Diapers: Cloth or Disposable?

Capt Richard I P. — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 20:11:22 -0400

I know we have a lot of parents on RallyPoint, and this really is an important general interest topic for people who haven't approached it yet. What are your thoughts and opinions?

I've tried a combo and will input my thoughts after a few others.

Response by CH (1LT) Tony S. made Aug 5 at 2015 8:20 PM

CH (1LT) Tony S. — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 20:20:53 -0400

Cloth DIY during the day & Disposable for overnight and travel.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2015 8:23 PM

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 20:23:39 -0400

My wife and I used mostly disposable but we went through a couple of rounds of cloth diapers too. I didn't like the g diaper brand because the fasten in the back and I found it hard to change the kids. I liked most of the ones that fastened in the front. They also make diaper liners that are basically dryer sheet type inserts for big business to be cleaned up easy. I also bought a sprayer that attached to the water line on the toilet for easy cleanup. I would defiantly recommend getting that. We have four of our own children and have had five foster children as well, in case you were wondering about my experience.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 5 at 2015 8:44 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 20:44:41 -0400

We went exclusively disposable for our boy. The convenience factor was just way too high for dual military using day care.

Response by MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2015 9:33 PM

MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 21:33:42 -0400

Cloth all the way, if you have the time to do the laundry. There is a high startup cost, but you definitely save in the end. You can also buy used cloth diapers to lower costs. I know it sounds gross, but they are cleaned, and my wife always re-strips and rewashes them before using them. We usually only buy disposable diapers for travel purposes.

I will say though that my wife spent a significant amount of time experimenting with cleaning routines and products. If you are going to go with DIY cloth, you or your spouse should join some cloth diapering groups on FB and learn from others.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2015 9:42 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 21:42:49 -0400

Presently, I wish I could do cloth with a service, because that's what Household 6 and I prefer, but there isn't a service where we live.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2015 1:22 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 01:22:54 -0400

For ease and convenience we hesitantly opted for disposable. If a service was available we would have gone for cloth diapers without hesitating. As MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member stated, DIY cloth diapers require a little extra training (care, effort, and know-how) to clean and maintain correctly.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 6 at 2015 2:56 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 14:56:59 -0400

we looked into it and found that a combo of both is best. when you are home use cloth and when you are away disposable. this is also assuming your child has no allergies to cleaning agents used in cleaning cloth diapers. cloth diapers saved us money and disposable was very convienient for being out. hope that helps. good luck.

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made Aug 6 at 2015 2:57 PM

CW4 Guy Butler — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 14:57:49 -0400

Combination - cloth diapers retain their usefulness long after the kid moves out of them. As far as disposables are concerned, well... diaper pins. 3 AM. Questions?

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Aug 6 at 2015 3:07 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 15:07:50 -0400

I think us men will say disposable... after all, we're MEN!!! MANLY MANLY MEN!!! :D

Response by PO2 William Smith made Aug 6 at 2015 4:25 PM

PO2 William Smith — Thu, 06 Aug 2015 16:25:57 -0400

Disposable work fine. You just have to change them. I have actually heard people say that because of the way they fit that you can leave them on longer. They are not for extended wear but as convience to working or traveling parents. Please throw them away in receptacles. Most people won't be as excited about your child's poop as you might be.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 7 at 2015 6:34 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 18:34:38 -0400

My first kid was in cloth but man they were expensive. The second on got disposable diapers. Less expensive. I feel for parents with babies.