Did you switch to disposables when insurance started paying for them?

[bandgeek]

They will pay for disposables when DD is 3, in October. We finally got our cloth situation handled and things are going well. They had been falling apart, I think because I use bleach. I never did with DS, but I think her meds or formula makes them horrid and bleach is the only thing that works (we tried everything!). I'd been using pockets because it was easier on the nurses, but they've been doing ok with prefolds, which stand up to bleach well.

Anyway, part of me just wants to switch once they pay for them. It'll be easier on me, she never gets rashes in either so that doesn't matter, I won't have to worry when we need to use creams for yeast or infections, no more stinky diaper pail (I can only wash 1x per week and it reeks by day 6), ect.

I hate all the waste though!

I'm sure I'll come to a decision, even if it means taking the diapers and just using them as needed and using cloth the rest of the time. I guess I'm just curious what other environmentally-conscious parents do.

[kozer1]

Hmmm...I would probably use the disposables only some of the time, but stick to cloth most of the time....Like maybe use disposables when you go out places? I don't know how often you get out of the house though. Or maybe use disposables when you need to use the yeast creams and such, to at least make that easier

[laohaire]

Idea: use disposables on wash day and 2 days after. Then switch to CDs. Then you won't have the Day 6 reek problem.

Idea: do you line dry the CD's? Sun can help disinfect and deoderize. If bleach is the only thing that works, then it's the only thing - but it does bring down the environmental value of CDing.

Idea: can you choose the brand? Try Seventh Generation if possible. They are more expensive but if they cover up to a certain amount of money you can save some by part-time CD and it should work out.

As a major tree-hugging greenie, though, I give you permission to switch if that's what works for your family. All I ask is for people to be conscientious about it.

[bandgeek]

I don't have any way to line dry so that's not an option. I only use a smidge of bleach. I know it's not great, but loads better than what they do to make disposables white I'm sure. I have no idea if we get to pick the brand or if there's certain ones we pick from. That's a good idea about using them after wash day.