Using cloth diapers on my toddler during a recent trip to New York City was not a viable option for me. Laundering cloth diapers at a coin-op while on holiday? That just wasn’t my idea of R&R. My solution was to test out a relatively new product to the U.S.— g diapers.

Though I later learned that they are not yet easy to locate, I was able to find a local retailer without much effort. I bought a starter kit which included two g diaper pants, liners, a swishstick and 10 flushable inserts. Admittedly, I had just about swooned at the package design that showcases unbelievably adorable images of babies wearing g pants.

I was so excited that I cracked open the box as soon as I got home. I eagerly read the directions, assembled the pant with liner and flushable insert, and diapered my daughter. Yep, it was incredibly cute. But, would it work? And, would it solve my travel dilemma?

The g diaper consists of a fitted fabric diaper, a snap-in plastic waterproof liner and a flushable insert. The flushable insert is designed to virtually dissolve in water once torn open, dropped into the toilet bowl and flushed. The product encourages parents to flush a baby’s output down the toilet, thereby keeping the family waste “where it belongs” in the sewage system. It also makes mess, clean-up and laundering more manageable and convenient than cloth diapering.

After traveling for day or two, I quickly realized that the starter kit of two g diapers was probably not going to be enough. One of the biggest challenges for me was finding a g diaper retailer in Brooklyn. Apparently, g diapers are still getting on the map even in big cities like New York, and purchasing them became a scavenger hunt.

I went to three different locations (two of which were listed as retailers on the g diaper site) with no luck. At my last Brooklyn hopeful, Fairway in Red Hook, I hit the mother load. This overwhelmingly huge grocer had what I was looking for—another starter kit and refills. The only downfall? It was a 20 minute drive at the other end of the borough. (If you live in Brooklyn, it might be a hassle to get there, but they do deliver.)

With four diapers now at my disposal, I found the use of g diapers much more manageable. Given my circumstances of having no laundry, I was able to toggle between hand washing, air-drying and having at least two or three g pants ready to go.

My experience of actual use inspired mixed (mostly positive) emotions. G diapers really are a combination of disposable and cloth. Pros and Cons abound:

Leakage/Fit: I’ve had no incidence of leakage. And, they are a perfect, slim fit. The recent redesign is softer and even better fitting than it’s predecessor. A definite pro over cloth diapers.

Liners: the liners are basically waterproof plastic diaper covers that snap on the inside. They do stain with use. A starter pack includes 2 liners for each diaper. Thankfully, the company’s online shop site sells a liner replacement 2 pack.

Inserts/Flushables: They’re very absorbent despite the fact that they bunch-up during wear. Future design improvements are sure to solve the bunching-up problem.
Flushing: I did flush the inserts down very old NYC plumbing with a little back up, but nothing that a plunge didn’t cure. In that respect, I think it’s fair to acknowledge flushing is not for everyone— a point the g diaper crew addresses on page four of the handy users guide (HUG.)

Mess: Like cloth diapering, you will have to touch poop (although not nearly as much.) With diapering, it’s a necessary evil. My husband will never be 100% on board with g diapers (or cloth for that matter.) But, he uses g diapers because contact is at a minimum. Plus, he loves me and our daughter and is willing to deal with it. Out of appreciation for his reluctant touching-of-poop, I am the primary diaperer. That’s a drawback, sigh, but they are cute.

Washing: The pants do need to be washed but don’t need all the extra effort of cloth diapers. The snap-in liners work so well that pre-soaking and scrubbing the pants are almost a non-issue. Using hot water isn’t necessary. Cold or warm water with the rest of your laundry works just fine. The colors do fade slightly but not beyond what’s reasonable.
Grandparents/extended family: Will not do g diapers (or cloth for that matter); They are disposable die-hards. For some, this may be an issue. For me, I don’t complain one bit! Thanks Mom and Dad for being willing to change poopy diapers at all!

Cost: A starter kit of 2 g pants, 4 snap-in waterproof liners and 10 flushables cost me $23-$25 depending on retailer. (FYI: they’re $26.99 online) A refill pack of 32 flushables cost $15. Quite a bit more than disposables and more than I want to pay. Environmentally-conscious products = not cheap. A definite drawback. But, I still think it’s worth it.

g diapers vs. cloth vs. disposables: At home, I use a cloth pre-fold diaper as an insert for g diaper pants or a cloth fitted diaper. I have come to prefer the pre-fold/g diaper combo as it keeps baby dry, doesn’t bunch-up, and is more trim fitting than a cloth diaper with a plastic cover. It’s also saves on buying flushable refills. When away from home, I use g diapers with flushable inserts . That way, carrying around soiled diapers is at a minimum, and I don’t have to use disposables. Disposables are obviously the most convenient, but experts say they take 500 years to decompose!

My Verdict: I’m sold! There is no doubt that g diapers and flushables are my favorite choice for diapering our daughter. They’ve made it their mission to address the two biggest controversies of modern-day diapering: landfills overflowing with plastic disposable diapers vs. the clean water concerns of laundering cloth diapers. Although I’m quite happy with their product design, I do believe they may still be too much maintenance and/or cost for the American public to be sold on the concept.

In the end, I applaud the g crew for their dedication to being the best option out there. I definitely recommend them to anyone who is looking for a disposable diaper alternative but isn’t interested in cloth. I foresee g diapers continuing to perfect their product and, with that, greater mass appeal will follow.

A Daddy’s verdict: If they could figure out a way to make it so we don’t have to touch the poop, I’d be 100% sold on it.

So, g diaper company, keep doing what you’re doing! Make cute diapers that don’t fill up landfills and can be flushed down the toilet. Who knows? With you at the helm, that next evolution—a healthy, safe, totally biodegradable g diaper seems only a matter of time.

Check out g diapers online.

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