Diapering Service

[Vvivo]

Hi,
I'm pregnant, due in 3 weeks, new to CD, and got yet another question.

Does anyone on these boards use a diaper service? Although many times this isn't even an option because there might not be one in your area, there happens to be one very close to me. Any thoughts on a diaper service? I think that from an environmental standpoint, these are potentially the green-est option. They have greater economies of scale in laundering. And individual people aren't buying new prefolds for individual family use; hence not contributing to increased carbon footprint on the production side.

They are more expensive, but they do the laundering for you and it like it's more convenient.

Any thoughts?

[PatioGardener]

I'm thinking about this for the first month or so after birth, when I plan to transition to my own stash (for financial reasons).

[Ola_]

Look into how they wash those prefolds. If they don't keep them separated (i.e. by family) then I suspect they may do something to disinfect them - which may or may not be green. Someone I know gave up on cloth because something in the service's wash routine was giving her baby a rash each time she used their dipes. If they keep them separated then IMO the economy of scale in terms of washing is kind of gone. I know different services do it in different ways.

From an economics perspective, it depends on cost (if that is one of your concerns). It really varies by location but sometimes the service ends up being the same cost as disposables or even slightly more.

[Cameron's Mommy]

yeah I don;t know what they use to clean them but its probably something pretty strong! also you may only be able to choose prefolds from a service and i personally like having a variety of cloth diapers on hand for different times.. home during the day, night time, out shopping, when ds is with grandma... I find that for each situation I like to have a different diaper. plus I love having my own. I think it would be much more expensive esepcially if you consider you will be able to use your stash for future children if you wish to have more

[junipervt]

I deliver for a friend's diaper service. The way she washes is very green. She uses Charlies & sanatizes w/ GSE. Yes customers do share prefolds.

[pitchfork]

I used a diaper service for the first year of DS's life, then switched to washing my own. I also live in an apt. with no laundry. It was fine, no detergent reactions, and my DS was very detergent sensitive.

Thinking of the long range picture here, it's much harder psychologically to be overwhelmed by washing your own dipes at first and then give up, than to use a diaper service for awhile until you get the handle on having a baby and then figure out what works for you. You can always call the diaper service and ask them these things. I know my diaper service used bleach. It was the middle way for me. Do what seems manageable at first. Good luck!