filed under Environment | Women
Gdiaper experiment
11:13AM ON
10/15/2008
BY
funkEpunkEmonkE
I’m all about convenience, which at times is in direct conflict with my efforts to raise an eco-friendly family. I confess to using disposable diapers on my oldest daughter, and this decision was based solely on convenience because we didn’t have a washer and dryer at the time. It also provided me with the motivation to have her potty trained by the age of two.
I recently learned about and tried gDiapers, an earth friendly alternative to disposable diapers. This hybrid diapering system is part cloth and part disposable, flushable, or compostable. The little g pants are the outer washable, cotton cover that comes in a variety of fabulous colors. The Velcro fastens in the back to make it more difficult for tiny hands to undo the diapers. A washable, breathable, waterproof, nylon liner snaps in, and a disposable, plastic-free, chlorine-free, wood pulp insert does the rest.
Contest details below
Because we now have a washer and dryer (and clothes line for sunny days), I use cloth inserts instead. I originally took one of the disposable gDiaper inserts and made a pattern for the cloth insert, but after sewing 6 together, I got bored and bought Gerber cloth prefolds. I just fold the sides in, fold in half, and stick it in the nylon liner. Easy peasy.
On testing, I found that it was best to have a system in place and recommend having a few diapers put together in advance for those messy situations and moments where speed is essential. Changing wet diapers was easy; simply replace the insert and go. And if you have any questions, the gDiapers website and customer service line (yes, I did call them) are superb!
As for the laundering of cloth inserts, I just throw them in with whatever load of laundry is waiting. I breastfeed, and Aby isn’t producing many poopy diapers, so I figure it’s fine. Once I start rice cereal (soon), I’ll figure something out. Washing her diapers doesn’t fill up a full load, and I hate to waste any water, even with my high efficiency front loader, so I’ll probably buy more prefolds - thus increasing the load size and how frequently in which I wash.
The best part is, on rainy days, I can put Aby in a Moses Basket on top of the dryer. The hum lulls her to sleep while I sort and fold. Laundry smells good and can be relaxing with the right attitude. Even on sunny days, I lay her on a blanket in the grass while I hang up and take down the laundry and she usually falls asleep from the heat or looks around. I’m glad my daughters are taking after me and are facinated with nature.
Bottom line (no pun intended): I found gDiapers easier to use regular cloth diapers but a bit more work than disposables. We were thrilled that they passed our ‘leak test’ and the little g pants are so cute that you can let your little one run around in just the diaper! The initial investment is a bit more expensive than disposable diapers but the cost is justifiable against the eco-friendliness of the system and the longer term savings.
If you’re looking for a diapering solution that’s convenient and eco-friendly, I recommend trying gDipaers. They offer a starter kit, which comes with two pairs of little g pants, 10 flushable diaper refills, and a Handy User’s Guide (H.U.G.) to help you with the finer points of gDiapering. It’s what I started out with, and I continue to use.
Now, want to win a gDiapers Starter Kit?
- Visit the gDiapers shop, then comment here and name your little g pant size.
- One entry permitted per person; US entrants welcome to enter.
- Entry period closes at midnight EST, Monday, December 15, 2008.
October 15th, 2008 at 2:03PM
nicole Says:
Wow. Diaper technology has come a long way, even in four years. We were partial to wonderoos. Unfortunately, it’s difficult finding a daycare that will play along with the reusable diapers.
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