cd'ing and septic systems

[veeeyloova]

hey ya'll!
I've been planning to cd since I was preggo. LO is now 11 weeks, and it hasn't been working so well. He is a big baby, and outgrew my nb stash before I really even got started. Then every time I put a cd on him, it would leak. He got bf poop all over EVERYTHING on several occasions! Now, the main issue is that we have a delicate septic system that we just spent $10k to install, not to mention a well, and I'm REALLY worried about maxing out the septic field with all the multiple loads that cd require. Or that the well will run dry.
Is there anyone out there who is in the same boat who can give me some advice about how to cut down the loads of laundry required for CD'ing? I really want to do this, but it we can't afford to repair a septic field or re-dig a well that's been maxed out.
Thanks!

[Michigan Mama]

We've never had any trouble with our septic, and as far as water usage, for me it takes 2-3 extra loads per week. I have city water, but never even noticed my water bill going up (well, until recently when they raised our rates! Ugh). Hopefully someone else will pipe up, but I really don't see it being a problem for your systems unless your well really struggles to pump.

Now the leaking diaper problem should be fixable - what sort of dipes/covers are you using? With a cover that fits properly, you shouldn't get blow outs... Maybe we can help you with that part?

[Drummer's Wife]

we have a septic system and well water, too. Haven't had a problem with cloth diapering.

[pixiepunk]

we also have septic and a well. never had any issues. but i also EC - which has the effect of an increased number of diapers in the very beginning, and then a dramatic decrease in diaper usage as the baby gets older. and i've EC'd to some extent with all my kiddos. i've been down to a load a week for CD's since my LO was about 5 or 6 months old now, and it's not even full.

i will say, too, that certain kinds of diapers are more likely to need stripping and extra rinsing and all that - if you stick with something that cleans up easily like prefolds or flats, you really can get them nice and clean with just a pre-rinse and a hot wash. and most PUL covers can be hand-washed in the sink pretty easily. or pocket diapers stuffed with prefolds or flats would clean up pretty easily too since it's basically the same concept but with the diaper inside the layers of the cover IYKWIM. AIO's and quality fitted diapers are going to be much harder to clean thorough and keep clean without extra water.

HTH!

[PatchChild]

Septic and well here as well and we've never had an issue.

As for the leaking, what kind of diaper are you using?

[veeeyloova]

hi! nak!
i'vd tried prefolds with covers (asst. - bummi's and bumkins) and fuzzi bunz aio, and a few wahm aio's that i'm pretty sure were just too big. the main problem is that he's growing so fast (doubled his birthweight in 11 weeks) that I can't keep up!

[GardenStream]

We have a well and a septic system too. I have never had any issues at all. We don't have trash pick up though, so sposies are a much bigger problem.

[Talula Fairie]

How well did the covers and fitteds/aios/pockets fit? How much did you wash your prefolds before using them? What kind of detergent are you using? Were you fastening your prefolds with a snappi/pins or were you trifolding?

[veeeyloova]

Originally Posted by Talula Fairie

How well did the covers and fitteds/aios/pockets fit? How much did you wash your prefolds before using them? What kind of detergent are you using? Were you fastening your prefolds with a snappi/pins or were you trifolding?

um, not well, i'm guessing!

I washed the prefolds like 5 times before i used them

i am using tide free and trader joes (which i read is acceptable)

i was folding the prefolds w/ the angel wing trifold

[Galatea]

Originally Posted by Drummer's Wife

we have a septic system and well water, too. Haven't had a problem with cloth diapering.

Ditto.

[Talula Fairie]

Originally Posted by veeeyloova

um, not well, i'm guessing!

I washed the prefolds like 5 times before i used them

i am using tide free and trader joes (which i read is acceptable)

i was folding the prefolds w/ the angel wing trifold

Trader Joes powder is alright, but the liquid has softeners in it and is a HUGE NO NO for cloth. The liquid is a detergent to avoid.

Tide Free is ok, but I have heard of a few people who were using pockets that had repelling issues with it. I didn't have the greatest luck with it but we had really hard water, so that could have been why.

Here is a link to check out about detergents:
http://pinstripesandpolkadots.com/detergentchoices.htm

The angel wing fold tends to leak a lot, I've noticed, even when you get it nice and tight. That bf poo is just really runny. Try the bikni twist fold maybe? You also need to have a really good, tight fitting wrap cover. Thirsties is a good brand, I also like Bummis. Both of those have "gussets" around the legs and are a great choice for prefold users.

Sometimes though, the prefold is just going to leak. You may have to switch to diapers with elastic around the legs (fitteds, pockets, aios, ect).

[Juliacat]

I've used cloth diapers at my mom's house with a septic system and a well and never had problems, except for running out of propane to heat the water. :

A fitted plus cover or a well-fastened prefold plus cover ought to solve most leaking problems, provided everything fits right.

[myfairbabies]

Originally Posted by veeeyloova

hi! nak!
i'vd tried prefolds with covers (asst. - bummi's and bumkins) and fuzzi bunz aio, and a few wahm aio's that i'm pretty sure were just too big. the main problem is that he's growing so fast (doubled his birthweight in 11 weeks) that I can't keep up!

Fuzzi bunz doesn't make an aio, that I'm aware of. Is that a typo or are you putting an unstuffed pocket on baby? Because that would definitely cause leaks! Also, while Tide is often popular, it can also cause repelling issues, so that might be your problem.

[veeeyloova]

Originally Posted by notyetamommy

Fuzzi bunz doesn't make an aio, that I'm aware of. Is that a typo or are you putting an unstuffed pocket on baby? Because that would definitely cause leaks! Also, while Tide is often popular, it can also cause repelling issues, so that might be your problem.

yep, typo! sorry!