Green Diapering

Happy Earth Day!

With each child, I've felt a bit more responsibility to do my part in protecting our fragile Earth. I've always been aware of environmental issues...but I can't say it has always been foremost in my mind. Sometimes issues like convenience and budget get in the way. Sometimes, it's hard to navigate all of the options that are out there.

Now that we are diapering two young ones, I'm incredibly conscious of the amount of diaper garbage we put on the curb each week. We're currently trying different ways to "diaper greener."

Here are a few of our top picks for joining the "environmental movement of baby movements."

Favorite cloth diaper option:
We love our BumGenius one-size diapers. When we started cloth-diapering with "Smaller," we really didn't know what we were getting into. Since we weren't sure if they would be used again, we chose to go with a one-size option, so that the diapers would grow with our baby. BumGenius diapers are soft and comfy, with velcro for an easy-as-disposables fit. I hope they keep adding to their color options - we have some of their original pastel colors but the newer, vibrant color choices are really cute. Best of all, cloth diapers create no waste at all!

For me, the best part of cloth diapering are the cute wetbags you use to carry them! Check out these fabulous ones, with designer fabrics, from Monkey Foot Designs.

Favorite disposable option:

I've recently tried the Nature Babycare disposables. These diapers are soft and based on natural materials, with no oil-based plastics touching baby's skin. They have a good fit and seem to perform as well as the more traditional diapers. We try to use these when we are traveling and simply can't wash or tote diaper laundry.

Nature Babycare also makes a great, 100% biodegradable baggie for those little messes you need to contain. Re-using plastic bags is okay too, but not using plastic bags at all is the best! We pick these up at our local Target store.

Favorite "hybrid" option:

Hybrids are all the rage these days, and my newest favorite Eco-friendly diapers are a hybrid diaper called gDiapers. If you haven't tried gDiapers, you absolutely need to check these out!

gDiapers consist of a washable, cotton outer pant and a plastic-free flushable refill. That's right - you can flush these! Even if you don't flush, you can feel really good about tossing them (or composting the wet ones) becuase they break down in 50 - 150 days. Regular diapers can be in a landfill for up to 500 years! The gDiapers inserts contain no chlorine, no chemicals, no perfumes, no plastic layer, no inks or dyes, no latex, no garbage and no guilt!

The outer pant is made of a soft, breathable material like sports clothing and comes in the cutest colors and patterns. There is also a stretchy, snap-in liner that holds the flushable insert, and means less washing!

If you're ready to try gDiapers (you won't be sorry!) you can learn more about them and purchase at gDiapers.com. Enter code kiwibaby for 20% off your order until June 30th. I'm headed there to buy some medium little g pants...just as soon as I finally pick my favorite colors.

Amazon.com is also offering some discounts this month on gDiapers. Add gdiapers inserts to your cart, choose subscribe and save to get 15% off (you can cancel this at anytime with a click of your mouse in "my account" tab) and then use code: GRNBB4O9 to save an extra 10%. That's 25% off, folks!

Go save some green while you go green. And while you're at it, get out there and enjoy the green outdoors!