|
|
A Cloth Diapering Pros and Cons List:
Systems, Covers, Diapers, Inserts, Soakers, Fabrics and Miscellaneous Items
by
Compiled and Edited from the "Diaper Talk" forum by Rebecca Cronin.
Diaper Talk Forums
The pros and cons here have been collected from cloth diapering mamas on the Diaper Pin “Diaper Talk” forum. These are their opinions from their personal experience using these items. Therefore, you may see inconsistencies and contradictions in the pros and cons for the same item.
Some brand names are listed in italics in the first column. They are for reference only so those new to cloth diapering can look up and “see” what some of the different types of items are. This is not meant as an endorsement of any kind. There are probably hundreds of “brands” in some categories as there are many “Work At Home Moms” making diapering products.
Please refer to a cloth diapering “glossary” for an explanation or definition of the terms used here.
Systems
back to top
| System | Pros | Cons
|
|---|
All In Ones/Regular AIO’s (doesn’t come apart, most function exactly like a disposable)
Example: Proraps
Re Uz’ms
|
- Easy to use.
- Great for daddies.
- Daycares prefer them.
- Makes diaper changes on squirmy toddlers fast and easy.
- Cute.
- Most like a disposable.
|
- Long drying times.
- Some wear out faster (especially ones with pul outers), since they spend more time in the dryer than pockets and regular covers, which is necessary in order to get the absorbent part dry.
|
All In Twos/ AI2’s (an All-in-One that comes apart into 2 pieces)
Example: Little Lambs
|
- When cared for properly, do not wear out any faster then covers/prefolds.
- One size AI2's make for an extremely economical system.
- Easy to use.
- Great for daddies.
- Very economical, because you can reuse the covers and change the soakers. This will bring your cost per diaper change way down.
- High resale value.
- Poopy clean-up is easy because the soakers snap out of the shells
- Daycare-friendly.
- Makes diaper changes on squirmy toddlers fast and easy.
- Cute.
- Most like a disposable.
|
- Keeping the matching doublers with their coordinating diapers.
- Expensive.
- Need too many.
|
| Diapers & Covers
|
- Cheap and easy before baby gets squirmy/rolls a lot.
- No leaks.
- You can have fun and get cute covers, but still be more economical.
- You can match t-shirts with cute covers because you don't have to change them every time.
- They can be used as swim diapers.
- You can go w/o a cover at home when needed.
- More versatile.
- Cheap, cheap, cheap.
- Easy to wash.
- Great for starters.
- Can reuse the covers if only wet so don't need as many.
- Don't need pins if using a snug fitting “wrap” style cover.
|
- Can be bulkier than a trim pocket.
- Maybe not something husbands and baby sitters will sit still to learn.
- Takes a bit longer to put on.
- Might confuse some
- Bulky under clothes.
- Not always as cute as others.
|
Pockets
Example: Fuzzi Bunz,
Wonderoos
|
- Can control absorbency by how much you stuff.
- No wet tush – synthetic liner wicks moisture away from baby’s skin.
- Not too bulky.
|
- Have to stuff them once they are done washing.
- May have up problems with build up on the synthetic liner part.
- No wet tush - if you are trying to get OUT of diapers, this is a problem!
|
Types of Covers
back to top
| Cover | Pros | Cons
|
|---|
| Fleece
|
- Cheap.
- Dries fast.
- Breathes.
- Soft.
|
- Can retain odors.
- May need special washing.
- Some fleece will wick under compression.
- Can pill.
|
| PUL/Synthetic
|
- Easy to use.
- Rarely leak.
- Cheap.
- Can re-use between changes if only wet.
- Only need a few (2 – 8) for one child.
|
- White ones are not as cute as some other covers.
- Can be a tad on the bulky side.
- May need to try a few brands to find one that fits your baby’s shape.
|
| Wool
|
- Natural fibers.
- Excellent air circulation.
- Lanolin in the wool is a “magical” cleaning system; they only need washing when dirty or smelly.
- Can reuse many times without washing if only wet.
- Can knit/crochet your own.
- Actually keeps baby’s bum several degrees cooler than other fabrics.
|
- More maintenance when washing.
- May need to buy a special wool wash.
- Can take 1 – 3 days to dry after washing.
- Expensive to buy.
- Most must be hand-washed.
- May be bulky.
|
Types of Diapers/Inserts/Soakers
back to top
| Diaper | Pros | Cons
|
|---|
| Contours
|
- Can get the same soft material as many brands of fitteds for less money.
- Already shaped, so no folding necessary.
|
- Does not hold in BF poo as well as a fitted, but just as well as a prefold.
|
| Fitteds
|
- A lot like using a disposable, because they have the shape of disposables.
- Don't need to be pinned or folded.
- Can be washed at a high temp, separately from covers so that covers last longer.
