them in the dryer in the morning (this trick doesn't work for the bumGenius all-in-ones). We highly recommend this diaper to all parents. We each have 3 of these diapers and will be adding more to our stash for sure in the future!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
AMP (Annie Marie Padorie's) Stay Dry All-In-One Review
Description
A sized All in One diaper that has a PUL outer shell, a fleece lining, the absorbent core has 4 layers of microfiber and it fastens on with velcro.
Cost: $20.00 Canadian
Sizes
S (~6-14lbs)
M (~12-22lbs)
L (~18-38 lbs)
What we love about them
*A Canadian company….diapers are made and designed in Canada!
* Lots of colours
*The large tabs on the diaper make it easier to do up
*The 4 layers of microfiber are very absorbent
*The fleece lining is super soft and pulls away moisture from your baby
*To get the diaper ready for the wash, you just have to fold the tab back on itself….there will never be anything on the laundry tab to prevent it from sticking
*Trim under clothes
What we could do without
*The velcro on the front of the diaper starts to look “bally” after many uses
*The large tabs make the front of the diaper around the waist look bulky
*The fleece pills (which is common with fleece)
*Often takes more than one dryer cycle to dry
*The microfiber is sewn inside the diaper so you cannot feel if the microfiber is completely dry
Victoria and Brooke’s verdict
A very absorbent all-in-one diaper that is very easy to use. A great diaper to give to someone who is not familiar with cloth diapers because they go on the baby just like disposables. The large tabs make the diaper easy to put on, however we would prefer them smaller for aesthetic purposes. We would like there to be an opening where you could feel the microfiber so you can tell when the insert is completely dry. We love that the diapers come in practically every shade of the rainbow and that they are made in Canada. A great diaper for people who are just starting to cloth diaper or for those who want the convenience of a disposable diaper, yet want to use cloth diapers for environmental reasons.
A sized All in One diaper that has a PUL outer shell, a fleece lining, the absorbent core has 4 layers of microfiber and it fastens on with velcro.
Cost: $20.00 Canadian
Sizes
S (~6-14lbs)
M (~12-22lbs)
L (~18-38 lbs)
What we love about them
*A Canadian company….diapers are made and designed in Canada!
* Lots of colours
*The large tabs on the diaper make it easier to do up
*The 4 layers of microfiber are very absorbent
*The fleece lining is super soft and pulls away moisture from your baby
*To get the diaper ready for the wash, you just have to fold the tab back on itself….there will never be anything on the laundry tab to prevent it from sticking
*Trim under clothes
What we could do without
*The velcro on the front of the diaper starts to look “bally” after many uses
*The large tabs make the front of the diaper around the waist look bulky
*The fleece pills (which is common with fleece)
*Often takes more than one dryer cycle to dry
*The microfiber is sewn inside the diaper so you cannot feel if the microfiber is completely dry
Victoria and Brooke’s verdict
A very absorbent all-in-one diaper that is very easy to use. A great diaper to give to someone who is not familiar with cloth diapers because they go on the baby just like disposables. The large tabs make the diaper easy to put on, however we would prefer them smaller for aesthetic purposes. We would like there to be an opening where you could feel the microfiber so you can tell when the insert is completely dry. We love that the diapers come in practically every shade of the rainbow and that they are made in Canada. A great diaper for people who are just starting to cloth diaper or for those who want the convenience of a disposable diaper, yet want to use cloth diapers for environmental reasons.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Fuzzi Bunz Perfect Size Diaper Review
Description
A sized pocket diaper system that uses a microfiber insert. It has PUL outer shell, a microfleece lining, and snaps fasten this diaper onto the baby.Cost: $17.95 USD
Sizes
XS (4-12lbs)
S (7-18lbs)
M (15-30lbs)
L (25-45+ lbs)
Petite (20-30lbs)
XL (45 lbs +)
What we love about them
* Many colours/patterns to choose from
*The two rows of snaps allows you to adjust the diaper at both the waist and legs
*The large square tabs on the diaper make it easier to do up the snaps on a squirming baby
*Easy to stuff the diaper with the insert because of the large opening at the back of the diaper
*The microfiber insert comes out by shaking the diaper over the diaper pail
* The microfiber insert has to come out before washing which reduces drying time (and you can hang the shell to dry which will prolong the life of the diaper)
*The microfiber is very absorbent
*The microfleece lining is super soft and pulls away moisture from your baby
What we could do without
*The microfleece pills (which is common with fleece)
Brooke and Victoria's verdict
A great pocket diaper for those who are looking for a diaper with a snap closure. The snaps make it hard for the baby to take the diaper off, you don’t have to worry about diapers chains in the dryer and the diaper will look better than a Velcro diaper after many washes. At this point we would recommended the diaper for babies with chunky thighs due to the fit on my baby. Without having tried the small sized diapers we are unsure if they would fit better until the mediums fit around my baby’s legs. The shells air dry quickly which will extend the life of the diaper and the microfiber insert dries in less than 60 minutes in the dryer. For naps or overnight, the pocket is big enough that you can add an additional insert to make the diaper more adsorbent. A great diaper to try!
