What's the best alternative to plastic diapers other than cloth? My sister is about to have the first baby of the family and unlike some of us, she's not very earth friendly. She's not interested in using cloth despite it being so positive in my mind. I'm looking for other alternatives to help direct her to. Please help!
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Cloth diapers--we've tried A LOT of brands
I have never used gDiapers but my friend was using them until I introduced her to bumGenius. She has not switched to bumGenius because she thinks they are easier to use and less prone to leak. Yes, you have to wash bumGenius after every use, but they are perfect for bedtime/trips to the store. At home we use Flip diapers because they are diaper cover that can just be refilled as long as the cover isn't dirty. We also use blueberry bottoms with are essentially the same thing but the inserts are not as easy to get in because they are prefolds (meaning they are a big square of fabric you have to fold up to put in the diaper where the flip diapers are just long thick inserts). We also have a couple fuzzibunz but they have tended to leak more than any of the other diapers. Over all, bumGenius 4.0 ((WITH SNAPS!!)) have been our favorite diapers and have cause the least irritation to his legs. Flips are our second favorite because of their ease to use. We only use disposable diapers when he goes to daycare/grandma's. We LOVE bumGenius and Flips!!
Tried the gDiaper...love Seventh Generation
I also use Seventh Generation Diapers on my 7 week old daughter. Before I ever became pregnant I fell in love with gDiapers after researching baby products on the internet, (For those of you who don't know, gDiapers are cloth diapers with a plastic liner and disposable insert.) because of there all natural, biodegradable features as well as them being hypoallergenic. I stocked up and used them for the first couple of weeks, interchanging them with bumgenius diapers. (hybrid diaper..pretty much an easy to use cloth diaper.) I felt immediately overwhelmed by the daily washing of the bumgenius diaper, so I x'd those out (at least until I get used to this mommy thing.) And I realized how terrible the gDiaper irritated my baby's legs and tummy. They left bright red rings around both areas from the tightness...and if I made them any looser, then the velcro would rub against her tummy.
So, before I knew what hit me I had used up the disposable pack of Pampers I was given at the hospital. No! That was not my plan at all! My baby didn't need that chorine on her sensitive parts...and I didn't even want to think about what I was doing to the environment...but I thought it was worth it for the time being. I was distraught on what to do.
Then, my mom came to visit and brought me a pack of Seventh Generation diapers she had purchased and I gave them a try and was immediately hooked! I have to say that I did try the Natures Best diapers as well...and I couldn't tell a difference one way or the other...except the fact that the Nature's Best were more a little more expensive and you could see the poopy color through the white diaper...so, why would I continue to buy those?
...Just a little insider info if you don't already know...The cheapest place I have found so far to purchase them is www.diapers.com ...they always do free 2-day shipping if you spend $49 or more and most states are tax free. Also, if you use the code: ESPI0462 and then you'll save $10 off your first diaper order of $49! Pretty sweet, huh?
G Diaper fans, too!
We used gDiapers exclusively for our son who is almost two, and are prepared to take some Tiny Gs any day to the hospital for our second....
Pocket diapers just take too long to dry, and I did not like fussing with the whole pocket thing, especially with a poopy diaper. As plastic go, the 7thGen are as close to natural as you can get, but are still plastic landfill fillers.
7th Gen Dipes Not Biodegradable???
I'm shocked. Truly, I am.
I use 100% cloth EXCEPT when we go out and about. Then I use Gdiapers, which I love. Unfortunately, Gdipes are pricey. My favorite cloth dipes have been the Bumgenious AIOs. I'm surprised no one has mentioned them yet.
Using Paper Towels to Line Cloth Diapers
I would not recommend using paper towels to line cloth diapers. Paper towels would be too rough on a baby's skin to be used in this manner. I can't imagine what sort of rash would ensue. Plus, I really doubt they could stand up to baby moving around and relieving him/herself. There are so many cloth and disposible liners out there on the market that it really isn't necessary. You can keep the baby comfortable and have less mess if you use a disposable liner and a cloth diaper. You have the convenience of the liner and you still aren't filling the landfills with entire diapers.
