Basic Diaper HELP!!!!!

[zubeldia]

Hi everyone!

I am pregnant with my first kiddo.. due in July. I am starting to panic about what to do re: diapers. There isn't a diaper service that delivers to my little town, and I feel a little overwhelmed by the array of options available.

I have no idea what I'm doing!

I want to be as 'green' as is possible whilst keeping my sanity. DH and I are from the UK, living in the US, so we don't have lots of family here to help us.. we'll just be muddling through mostly on our own... after my maternity leave we'll both be working full time, too... Given that I'm worried about the prospect of using exclusively cloth diapers which I'll have to wash myself...

Thus we were considering a combination of:

cloth diapers
gdiapers
disposable

Am I making this too complicated?! And, how on earth do I choose between the array of cloth diapers out there?! We're vegan so we'd prefer to not have wool.. But aside from that I'm clueless. I don't even know what I'm looking for...

HELP ME

Thanks,
Zubee

[Dahlea]

Diaperswappers.com is a great site for info.
We use mostly pocket diapers, a few fitteds. We don't use disposables anymore as we have enough to get through one day. The gdiapers didn't work for us as he outgrew the covers too quickly.

[XanaduMama]

I'm sure you'll get a lot of opinions/advice here.

First of all, don't panic!

Here, fwiw, are my thoughts.

- gdiapers: I really really wanted to love them. I really did. But they were awful. Leaked every.single.time (and this was NOT with a newborn or runny BM poop, btw). The covers are cool, and we've used them before, but the inserts just don't do the job, and the process of opening them, dumping them and swishing them is just gross. And I'm not easily grossed out by such things.

- we used a diaper service at first, and then prefolds with covers. Though I envy mamas who can afford AIOs, and was anxious at first about how difficult it would be to fold/apply the prefolds, it was super easy! They're cheap, really easy to wash compared to AIOs (which, I've heard, take ages to dry--adding more $$ and energy consumption), and very flexible: you can learn all sorts of different folds to adjust to the shape of your baby etc. We used snappi pins to hold them in place, and Proraps covers, which are also easy to wash.

- once both kids went to daycare, and dh and I were WOH full time, we essentially switched to disposables, though still occasionally use prefolds at home on weekends and during longer breaks etc. You'll have to try out different brands to see which work for your baby. Seventh Generation are great, but pricey. I like Huggies because they're unscented, but have used Pampers too in the past, and now that baby's older, we also often use the store brand.

hth

[MamaMonica]

Moved to Diapering.

[zubeldia]

Originally Posted by Dahlea

Diaperswappers.com is a great site for info.
We use mostly pocket diapers, a few fitteds. We don't use disposables anymore as we have enough to get through one day. The gdiapers didn't work for us as he outgrew the covers too quickly.

Thanks so much for the info... so, I will illustrate what a novice I am by asking what pocket diapers are and how they differ from fitteds...

Cheers!

Zubee

[zubeldia]

Originally Posted by XanaduMama

I'm sure you'll get a lot of opinions/advice here.

- gdiapers: I really really wanted to love them. I really did. But they were awful. Leaked every.single.time (and this was NOT with a newborn or runny BM poop, btw). The covers are cool, and we've used them before, but the inserts just don't do the job, and the process of opening them, dumping them and swishing them is just gross. And I'm not easily grossed out by such things.

- we used a diaper service at first, and then prefolds with covers. Though I envy mamas who can afford AIOs, and was anxious at first about how difficult it would be to fold/apply the prefolds, it was super easy! They're cheap, really easy to wash compared to AIOs (which, I've heard, take ages to dry--adding more $$ and energy consumption), and very flexible: you can learn all sorts of different folds to adjust to the shape of your baby etc. We used snappi pins to hold them in place, and Proraps covers, which are also easy to wash.


hth

THANKS so much!! One of the issues we have is that we don't have a tumble-dryer (I don't know what they're called in the US!) because of the energy expenditure and so I'd imagine that come September we'd have to get one if we wash our own.

So.. more basic stuff! What is an AIO? oh mercy, so much to learn Ack, I haven't heard many good things about the Gdiapers. What a shame.. they seemed like a great compromise.

