CBS News/ November 5, 2010, 11:12 AM

Cloth Diapering Challenge: I Accept

Natali Del Conte

/ CBS

By Natali Del Conte-Morris

Cloth diapering community, consider yourselves heard. I have contemplated your (emphatic) comments on our Eye On Parenting diapering segment and on my own personal blog and I accept your challenge to give cloth diapering a try.

Special Section: Eye on Parenting

I will try cloth diapers for a month and blog about it both here and on my own mommy blog, Mommy (beta). But I have terms.

First off, you must help me! I considered cloth diapering before my son was born and to be honest, I was overwhelmed with the concept. I read my friend Nathalee's experience of cloth diapering and watched the instructional video and thought, "One more thing to learn before baby comes!" Now that I have learned that I can do this mothering thing and can do it well, I think I can handle a new challenge. I thought about your comments all night last night and woke up thinking, "Well, why wouldn't I give it a try? I'm not so set in my ways and these people are passionate!" It definitely helps that so many of you are willing to suggest the products that will make this a success! Please suggest the tools that I should start with in the comments below.

Second condition, you must not attack me personally if I am having a hard time with this. We must agree to be nice to one another! And for goodness sakes, leave my parenting ability out of this. Too far below the belt. We are all trying to do what is best for our babies and our families so lets just keep this about the poop, OK?

Also, please do not attack Dr. Alanna Levine about her participation in the segment. We were trying to take a cursory look at the pros and cons of each diapering method and she spoke as a medical expert. We were not trying to promote one or the other method. Please respect her medical opinion for what it was -- based on the most current research in the medical community - not in the diapering community.

Next, I reserve the right to let my husband and my nanny use the disposable diapers if they don't think that they can handle the cloth. I'll try to show them the ropes but this is my experiment, not theirs.

And finally, I cannot promise that we will be able to shoot a follow-up video, but I will try. I don't have control of our production resources, but if we do follow up this video, we will feature my own experiences and some of the modern tools that you CDers (cloth diaperers) use.

If we can all agree to play by those rules, I accept your challenge to try out CDing. Consider me a Crash Test Mommy. Your comments are welcomed below.

Natali Morris On Twitter »
Natali Morris is the host of Loaded on CNET TV and other CNET podcasts. She also contributes technology reports for CBS News.

363 Comments Add a Comment

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jamien1234 says:: I think it is awesome that you are going to give cloth diapers a try! You might get hooked & never look back at disposables. From experience I would tell you to try a few different kinds of diapers & get a feel for what you like. You can learn ALL KINDS of helpful advice from mamas on the Diaper Pin online forum. They have helped me so much. Use a natural detergent, they usually work best for cloth, and don't give up! I don't know if you were going to try cloth at night or not, but I have found from experience a good fitted with a fleece liner under a wool soaker or wool pants works best for night time! Pockets or AIOs are best for out & about, but I have found at home that I'm loving good old fashioned flats, and prefolds. They have the least amount of laundry issues and last forever. I also have found that I love GMD Work Horse diapers if you want a cheap fitted...they ROCK.; reply

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Arikan0011 says:: You said Dr. Alanna Levine's views were based on the most current research in the medical community. Well she should look again:
Scientist at the University of Kiel in Germany conducted a study on the negative effects of disposal nappy (diaper) in 2000. They found that the plastic lining of disposal nappy increased the scrotal temperature of baby boys by 1 ?C, or more if they had a fever.
This would have negative effects on testicular maturation and the formation of sperms in adulthood, leading to male infertility. High scrotal temperature may also facilitate the development of testicular cancer.
Contain chemicals that may trigger asthma A research was conducted in 1999 on the effects of chemical emissions of new disposable nappy taken right out of the package on laboratory mice. Scientists found that the mice suffered an increase in eye, nose and throat irritation, including broncho-constriction similar to that of an asthma attack.
Even in a mid-sized room, the gas emissions from one disposable nappy were high enough to produce asthma-like symptoms. It is highly advisable for asthmatic mothers and babies to avoid exposure to such emissions.
http://www.mandymac.com.au/rwh.php?PHPSESSID=7619bc19caa11797cb4cb741d98ddd72
Royal Women's Hospital - Disposable vs. Cloth nappies - making an informed decision