Less Mess: Lining Cloth Diapers with Biodegradable Paper Towels
I like the white Bummis Super Whisper Wraps Diaper Covers you can get on Amazon. You buy Chinese Tri-fold Cloth Diapers and fold them to fit inside the diaper. I guess if you have a durable paper towel you could place it on top of the folded cloth and throw away the soiled mess when you change baby. Its less waste than traditional disposables and less mess than cloth alone. I don't have child yet, but I am interested if someone has tried this and also whether or not the Seventh Generation paper towels hold up for this purpose.
Switching from G's to cloth is really simply... try...
gDiapers are great for going out however, once you realize the little extra to use them is no different than using cloth, you'll probably switch to cloth. I use cloth at home in the mornings and I use the disposable liners when I am out for the day doing things. I now get the best of all worlds. I am a cloth user at home, a hybrid user in public and the rest of the family uses Seventh Generation diapers. I can't seem to get anyone else in the family to change to cloth or gDiapers (ie MIL, husband, and some others) but, I figure at least I am putting only 2 or 3 disposables a day in the landfill instead of all of them going in there. I figured the number full time disp would be 10 a day, 70 a week, 280 a month,3360 a year instead I am putting 3 a day, 15 a week (I use cloth on weekends totally),60 a month, 720 a year. Small changes really do make a huge impact if you figure out the numbers, by switching to cloth at home, I am putting less non-biodeg diapers in the land fill in one month than I would have put there in 1 week, AMAZING!
I researched for days about
I researched for days about the same topic (Baby due in July).
I recommend G diapers and Bambino-mio (Hybrid cloth and diaper).
Diapers
I love gdiapers and Seventh generation, and Fuzzi Bunz (cloth with snaps) I used regular diapers on our son and he always had a rash so I switched to cloth and it cleared up. You have the big cost up front with cloth or g diapers and you never have to worry about running out of diapers and having to go at 2am to get others. Do you ever add up what you end up spending on disposable over a period of time, in the long run you actually save money and they are so easy to wash, or with g diapers you can do the flushable inserts or cloth inserts and the outside cloth gets washed with all the regular clothes. We now use Seventh Generation pull ups for night time and love them it is hard to find them in our town so I have to go out of town for them.
Earth's Best diapers
Earth's Best diapers do not use any plastics in their diapers. They are more convenient than cloth or gDiapers (which we used to use) and they are great. They are incredibly absorbent (using corn, wheat and a gel made from salt) and are virtually chemical-free. They are more biodegradable than other diapers on the market. We've been using them for about a month now and are very happy. They fit our daughter much better than the Seventh Generation ones did. She's a chubby girl and we were moving up a size about every month.
I second the cloth
There are lots of resources out there for cloth diapers! I would highly reccommend trying it out. Right now I am using prefolds w/ a snappi and wool covers. When I am out and about I used bummis covers w/ a prefold with a hemp doubler.
Google the Diaper Pin. That is a good place to start. or Cottonbabies or Jillian's Drawers
If you're looking for a
If you're looking for a good biodegradable disposable diaper, I can highly recommend Nature Babycare diapers.
Used these on both my boys (luckily the eldest is now potty trained - yeah!) and never had any leaks or rashes. Tried Seventh Generation, but stopped when I realised they use the same materials as Pampers and Huggies which don't breakdown. I'm in Canada and so order from www.ecobotts.ca but I think www.diapers.com do them in the U.S.
mollysmommy - which cloth inserts do you find work best with gDiapers?
Try the cloth....seriously
Cloth is great! I used disposables for my first child, but I was always curious about cloth. I finally broke down and ordered some for my daughter when she was about two months old. So far I have loved them! They make so many different types now. Most of them are designed to go on like a disposable diaper. Some of them have pockets with liners that come out; others are made with everything sewn in (all-in-ones). There's no pre-rinseing or soaking. Just put then in the machine, run a rinse, then wash. I wash every 2-3 days. To me, it's more sanitary than having a diaper pail with dirty diapers sitting in the nursery for 4-5 days or more. Go online, do the research, and try it. There are so many great options out there, and the designs are so cute! I'm just looking for a good biodegradeable disposable diaper for an upcoming camping trip....
BIG G diaper fans here!!
We love the g's. We use cloth inserts except when out and about and need the convenience of disposable. I've tried pockets with no luck, but the g's-- well, I love them. They don't have enough prints but hopefully that'll come with time!!
