Customer Reviews

Diaper Changes: The Complete Diapering Book and Resource Guide

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I found this book to be somewhat useful but not nearly as wonderful as I had hoped. The author is definitely biased [against disposable diapers, which I expected; but she also seems to think that everyone should use a diaper service, or if not, wool diapers/covers. She doesn't seem to give fair judgement to some of the other great products out there].

This author also made home washing of diapers sound MUCH more difficult than it really is [maybe this is because of the bias towards using diaper services?]. If I didn't already know a lot about cloth diapers, I'd be frightened off by her description of laundering. In reality, washing cloth diapers isn't much more difficult than washing the rest of baby's stuff. It certainly doesn't have to be the ordeal described in this book.

The whole book seems very opinionated more than factual, and sometimes the author's tone got on my nerves. That having been said, I found the Product and Resource listing in the last part of the book extremely useful. The only problem is that it is somewhat dated now [I think the book came out in 1997]. Several of the numbers I tried to call that were listed were disconnected at this point.

I'd say this book is worth having for someone who is considering using cloth diapers, but overall it could be much better.

I had high expectation, partly due to other positive customer reviews, that this book would help me sort through the confusing overload of diapers, diapering systems, covers, products, etc., on the market. However, I was very disappointed: the book is so unrestrained in its enthusiasm that it lack the critical analysis I was hoping for. I also found the book to be repetitive with similar or even verbatim descriptions reappearing in different parts of the book. In short, too many exclamation points, too many rave reviews, not enough substantive comparison of brands.

In the end, I do not feel that I am in a better position to make better choices than I was before I read the book. The detailed information in the various diapering catalogs/brochures I have received gave me essentially the same understanding of my choices.

That said, the book has a comprehensive listing of various vendors and the products they carry which I did find useful (but, once again, little criticism or analysis of who has better customer service, shipping, etc....just rave reviews of just about everybody and every product).

In summary, an O.K. resource, but not fantastic.

Diapering Changes has much information on what's available to parents today. In the past there were only a few options for parents, mostly pin-on diapers that required a lot of folding. Diapering Changes helps the new parent choose what type of diaper is best for them, and offers an extensive listing of companies that sell cloth diaper supplies, very important since high-quality diapers are usually not available in stores. One note is that the author's descriptions of home washing are much more difficult to follow than the method most mothers use. Additionally, the author recommends cleaning methods for the non-circumcised boy which conflict with the official position paper of the American Academy of Pediatricians.

In the first two years of your baby's life, you will change over 5,600 diapers! Think you know enough about diapers? And why should you care about what goes on your baby's bottom, anyway? This book will give you plenty of food for thought.

Diaper Changes should be required reading for every new and expectant parent. Jam-packed with useful information, it is the most comprehensive book on diapering available. As the proprietor of a baby layette catalogue and mother to a nine-month-old, I have seen much on the subject, but this book still leaves me in awe. Well-researched and thorough, Diaper Changes is refreshingly up-to-date amidst the stale information presented in most baby-care books of today - nowhere in this book will you find instructions for using "rubber pants" or other obsolete diapering paraphernalia. (Frankly, those `experts' should read this book to become informed!)

Whether using cotton, disposables or a combination of both, every parent will find this book incredibly useful. Written by an experienced mother of four, Diaper Changes thoroughly covers all the issues and concerns: cost comparisons between cloth and disposable (which is really cheaper?), environmental concerns, washing and disposal methods, product reviews, even how to make your own budget-wise diapering supplies!

Looking for that perfect yet hard-to-find product for your family? A resource guide of 60 U.S. and Canadian companies is included (my company, Bella Nina, will be in the second edition which is due out next year). For persons with incontinence - a not-uncommon side effect of pregnancy - the author has thoughtfully included a special resource chapter addressing these products.

Yet with all of the `meaty' facts it contains, this book is by no means a dry read! All information is presented in an entertaining, often humorous style - it's like a chat with a warm, wise friend. More than just about diapering, Diaper Changes is really about creative parenting and finding joy in the everyday workings of life with young children. Reading this book made me want to get my hands on everything this incredible lady has written! (Please see the Publisher's Note.)

Though Rodriguez Farrisi is a self-proclaimed "cloth purist", she has used both reusable and disposable diapers, and both are presented here without harangue - "Full or part-timers [for either are] welcome." As the author states, "No one should judge the decision you make... I only want to equip you to make the best possible decisions for you and the ones you are privileged to care about" - whatever you feel that decision may be.

Whether this is your first or last baby, I strongly encourage anyone who is or will be a caregiver for little children (or others with special needs) to read Diaper Changes. This is one book that WON'T gather dust on your shelf!

Tiffany Rogers, Proprietor
Bella Nina
chilelily@bod.net

I found this book to be extremely helpful when I was just entering the world of cloth diapering. I started doing some online research on the DiaperPin and MDC sites and found it to be information overload. It is all so overwhelming - I needed a basic place to start. There are TONS of online resources - but if you are like me - and get a headache when you read too long/staring at the computer screen - you prefer a book you can hold in your hand and read.