Monday, October 5, 2009
SposoEasy All-In-One Review
Description
An all-in-one diaper with a PUL shell and an inside made of cotton, unbleached cotton, organically grown cotton or antimicrobial hemp (we have the cotton diaper). The diaper either fastens on to your baby with snaps or aplix (velcro).
Cost: $18.50 USD
Sizes
XS (5-9lbs)
S (8-20lbs)
M (19-30lbs)
M/Long (22-35lbs)
L (28-40lbs)
What we love about them
* Dries quickly. (The attached doubler is only attached at the back so it that allows the diaper to dry quickly.)
* The laundry tabs for the aplix diaper is inside the “wing” of the diaper so it never comes undone in the laundry!
*Very absorbent
*Trim fitting
What we could do without
*If the top of the diaper rolls down, the cotton is against your baby’s clothes and may cause wicking onto the clothes
*In the “wing” part of the diaper where the laundry tabs are located, there is an edge of the PUL that is not sewn so it appears unfinished (but you only see it when the diaper is off your baby)
*There is no quick dry layer between the soaker layer and the baby (but this should not bother your baby)
Brooke and Victoria’s verdict
A great diaper that is simple to use. We have the aplix diaper which is easy to put onto our babies and fits well. This is the fastest drying all-in-one diaper we have…it is always dry after one dyer cycle! It protects well against blowouts and leaks. The inside of this diaper may look like a basic diaper compared to some of the other diapers on the market but it works just as well.
For those who are concerned about materials touch your baby, this diaper uses all natural fibers. Our babies have not complained about the wetness against their skin (which we were afraid they would). If you are looking for a diaper that you can take directly from the dryer to your baby this diaper would fit the bill.
An all-in-one diaper with a PUL shell and an inside made of cotton, unbleached cotton, organically grown cotton or antimicrobial hemp (we have the cotton diaper). The diaper either fastens on to your baby with snaps or aplix (velcro).
Cost: $18.50 USD
Sizes
XS (5-9lbs)
S (8-20lbs)
M (19-30lbs)
M/Long (22-35lbs)
L (28-40lbs)
What we love about them
* Dries quickly. (The attached doubler is only attached at the back so it that allows the diaper to dry quickly.)
* The laundry tabs for the aplix diaper is inside the “wing” of the diaper so it never comes undone in the laundry!
*Very absorbent
*Trim fitting
What we could do without
*If the top of the diaper rolls down, the cotton is against your baby’s clothes and may cause wicking onto the clothes
*In the “wing” part of the diaper where the laundry tabs are located, there is an edge of the PUL that is not sewn so it appears unfinished (but you only see it when the diaper is off your baby)
*There is no quick dry layer between the soaker layer and the baby (but this should not bother your baby)
Brooke and Victoria’s verdict
A great diaper that is simple to use. We have the aplix diaper which is easy to put onto our babies and fits well. This is the fastest drying all-in-one diaper we have…it is always dry after one dyer cycle! It protects well against blowouts and leaks. The inside of this diaper may look like a basic diaper compared to some of the other diapers on the market but it works just as well.
