Would you use reusable diapers again?

A long time ago I wrote a post about how unecological diapers are and the possibility of using reusable ones that are much more respectful of the environment.

He then said, quoting Ecolosfera:

Well, finally, a year later, I have had the opportunity to test three different types of more ecological diapers with Julia. Although I anticipate that none seems to me to be completely.

On the one hand, I have used completely biodegradable cellulose diapers. In fact, their sellers tell you that if you put them in the garden when you discard them, the petunias will bloom beautifully.

In their use and appearance they are like any other disposable diaper. Maybe a little stiffer. Its biggest drawback is the price: a package of 40 diapers weighing 12-25 kilos costs 26.50 euros, not counting shipping costs.

Then I tried the funzzi bunz. And the truth is that the thing does not convince me too much.

I'll explain a little how things work: they are one size fits all, they have semi-hidden elastic bands with which you can gather the waist and the hollow of the legs to adapt them to the baby's size. They come with washable cloth pads that are inserted between the diaper. For greater absorption, especially at night, you can use two. Although it is somewhat less ecological, if you wish, they sell a giant roll of paper to put between the diaper and the child to avoid having to clean the poop, remove the paper, throw it away and that's it. Before the first use you have to wash them three times. And you can't go more than two days without a dirty diaper going through the washer or hand wash.

Precisely so much washing is what makes me doubt that they are such an ecological solution: we are four at home, two children, and I do not put a washing machine day in and day out. Using only this type of diaper would force me to do so or wash them by hand, which uses even more water. If that solution forces me to put twice as many washing machines, I would have to know how to do the ecological account very well.

In addition, they recommend washing them between 60 and 95 degrees. My washers are usually 40. And I like to use baby detergent on her stuff, so I'd have to use it all the time probably.

The first impression when holding them in your hand is that they are very cute, with those bright colors and those little drawings, that they are tremendously soft inside and that they bulk up a lot. And so it is in fact: they are more than twice the size of a normal diaper and that only with a pad. I tried to do the test with two pads and the poor little one looked like a grouch, she couldn't turn around, she was uncomfortable and I left her with only one. In any case, they keep the thighs apart, something that the creators of these diapers defend is very good for avoiding hip problems.

My first experience after putting them on was not very good: the baby pooped almost instantly, that liquid baby poop that runs everywhere. She put the thin diaper, by hand I was unable to wash it well and I had to put a washing machine that I did not plan on putting things that only needed it halfway.

With the pee it is not so much a problem, the humidity is a little more noticeable in the fabric than in normal diapers. Something that, according to the diaper company, is good because children are aware before they are urinating and it contributes to better and earlier sphincter control.

In that sense, I think they will be better with older children who have more solid poop and are easier to remove with the piece of paper.

In addition, children between one and two years old stain fewer diapers: a newborn can carry 10 diapers a day. So about 20 would be needed. At about 15 euros per diaper, without counting papers, it is a significant initial outlay...

The biggest inconvenience in terms of comfort is what to do with them if you spend the day away from home. Lugging around a bag full of dirty diapers, especially in the summer, is a bit daunting. They recommend carrying them in a freezer bag for obvious reasons.

As you go to a hotel on vacation, you will have to go to the laundry service almost every day.

There are families that use them in combination with normal diapers, but I don't know to what extent this intermediate solution contributes to the environment.

In short, I don't see it at all clearly.

But that's just my personal opinion. I know that there are many happy and content mothers with this invention, for whom the bills come out, especially when several children have used them, and for whom the inconveniences that I mention are not so much.

What I do believe is that if you have to look for an ecological alternative to conventional diapers, I think that the thing is more like compostable cellulose diapers than reusable ones.

Realistically, the bulk of the population is not going to wash diapers again.

Tags: diapers | Stored in: Baby stuff