Why Use G Diapers When There Are Pocket Diapers?
I use pocket diapers during the day and Seventh Generation at night for my baby. For my older boy I use Seventh Generation training pants (YAY for the training pants!).
G diapers are so stiff and seem uncomfortable. If you like G diapers and have never tried pocket diapers, you must! My favorites are Swaddlebees and Blueberrys; soft, absorbent, convenient and really cute.
I Have Also Used Both Seventh Generation and G Diapers
I have also used both. The gdiapers are great, but my husband is not completely on board with them, he loves the 7gens though. I send the 7gen to my sitter's with the baby and keep them on hand at home for hubby. I love the look of the g's also, my son is so cute in the little g pants. Ultimately you need to find what works best for you, trial and error.
Diapers
I have not tried gdiapers or seventh generation diapers. I happened to find nature baby first. They have a whole line of products from diapers to baby wipes and baby lotions,soaps, diaper cream etc.
I did some comparison and decided to stick w/ nature baby because gdiapers were a bit pricey and i figured the babysitter would not like changing my daughter if she had to go through that process.I quickly eliminated seventh generation because they are not biodegradable. The fantastic thing about nature baby is they are natural, no chemicals used and are biodegradable! you can find them at diapers.com. The super Target near me use to sell them as well but I went to buy them the other day and could not find them. I don't know if other stores still carry them.
Also, Wal mart sells a nice baby wipe that is made from organic cotton and is 100% biodegradable. It's from Parents choice. It's a nice wipe at a great price. And as always california baby and burts bees use natural products that are safe on the environment. If anyone is looking for baby bath products.
G Diapers
I highly recommend the g diapers. We use them 100% at home. We recently purchased the Seventh Generation diapers to use when we travel. I consider the g diapers a hybrid between cloth and disposable. If you are unsure if they will work for you, then just order one starter pack. The starter pack includes 2 diapers, liners, flushables, and the flush stick. Instead of purchasing the g diapers individually for $16.95, we purchase the starter packs because you get two of the cloth diapers and all the extras for $25 (less than the price of 2 g diapers alone).
Also, our pediatrician went crazy when she saw the g diapers. She showed them to her staff and everyone asked about them! So, locally, we are setting the trend :o)
I Have Used Both Seventh Generation and G Diapers
I have used both the Seventh Generation and G diapers. I use the G diapers on a regular basis. We still use disposables at night. I love that I can flush the liner (especially the poopy ones) and not have to put them in the trash. I plan on getting a composter this summer and composting the wet G diapers!
The G diapers take more of an effort but its well worth it!
I've Been Pleased with Seventh Generation Diapers
I've been pleased with Seventh Generation diapers. They are soft and absorbent, and I've had few leaks (which I think are unavoidable no matter what diaper you use!) However, I still don't like the fact that I'm throwing a diaper in the landfill that will take hundreds and hundreds of years to decompose.
As a result, I highly recommend the G Diaper (www.gdiaper.com) as the perfect compromise for someone who doesn't want to mess with cloth diapers but wants to be more environmentally friendly than using disposable diapers. The G Diaper is a reusable, soft cloth diaper that has a flushable liner that biodegrades in 60 days.
There is a bit of up-front cost to purchasing G Diapers (they recommend having 6 on hand, which each cost $16.95), but afterward the organic cotton liners cost approximately the same as a regular or 7th generation diaper. It is best to flush them down the toilet, but if necessary (especially if you're in a public restroom), you can also just throw out the liner into a trashcan and they will still decompose much, much faster than a regular disposable diaper.
The G Diapers are easy to use after the first few tries and are much better for the environment!
Diapers
There are alot of options out there. I would use either the seventh genereation diapers which I prefer and am currently using on my two little ones. There is also a diaper called the G diaper. It is a cloth outer shell with a flushable liner. That would also be nice to use im sure there is just more cost up front with buying the cloth shells. They are made out of organic cotton though iI think. You can find them at gaiam.com. The seventh generation diapers are the only ones that I have found that keeps my little ones bottoms clear of any type of rash. With regular diapers they both had little red rashes all of the time no matter how often I changed them and with Seventh generation it is all cleared up so that is what I would reccomed.