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Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!harvard!talcott!panda!teddy!rdp
From: rdp@teddy.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.kids
Subject: Re: Cloth diapers
Message-ID: <1148@teddy.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 15-Aug-85 11:26:06 EDT
Article-I.D.: teddy.1148
Posted: Thu Aug 15 11:26:06 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 19-Aug-85 08:15:48 EDT
References: <2706@mhuxd.UUCP>
Reply-To: rdp@teddy.UUCP (Richard D. Pierce)
Organization: GenRad, Inc., Concord, Mass.
Lines: 48

In article <2706@mhuxd.UUCP> wolit@mhuxd.UUCP (Jan Wolitzky) writes:
>After using paper diapers on Alexander in the hospital and for the first
>few days at home (until the diaper service started), we're now using
>cloth diapers, and are pretty dissatisfied with the results.  Most
>objectionable is the way they soak through so quickly, with the need for
>pins (I haven't stuck him yet, but have gotten myself a few times) and
>vinyl pants running a close second.  It also takes a lot longer to
>change him, and he HATES being changed!  I've heard of a product
>called "Diaperwraps", or something like that, which seem to be vinyl
>pants with velcro closures that claim to eliminate the need for pins.
>We're trying to decide whether to invest $15 in a set of three of
>these, or bag the whole thing and go back to disposables.  What tricks,
>if any, have you come up with for dealing with cloth diapers?  I know
>that they're supposed to be less irritating than paper, but with the
>way they get soaked, and with the vinyl pants, the cloth don't seem
>much of an improvement.
>-- 
>Jan Wolitzky, AT&T Bell Labs, Murray Hill, NJ; 201 582-2998; mhuxd!wolit
>(Affiliation given for identification purposes only)

I am now in the throws of dealing with my second infant in less than 2
years, and I can say that for these two kids during their first year,
cloth diapers were the ONLY way to go. They are only a pain for the
parents. In fact, Ashley, now only 3 1/2 months, cannot use disposable
at all, because of very severe rash problems they invariably create.

Some pointers:

    1.	To circumvent the soak-through problem, We always use double
	diapers. 

    2.	Make the diaper changing session as much entertainment for the
	kid as possible. Laugh a lot (That's real tough at 2:30 AM!).
	Play peek-a-boo through your kid's legs, etc. etc.

    3.	DO NOT get the diaperwraps, they cannot be cleaned and dried
	properly. Bleach kills the plasticizers in the vinyl, making
	it brittle after only 1 or two washings, and the dryer finishes
	it off. It might be arguable that you can't even get them clean.

    4.	Someone makes button-on plastic pants, which makes the job far
	easier for the kid who likes to squirm a lot.

    5.	MOst importantly for us.. Divide the task. When Ashley (or 
	Nathaniel) is hungry AND wet, I change the diapers and Linda
	then feeds the kid. It severely reduces frustration on each
	individual, and gets me even more involved in the minute
	details of child rearing.