This book goes over all of the different types of diapers, diaper covers, soakers, pants, and diaper accessories. It offers a good basic breakdown for someone unaware of what cloth diapering is all about. The costs of each kind of diaper is covered, and compared to disposable diapers. The environmental and health and safety issues relating to diapering are covered. Instructions are given on how to actually diaper a newborn and toddler and how to launder diapers.

I like the gray boxes scattered throughout the book - they give a rundown of the facts just covered in that chapter - sort of like a quick reference. There is also a "make-your-own" section that I found helpful. I am going to try this before I invest any big money into WAHM or diaper company purchases.

The end of the book has a Company and Resource guide that list diaper/cover reviews and Diaper Company reviews. This is a bit outdated. But in the dynamic world of cloth diapering (with so many new diapers coming out) its hard to have reliable "in print" list.

The author does give her opinion throughout the book - based on her experience with her six kids. This doesn't bother me as I think a previous reviewer mentioned being upset by this. All moms have their own opinions (usually very strong ones!) This author is no different. Although she is a bit negative when referring to washing cloth diapers which I think is a disservice to the cloth diapering community - and kind of strange considering she write a book to PROMOTE cloth diapering - her opinion is kind of backwards.

Washing diapers can be the most daunting task to those just entering the world of cloth diapering. And to play the laundry part up as a negative - well that's just discouraging. Don't get discouraged Parents! It's not that bad. It becomes part of your routine and after a few weeks it becomes like doing any other laundry. Invest in a Diaper Sprayer and a good wet bag. And chose one kind of diaper (All In One, Pocket Diaper, Prefold and covers, etc) then pick a few brands to try. Stay focused and don't let all the info out there scare you. You will settle into your own routine in no time.

All in all this is a good starting point for someone new to the diapering world wanting a layout of the basics. Although someone who is already "in the know" may find this book too basic and a waste of time. There are Moms out there that REALLY know their stuff when it comes to CDing - this book is not for them. But it was a good primer for me." Now that I have more info and have been cloth diapering for a while - I have my favorite online spots I can to stay current.

When baby number 4 came along, we decided to go with cloth diapers. Reading Diaper Changes has actually solidified our commitment. The information on the benefits of cloth are great, and the resource listings are really wonderful. I am currently using the suggestion to recycle old wool sweaters into old fashioned soakers, and loving it!! This book is a must for every parent, no matter how many kids they have had!! I wish I had had it before my first was born almost 9 years ago!!

This book is not only helpful to parents, but also to people who don't have children. I am around children all the time and on occasion I have ran out of diapers. This book gave me some ideas for making a diaper until I was able to go to the store and purchase disposable ones. The information about diaper services, powders, covers, and laundering are very helpful. It's amazing how many ways you can save money and still have the best for your baby. I would recommend this book to any new parent or anyone thinking of having children. I have never seen another book like this, and I would love to see another one from this author.

I'm a first-time mom-to-be considering cloth diapering our baby. I find the world of cloth diapering really overwhelming (who knew there were 18 different ways to fold a piece of cloth, and then 24 different accessories that work with each different fold!?). I bought this book becuase I wanted an overview of the options, and a description of what would be necessary to do cloth diapering.

The focus in the book is very heavily on home-washing, which is great, but it tends to neglect other options like diaper services. We intend to use a diaper service, and after reading the book I'm still wondering, for example, what paraphenalia I need to purchase? What is typically supplied by a diaper service? How should I choose one service over another?

The author makes a great case for cloth-diapering, but the book does have a tendency to stray into the irrelevant - there are a number of sections on how to bond with your child while changing, how parents should enjoy every minute with their children, etc. Great information for a baby book, not really necessary for one about diapering!

The resource section is great and I really appreciate the links to a lot of different online sites where I can purchase the pieces for cloth diapering. I would recommend getting this book if you are considering cloth diapering, but I am also going to keep looking for a more comprehensive resource.

I purchased this book during pregnancy of my first child. I'd already decided to use cloth diapers and was looking for information to help me make more informed choices. While I still felt a bit overwhelmed after reading the book cover to cover, the book is a must read for familiarizing yourself with the broad spectrum of cloth diapering. There is helpful information on the wide variety of cloth diapers and covers available today, how to care for them, how to use and clean, even how to make your own diapers, etc.

However, I feel that you will still need to spend some time doing your own research and getting opinions from others, such as from an online message board or from the folks that run websites that sell cloth diapers (many of whom are moms with children in cloth diapers). Eveyone's needs are different -- for both the parents and the baby.

The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is that there are even more types of diapers than mentioned in the book and some of the references are out of date.

This is a great book! For anyone wondering how cloth diapering works, this book explains how easy it is. From diaper services to homewashing, Farrisi tells all. I've used a number of her ideas, and ordered from the sources she recommends. (You haven't diapered until you've used organic blue diapers!:)) Lots of great suggestions, experiences, and resources.