Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site gamma.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!gamma!tif From: tif@gamma.UUCP (Barbara Charles) Newsgroups: net.kids Subject: Re: [Diaper service vs. disposals. Which is better?] Message-ID: <761@gamma.UUCP> Date: Thu, 23-Jan-86 09:54:44 EST Article-I.D.: gamma.761 Posted: Thu Jan 23 09:54:44 1986 Date-Received: Fri, 24-Jan-86 21:38:48 EST References: <2099@druxq.UUCP>, <659@hlwpc.UUCP> Organization: BELLCORE, Livingston, NJ Lines: 44 > It's getting close to the time our baby will be born and I am debating > whether or not to use a diaper service or the disposal type of diapers. 1982 study of 200 inftants, published by the Journal of Pediatrics, compared the incidence of diaper rash found in babies wearing home-laundered diapers with those using disposables. The cloth-diaper group had diaper rash signi- ficantly more often than the babie susing 3 different types of throwaways. This study, unlike previous ones, checked infants' diaper areas weekly for nine months. A similar comparison between disposables and diaper-service laundered cloth ones has not been done. CLOTH DISPOSABLE Cleanliness Messy clean up, but if Sterile from the pkg. properly washing, the are and clean-up is easy, just as clean as disposables. Less for you to do if you use a diaper service. Convenience Time-consuming if you No folding or pinning rinse, soak, wash and is necessary; easy to disinfect diapers yourself; fasten, with self- takes a bit longer to attach adhesive straps pins and put on plastic pants Cost Initial outlay for diapers Ongoing expense, since liners, pants, pails, pins, you use only once. and cost of detergent and One estimate puts the hot water. Diaper service cost at four times brings price closer to cost that of cloth of disposable diapers From book: "The Maternity Sourcebook" by Wendy and Matthew Lesko The choice is really up to you as each person's life style is different. A working mom would probably prefer disposables, but a mom who can stay at home and has the time to wash, pin, etc., etc., can probably use cloth diapers or a diaper service. My opinion is for you to look at your life style and see what is convenient for the lady of the house since she spends most of her time taking care of "diapers." Barbara Charles Bradley Childbirth Instructor