[RunnerDuck]

I know a lot of you purchase used dipes off of ebay, etc, and this is not meant in ANY way to insult or offend you...

I just personally feel weird about the idea of buying used dipes. The cost savings is appealing, yes, but... I feel like I wouldn't buy used underwear for myself... I would feel weird buying used diapers for my baby!

Am I a snob? Does anyone else feel this way?

Again, I am NOT meaning to insult or offend anyone here.

 

[MomInCalifornia]

I have only bought a used dipe once, and it was from a dear friend whose child had only worn it once.

I often feel very much like you do! I do toy with the idea, as they are a good deal, but then I always think to myself your exact thought! I don't buy used panties for myself, so I end up buying new!

Sarah

 

[Jenb]

I used to feel that way when I was using mainly Motherease, Kissaluvs and other mass produced type diapers.

Then I discovered the joy and love of WAHM diapers. Many of them are hard to get or way out my price range, so I started picking up a few here and there.

I always wash any dipe (new or used) at least 2-3 times before putting it on my littles. Now it is no big deal to me.

 

[Britishmum]

I know exactly what you mean! Someone put three dipes on the TP last week that I really, really wanted, but something in me said no, they're used, even if just a few times. When dh got home I asked him, and he agreed.

It was a shame though - they were lovely diapers and great prices.

Maybe I"m a snob too, but actually, it's not that. I am fine with used clothes for the chidlren, just not diapers.

 

[lifetapestry]

At first I thought it was terrible, for the same reasons you did. Used underwear, blech.

However, I have found that trying to equate my experience with my baby's is not always very sensible. First of all, there is a big difference between my underwear and his diapers-- I don't poop in my underwear. Second, the main reason why I wouldn't buy used underwear is because it would gross me out, not because there is technically anything wrong with it. My baby does not yet have these same sensibilities, and if it won't bother him, why should it bother me?

Of course, he also prefers to sit in a poopy diaper rather than have it changed, so you can only take that logic so far.

So I guess I don't think it's weird to feel funny about buying used dipes, nor do I think it's weird to actually buy used dipes. An odd sort of fence-sitting for me, but there you have it.

Karla

 

[natashaccat]

I also feel a bit wierd about used diapers but only when bought from complete strangers. Like I'll feel fine about using something from an MDC mama that I feel I "know" or from a IRL friend but I feel wierd the first few times that I use a diaper bought from a stranger.

Ultimately I force myself to get over it though because I always double wash (using GSE in rinse) and sun used diapers. I just can't justify the cost of buying new fitteds and I do so love cute diapers.

 

[wawoof]

I have no problem buying used dipes as long as they're a design that allows very thorough washing. Thus, I don't buy used dipes that have lots of layers sewn together in the soaker pad, and I wash all used dipes in very hot water before using them. Hot water and a hot dryer will kill a lot of things. I don't see this as too different from using diapers from a service, in which case they are washed thoroughtly between children. Another option (which I haven't resorted to yet) is to boil used dipes; boiling water kills almost everything, I think. I wouldn't mind buying used underwear for myself, except that adults actually wear out their underwear (at least I do), whereas babies usually don't wear out diapers, especially if someone (everyone does this, no?) tries a dipe and it doesn't work for them so it hardly gets used.

I think it's a huge waste for a diaper to only be used for a short while for one child, which would often be the case if there wasn't such a good market for used dipes. In that case, the environmental advantages of cloth over disposable diapering would be much smaller or even nonexistent.

 

[Artisan]

I initially felt weird about it too. Then I starting seeing the prices for the used diapers, and it made me rethink my opinion. I looked at it like this:

Your child poops in a diaper. It is now gross. So you wash it really well to make sure it's totally clean. The diaper is now used. Your child's poop is just as yucky as someone else's.

I guess I realized that if a diaper is washed very very well in between children, no traces of the former child will remain.

I also agree with Karla -- the used underwear thing is a hangup adults have (if they were washed really really well, there would be nothing wrong with them) (don't get me wrong, I have this hangup too), but my baby doesn't have them.

The same is true for used children's clothing. Most people I know are OK with those, and lots of baby clothes get poop and pee all over them. But it gets washed out. People sleep on hotel sheets and hospital sheets that have been used over and over and have gross stuff on them (but it gets washed out, hopefully). People use diaper services, where lots of children potentially used the diapers. It gets washed out.