- Elastic around legs (and, preferably, back) holds in just about all messes, even before you get a cover on and then it's 2 levels of protection with an air lock in between.
- Easier to wash than an AIO.
- Can wash and dry quickly, depending on the style.
- May be more absorbent especially for a side-sleeper than some “all-in-two’s.”
- Doesn’t take up a lot of space in the diaper drawer and pail.
- Holds in BF poop well.
- Lots of choices.
|
- After putting on the covers, it’s like putting on a disposable twice, so not as convenient as an AIO.
- Some covers won't fit well over some fitteds because they are made differently, so you have to make sure the cover will fit with the diaper before you buy everything.
- Sometimes made with so many layers that they are hard to get clean and slow to dry
- Have to struggle with getting two items off a wriggling baby; this is even harder with snaps.
- Not as husband- or daycare- friendly as AIOs.
- Every brand does not fit every baby.
- Longer to dry if not “quick dry."
- Can hold smells if too many layers or wrong fabric.
- More expensive.
- Some have many snaps which can be confusing.
|
| Flats
|
- Birdseye* is one of the most absorbent diaper materials (good quality birdseye is different than the Gerber's).
- Most versatile when it comes to folding.
- A lot trimmer than prefolds.
- You can customize the absorbency more by folding in different ways.
- You can double up flats without adding a lot of extra bulk.
- Works well with Velcro covers or with pins and covers.
- Birdseye provides super absorbency, trimness and versatility in folding.
- Economical.
- Fit all babies.
- Cleans well.
- Dries fast.
- Can make your own from old t-shirts, flannel pajamas, etc.
- Gerber makes blue, pink and a print.
|
- Takes more time to fold.
- Most are white unless you dye them.
|
| Inserts
|
- Cleans well.
- Add the amount of absorbency you need.
- Trim.
|
- One more step.
- More laundry sorting.
|
| Prefolds
|
- Absorbent.
- Economical.
- You can customize the fit to your baby yourself.
- Easy to wash.
- Quick to dry.
- Fun to dye colors.
- Infant size can be used as doublers.
- Regular size can be used as pocket stuffers.
- Can eventually be used as great dust rags, burp rags, changing pads, blankets, sunshades, etc.
|
- Some find that they can't pin or snappi tight enough.
- Take an extra couple of seconds to pin.
- May not hold BF poop unless pinned or “snappied."
|
Types of Fabric for Diaper/Inserts/Soakers
back to top
| Fabric | Pros | Cons
|
|---|
| Cotton
|
- Natural.
- Easy to care for.
- Soft.
- Inexpensive.
|
- Can be bulky.
- Can get stiff/rough if line dried.
|
| Hemp
|
- Very absorbent.
- Super trim.
- Natural.
|
- Potential for detergent build up problems = odor problems.
- More expensive.
- Takes a little more time to dry.
- May get stiff/hard over time.
|
| Microfiber “Towels”
|
|
- Some dislike the “sticky” feeling when handling.
- Not as trim as hemp.
|
| Microfleece (liners and inside layer of pockets)
|
- Poop rolls right off.
- Super soft.
- Keeps baby's skin dry.
|
- Can have repelling issues.
|
Accessories/Miscellaneous
back to top
| Item | Pros | Cons
|
|---|
| Liners
|
- Keeps poop off diaper.
- Fewer stains.
- Use them when you want to.
- Keeps baby drier.
|
- Extra step.
- Added expense.
- More laundry to sort.
|
| Pins
|
- Harder for toddler to remove.
- Neater appearance.
- May be less likely to come apart and be swallowed.
- Can get an excellent fit.
|
- Learning curve!!
- Can prick baby or yourself.
|
| Snappi
|
- Easy to learn.
- No poking baby (as with pins).
|
- Can be hard for some to learn/use (daddies, daycare, grandparents).
- Have come apart – scratching/choking hazard.
- Can’t always get the perfect fit with every type of fold.
|
| Snaps
|
- Doesn't make a “dryer snake.”
- Nicer looking to some.
- Better for kids who take their diapers off.
|
- Can wear out.
- Finite amount of adjusting available.
|
| Velcro/Aplix
|
- Easier to get a better fit.
- Quicker to fasten for diaper changes.
- As easy as a disposable.
|
- Infinite amount of adjusting for fit.
- Can wear out.
- Can damage other items in wash.
- Can scratch baby.
|
©2005, Rebecca Cronin. May not be reprinted without permission.
About the Author:
Becky Cronin is a proud mother to Alex (5/2003), and is expecting again in October, 2005. She is a part-time
SAHM, and a part-time WOHM working as a special education tutor. She started cloth diapering when Alex was 10 months old and now she admits that she is a full CD addict.
Attention Article Writers! Do you have an article to share with us? Send it to Diaper Pin!
For more information, read our article submission notes.
|
