Is a Diaper Service easier?

1185 Views 17 Replies 13 Participants Last post by lexbeach, Jun 10, 2004

SiValleySteph

Discussion Starter · Jun 9, 2004

2

I was all set to get my stash ready for my baby due in September, when DH stepped in. (Okay, I was able to get in an order for some NB nanipoos!

)

He wants me to consider a diaper service instead for cost and convienence reasons before investing more. We have a service locally which seems pretty good. I was leaning against the diaper service since it seemed (from ready posts) that fitteds are better at keeping in the NB runny poops. Plus, I would still have to wash the covers myself and I was a bit freaked out about having week old dirty diapers (they pick up/drop off once a week).

What do you do when you travel? Just switch to disposies?
Is it really more convient to have a diaper service?
Is there really no smell after 1 week with no washing?

I'm leaning against the diaper service even though it seems it would be cheaper during the newborn stage when babe is growing quickly and changing sizes and also being changed so much.

The main pro I see with the diaper service is that I have a front loader and am worried about finding a wash routine that gets my dipes clean.

Can anyone share their experiences with a diaper service and whether or not they would recommend it over washing myself?

Thanks!

See less See more

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

luz

· #2 · Jun 9, 2004

We used a diaper service when dd was first born, then switched bought our own diapers when she grew into the bigger size. It was great, convienient, and didn't smell (they also picked up once a week.) We ended up doing diapers ourselves because of cost, and because we could re-use the diapers with new babies. But we had a good expereince with the diaper service.

luz

See less See more

fluffernutter

· #3 · Jun 9, 2004

I personally wouldn't use a diaper service unless I had like Quints or something. :LOL To me, washing isn't that big of a deal and I like being able to choose the diapers I use. I also like being able to wash them when I need them clean and not having to wait for the Diaper Service.

MyLittleWonders

· #4 · Jun 9, 2004

We started with a diaper service ... no it really doesn't seem to smell ... but we only had it for 2 months. I was washing covers all the time because I wasn't very adept at the time with snappi's ( :LOL ), and started getting the dipe itch, so we stopped. I convinced dh that it would be cheaper with our own (plus I could reuse them with future kids). Well, we've now spent quite a bit, but I

it and wouldn't go back to a service (although it wasn't bad, I just prefer doing my own).

Oh, and for your question about travelling ... we are doing two trips this summer (one by plane, one in a tent) and I'm taking cloth for both. I'm thinking of making some flats for ds for the drying time, but haven't decided for sure.

See less See more

kimisaur

· #5 · Jun 9, 2004

I used a diaper service with my first (one that is now out of business, btw). I wasn't that happy with it. Yes, someone else does the washing, but their prefolds were pretty worn, and I didn't like not having any option of different diapers. It wasn't that cheap either. But, the pail really didn't smell, and it was convenient.

I also have a front loader....it does an awesome job, including a sanitary diaper cycle.

-Kimberly

SiValleySteph

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 10, 2004

2

Thanks for sharing your experiences!

I think I will forgoe the diaper service for the time being. I feel intimidated by CPF and would like to start with something simple (fitteds & covers) in hopes of sticking with it!

I wish my front loader had a sanitary diaper cycle! Guess that's what I get for going with one of the least expensive (Frigidare Gallery).

See less See more

squintz22

· #7 · Jun 10, 2004

I have a Frigidaire frontloader too, and it seems to be doing really well. I put them in for a cold/cold prewash (no detergent) and then a hot/cold regular wash, with a little detergent, and they come out great!

(We don't even have the option of diaper service where I live!)

SiValleySteph

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jun 10, 2004

Awesome, squintz22! I have copied your wash routine over to my list of tips!

I'm relieved to hear this since when I did a search, I saw some have complained of problems with front loaders in the past. It was really causing me some panic!

See less See more

Max's Mami

· #9 · Jun 10, 2004

There are a few reasons I wouldnt use a service. To me it is sort of like paying rent vs. buying a home. The money is basically down the drain because you have no resale value. Secondly most (not all but most) services use bleach and I wouldnt put frequently bleached fabric against a newborn's sensitive skin.

Another big reason for me is that just dont like PFs which most services use. I am sure not all but probably most.

On top of all that I actually *like* washing diapers -- I love hanging them to dry and assembling them after and putting them away in the changing table. And if you have to wash covers anyway why not just throw the diapers in there with them?!

If you are worried about changing sizes get some one or two sized dipes. What we used for the first 5 months were organic cotton contours and they were wonderful. Very inexpensive but much easier to deal with (and much trimmer) than a CPF.

Good luck!

