Are diaper-specific pails really necessary?

[Anonymous]

I'm wondering if a step-on garbage can and individually plastic bagged diapers would be just as effective in disposing of dirty diapers as a diaper pail. A few more weeks till my due date and I'm just trying to figure what other gear I still need. Any thoughts? Thanks.

[Meconbear]

The problem is the smell. The step on garbage cans don't keep it in as well as the Dekor/Genie/etc. If you're BFing, that's not an issue the first few months, but as soon as solid food hits that baby, the diapers are like, gag city. Also, the last thing you'll want to do is individually bag dirty diapers to put in your garbage pail. There's plenty to save on. I'd say this isn't one of them.

[Anonymous]

For the first few months (before solids), definately not necessary, especially if you plan to breastfeed. After solids I think it will be more challenging - plan to empty it at least daily.

[Anonymous]

They aren't completely odor-proof though. We have the diaper champ and we only put diapers with #1 in them, not the poopy ones. If we leave the poopy ones in them, even the diaper champ smells after awhile. I do like that you can use a regular garbage bag in the diaper champ - unlike the diaper genie.

[Anonymous]

Love our Diaper Dekor -- works with 1 & 2, even post-BFing.

[JamaicaMama]

OP, I have a Diaper Dekor (the larger size), stopped using it 6 months ago when we started potty training. Just last night, I was trying to decide what to do with it You are welcomed to have it - I live in NW DC.

[Anonymous]

Until solids are introduced, even formula fed babies' #2 doesn't smell too bad. We made do with a tep on can and just dumped the bag every night or when it got too smelly. No big deal.

[Anonymous]

Whatever you do, don't buy the Diaper Champ. That thing is a joke!

[Anonymous]

The Diaper Genie 2 holds all smells inside and has a one-handed operation. It is MUCH better than the original Diaper Genie (we've used both). We empty it every 5 days or so when it is full, and there is no smell in between (as long as you keep it shut). You will not have the time or patience to individually bag each diaper, esp. when the baby starts squirming.

[Anonymous]

Agree about Diaper Genie 2 as well. My son poops alot now that he's on solids and there's never a smell -- we change the bad when it's full. We visited a friend this weekend who has a Diaper Champ and the entire room smelled like poop...

[Anonymous]

Good God yes. I can't imagine how bad it would smell otherwise. We have the Diaper Genie and it has worked wonders.

[Anonymous]

Whatever you do, don't buy the Diaper Champ. That thing is a joke!

I agree completely. We had to put ours on our back porch because we couldn't take the smell inside, which makes it no more useful than a regular garbage bin.

[Anonymous]

I agree about the Diaper Champ. People in our building had one and you could smell their diapers when you walked in the front door of the building.

[Anonymous]

No, they are a waste of money. Every one we tried failed to keep out the smell. It's nasty, and cleaning it is even worse b/c the smell is then overpowering. If you have a porch, or balcony, I'd recommend putting a bag out there and just filling it and then doing a daily garbage run. Obviously, don't do this if you have close by neighbors!! I also recommend dumping the poo (once it is solid) into the toilet first, which will eliminate some of the smell....yes, it's gross, but what can you do?? For us, the diaper pails were a BIG waste of money. Double plastic bag worked just as well, keep it outside (esp. OK in winter, not such a great idea in the heat) and then get rid of it once a day.

[Anonymous]

I don't know what I'd do without my diaper genie II. best thing ever to contain the poopy smell. you don't have to clean anything, because the diapers never touch the pail, only the plastic disposable bags. plus if it falls over, it stays shut. you couldn't say that about a trash can.