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[rosedoe]

Hi everyone.

I'm 20 weeks pregnant with my first and my husband said to me "Why don't we look into cloth diapering? It's supposed to be cheaper in the long run." this morning. I always wanted to look into it, but never made the time to. So I jumped online and read the tutorial here and I nearly fell over. I had no idea there were so many choices. With disposables there aren't that many options. And covers! Who knew?! I just am not sure where to start. I think I'm a little overwhelmed.

[Ifluffedthree]

Originally Posted by rosedoe

Hi everyone.

I'm 20 weeks pregnant with my first and my husband said to me "Why don't we look into cloth diapering? It's supposed to be cheaper in the long run." this morning. I always wanted to look into it, but never made the time to. So I jumped online and read the tutorial here and I nearly fell over. I had no idea there were so many choices. With disposables there aren't that many options. And covers! Who knew?! I just am not sure where to start. I think I'm a little overwhelmed.

Don't feel overwhelmed. You have 20 weeks to figure the basics out and a few years to master to your needs.

while your busy reading and absorbing all the information, all the different types, all the different feedback I am going to add.

Always remember making mistakes are how we learn to be good.
Getting to a place of routine is going to be the key to a long diapering experience.
Don't put all your eggs (or poop) into one kind of diaper. Every baby is different, different size, shape, absorbency needs. You really won't know what will work best until it is applied on a bum.
And what is one person's "Favorite or Best" is another failure. Collect your information then march to your own drum.

You will do great, and having a husband on board makes the ride so much sweeter. My late husband was a pro with prefolds and pins on two little bums.

Good luck to you, and happy pregnancy.

[RGsMom]

Congratulations on your first!

And I agree, it really can be a learning process in figuring out what is best for you. When we started CDing, of course, it was when our 1st child was older, but we tried a few different kinds, found a few that worked great and found a couple that weren't so great. And what a blessing that your husband is on board because so many are not. I am thankful that mine was willing to give it a try and help out and go from there and obviously, now he has no issue with using cloth diapers. They are very practical!

I will say while One Size Pockets have worked well when our son was more of a newborn, we liked using prefolds or fitteds (and all in ones) the most. Prefolds because they are more cost effective and we were changing so often and really they are quite simple to put on. But for our toddler we prefer the One size Pockets and All In Ones.

Let me know if you have any questions and I would be more than happy to help!

[EmmalinesMom]

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Starting out can be overwhelming, but I find that if my clients think about a couple of questions, it can help narrow things down.

What are your motivations for cloth? Is it mostly economical? Desire for natural fibers? Ease of use? Most people like a combo of all three, but thinking about what's most important can help you decide.

Are you hoping for one system, or are you open to using one system for the newborn time, and a different system when the baby is a little older? Like the previous poster, I found that prefolds and fitteds worked really well for the newborn weeks, and then one-size pockets are a popular choice once the baby hits about 10 to 12 pounds. I've used both on my own girls and been really happy.

Do you want to use cloth 100% from the beginning, or ease into it? I have many, many clients that use cloth part time while deciding what they want to use, and then once they have their ideal system, going to cloth full time.

Good luck with your journey!

[Michigan Mama]

It's true there are a million choices! When I started, I ordered 4 different brands of pocket diapers and a handful of prefolds with a couple covers. Prefolds have a bit of a learning curve, but are really very simple once you get practiced. You can practice on a teddy bear before baby comes! Shortly after I got my first delivery, started with cloth and liked it, I started sewing and experimenting even more. Now I know I like prefolds on and off. My favorite pocket is the TinyTush Elite (with snaps), but I like fitteds with a good cover best of all.

I agree with the PP that say to try a few things to see what you like.

Ask lots of questions! We love to help.

Enjoy your pregnancy and all the prep! We've got #2 coming in Aug...time to update my diaper stash, too!

[phoenix78]

Congrats on your pregnancy! I just started CD myself with baby #2. It can be overwhelming - I spent so much time on internet researching all the options. I really recommend buying a sampler pack to try out with baby before investing in your total purchase of diapers. It gave me a chance to see what I liked and what I didn't. Also, I started with All in Ones until I get used to CD (didn't take long) and now I've finally got to prefolds! I'm so happy I made the switch. CD was so much easier than I thought. DH has no problem with it either, although he is only using AIOs for now.

[rosedoe]

I’m sorry it has taken me so long to respond. I have been at a dance competition all weekend. My mom owns a dance studio and I run it. Thank you everyone for your comments!

Originally Posted by Ifluffedthree

Don't feel overwhelmed. You have 20 weeks to figure the basics out and a few years to master to your needs.

while your busy reading and absorbing all the information, all the different types, all the different feedback I am going to add.

Always remember making mistakes are how we learn to be good.
Getting to a place of routine is going to be the key to a long diapering experience.
Don't put all your eggs (or poop) into one kind of diaper. Every baby is different, different size, shape, absorbency needs. You really won't know what will work best until it is applied on a bum.
And what is one person's "Favorite or Best" is another failure. Collect your information then march to your own drum.

You will do great, and having a husband on board makes the ride so much sweeter. My late husband was a pro with prefolds and pins on two little bums.

Good luck to you, and happy pregnancy.

The first 20 weeks went by SO fast even though I was SO miserable. I’m afraid the next 20 or so weeks will continue to fly by and the baby will show up and I won’t be prepared. As for years to master my needs. I don’t think so. Me and my sisters were all potty trained by two years old. I don’t think changing diapers are going to be on my “Things I love about being a mom” list, so I’m hoping to get this one potty trained ASAP. Lol

Thank you SO much for the info. And I have a great husband. :-)

Originally Posted by RGsMom

Congratulations on your first!