And there are so many more, :(((; reply

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granolajoe says:: My wife and I just opened a cloth diapering store, www.littlebuns.com, to help teach about the benefits of ORGANIC cotton and bamboo, viable alternatives to traditional disposables. Re-usable just makes more sense, 1. For Baby 2. Economically 3. The Environment. BPA plastic is also known to cause cancer, so stainless steel and glass baby bottles is a reasonable choice.; reply

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diaperfairy says:: I just saw all of this hullabaloo. It was a poorly done segment regardless of what the intent was. The expert didn't have a diaper cover, she mentioned pins....no one uses pins anymore and then she loved showing how easy it was to use that disposable diaper. And as far as environment and health concerns....how can any doctor not bring up the sodium polyacrylate which is the primary absorbency ingredient in a disposable diaper? It holds 200-300 times its weight in tap water. I was just amazed at what viewers were shown in this segment.

I own a cotton diaper service. So even if you are a little bothered by soiled diapers, there are many services out there in the USA. We are an excellent resource for any prospective parents to consult. You can try cloth diapering without any drama when the baby is first born and when you get to a more settled place after the baby has been born, many families move on to washing their own. It would have been better to have a disposable diaper fan and a cloth diaper fan on the segment. This was really a disappointment. And I am so sorry to add the pediatrician to the complaint, but she didn't demonstrate real cloth diapering and there are so many resources that could have helped you organize a more informative segment if you had just taken the time to investigate. I have been in business 20 years.

Just so we are clear, you need to try a service if possible. They rely on prefold systems. Home washers can be found using many types of products. Many of the specialty products, like all-in-ones, pocket diapers, wool and hemp material add to the cost but all parents need to find what they like, what they can afford, and how it blends in with their lifestyles. Bottom line environmentally: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Health wise, children in cloth are changed more frequently usually and they learn that a clean body is important. Disposable diaper users will let the wet diaper stay on longer. The smelly diaper gets changed quicker because of it being a sensory experience. Leaving a wet disposable diaper on leaves a child exposed to bacteria, rash, and yeast infections.
I can't imagine with all the feedback you have gotten over this and all the logical rational as to why cloth is better, that any parent would choose disposables just because it involves a little more handling....and if you use a service....the service does the wash. You can find services for the USA at www.realdiaperassociation.org. We do an introductory lesson and demonstration with a baby doll. We want success and making the call puts you halfway there.; reply

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annabelle32 says:: I am also getting ready to switch to cloth diapers for my son, who is now 10 months old. When we first looked at them, several months ago, I felt that the expense and hassle would be too great; I was also so overwhelmed by the types and varieties of cloth diapers available that I didn't know where to begin. Then, more and more of my friends (some first time mothers) began using (or it became apparent that they were already using) cloth diapers. I was intrigued...did they really like them? were they cheaper? One mom I talked to said her son had had less incidents with diaper rash and thrush (which can be found in the diaper area in some babies) since they had switched. Another mom really liked the long-term savings (yeah, they may seem expensive at first, but she won't have to buy diapers again, now that her stash is filled out...that means EVER, if she has another baby, she's already prepared...she might have to buy a few liners or soakers here or there, but that's not a really huge expense).

The most popular brand with my friends seems to be the gPants, and that is one brand we are going to be using. I've bought my first ones and am really impressed with the ease of cleaning and changing, tho we haven't started using them on a regular basis yet. They are considered to be a "hybrid" diaper, like the bumgenius flips, and they have hook and loop closures (or velcro) just like disposables. The MOST IMPORTANT recommendation when washing these that I've come across is to make sure you close the velcro the preserve it when washing, otherwise it will catch on other diapers and wear out quickly. I'm very excited to start CDing, and my husband is even on-board!

