Berkeley Parents Network: GDiapers

Berkeley Parents Network

GDiapers

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > What/Where to Buy > GDiapers

December 2006

Are there any chemists, toxicologists, or savvy parents out there who did the research who can tell me whether the ingredients used in G diapers are truly safe for use against a baby's bare skin? I've read the website (www.gdiapers.com), and of course they say that they are, but I would like a second opinion before I opt into using them. Here is what they say:

''The outer material of flushables is viscose rayon, a natural polymer that comes from trees. It is the only polymer used in the textile industry that comes from a natural, renewable and non-fossil fuel source. It is both compostable and flushable. The fabric has a stay dry feel, which keeps your baby happy. The contents of the flushable are made of soft, fluffed wood pulp and super absorber. Like the outer material, the inside of the flushable comes from sustainably managed forests using anelemental-chlorine-free (ECF) process.'' They go on to describe one of the other ingredients: ''SAP stands for super absorber. A.K.A. sodium polyacrylate. SAP are the small crystals mixed with soft, fluffed wood pulp that make up the contents of the flushable. It is an amazing material, able to absorb up to 100 times it’s weight in water.
SAP is proven to be safe and effective by over 400 studies, and most recently was given the ''two thumbs up'' from MBDC, the leading US based design chemistry firm. MBDC gave the SAP in our gDiaper flushables the chemical rating ''green'', which is the safest assessment a chemical or material can receive. It is found in most disposable diapers and feminine hygiene products, safe for humans and harmless to the environment.''

Finally, the covers are made of polyurethane coated nylon. So, just wondering about the safety of all these ingredients. Also, are they really any different than standard disposables?? Don't they also have poly-acrylate gel in them and isn't that one of the substances of concern? [Note: I used cloth with my first child and may do so with the second, but I don't love all the water use and bleaching they do to clean them.] Considering my options

I don't know much about the G diapers, but wanted to throw out there that if the only problem with cloth is the water & bleach, I think our diaper company used non-chlorine bleach, and after lots of research, I was satisfied that the water useage for cleaning cloth diapers was lower volume and more easily treated for reuse than the water useage for production of any of the disposables cloth diapers for 6 yrs & more to come

August 2006

G-diapers - nocturnal leakage, anyone?

I've been using g-diapers mostly very happily for months now since the snazzy things came on the market - baby now 20 mos old. Called the company once when the velcro on the covers wore out and led to diaper inserts sagging/leaking, and they sent me two brand new covers to keep a customer. But now I notice that at night the diaper insert bunches up in a way that sometimes the pee leaks through the liner to the cover, so she's wet through to her PJs in the morning. Anyone else had this? Any solutions (or do you just use a disposable at night)? Kate

We are having the same problems with our 5-month old and have resorted to using disposables at night which we are bummed about. We, too, have found the gDiaper people to be nice and willing to send out extra liners, etc but we aren't sure how to handle the ''bunching up'' issue you describe. One thing we always do is try to make sure that the white liner isn't sticking up outside the diaper in the back. We'll be very curious what others folks say in terms of suggestions. This didn't really happen at all when our little one was in the size smalls but now that she is in the mediums (and is at the bottom end of the weight criteria for them) it's happening all of a sudden. Feeling your pain

I just figured out a solution to the g-diapers leakage problem. (We have it too, especially as the inner liners get a little frayed.) We had diaper wraps left over from when we had cloth diapers, or you can get them at local baby stores. Just put them over the g-diapers, and you're set. They're not bulky. Aside: I'm a bit frustrated by the fraying, after we followed the laundering instructions to the letter.. g-diapers fan

May 2006

Gdiapers-- cutting the cost?

My husband is not too keen on the idea of using cloth diapers, but I am kind of repulsed by the environmental cost of disposables. So, I have been considering G-diapers. Of those of you that are using them, have you found a way to cut back on the cost? I.e.-- is there a place to get the liners cheaper than on their website (www.gdiapers.com)? How frequently do you need to wash the diaper covers, and how many should one buy for a new baby? lost in diaper world

First, let me say, I LOVE GDIAPERS! I have been a loyal Fuzzi Bunz user until I discovered Gdiapers at the Green Festival in the city last year. I love that there is no dirty diaper smell in the house anymore, I love that I can use them with a good consicence regarding the environment and I love the way they look on my son! I think they are the best combination of the convenience of disposables and the environmental/health benefits of cloth.

I haven't found any great bargains on them but I always try to stock up when I see them on sale. Whole Foods discounts both the starter kits and refills frequently. I have 6 pairs of Gpants on hand and wash a few every other day with my son's laundry. If they don't end up with poop all over them (which they generally don't ) you can reuse the Gpants several times. The Gdiapers website has tons of great tips for getting started.

