CBS News/ November 23, 2010, 1:25 PM

Cloth Diaper Challenge Update

Charlie Banana diapers are one of my favorites!

/ Charlie Banana

My son's nanny was in Brazil when we started our cloth diaper challenge. When she came back, I gave her a cursory review, but I guess I was a little rushed because I received this email from her later that day:

"I'm pretty sure I messed it up with the cloth diapers yesterday, sorry. I didn't know anything about it and when I got home I Googled the topic and realized that I only put the cover of the diaper on [the baby]. I'm so so sorry... Could you please teach me how to do it right?"

The poor thing! She actually had not messed it up. I pre-stuffed the pocket diapers so that they were ready to go on demand. However, her email speaks to how intimidating cloth diapering can be out of the gate.

About a week and a half into our challenge, we seem to be going strong. I feel great about fewer chemicals on my baby's bottom, plus we are saving the environment and some cash. I'm still having a little trouble getting into the cleaning routine, but I'll save those details for another time. It's lunchtime and I'm not in the mood to talk poop.

We are using FuzziBunz, Rumparooz, RagaBabe, Charlie Banana, Evolution Diapers, SoftBums, and Bootyful Babys. These are all pocket diapers but we are also trying a few gDiapers with disposable inserts.

In my day job, I review gadgets. You would think that I could apply my product review experience to diapering. but I just can't bring myself to give a bad review to a product that was designed by a work-at-home mom (or WAHM, as the lingo goes). These women stitched and sewed together these products out of love for their children. How can I say disparaging things about something like that!?

I will say that some work better than others, some are easier than others, and some are just so darn cute! I really like SoftBums for evening because of the extra protection, and I LOVE Charlie Bananas because you remove the pocket insert from the front instead of the back. This means you're much less likely to get poopy hands removing the padding. (I guess I can't avoid talking about poop.)

I also really like Rumparooz and FuzziBunz because they are less bulky and have great designs.

I'm on the fence about the semi-disposables. I somehow feel like maybe that is cheating? My husband saw the gDiapers and said, "Doesn't that defeat the purpose?" Also, when they say flushable, I'm not sure they have New York City plumbing in mind. The flushables absorb a lot of water and get huge. I'm not sure my toilet can handle that so I ended up throwing them in the Diaper Genie. But you can stuff gDiapers with non-disposable inserts so that certainly isn't sacrilege.

I guess my question to the CD community is this: Is there a heirarchy of cloth diapering that I should be aware of? For instance, are you less of a true CDer if you use disposable inserts and disposable wipes? Are there snooty purists who look down their noses at anyone who doesn't use all reusable material? And if that is the case, do those people shun toilet paper on their own backsides? Just wondering.

Note: This post was originally posted on my personal mommy blog, MommyBeta.

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.

23 Comments Add a Comment

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bam281 says:: I love that you took the inititave to try cloth. We use cloth most of the time, but use sposies at night since our son was getting really red from cloth (he pees Alot at night) we also use sposi wipes as my hubby doesn't like the idea of all that poo going into the washer.; reply

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craftymommajess says:: Yes...there are cloth "snobs"...LOL!! I really have found cloth to contain messes much better than sposies. That being said, we do use disposables occasionally. Were you having any "blowouts" before you started using cloth?; reply

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kvbrian says:: I have no idea if there is a hierarchy or not honestly.... I have quite a few friends that cloth diaper and each of us do it different. Some do it full time, part time, only use disposable wipes, ect... and none of us judge each other or our choices at all...

I've used disposable inserts that I got for free once when my daughter had diarrhea... honestly they were ok.. I mean you can look at it in two ways.... 1 there are less chemicals in disposable inserts, and there's less waste going into the landfills.. 2 it's not really cost effective to use them full time, and I found just using disposable diapers to be easier than disposable inserts.... So now that the pack of inserts are gone I just don't even bother with them and stick full time to cloth.

Personally I started off using disposable wipes, but it actually became very annoying to have to throw away a disposable wipe with poop all in it, rather than just roll it into the diaper like I did with disposables(I used disposables with my first baby) Now that I use cloth wipes I can still just roll up the wipes into the dirty diaper, no worrying about how I'm going to dispose of it, and it doesn't really add to the amount of laundry you do at all. (I keep a spray bottle by the diapers full of water to moisten the wipes before use, and just premoisten them if I'm going out)

Oh, and to answer your last question, yes there are people who use reusable toilet paper... it's called "Family Cloth" I follow a blog of a women who uses it, she does a yearly challenge to all her followers to do it for a month.... I haven't taken her up on the challenge myself though, lol.; reply

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GreenDiaperDemos says:: Hey there Natali, just wondering how things were going and if you had another update for us!!! :) I know there are many here that are rooting (sp?) you on and can't wait to here how it is going and also how your husband is liking them.; reply