And I agree, it really can be a learning process in figuring out what is best for you. When we started CDing, of course, it was when our 1st child was older, but we tried a few different kinds, found a few that worked great and found a couple that weren't so great. And what a blessing that your husband is on board because so many are not. I am thankful that mine was willing to give it a try and help out and go from there and obviously, now he has no issue with using cloth diapers. They are very practical!

I will say while One Size Pockets have worked well when our son was more of a newborn, we liked using prefolds or fitteds (and all in ones) the most. Prefolds because they are more cost effective and we were changing so often and really they are quite simple to put on. But for our toddler we prefer the One size Pockets and All In Ones.

Let me know if you have any questions and I would be more than happy to help!

Thank you for the congrats! I didn’t realize I was going to need more than one type of cloth diaper. This is all so new to me. I don’t know why. I knew for the last 20 weeks I was having a baby so I don’t know why all of a sudden I’m in an OMG a baby means needing diapers mode.

My only question right now is which ones do I buy? The answer seems to be a little of everything.

Edit: Just thought of another one...Do you have to have diaper covers? I saw them for disposables too. Why do you need them? Is it just so it looks cute?

Originally Posted by EmmalinesMom

Congratulations on your pregnancy!

Starting out can be overwhelming, but I find that if my clients think about a couple of questions, it can help narrow things down.

What are your motivations for cloth? Is it mostly economical? Desire for natural fibers? Ease of use? Most people like a combo of all three, but thinking about what's most important can help you decide.

Are you hoping for one system, or are you open to using one system for the newborn time, and a different system when the baby is a little older? Like the previous poster, I found that prefolds and fitteds worked really well for the newborn weeks, and then one-size pockets are a popular choice once the baby hits about 10 to 12 pounds. I've used both on my own girls and been really happy.

Do you want to use cloth 100% from the beginning, or ease into it? I have many, many clients that use cloth part time while deciding what they want to use, and then once they have their ideal system, going to cloth full time.

Good luck with your journey!

Thanks!

As for your questions my main motivation is money. Anything that will save me cash in the long run is a plus. Natural fibers really isn’t that important to me, but something that is easy to use and won’t leak would be preferred.

I rather have one system but I’m open to change. My husband was a 10 lb baby but I was just 7 and a half so this one’s size is anyone’s guess.

I’d rather start off with cloth, but if I need to switch once my baby gets to 10 lbs (which to me even if I have a 7 lb baby doesn’t seem that far away) maybe I should start with a partial stash and use some disposables.

Thanks for the questions. They helped me focus. I’m going to share them with my husband and get his answers.

Originally Posted by Michigan Mama

It's true there are a million choices! When I started, I ordered 4 different brands of pocket diapers and a handful of prefolds with a couple covers. Prefolds have a bit of a learning curve, but are really very simple once you get practiced. You can practice on a teddy bear before baby comes! Shortly after I got my first delivery, started with cloth and liked it, I started sewing and experimenting even more. Now I know I like prefolds on and off. My favorite pocket is the TinyTush Elite (with snaps), but I like fitteds with a good cover best of all.

I agree with the PP that say to try a few things to see what you like.

Ask lots of questions! We love to help.

Enjoy your pregnancy and all the prep! We've got #2 coming in Aug...time to update my diaper stash, too!

Thanks for all the info. You make your own? My mom sews (makes dance costumes). Maybe if I bought a couple she could make me some cloth diapers. She’s super crafty. I can knit, but that’s about it.

Originally Posted by phoenix78

Congrats on your pregnancy! I just started CD myself with baby #2. It can be overwhelming - I spent so much time on internet researching all the options. I really recommend buying a sampler pack to try out with baby before investing in your total purchase of diapers. It gave me a chance to see what I liked and what I didn't. Also, I started with All in Ones until I get used to CD (didn't take long) and now I've finally got to prefolds! I'm so happy I made the switch. CD was so much easier than I thought. DH has no problem with it either, although he is only using AIOs for now.

I’m totally going to look into getting a sampler pack…Do they have sampler variety packs? Yanno a couple of prefolds some all in ones yanno…A small sample of everything? That would be cool. Thanks for the info!

[Juliacat]

Congratulations! You've got 20 weeks to think about it.

The great thing about cloth diapering is that it works much, much better than it did a generation ago. Most people who have used both agree that it works better than disposables. So no matter what you pick, you can't really go wrong!

All cloth diapers have an absorbent part (usually made of cotton, sometimes microfiber or hemp) and a waterproof part (usually made of waterproofed polyester, but sometimes nylon or even all-natural wool!). Sometimes they're sewn together, sometimes they're separate. Some diapers have their own back and waist elastic and snap or Velcro fasteners like disposables; others need to be folded and fastened some other way, but pins are totally optional.

Anyway, have fun, and feel free to PM me if you have any questions; it's something of an obsession for me.

[rosedoe]

Originally Posted by Juliacat

Congratulations! You've got 20 weeks to think about it.

The great thing about cloth diapering is that it works much, much better than it did a generation ago. Most people who have used both agree that it works better than disposables. So no matter what you pick, you can't really go wrong!

All cloth diapers have an absorbent part (usually made of cotton, sometimes microfiber or hemp) and a waterproof part (usually made of waterproofed polyester, but sometimes nylon or even all-natural wool!). Sometimes they're sewn together, sometimes they're separate. Some diapers have their own back and waist elastic and snap or Velcro fasteners like disposables; others need to be folded and fastened some other way, but pins are totally optional.

Anyway, have fun, and feel free to PM me if you have any questions; it's something of an obsession for me.

Thank you so much for the info! You are totally going to get a PM from me at some point.