See less See more

NCHIN

· #10 · Jun 10, 2004

Hi, I thought I would give you my experience since I have a newborn. I went through this for months before he was born. I thought that I would use a diaper service also but the service available in our town would not let you have your own set of diapers. So they are all brought in and washed in bleach which I do not condone and delivered to your home weekly. I was afraid that I would be too tired after having a baby and doing laundry. In the end I decided to do my own and not get the service. Honestly, I made it out to be harder than it really was. Which was a good decision because I ended up not liking prefolds and prefer the fitteds. Then I did not have enough fitteds and did laundry daily. But that is another story. So all in all I would say NO to the diaper service and just wash your own.

Nancy

Aherne

· #11 · Jun 10, 2004

I had looked into a service with my dd and having to wash my own covers didnt really sell me on the idea. I might as well toss my prefolds in there at the same time!

The advantage might be that it is easier to convince dh that switching would save you money and you could spend what you spent on diaper service per month on new diapers instead (like what 40-50 bucks

)

See less See more

Susan_McCormack

· #12 · Jun 10, 2004

2

Quote:

Originally Posted by SiValleySteph
Plus, I would still have to wash the covers myself and I was a bit freaked out about having week old dirty diapers (they pick up/drop off once a week).

What do you do when you travel? Just switch to disposies?
Is it really more convient to have a diaper service?
Is there really no smell after 1 week with no washing?

I personally didn't have the option of having a diaper service (there aren't any where I live) but I think you'll do fine without one. I wouldn't worry too much about having the dirty diapers around (when they're really little their pee and bm doesn't smell very much) as long as they are in some sort of closed diaper pail.

When I travel, I still use cloth. If its a short trip, I just bring enough dipes to make it through the trip. I haven't been on a long trip yet but we're planning one for the summer and I'm going to bring cloth with me as well. I figured there will be a laundromat somewhere along the way. And I've also stocked up on some flatfolds so they will dry faster.

Good luck with your upcoming babe

And since DH most likely won't be washing the dipes anyway, I don't think he gets much of a say in it

See less See more

SiValleySteph

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jun 10, 2004

3

Quote:

since DH most likely won't be washing the dipes anyway, I don't think he gets much of a say in it

Susan, so true!

Thanks for your input. The diaper service here also uses bleach, which is a draw back. And you cannot have your own set of diapers (well, you can, but they charge you much more for the washing than just "renting" the diapers). So I think I will go without it.

I am planning on using cloth while traveling (at least while visiting friends/family). I was just wondering what you would do if you had a diaper service, like do you have to worry about missing your pick up day? Or are you supposed to wash their diapers yourself? It just seemed confusing.

Aherne, the diaper service here is $70 for 4 weeks! So that's a lot of cute dipes I could be stocking up on!

See less See more

Pinoikoi

· #14 · Jun 10, 2004

I don't think services offer preemie sizes- just infant and premium. Also, I saved some of my newborns for the "next" baby which came along much sooner than expected! There use to be a diaper service up here, but no more... alas... I think it would be great for multiples.

lexbeach

· #15 · Jun 10, 2004

We used a service for the first few months, and it was nice in some ways (we had twins, and were going through 200+ diapers a week), but we definitely could have done without. My guys did go through three sizes while we were using the service--preemie, newborn, and infant--so it WAS nice to not have to buy all those diapers.

When I started washing the diapers myself, I was suprised at how much I really enjoyed it!

It was a huge pain to remember to put the diapers out, and I often forgot. One time I had to go and drive the dirty diapers to the service since I had forgotten to put them out. It was so gross to see where the diapers had been going! Piles and piles of poopy diapers. . . that was our last week using the service!

Front loaders are GREAT for cloth dipes! I don't know what you're worried about. When I was getting ready to buy a washer, I came here and asked for recommendations. EVERYONE recommended getting a front-loader. We did, and it works very well for washing the dipes.

Best of luck!

Lex

See less See more

Susan_McCormack

· #16 · Jun 10, 2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by lexbeach
It was so gross to see where the diapers had been going! Piles and piles of poopy diapers. . . that was our last week using the service!

Eeewww! I never even thought of that! I know I know, I've bought used dipes before, but at least I'm washing them before my dd wears them. With the diaper service they're getting washed with everyone else's poopy dipes.

Boy, now I'm REALLY glad I washed them myself

See less See more

Izzybee

· #17 · Jun 10, 2004

Have you washed diapers at home in the past? If so, you could try the service and see which you like better. If not, you could try the service at first and either stick with it or switch.

lexbeach

· #18 · Jun 10, 2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Susan_McCormack
Eeewww! I never even thought of that! I know I know, I've bought used dipes before, but at least I'm washing them before my dd wears them. With the diaper service they're getting washed with everyone else's poopy dipes.

Well, they weren't actually WASHING all of everyone's diapers together (at least with our service, you got the same diapers back that you sent in), but they were all piled up in labeled plastic bags, and it just **looked** so gross. I don't think it was actually unsanitary (which, IMO, washing all the diapers together would be).

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.