Obviously I am a huge fan of Gdiapers...give them a try! Kiran

We have been happily using gDiapers for about 3 months. We have 4 diapers and about 8 of the plastic liners. For the next size up we have already purchased 6 diapers. The rate at which we need to wash stuff really depends on leakage. For diapers with pee, the plastic liners are easily wiped pretty clean with a baby wipe and then re-used. When a little bit of pee gets on the fabric cover we may let it just dry before re-using and/or sot clean. If it's a lot of pee or any poop we rinse them out and/or put them in the washing machine or handwash them. Since we pay for laundry we save money by doing them by hand.

We get a 10% discount from Whole Foods when we buy things by the case (either the diapers themselves or the starter kits).

I would highly recommend calling or emailing the company to ask their suggestions. They have been incredibly nice and helpful to me.

You could also ask for starter kits as shower gifts or see if someone else you know would be willing to chip in if you passed the stuff along to them for their baby (due several months after yours at least). You could post a request to buy previously used covers on BPN, too.

The other thing we did for awhile was make our own disposable wipes o offset the cost. Were now simply buying 7th Generation wipes in bulk online through Amazon to save a lot over store costs, Good luck! Anon

I've used cloth diapers, tushies and g-diapers (the latter two for travel to long distance places). really, we started out from the beginning with cloth and since we were new parents, we had nothing to compare them to. my husband didn't think it was any harder or more inconvenient than a disposable and now that we have been able to potty train our 2 year and 4 month old boy (early for a boy, is what i hear), i think he knows the added benefit of using cloth. he's also seen our nephews/nieces with constant diaper rashes because of (or compounded by the fact that they use) disposables. anyway, if you and your husband have not had previous children, i'd say give cloth a try - you can't compare it to anything else! but your question was about g-diapers. they are useful and kept my son dry during travels on the airplane and international places. if your baby/toddler is slender, i'd make sure you get a snug fit or else it may leak, though. you only have to wash the diaper liners (nylon) if it's been poo'd on or if it's been used for a few days. as for the covers, i'd wash them if they also got poo'd on or after a few days. it doesn't take long for the liners to dry (i wash them by hand) and you can put the covers in the wash. i like them because you can either flush them or throw them in the trash and know that they are completely biodegradeable. you can even put your pee diapers in your garden compost tried everything

Feb 2006

I was wondering if anyone would (or would not) recommend GDiapers flushable diapers? I did not see any reference to them in the archives on diapers. They sound almost too good to be true! We learned about them from parenthacks.com, http://www.parenthacks.com/2006/01/gdiapers_the_mi.html. The company website is http://www.gdiapers.com. Thanks. Kelly

I am expecting my first child soon and looking at diaper options. I would like to stay away from disposal diapers so I am deciding between cloth diapers and gdiapers. Does anyone have experiance with gdiapers. How do they compair to cloth diapers? Which is easier to use? Does one leak more than the other? Thank you Mom-To-Be
I am expecting twins in a couple of weeks and thinking about diapering options, and I stumbled across some information about ''gdiapers'' on the web. It's a flushable diaper system invented in Australia, newly available in the U.S. The website is: http://www.gdiapers.com/ I realize they are only recently available here, but I was wondering if anyone had any experience with them. On the surface, they look great, but I don't know if they work well. Also I was wondering about whether it's really safe for the super absorbent polymer in the liners to go into the sewage system (they make an argument that it's okay, but I'm not sure). Anyone use these things, or know of a good reason not to? Karen,

Hello fine folks in Berkeley and around the world: I found something exciting while websurfing the other day and I just had to share it with you all. If you think washing cloth diapers is too gross and trashing disposables is too Earth-unfriendly, there is now an alternative. Flushable, compostable, cute diapers from some nice parents in Australia. They're called gDiapers. Don't take my word for it, go see for yourself at http://www.gdiapers.com. Oh - and they sell them at Elephant Pharmacy now. You can try a starter kit for around 20 bucks. If you would like to read about my experience with them and see why I am so excited, I wrote in my blog about it: http://yvod.com/marisa/?p=48 Happily Flushing

I recently tried Go diapers. My experience is that they fit well and contained pee and poop well, but clogged up our toilet. I think this was because I let the flushable part sit in the toilet too long ballooning up with water. Once you drop in the flushable part, you have to break it up with a long plastic stick. I can't do this with my curious toddelr standing there trying to participate, so I would have to close the lid and come back later--hence, clog city. I think if you were able to do the breaking up and flushing right away, it would probably be fine.

Compared to cloth diapers, Go diapers are like using a cloth diaper + diaper cover--not as convenient as an all-in-one cloth or disposable, but pretty easy. There is something very satisfying about dumping it all in the toilet and seeing it disappear, but for me, it was too much of a clog problem.

HOWEVER, if after reading this, you decide to try them, I am looking to sell a ''large'' size starter kit for cheap: $15.00 obo, for everything, except two of the flushable liners. If I don't respond to emails in one week, it's gone. ellen

Go diapers must go!