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corrylinn says:: I know there is a hierarchy, but wish that there weren't. I actually operate a cloth diaper service and know that hardcore CDing families are a turn-off to those who choose not to. Many who choose not to even do so because they want a simple choice that isn't going to classify them as granola-crunchy. I know that by many people's standards, I am granola-crunchy. We exclusively cloth diaper with cotton and hemp. I even use mama cloth (much less intimidating than it sounds). However, my son is 26 months and we started using cloth wipes only 2 months ago. LOL! So, while most people consider me hardcore, I resort to disposable inserts (when I've neglected the personal laundry) and have a secret stash of disposable wipes. I will state that my son did develop a condition "down there" that disappeared shortly after switching to cotton, hemp, and cloth wipes with homemade solution.

I'm ecstatic that you are staying open-minded. The first few weeks of motherhood are an adjustment. The first few weeks of cloth diapering can be just as great of a challenge. But you can do it and I'm proud of you for trying!

www.cleangreennappy.com
www.facebook.com/cleangreennappy; reply

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k8park says:: Once I read about the toxins in today's disposable diapers I decided there was no way I was going to put them on my baby, and I haven't. We mostly use Bumgenius at home, and they go on identical to disposables. They need to be washed and stuffed, but it doesn't take much time and I can do that while I'm chatting or watching TV. We use gDiapers for when we are out of the house or travelling because they are much more compact. I use them with hemp cloth inserts and have never had a leak. I've also used the gRefills (disposables) when we went to Vegas for a week since I didn't have a washer/drier and didn't want to hunt down a laundramat while vacationing. They don't have the same nasty toxins that regular disposables do. I flush the disposables (you need to rip them in half and shake out the insides or they may clog the toilet). I have never had a clogged toilet. The pee only g disposables can also be composted. I am happy to say we haven't contributed to the landfills in the 7 months since my daughter was born. :)

Babies come in all shapes and sizes, so you have to experiment to see what diapering system works for you. Fortunately there are endless options and a wide range of prices depending on how importance convenience is to you.

I have never heard anyone say they regret cloth diapering, only that they wish they had tried it sooner!; reply

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scwilder says:: I use throw wipes, Earth's best (THE most moist and softest wipes I think) which is Chlorine Free, and feel very fine with it. I wipe, or we all wipe, with paper too. The paper's recycled. A bit rougher than what we used before we went greener but hey, if I save a few trees here and there then why not. I have some gDiapers too. I use the cloth inserts and I've used the hybrid ones for short trips. But, after trying the GroVia I think I like it better than the G. Cost wise it's cheaper I think in the long run because the GroVia goes from baby to toddler while the G comes in sizes. Also it's less bulky, esp. the newer GroVia model. I do think that the CD are way more cuter than the regular diapers. Plus it's got a more solid feel. There's no hanging soggy looking diaper look when my kid's running around in her underwear.; reply

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hellonurse182 says:: I've never really understood the flushable liners and using disposable wipes, it doesn't seem to "go" with CD'ing in my brain! :) BUT it's still better than using sposies all the time in my opinion. Whatever makes it easier, I hear gDiapers and Flips with flushable liners are a big hit for traveling. I always use my FuzziBunz no matter where I am/what I'm doing.

Good on you, Natali and Clayton, keep up the good work!; reply

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Whitestrunningshoes says:: I don't think you are any less of a CDer if you use disposable wipes, etc. But I quickly learned that it is actually more convenient to use washable wipes - I don't have to dispose of them separately from the diapers, I just roll the wipe up in the diaper and put the whole thing in the pail. I made wipes out of old receiving blankets and they are super soft! A wet/dry bag is more convenient because you just throw it in the wash with the diapers, and is cuter than a plastic bag :)

And gdiapers are one of the most biodegradable things being produced right now, so it's still much better than throwing away a disposable. FYI - those covers seem to have a steeper learning curve than others (though their customer service is super personal and helpful), but the inserts do work well with other covers.; reply

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jenniem84 says:

Family Cloth

For those interested but not yet ready to fully take the plunge: I use family cloth (I cut up squares of bamboo/cotton fleece) but only for #1. Put it in a pail next to the toilet (with a lid, but NOT tight fitting) and there is absolutely NO smell. I sometimes forget I have it, so it may be a month before I wash the pail (I put it in with all our towels, regular soap, etc) and there's never been any smell or any liquid in the bottom of the pail.

Easy!

Admittedly, I don't yet want to deal with #2 family cloth... but I may change my mind after cloth diapering (currently expecting baby #1!).


jenniem84 replies:: linkicon reporticon emailicon; Oh, and it's also very useful as reusable makeup wipes! I cut smaller squares for this so there's no confusion as to which ones are to be used on which part of my body!