What type of diaper to use???????

CAUTION - THERE IS AN ATTEMPT TO TRY AND EXPLAIN CLOTH DIAPERS IN THIS POST, PLEASE BE KIND IF I MIS-SPEAK.



Before meeting with our neighbor Ami a couple months ago and having a conversation with a friend Amanda a few months before that, I though that cloth diapers were those white rags that I would wash and wax my car with. As I've stated in the past, my mother used cloth diapers on us but I don't remember seeing my siblings in them. I only remember seeing my mom use the cloth diapers as burp rags. Just a side note: Why do they call them burp rags when baby's throw up on them. Shouldn't they be barf rags? But I digress!

Because I like to leave people hanging a bit, I'm going to start with the diapers that I am probably not going to use (notice that I said "probably"...I am a man, and I do change my mind quite often). Then I'll end with the ones that I am probably going to use (again, note that the word "probably" was used). I will give you my interpretation of the different styles of cloth diapers I have found and what I think about them. Remembering, of course, that I have no field experience with any of them (since our first child is still "in the oven") so this post will definitely be updated as time goes on. Are you ready? As Mario would say....Here we go!

First is PREFOLD DIAPERS, these are the kind that my mom used. All I have to say is they make really great barf rags and car wash rags! I am definitely staying away from this style cloth diaper, too much folding and snapping, pinning, strapping, etc for me. I need to have something a little easier than this....alright, I mean I need to have something A LOT easier than this. This is the equivalent of a base model GEO Metro.


Next, I found a style called CONTOUR DIAPERS. These appear to be the same material and as their prefold brother, but they seem to have had some plastic surgery. They are shaped like disposables, but made of cloth and have no elastic, Velcro, snaps or anything fancy. Basically they took a prefold and cut half circles out of the middle of the diaper for legs. If you chose to use this style, you'll need to get a diaper cover (plastic or vinyl) cause the mess will leak right through them. my ultimate opinion on these is they are a more expensive barf rag. This GEO Metro comes with power steering.

Now we get into some fancy upgrades, like elastic around the legs and Velcro or snap fasteners. No more pin holes in my baby! Now I'm starting to get closer to my ideal diaper. I'm talking about FITTED DIAPERS, these are the equivalent of a Chevy Cavalier, we're getting nicer and have more features but there is still one big drawback for me....you still need a diaper cover to keep the moisture from leaking through. I need just a bit more convenience than that.

The next diaper no longer requires a diaper cover, this pushes it up to a Lexus status for me. No longer are we dealing with compact cars, we've moved right up to pure luxury. ALL-IN-ONE DIAPERS is the name of this Lexus and it comes factory direct with a very thirsty inner layer and a waterproof outer layer as well as having Velcro or snaps to fasten it together and elastic around the legs for good fit. This is one of only two diaper styles that I am going to even consider. One side note, is that this Lexus has an Acura cousin we call ALL-IN-TWO and that one comes with an additional thirsty layer of fabric (like a spare tire)!

Finally, the diaper that I am leaning toward is the Rolls Royce of diapers in my opinion. This diaper has it all, and I mean everything. It has Velcro or snap fasteners, comes in specific sizes or one size fits all (Oh yeah, our options even have options now!), some one size fits all models have adjustable elastic around the legs and waist to fit all sizes, and they are designed to allow you to chose how much absorption you want by adding as many or as little inserts as you need. What, pray tell, am I talking about? Drum roll please.........Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the POCKET DIAPER!



I know it may be too soon for me to be deciding on the diaper style, in fact several comments I have received have told me that I should try a bunch of style and brands. But since I am a man, I am going to make a decision without having much to back it up except my MAN'S INTUITION (yeah, we have it too....we just don't talk about it because it's not real manly to do that). For now this is what I've decided. Please let me know your thoughts, I will consider them all!

So my final answer (for now) is I will be using POCKET DIAPERS. Yup, I'll be wrapping my future All American Athlete in all the luxury that only Rolls Royce has to offer a baby's behind.



One last thing: Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who has commented, given suggestions, or just expressed interest in what I am doing. It's pretty cool that people want to hear what I have to say so I'll keep this going as long as I can. THANK YOU!

Oh yeah, I'd also like to thank www.handmade-adelaide-baby.com for their great images!