Need ideas for diapering special needs kiddo

[workjw]

I would like to start using some type of cloth for dd. She has some special needs in the diapering department, and I need some advice on where to start. I can sew a little (enough to get by) but this will all be pretty new to me (so be gentle ).

DD has a vesicostomy. This means that she has a hole in her abdomen, about an inch or so below her belly button, where her urine drains. She also has some use of her urethra, so she has some urine output at the bottom as well.

My goal (ideally) is to use cloth diapering exclusively, but for now, I am going to try by starting with an insert for the front of a pull-up, and start practice making either diapers or covers.

So here are my questions
1. What materials do you suggest for a really absorbent insert? I think it needs to be about 5"x7" and I need to be able to make a lot...cheap. We will use 12-18 a day, and I'd like to have a couple of days worth at least.
2. Any suggestions on the best way to make such an insert? My plan is just to sew 3 sides, turn it inside out, tuck the bottom under and sew.
3. DD struggles with yeast (often) so what is the best way to wash the inserts to make sure we are killing off the yeast? This is one thing that has made me a little afraid of CD.
4. I need an easy pattern suggestion to start out, just to practice sewing. Even if I can't use what I make, I definitely need some practice. If you promise not to laugh, I might even post pics of my first few masterpieces
5. I would also love suggestions for a pattern (diaper or cover) that either has a high rise, or can be easily altered to have a high rise (needs to go about an inch over belly button to really keep her dry). I just need to be sure it can still have tight legs. It may be a while before I get to this stage, but I have no idea where to begin, so if anyone has an idea, I'm all ears.

I have considered purchasing diapers, but we know that dd will be in this situation until she is 5 or so, and I figure why feed a man fish if you can teach him to fish, right? I may be asking for the impossible, but I appreciate any suggestions anyone has, and if you made it this far, thanks for reading!

[Michigan Mama]

As far as fabric, I really like hemp. You will find mamas here and there who have stink problems and don't like it, but it is very absorbant, and stink has not been a problem for us. To sanitize periodically, you can wash on really hot (turn up the hot water) and dry on hot. For us that is enough. If you find you need more, you can periodically boil the inserts! Seriously. Big stock pot and boil away. It gets a bit more finicky with non-natural fibers, but things like cotton, hemp or bamboo are fine to boil.

For inserts, you probably wouldn't need too much of a pattern - just make a couple like you described, try them out to see what you think and make adjustments as needed.

For a pattern, hmmm, that might take a little work because you'll have to make adjustments to a pre-existing pattern. There are some patterns posted on a sticky at the top of this section, and you might find some there. You could try zanyzebra also, I know they have a section listed on their website of free patterns. What you'd have to do is add in the rise, but in the waist section not the crotch, so the legs stay the proper size. Picture on most diapers - the part that wraps around the front and attaches with velcro or whatever, that you'd probably want to make like 3 inches wide, rather than like 1 1/2 like they ususally are. Is this making sense?

Feel free to ask more questions as they come. For supplies, i like kidsinthegarden.com. Very easy to work with and she's a wahm. She carries hemp, elastic, aplic (velcro), and PUL, which is the waterproof stuff most diapers have on the outside, if you decide to go that way in the future.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[CanBoo]

I would try send a message to this WHAM. She specializes in cloth dipes for special needs kids and does tons of customizations. Her shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5168665
Her blog: http://suzannesspecialkids.blogspot.com/

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Edit. Sorry I did not realize this was in diaper making... But you may still want to contact Susanne, she is really nice and might have some suggestion/experience to shre with you.

[jorie]

Kayla's Cloth Kits http://kaylasclothkits.com/ has patterns for older kids and even adults. She will also custom design a pattern to the size of your kid.

[workjw]

Thank you so much for the suggestions! You guys are great! DH says he will even get me a new sewing machine next month, so I'm excited. I'm sure I am going to have tons of questions once I get going good.

Thanks for all the great links. I'm thinking of purchasing some diapers to use while I'm learning the ins and outs of making them. I think it would also help for me to actually "see" what it is I'm trying to accomplish.

Thanks again!!! I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

[alegna]

You might PM mamaverdi

-Angela

[Liba613]

Originally Posted by alegna

You might PM mamaverdi

-Angela

I am pretty sure she uses prefolds. They may fit your needs without sewing anything. You can fold them so there is more absorbency in the front and they are nice and absorbent once they are washed enough. You can boil them or douse them in tea tree oil to help combat the yeast.