For those who are concerned about materials touch your baby, this diaper uses all natural fibers. Our babies have not complained about the wetness against their skin (which we were afraid they would). If you are looking for a diaper that you can take directly from the dryer to your baby this diaper would fit the bill.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Bumgenius One Size Review
Description
A one size cloth diaper system that grows with the baby from 7 to 35 pounds through the use of a 3 x3 snap system and a microfiber insert that uses snaps to adjust the length. Like the Bumgenius All In One, this diaper has a PUL outer shell, a microsuede lining, as well as a hook and loop system to fasten this diaper onto the baby
Cost: $23.99 CAD
Sizes
One size fits all (7 – 35lbs)
What we love about them
* Many colours to choose from
*Only one size of diaper to buy for the whole time your baby is in diapers
* The microfiber insert has to come out before washing which reduces drying time (and you can hang the shell to dry which will prolong the life of the diaper)
*There is a small microfiber insert for newborn babies and can be used as a booster for older babies
*The stretchy tabs make it easy to fasten the diaper onto your baby and get a good fit.
*The microsuede keeps the baby dry and doesn’t pill
*The microfiber is very absorbent
What we could do without
*The “covered insert opening” makes it difficult to remove the insert by just shaking the diaper over the diaper pail
*The adjustable insert makes the diaper really bulky unless it is on the largest setting
*The width of the diaper (between the baby’s legs) is wider compared to the All in One diaper (sizes medium and smaller)
Victoria’s verdict
Like the Bumgenius All in One diaper, it is a good looking, absorbent diaper. If you are not concerned with possibly going up a size in pants for your baby and you are looking for one diaper that will fit your baby throughout their diapering years (or if you have more than one baby in diapers) this would be a good diaper for you. If you are concerned with how it looks underclothes and want a trim fitting diaper like I do, the All in One is a better choice. I like to use this diaper first thing in the morning while my baby is still in his pajamas because it only takes one dryer cycle to dry so it is ready before the All in Ones are.
A one size cloth diaper system that grows with the baby from 7 to 35 pounds through the use of a 3 x3 snap system and a microfiber insert that uses snaps to adjust the length. Like the Bumgenius All In One, this diaper has a PUL outer shell, a microsuede lining, as well as a hook and loop system to fasten this diaper onto the baby
Cost: $23.99 CAD
Sizes
One size fits all (7 – 35lbs)
What we love about them
* Many colours to choose from
*Only one size of diaper to buy for the whole time your baby is in diapers
* The microfiber insert has to come out before washing which reduces drying time (and you can hang the shell to dry which will prolong the life of the diaper)
*There is a small microfiber insert for newborn babies and can be used as a booster for older babies
*The stretchy tabs make it easy to fasten the diaper onto your baby and get a good fit.
*The microsuede keeps the baby dry and doesn’t pill
*The microfiber is very absorbent
What we could do without
*The “covered insert opening” makes it difficult to remove the insert by just shaking the diaper over the diaper pail
*The adjustable insert makes the diaper really bulky unless it is on the largest setting
*The width of the diaper (between the baby’s legs) is wider compared to the All in One diaper (sizes medium and smaller)
Victoria’s verdict
Like the Bumgenius All in One diaper, it is a good looking, absorbent diaper. If you are not concerned with possibly going up a size in pants for your baby and you are looking for one diaper that will fit your baby throughout their diapering years (or if you have more than one baby in diapers) this would be a good diaper for you. If you are concerned with how it looks underclothes and want a trim fitting diaper like I do, the All in One is a better choice. I like to use this diaper first thing in the morning while my baby is still in his pajamas because it only takes one dryer cycle to dry so it is ready before the All in Ones are.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)