We started with cloth and disposables (for the night, long walks, dinner and travel.) Now, that we have discovered GDiapers, we use all three, though we really ought to be able to use GDiapers and Disposables (for the night and travel). GDiapers --- better fit than cloth, more absorbent and ecofriendly. Flushing them down is rather easy if you follow a couple simple rules. It requires two flushes, one for the ''innards'' and then one for the outer covering. Don't forget to ''swish'' the ''innards'' (once you get them you'll know what I mean).

- Leaks: All three types can leak :( Especially with new babies..in fact, we started g diapers after our baby started with the firmer poops, so can't speak to leaks in the beginning. I've grown to prefer the Gdiaper over cloth.

- Sewage system: After a couple plunges when we first got started, we haven't had a problem. That doesn't mean we won't have one... However, once you do it a couple of times you will get the sense that if toilet paper is OK, then the Gdiaper should be too. Madan

My daughter is 15 months old. For the first 6 months she was in cloth (diaper service), then after that, disposables because my chosen childcare provider would only do that. I have had consistent pangs of ''landfill guilt'', so much that I recently started a combination, using cloth at home the 4 days she's not in childcare, and washing them at home. Definitely more leaks with cloth, & sadly more diaper rash than in disposables. Then a week ago I decided to try the new Gdiapers, promo starter pack and all. Truly, they're not paying me anything to say this, but I think they are amazing. No leaks, and the stuff inside the liner that you rip open, breaks down to very flushable mush in the toilet bowl (and the paper-thin outer layer also flushes away easily), so no complaints from our standard old-house toilet. She seems to find them very comfortable (more so than with the thicker cloth and not-so-soft cover), her bum seems much happier & drier (even after all night), and yes, they do look extremely cute. A much slenderer butt than the big poofy cloth look. And the velcro-in-back design means she can't undo them, not that she's tried. Wish they'd been on the market months ago. She'll still be in disposables 3 days a week (can't persuade her great provider) but the rest of the time she'll be in these. I say give them a try. Kate

Hi - I've been using GDiapers since December, and I'd recommend them to anyone who would feel guilty tossing all their disposables into a landfill.

A few things: GDiapers recommends you move your changing table into the bathroom. I haven't done this but it's a good idea. Sorry for grossing anyone out, but if your baby's poop has turned solid I've found you can't always wrap it up in the GDiaper burrito-style like you can with a disposable. So you may find yourself walking from the nursery to the toilet, gingerly cradling a poop in your GDiaper that you will then have to artfully roll into the toilet.

I've found it's a lot more convenient to have four or five GDiapers ready to go in a basket by the changing table (meaning the flushable part is already folded and in the liner and cover) so that you don't have to put the diaper together with a wiggly baby on the changing table.

I haven't had any clogging with our older toilet yet.

In my opinion, they're not really a replacement for disposables - they're more work. But they're an alternative to cloth if you're using cloth for environmental reasons. Some use cloth because they prefer cotton to plastic and chemicals (for absorbancy) on their baby's skin and I don't know if GDiapers is any better in the chemical dept. I cancelled my Tiny Tots service a few weeks after using Gdiapers (sadly, because Tiny Tots was a dependable service with GREAT people).

The company is so new that when I wrote to ask them a question in December (they had just launched I think) the co-founder and CEO, Kim Graham-Nye wrote back with the answer herself.

It's about $25 for a starter pack, so well worth a try. BTW, here's what she wrote to me about sizes:

Sometimes larger babies (big bellies and big thighs) can fit into Large but as they get older they go back to Medium again. By and large, most kids fit in the Medium from about 3 months to 2 years (I know it is hard to believe but it is honestly true!). Often babies will gain weight in the first few months, then just get taller. Once they start moving, they seem to burn more than they eat!

Lisa

We are test-driving gDiapers on my 11 month old son right now. They seem to work well (no leaks, easy to assemble). I like the decrease in laundry from my FuzziBunz, which have to washed every time and rinsed in the toilet (yuck). I am still using a disposible at night, because this is the only thing that seems to ward off a painful butt rash. I guess because the moisture is wicked away from the body more with diposibles, or at least that's the case for us.

The gDiapers fit *very* snugly on his chubby thighs (my mom says they look like a Speedo) and I may try going up to a size large from the medium.

A word of caution, however, the flushable portion is quite bulky and might clog an older toilet. We haven't had any issues, but our house is brand new. Also, the pee diapers *only* can be composted, so only the poops have to be flushed.

In addition, the cost is substantial. They are definitely more expensive than disposibles, as the refills (the flushable portion) are $52!! for a 128 ct package. This would only last us 2-3 weeks. Maybe someone knows where to get them cheaper.

I guess if your goal is to be eco-friendly, have less laundry (or no diaper service), and money is no object, then gDiapers are a good solution. Emily

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