Cloth Diapers or Disposable? Why Not Both?
It Doesn't Have to Be All or Nothing
During the day when I'm home, I use cloth diapers. When I'm out and about, I use disposables. They take up less space in the diaper bag, though there are compact cloth diapers out there. I don't have to carry dirty diapers with me all day, taking up space in the diaper bag and stinking it up. You can, however, bring a plastic bag for your soiled cloth diapers. I like to be able to just throw my dirty diapers away when I'm in public.
The several kinds of cloth diapers I've tried spring leaks more often than disposables. This is another reason why I don't like to use cloth diapers when I'm not home, because I don't like dealing with leaks in public. Changing diapering systems or using doublers may prevent leaks, but that hasn't worked for us. My sons still can soak right through their cloth diapers, especially at night, which is why I use disposables at night. Leaks can interfere with restful sleep, because no one likes being wet while dreaming.
It is a given that you are going to have more laundry when you use cloth diapers. With only one child in diapers, it only means one extra load a week, but it can add up when you have two or more children in diapers. Laundry piles up quickly when you have two or more kids, even if you aren't using cloth diapers. If your cloth diapers are prone to leakage, you'll go through clothes and sheets faster, too. Using disposables at night and when out of the home cut down on laundry just a bit. When I'm out of cloth diapers, but have no time for laundry, I use disposable diapers until the cloth diapers are washed.
There are many cloth diapering systems out there. It can take time, though, to find the one that is perfect for your child and fits so snug that leakage almost never occurs. Cloth diapers also mean more laundry, which is more than inconvenient for someone with two or more in diapers or a big family. That is especially true for parents who haven't found the right diapering system and are still dealing with leaks. Using disposable diapers at times when leaks are most inconvenient or when you have no time for laundry can help with these problems. It doesn't have to be all or nothing.
Published by Heather B.
I'm young single mother of two boys, a liberal Democrat, and a born again Pagan witch for nearly 14 years. I write about natural family living, pregnancy, homebirth, attachment parenting, and religion or pol... View profile
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10 Comments
Post a CommentI have found that with disposable (though nothing really is - because it isn't getting disposed of in reality, that diaper will be with us for many years) I got more blow-outs than with my cloth diapers. I use cloth diapers exclusively now except on vacation. I do this to be a role model for my daughter, to live out my values and to save money$$$. As far as the laundry is concerned, I do an extra load every 3 days. I hang them on a dry rack over night and the next day we have fresh diapers. It is so easy. And frankly, when I did use throw-away diapers when my daughter was first born, I felt horrific when every three days I was lugging that trashbag of plastic and pee to the curb. It just didn't make sense.
Please test wipies before using them on your baby. I'm an adult male, but I tend to use them when I'm sick and have the runs - less hassle and more cleaning power. A local store brand (Walgreens) really burned my bum. If it burned my bum, how bad must it be for some anonymous tyke somewhere?
I did this back in 1979 and 1981 with my two boys. I actually had a diaper service, but I used the disposables when we went out with them. Seemed very logical to me!
So glad I looked at this -- what a great pic! I do the same thing you do, except she overnights in disposables. Not a hint of diaper rash yet.
When my brothers and sisters were little, Mom used cloth diapers when we were home, but when we went to visit anyone for a few days, she brought disposables with. As far as the leakage, you might have to look, but sometimes you can find rubber pants. These are essentially plastic underpants that go over a cloth diaper. Mom used these when we were little. They might be hard to find now, though, because I'm not even sure if they're manufactured anymore-you might need to check out a thrift shop or something. Of course, if you buy them second-hand, you'll want to wash them really well before you use them.
Your boys are darling.
great info for parents
This is a good way to strike a balance, or at least ease into cloth diaper use. We are coming to the end of our diaper journey - yay!
Heather, look at those healthy, happy little guys. Kudos.
Good article. With my 3rd on the way, this is the first time that I am earnestly venturing into cloth diapers. I have already decided that I will use disposables when we go out and most likely at night, at least until I get the hang of it.