gDiapers review

Since we were home sick today, and since the starter kit arrived from diapers.com yesterday, we decided to try gDiapers.

So far, we've had one poopy gDiaper and one wet one. And we're 2 for 2 -- I like them. No leaks.

Pros:
1. Much better for the environment. The refills, which are the only part of the diapering system that are not reusable, are flushable (in most toilets), compostable (just wet ones, not poopies, for obvious reasons), or tossable. Even in landfills, they biodegrade in 50-100 days (not 500 years, like regular disposable diapers).
2. The diaper covers are made of a nice, breathable cloth.
3. They are super-cute, and come in all sorts of colors.
4. The tabs face backwards, instead of frontwards like disposables do, so they're harder for babies to take off. Andrew's not at that stage yet -- but he will be someday.

Cons:
1. They're expensive -- about 42 cents per refill, whereas disposables (we're currently using Pampers Cruisers, Size 3) are about 21 cents each. So, gDiapers are twice the price per diaper change.
2. They're slightly more work. Once you've removed the dirty diaper (the cover should stay clean, but the snap-out vinyl liner and, of course, the disposable refill, get dirty), you need to rip up the refill and flush it down the toilet, and the vinyl liner needs to be washed in the sink. The good news is that it takes about 10 minutes for the liner to air-dry. They sent me 4 vinyl liners with the 2 diaper covers, so there's always a dry, clean liner ready. Anyway, after you've changed the baby and disposed of the refill, you should re-assemble another gDiaper to be ready for the next diaper change. So that's about 15 seconds more work.
3. The refills still contain sodium polyacrylate, a key ingredient in disposable diapers. There's some debate out there about whether this substance is completely safe against babies' skin.
4. They're probably less convenient than disposable diapers while traveling.
5. I don't know if daycare would be willing to use them. They're not willing to use cloth diapers, I know that much.

I haven't tried gDiapers overnight, but the website advises using 2 liners -- one in the regular "full length" position, and one extra folded up and placed in front for boys, or in the middle for girls. Since I'm getting ready to throw Andrew's crib sheet in the washer this weekend, I'll try a gDiaper tonight so it won't be too annoying if there's a leak.