Hi. I'll shortly be returning with my new baby girl. Some of you already know me (particularly from the Rough Guide research) and know that I like to do my bit for the environment. I already use washable diapers, and find all the new kinds brilliant for baby and so much cheaper than disposables, but the weather is a little different in the UK, and I've loads of questions for anyone used to using them in Belize. Can anyone help? Particularly on the difference of performance and coolness factor for baby between cotton, hemp and bamboo. Thanks!

Good for you! I used real diapers for my kids too but it's not very popular in Belize anymore. For the most part, they have been seduced by pampers, etc regardless of cost or environment (no one even calls them nappies or diapers any more - they only call them pampers!) I can vouch for cotton for performance & hemp for coolness but know nothing about bamboo. Good luck to you. Bring some of each and try for youself.

I heard P1 still uses them.

My son uses disposables

But my friend uses cotton diapers on her baby. She says that they are cooler.

Ernie, Let me guess, Bamboo type right? Man that's gotta smart. you know, splinters and all and they surely must leak too

I tried cotton diapers for my first child. By the time I rinsed them, soaked them, boiled them, dried them, defrosted them, dried them again etc I found that although I would have liked to use them regularly, I did not have enough hours in the day or good weather, or line space to use them practically. I was in the UK at the time. Stay at home moms might have the time, energy and determination but that wasn't me. Oh, I didn't have a washing machine at the time so it was all handwashing too.

With my kids that I raised in Belize I used disposables. I didn't know anybody that used real diapers.

So, can't really attest to coolness - but I can say that the climate is a lot more conducive to allowing a lot of freedom (no diapers.) I let the kids run around naked a lot and found that I didn't deal with too many diaper rashes.

Back in those days I had never heard of bamboo cloths, but I see that they are quite popular now.

I prefer hemp. can roll it up when Im done and light it. Stinks like hell but get a heck of a buzz!!!!!!!!!!