I'm a bit intimidated by the 'folding'! I am not known for my hand-eye coordination

Thanks, again...

Zubee

[levans]

pocket diapers have a stuffable pocket between two layers - the waterproof outer layer and an inner stay-dry layer next to baby's skin. They have their pros and cons....

I also suggest keeping it simple with prefold diapers and PUL covers, such as Bummis, Thirsties, or Prowraps. When you go back to work you can use cloth diapers around the house and disposables or gdiapers at daycare. As your baby grows you can learn more about the different kind of CDs out there and try some out if you want.

[levans]

AIOs are all in one diapers, a one-piece diaper that goes on like a disposable. I have heard good things about bumGenius organic cotton AIOs (at cottonbabies.com).

DO NOT be intimidated by prefolds. I have used most everything and really, prefolds are just about the easiest because they are very easy to get clean. Since you don't have a dryer you will also like that they dry quickly when you hang them up to dry.

[zubeldia]

Thanks so much, Levans, all of this is so helpful. I feel somewhat remedial!.. So, at the risk of sounding like an utter idiot, what is the biggest difference between AIOs and pocket diapers? Neither need a cover, right? Would love to hear your thoughts re: pros and cons of both systems...

I'm going to check out the prefolds and covers you suggested....

Thank you!

[XanaduMama]

I actually don't "fold" the prefolds at all: I use a twist! Put under baby, flip over between their legs, and gather together at the front. Makes for a great snug fit! http://www.thediaperhyena.com/twist_fold.htm

And yes--not having a dryer, I'd say prefolds are definitely the way to go.

[mrs*kewpie*pie]

i was also going to suggest prefolds for the ease of use and quick drying factor

i wouldn't worry too much about the folding involved...its pretty minimal, i never used more than about 2 different folds

greenmountain diapers has good basic info on their page as to the different types but heres my quick rundown

flats thin flat sheet, dry really quick, require slightly advanced folding to fit, also require pins or snappy to stay on and a cover to prevent leaks

prefolds thicker than flats, still dry quickly but aren'r as complicated to fold, still need pins or snappi w/ most folds although not with a tri-fold, also need a cover

fitted about as thick as a prefold, no folding required, no pins or snapi required, still needs a cover and takes longer to dry, more like sposies in terms of how they fit

pocket similar to a fitted in terms of fit and not needing pins or snappi but the cover is built in, you stuff an insert inside the diaper for absorbancy, the dipe itself drys pretty quick the insert may or may not, depends on what you use

aio most like sposies b/c the cover is built in but theres no stuffing required, also no pins or snappis, no folding, but these are the longest drying dipes in the cloth world....however i would think a daycare might be more inclined to accept aios than any other cloth dipe due to being so much like sposies

[zubeldia]

xanadumama! Thanks again... these links are super helpful...

Mrs kp, wow, thank you... this helps a LOT. I think we may end up getting a dryer whatever we do. We live in the North East and while for the two of us line drying is fine, it is difficult in the winter with space, etc... However, the prefolds sound as though they may work out very well.. along with a few fitted and AIOs.

Thanks, again, everyone.
Zubee

[femalephish]

Zubee-
I am in Maine and having my first in July, too! We are planning on using prefolds with Thirsties covers. (I have found they get the best reviews) We are also going to line dry until it gets too cold. If you are nervous about folding prefolds try youtube.com and search for 'prefold diapers' videos. I feel a lot better after seeing women do it than just reading!

Good Luck!
ps Are you near the Bowdion college area? Because I think there is a diaper delivery service that just started near here if you can afford it and think that would be better for you. PM me if you want!

[joshs_girl]

By far the easiest aspect of being a new parent with no family and close friends nearby was cloth diapering! Everything else was hard, but I couldn't believe how easy CDing was!

Hopefully that makes you feel better

[Talula Fairie]

There's no reason you have to pick one specific type of diaper right now.

G diapers are not that much easier than cloth imo. You still have to rinse out the liner, tear apart the diaper, swish and then flush it. I also heard they sometimes leak on newborns, but I wouldn't know because I didn't try them until my kids were toddlers. I did like them overall, especially when I lived in an apartment complex where the cloth diaper laundry cost me more than disposables.