Repeat after me: I can get them clean... I can get them really clean... I can get them REALLY REALLY clean!

 

[mamaBlue]

Interesting thread....

When I first learned about buying used diapers, it totally grossed me out. Then I really wanted to try out a Kissaluvs (yes, this was a time ago, LOL). I had never bought a fitted diaper before, so it seemed expensive to buy one new just to try. So I bought an almost new one off eBay. I saved some money and I learned that I don't particularly care for them. It was only used a time or two by me, so I resold it on eBay. I made back my money. After that, I was hooked.

Funny, its not like me to buy anything used. I do not buy used clothing for me or my family. Nor do I buy used appliances or other things. But for some reason, I will buy a used diaper. It doesn't make sense, I know.

 

[Marco Esquandolas]

I think I feel like Sharonal and wawoof...it at first not really grossed me out, but scared me and I even asked about it, like if it was kosher to do. THe general concensus was that the dipes are clean, it is ok to do. Plus, I'm a clean freak so with my super hot washes and sunning and even sometimes dryer drying, I feel safe that no funkies are left over. And I have been known to share towels with people, bathing suits, and stuff like that so I don't even think about used diapers being gross now. I agree about the cleaning svc diapers too-many baby diapers are all mixed up in those wash loads and who knows who had what kinds of infections or diarhea (sp?) or whatever else before they went in and swished all around with other baby diapers. If I thought it was truly unsanitary, I wouldn't do it.

 

[Aherne]

<and a lil phishy swimmin in my womb-pond>

THAT cracked me up!!!

I cant comment on the used diaper thing cuz I think I might just be too laid back in that sense. I've borrowed a friends toothbrush when I forgot mine and have no problem with that either.

 

[famousmockngbrd]

I think if any poop or pee remains in the diaper, whether it's Cole's or someone else's, then the diaper shouldn't be worn. If I can get Cole's own soiled diapers clean enough to put back on him, I can get someone else's that clean too. Poop is poop is poop - it's all gross.

 

[blazfglori]

I don't have a problem buying used diapers.
I wash them before I put them on my son, and I have faith that my washing routine & machine gets the job done sufficiently.

 

[MamaMonica]

I didn't think I'd buy used at first- but have and its been fine. I wouldn't buy worn dipes off eBay, but feel OK buying off the TP. I used a diaper service for 3 months with my first and was basically putting "used" diapers on dd every day during that time, so maybe that's what made it OK for me.

Still, I do have a little reservation about it. I fear yeast.

 

[HoosierDiaperinMama]

I can understand how some of you would feel funny using used diapers on your baby. Personally as long as I wash it before putting it on DS I don't have a problem with it. But, then again, I'm the type that shops Goodwill, any consignment shop I can find, and garage sales frequently. I hate, hate, hate, paying full price for stuff when I know there are other ways to get is cheaper! Just my .02.

 

[DecemberSun]

Quote:

Originally posted by lifetapestry I don't poop in my underwear. Karla

:LOL :LOL :LOL

 

[DecemberSun]

I think we (the ones who buy pre-peed-in diaps) can all agree that we trust the other mamas on MDC to be as honest as we are... And we have faith in other mamas' washing routines, really. I choose not to buy diapers that are described as "stained" or overly worn, and it's worked out nicely so far...

 

[Pookietooth]

I feel the same way, particularly since DS has had thrush multiple times. Just wonder whether the other babies have. I always wash used dipes in hot with a vinegar rinse but still, DS got a nasty rash with a used AIO a friend gave me. Ick!

 

[Chelly2003]

I must admit it felt to me like buying used panties, and I'd NEVER do that. I bought about a dozen new (prefolds and kissaluvs)
But if I didn't buy a few used diapers - I'd never be able to afford to buy enough! As it is I'll probably have to wash every day....... but at least I have enough to get through - I've only bought from the TP - and I also avoid any diapers that have stains.

 

[mehndi mama]

Hmmmm....
All of the dipes I own were not bought by me - I either made them myself, of people gave them to me. Used.

But then, I wear hand-me-down panties, too, so maybe y'all don't want to associate with the likes of me!