Diaper Changes: The Complete Diapering Book and Resource Guide (Revised 2nd Edition) (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Review

HERE'S WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT DIAPER CHANGES: THE COMPLETE DIAPERING BOOK AND RESOURCE GUIDE by Theresa Rodriguez Farrisi: -- Publisher

Product Description

The Diapering Bible! DIAPERS? DIAPER COVERS? CLOTH DIAPERING PRODUCTS? WHERE TO FIND THE EXACT DIAPERING PRODUCTS YOU ARE LOOKING FOR? HEALTH, SAFETY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL INFO? MOTHER-TO-MOTHER SUPPORT? WANT TO SAVE TIME, ENERGY AND MONEY? You have just discovered the ONLY BOOK available on diapering in America today! DIAPER CHANGES: THE COMPLETE DIAPERING BOOK AND RESOURCE GUIDE is everything today's parents need to know about diapering options, issues, and resources. * we tried every diaper, cover and accessory out there-- so you don't have to! * why waste time searching through dead links, weird diapering sites, or web clutter? All the info you need is right here! * over 60 mail-order sources in one place: no other way to find it all easily *fully Updated 2nd Edition has websites, email, new companies, products and more! * Find anything from organic cotton diapers to Gore-Tex covers to wool soakers * hard-to-find adult and youth incontinence products * no ad hype: just scores of honest product reviews from experienced mother of five! * find your own balance between cloth and disposables; know your potential health and safety risks (there are some real ones out there) * diaper patterns and fabric sources for the creative or frugal soul * loads of illustrations, practical info, and encouragement *know all your options before spending any money! And save money, too! This book will save you hundreds of dollars over disposables and save you from buying inferior cloth diapering products! You will love Diaper Changes and be glad Theresa Rodriguez Farrisi finally wrote the book on diapering!

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Homekeepers Publishing; 2nd edition (November 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965695573
• ISBN-13: 978-0965695572
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,483,849 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Useful, but not Excellent, May 15, 2001

By	Kelly "kelly-lcce" (Kennesaw, GA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

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.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Overly enthusiastic, no substantial analysis or criticism, February 18, 2000

By	A. Ferguson (Delaware) - See all my reviews

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.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great starting point for a newbie! (3rd Edition review), September 13, 2005

By	Michelle - See all my reviews

This review is from: Diaper Changes, 3rd Edition: The Complete Diapering Book and Resource Guide (Paperback)

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.