Gdiapers: the Review

Note: I posted about the gdiaper in the main forum: people asked me my opinion on how they work: here it is....

When you have a baby the first question people ask, after "boy or girl?", is "disposable or cloth?". Now there is a third option: the gdiaper: a cloth/disposable hybrid, htat is good for the environment, and easy to use. Here’s the honest no holds barred review of the g diaper.

First of all, the gdiaper consists of three parts. The cloth overdiaper (g pant), the vinyl snap in liner and a flushable insert. Here is the basic premise of how you do the deed.

1. Take vinyl snap in liner

2. Insert the flushable pad into the liner. The liner smaller than the pad and is gathered, so that when the pad is inserted, the whole thing curves upwards. It just slips in: nothing to it.

3. Snap in the liner into the cotton diaper.

4. Put cotton diaper on baby. Velcro holds the pant in place.

Note: you have 2 vinyl inserts, so you can have an insert ready to go for the next change. You keep alternating between the two.

To change the baby:

1. Undo velcro.

2. Unsnap the vinyl insert.

3. Swap old insert for the new one that is (theoretically) preloaded. Or just insert a new pad if there is no poop on the vinyl (more on poop later)

4. Revelcro the diaper

5. Flush, compost or toss the insert.

Now: for the "controversial" part. The pads are flushable. As you guys know the main drawback on the site so far has been "Watch out! You will plug up your plumbing!"

Here’s the trick. The pad consists of 2 parts, really. There is a thin paper overlay that surrounds the "cottony" insides. It’s actually paper products: none of which are from virgin forests, all gathered in environmentally sounds practices. In order to flush there are a few steps.

1. Take the pad.

2. Tear down 3 sides of the pad

3. holding what is left, shake the "cottony" part into the toilet.

4. Using a wand (comes with the starter pack) you swish the pad to break it up.

5. Toss in the paper overlay

6. Flush.

It’s easier than it sounds. When the cottony insides meet the water, it practiaclly dissolves. It looks like a toilet bowl full of toilet paper that was left to stew for a while. That is what you are flushing down. The website has a whole area to proper flushing of the gdiaper... which toilet to use etc. You need more information, you can check it out there.

Also note: if the diaper contains only urine, you can compost it. It’s finished composting in 50-150 days according to the literature.

Urine: 100% no problems what so ever. (So far) Ya: I doubt that they hold as muc has a disposable... but really, disposables almost hold too much. If your kid’s diaper is that wet, you are staring down the void of some serious diaper rash.

Poop: Erica has messy poops lately, pretty runny. Even in her disposables, they would be larger than the gathered area of the diaper (which is where everything should be. So: seeing as she is the worst case scenario (apart from explosive diarrrhrea: but let’s be a bit practical) everything is going okay. Poop will get on the vinyl: that’‘s why there is the vinyl insert. Nothing has gotten onto the gdiaper. So all in all pretty good. Not GREAT: but pretty good.

Overnight: Will post tomorrow and let you know.

Pros to the gDiaperPros to the gDiaper (note: I list everything for pros and cons I cna think of: some of them are silly, but whatever)

Environmentally sound: Cloth uses a ton of water/detergent/energy. Disposables are disposable. These put poop where it belongs: in the sewer system. I won’t go into the whole thing here, but the company did their homework. It’s not 100% perfect (as the company says) but it’s the best we have right now. Certified Cradle to Cradle. Seriously: if you want something good for the environment: check out the site: www.gdiapers.com

Ease of Use: I listed every single step on how to change the diaper. Trust me I am lazy and this is not too big of a deal for me. No poop smell: Diaper Genies don’t work: poop smell lingers. But not if you flush!

Added Breathability Since Erica gets diaper rash, I wanted to get a cloth diaper for her. I came out with the gdiaper. No plastic means more breathing room for baby bums

.No advertising on the diaper in that there are no cute critters or cartoons that they will go ga ga over and want to buy everything with that character on it.

Cute Colours Hey: it worked for the mac. I have a vanilla and an orange one!

Soft to the touch/excellent quality pant When Erica was born, she wore Pampers Swaddlers. They are soft tot he touch. There is nothing like a soft baby bum. The diapers are really good quality. The bands are really high quality eleastic band; the Velcro is sewed on well. The velcro is on "backwards" so that it fastens in back AWAY FROM THEIR HANDS!! (Erica undid her diaper twice last week: peed all over her bed.)

Cheap Start up The sample pack has 2 gpants, each with 2 vinyl inserts (total of 4), and 10 diapers for $40: that will last you what a couple of days? Enough to see if you like it.

Not as expensive as other options: Cheaper than a diaper service. Depending on energy costs: cheaper than washing your won cloth (I think.... this honestly is a gut feeling: I would have to do the math)

 Cons to the dDiaper

Not as easy as disposable. Disposable are still just toss n go! You can get them anywhere.

Poop gets on the vinyl. It’s easy to clean off: but still it gets on the vinyl. And nothing in th is world stains like poop. (Note: the gpant has stayed clean so far)

Expensive. Where I am: 46 size 4 diapers are 18.99. I paid the same for 32 of the refills.

Not easy to get: You wont find them at your local Costco or Shoppers Drug Mart. I have to go all the way to Downtown Ottawa to get mine. If you buy them on line: the cost of shipping is almost as expensive as the product. Needless to say: I don’t shop for them from the company! Note: It may be better in the US.

Potential Flushing Hazards If you don’t do it right: I can easily see how these can totally back up your system.

 The Bottom Line

I like them a lot. Ya: they are more expensive, and a bit more difficult than disposables, but they are better for the environment and Erica wee rashy bum. So really they are priceless right?

We put her in the gdiaper overnight tonight. If all goes well: we will continue to do so. If not: regular disposables at night/gdiaper during the day.

There you have it!! What so you think?