Sposies are easy to use of course but they smell like hell and don't even get me started about the cost or the environmental factor. Plus they're loaded with chemicals. If you have to use them for whatever reason, I like Seventh Generation the best becuase they fit well and are not scented.

Cloth is the best option imo and it's not hard to figure out. Here is a helpful post I made about cloth: http://talula-fairie.livejournal.com/tag/cloth+diapers

I think the best thing to do with cloth when you don't know what you want is to get like a dozen prefolds, a few covers (pul and fleece for you since you don't want to use wool), maybe 6 fitteds and 6 pockets/aios. That way you have enough to diaper for about a day before you have to wash again and you can figure out what you like before you buy more and round out your stash.

Using cloth is really easy and you're better off doing the laundry yourself anyway since those diaper places often use harsh detergents and bleach.

[Talula Fairie]

Originally Posted by zubeldia

Thanks so much, Levans, all of this is so helpful. I feel somewhat remedial!.. So, at the risk of sounding like an utter idiot, what is the biggest difference between AIOs and pocket diapers? Neither need a cover, right? Would love to hear your thoughts re: pros and cons of both systems...

I'm going to check out the prefolds and covers you suggested....

Thank you!

All in ones are just that: all in one. They are one piece diapers that you just snap or velcro on. They are super easy to use, but they tend to be a bit more on the expensive side and they can hold stink becuase the inner layers may not get as clean.

Pocket diapers are like all in ones except they have an open end at the back that you use to stuff the insert of your choice before putting it on your baby (most people have all theirs pre stuffed where they store their diapers so they work a lot like aios). This is nice becuase you can control the absorbency and they get cleaner in the wash.

Here is an AIO:
http://www.bumgenius.com/all-in-one.php

Here is a pocket:
http://www.fuzzibunz.com/perfect_size_diaper.php

[zubeldia]

Originally Posted by femalephish

Zubee-
I am in Maine and having my first in July, too! We are planning on using prefolds with Thirsties covers. (I have found they get the best reviews) We are also going to line dry until it gets too cold. If you are nervous about folding prefolds try youtube.com and search for 'prefold diapers' videos. I feel a lot better after seeing women do it than just reading!

Good Luck!
ps Are you near the Bowdion college area? Because I think there is a diaper delivery service that just started near here if you can afford it and think that would be better for you. PM me if you want!

Oh wow! I see you're planning a home birth... are you working with a midwife in the area?

I'm not in Bowdion... (though may plan to move to that area before too long). I'm near Sebago lake - and so whilst not far from Portland, far enough that the diapering service won't come here! We could go and deliver and pick up the diapers ourselves but it seems like a real hassle... So we're going to plan on washing them ourselves..

I think, like you, we'll dry line them until at least September and then invest in a good dryer.

Do be in touch! I don't know if you're in the Portland area but I'm frequently there...

Zubee

[zubeldia]

Talula - wow, this is so unbelievably helpful. THANK YOU. I think your advice about getting a few different styles is great... My sis in law is sending me over some size small covers, so that will help. A couple of other questions, if you don't mind:

1) What do you think of the bamboo fitted diapers? I see that many of them are cotton and was interested in the bamboo...

2) What about the one-size fitteds, aios, etc? Is it worth buying a few and then buying a few in the 'right' sizes? I was worried about the one-size diapers being a big bulky.

Cheers,
Zubee

[sunnymw]

The one size diapers ARE a little bulky at first--I didn't really like the fit until DS was about 12 weeks old (and ftr, he was a big 12 weeker!). But, a lot of people like them and it's not like your tiny baby has to crawl anywhere at that age Once they are a little bigger, the BG Organic AIOs (w/ snaps) are very very trim.

My fave diaper right now is a bamboo fitted. I love love love the feel and absorbency of bamboo! All of our fitteds are Bagshot Row Bamboo (BSRB) but they are in high demand and hard to get ahold of.


Good luck mama! And if you don't like wool covers--you can use PUL covers (thirties, bummis) or Fleece soakers/shorties