Hybrids

Active ingredients The hybrid diaper combines an outer shell of cotton-elastene fabric; liners made from polyurethane-coated nylon; and inserts or “flushables” made from chlorine-free tree pulp treated with polyacrylate gels.

**** Green factorThe inserts in hybrid diapers are made to be flushable, tossable and compostable. Flushing puts your baby's poop where it's supposed to go, but it's not a perfect alternative: one year of putting your baby's gDiapers in the toilet uses 3,796 gallons of water. These diapers become far more eco-friendly if you compost the non-poopy ones (you'll have to flush or toss the soiled ones). But think twice about using the compost in your vegetable garden, since the liners contain polyacrylate gels (the same gels that are used in disposables). Hybrid liners can be hand washed and air-dried in 10 minutes, and the outer shell can be used many times before needing a wash.

* Learning curve If hybrids didn’t come with a training manual and instructional video, your toilet would be clogged and your garden would smell like poop.

**** Leakage factor Excellent results! It's those superabsorbent polyacrylic gels.

*** Your baby’s butt The hybrid definitely makes for a cushie tushy. These diapers are breathable, and while the superabsorbent gels have been known to cause a rash or two because they encourage infrequent changes, our unscientific research shows that the hybrid is supercomfortable around the legs.

** Your out-of-pocket Add the 12 outer shells you'll need by the time your child is potty trained (around $200 total) to what you'll spend on the liners and flushables ($1,800). Result: $2,000, about the same as traditional disposables.

What you can do Compost the non-poopy inserts and put the others in the toilet. Some mothers use organic cloth diapers during the day and hybrids to absorb extra wetness at night. It's a great way to save dollars, trees, flushes and washes - and less ends up in the landfill.