I'm also getting some Blueberries (a little heavier for overnight use) and a few generic one-size pocket diapers I picked up on e-bay to help "fill-in" when it's laundry day or we "need a spare."

I'm very excited to start CDing and am thrilled my husband is on-board and willing to give it a try. I've even (almost) got him convinced to use re-usable cloth wipes!; reply

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believer04 says:: That's really exciting that you're going to try cloth diapers! My husband and I have cloth diapered our son, now 1 1/2 since day one and we love it! We've tried both bum genius diapers, which are microfiber and which have a pocket for an insert, and prefolds with covers. We like the prefolds better, because they are cotton and they breathe better and don't contribute to diaper rash. Here's a link to my favorite cloth diapering website:
http://greenmountaindiapers.com/newmom.htm

I can't wait to hear how you like it - cloth is great for your baby, your budget, and the environment :); reply

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tdllm says:: I happy to hear that you are at least willing to try! We are on our second child and both have been cloth diapered and we have no regrets. Our daycare center has no problem using cloth diapers on our kids either - and if they can do it, I am sure you can too!!

I understand that at first, there is so much information out there that it can be overwhelming but I hope you find something that works for you. And if not, then at least you tried. And like other things in parenting, we don't have to be perfect. We still use disposable diapers for trips. And some moms use disposable diapers at night. I figure every disposable diaper you do use is one less sposie that ends up in a landfill so if you end up doing it part-time, it is better than not at all.; reply

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Phaenarete says:: One more recommendation -- rarely to you hear cloth diaper pail solutions outside of wet bags, which I find good for travel, but awkward at home. Since the diapers take up so much more space, we bought a cheap step-lid trash can (you can line with either a plastic trash bag, or a reusable, waterproof cloth bag that you throw in with the diapers ? Planet Wise makes a good one). You can even stick a deodorizer inside the lid just like a regular diaper pail. No fuss in between laundry days, and no smell; and when you?re done with diapers, you have a usable trash can.

BTW another good brand, Flip diapers come in Velcro now (brand new) ? not quite as easy peazy as the bumGenius all-in-ones, but cheaper price and you don?t have to buy as many covers as inserts ? you can just change the insert and use the same cover if there?s only a bit of wee. We tried them, and it's easier than it sounds. Good luck!; reply

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Rushie8 says:: Hi,
There is a lot of different cloth diapers out there and I had to try several kinds to find what I liked but the easiest diapers I found were the all in ones but the biggest thing is don't waste your money on velcro diapers, non of them hold up and last to the end of diapering your child. Snaps are the best and make it harder for the older child to take off themselves too. Also get a diaper sprayer, don't try to be a die hard without one, it will make cloth diapering that much easier to do, trust me! :) Once you get the hang of it its pretty easy, but I like another mom I saw post on here use dispoables at night because my son is a heavy wetter and nothing seems to work for him. :)

Good luck!!; reply

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bumritediapers says:: Disclosure (again): I own a cloth diaper store www.bumritediapers.com. I really hope that you don't get confused by all of these suggestions and simply go with something EASY. I suggest either an All In One (AIO) as they are SIMPLE and much like a disposable. GroVia AIO or bumGenius Elemental (both organic cotton) or the bumGenius 4.0 pocket diaper - which might be better for you since they dry faster than cotton.

AIO: http://www.bumritediapers.com/All_In_One_and_All_In_Two_Diapers_s/29.htm
Pocket: http://www.bumritediapers.com/Pocket_Diapers_s/2.htm

Please just make it simple! And get either a diaper sprayer or BioLiners to make "solid" clean up easier.

http://www.bumritediapers.com/bumGenius_Diaper_Sprayer_s/55.htm

Angela Powell
Chief Bum
www.bumritediapers.com
(707) 812-1286; reply