The Great Diaper Debate

While on my vacation I used disposable diapers on Moose. Cloth diapers, while very doable for most vacations, are just not conducive for 10-day camping/roadtrips. So I grudgingly stashed my stash and packed my Luvs for the long trip ahead. During the week I had the chance to reevaluate my decision to cloth diaper.

So here it is, the no-bones-about it truth in the Cloth vs Sposie Debate.

Round 1: Appearance

Cloth delivers a one-punch knockout in this round. You just simply cannot find a disposable diaper to compete with the cuteness of cloth. Zebra print, Ooga Booga, Chocolate Zoo, and a rainbow of solid PUL colors make this an easy call. Its hard to beat a fluffy bum.

Round 2: Convenience

After an impressive back-and-forth between the two, disposables ultimately reign victorious over this round. No matter how convenient cloth diapering is, there will always be the added step of washing the diapers. The victory, however, is taken by a small margin. (****Edits at bottom of post)

Round 3: Absorbency

After a lengthy debate amongst the judges, the winner was declared cloth. Sposies do not even hold a candle to hemp inserts, these babies work miracles even on super soaker overnight diapers.

Round 4: Price

Hands down, no contest, sposies are seeing stars after an easy knockout round. Sure, sposies started off in the lead since cloth has some upfront cost. But in the end cloth takes this round by storm.

Cloth Overall Summary: Cloth diapers are far more absorbent than disposables. On our first night in sposies Moose had a huge poopy blowout and leaked everywhere, something that never happens at home in cloth. Of course this all depends on the type, brand and style of the cloth diaper, however, and it takes some trial and error before you perfect your stash with what works for you. Cloth is softer on baby's bum, cheaper (over time), better for the environment and so much cuter. However, starting cloth can be a pricey investment and you have to make sure to stay current on your cloth diapering laundry.

Sposies Overall Summary: Sposies have a corner on convenience. While cloth diapers are fairly convenient, sposies will always have the edge over cloth. Not having to remove solids over the toilet (although you are supposed to even with sposies, who actually does?) and no dirty diaper laundry give sposies the upperhand. You just roll it up and toss it. However, I found them to be flimsy, the tabs tore off easily, and I couldn't get a good fit, I also found them to have an odd perfumey smell that I never noticed until after I switched to cloth.

****Edited to add: One of my readers made a very strong point about the convenience of cloth and not having to make frantic trips to the store when you run out. I would also like to add that when you change in public you don't have to go hunting for a trash can when you cloth diaper. You simply stick it in your wetbag (something you probably do not own if you disposable diaper) and wash it when you get home.