GDiapers: Worth the Buzz?

With my first son, we began using cloth diapers at six months of age. We experimented with many different kinds such as prefolds, all-in-one's and home-made diapers found on the internet until we found what worked best for us. I gave birth to my second son three months ago and had researched gDiapers a bit. I decided to give them a try just a week ago and I tell you...this is the fit for us. gDiapers consist of an outer diaper made of cotton, and an inner washable plastic-like liner that easily snaps into this outer diaper. Then you place a flushable diaper refill into this plastic liner and you're good to go. The diaper refills may be flushed, thrown away, or composted. If thrown away they break down in 50 to 150 days as opposed to disposible diapers which take an immense amount of time...something like 500 years!

The first day of our gDiaper trial consisted of using the diaper refills. I found it extremely easy to place them inside the diaper liner and the diaper itself was placed on my son just as a disposible diaper would be, so it was quite simple. The diapers fit him well and they were much less bulky than the cloth diapers we were used to using. When a diaper was in need of being changed, I would simply take out the diaper refill, toss it in the garbage, place another refill in the same outer diaper I had been using, and we were off. And get this...I had been using disposible diapers with my son and with each bowel movement, I would have to change shirts, pants and even socks. In the week that we've been using gDiapers, not once have I had to change an outfit. The diapers have contained the mess so well! Often with a bowel movement, it would leak off of the diaper refill and spill onto the plastic-like liner, in which case I would simply snap the liner off and attatch a new one to the diaper. The liners tend to stain easily, but I figure nobody will really be seeing the the inside of the diaper. Just as long as the cute outer shell stays clean, I'm a happy Mom :)

The disposible/flushable diaper refills can be a bit expensive, so in order to save a bit on cash, I reverted to using prefolds inside the diaper liner to see if that would work at all, and low-and-behold, it did. In just a couple days we found what worked for us: When at home, we use the prefolds inside the gDiapers, and when out and about, we use the refills. Now when I'm out with my two children, I don't have to worry about packaging up dirty cloth diapers to take them home and throw in the washing machine. I can simply toss the refill.

My advice would be to begin with a starter kit. They consist of two outer diapers in the colors Great Orange and Genuine Vanilla Bean as well as 10 refills. There is also a swish stick that you use to break apart the refills in the toilet before you flush them down, and a small booklet to show you how to get going. I found that it was less expensive to buy two starter kits for my son, and between these four diapers, I find I always have a diaper on hand. When using cloth diapers with my first son, i was in need of about 15 with the way he was wetting as I'd have to wash them after each use (I used mostly all-in-one's).

As a good mix of coth and disposible, I'm sold. We'll be using gDiapers with my son until he's potty trained, that's for sure.

For more information on the gDiaper system, visit www.gdiapers.com. There you will find the how-to's, and you can browse their section of diapers. Starter kits tend to cost around $27 and single diapers cost around $17. Refill packages go for around $14.50 for 32 medium/large refills, or 40 small refills. You can also buy in bulk to save yourself a bit of money. Check out any local organic baby stores in your area, too, as they just might carry a selection of gDiapers as well.