washing questions

[justice'smom]

okay I borrowed some baby beehinds from an aquantiance (sp) and when I got them from her she said she had washed them already. However when I looked at the site for baby beehinds diapers it says to wash them a few times in hot water. The site also talks about how absorant they are. Well I have never used cloth before so I have no idea how absorant they are supposed to be. My son is 4 wks old and every wet diaper I change is soaked through to the cover and if not for the cover my sons cloths would be soaked. So, first question is is that how cloth diapers are supposed to be or do I need to do something to make them more absorant and if so what? Is it that I need to wash them in hot water a few times? My other question is they were super soft when we first got them and now they are getting a little harder and worn looking. Is that normal? They are baby beehinds, made of hemp and organic cotten, and I have to wash them daily because I don't have enough for an every other day washing. Thanks in advance for any replies. I really need help!

[Michigan Mama]

If the diaper is soaked and baby's clothes are dry, that means the cover is doing it's job! If you are concerned, you could change him a little more often, or if he starts to leak, that's when you would want to look at getting more absorbancy.

Hemp generally feels soft at first, gets stiff, for a few months (for me anyway), then starts to soften again. That's pretty normal. Line drying will make them feel more stiff than the dryer.

I wouldn't worry about doing more hot washes for the heck of it. As you use the dipes, they will become more absorbant on their own over the first few weeks of use.

If you feel the wetness again's your ds's skin is bothersome to him, you can use a fleece liner in there because the polyester will help wick moisture away, but I wouldn't bother with it unless it becomes a problem. In my opinion natural fibers next to the skin is best if it works. For some people the "stay-dry" of a microfleece or something next to the skin can be helpful. (if you decide you want fleece liners, just go to Joann's or Walmart and buy some fleece to cut to size for your dipes. 5x10 would probably work for a small babe).

hth and feel free to keep asking questions!

[justice'smom]

Thank you soooooooooooooooooo much! I wanted to make sure that more than anything else, I wasn't ruining the diapers since I will be giving them back when I'm done with them. I like to make sure I always take care of other peoples things.

[Galatea]

Some new babies just pee a ton. My dd was like that.

All natural fiber diapers will become less silky as you use them, but more absorbent.

[Jojo F.]

Michigan Mama has good advice, it all sounds normal and congratulations

If you can, get a few more diapers so you don't have to wash so often. Every day gets a little overwhelming after a while(BTDT)

When I change a dipaer I try to let my LO hang out until she pees again, that way I have one less diaper to wash. I use small waterproof lap pads, about 9, to keep under her during a diaper change or hold her over the toilet after she wakes up- she always pees then.

This site has a ton of info

To help with absorbency you could buy doublers/extra inserts or make some. You can use old towels, extra receiving blankets (very absorbent and thin), t-shirts, etc. Raw silk liners keep babe's bum dry too and are supposed to be really good for rashes.

The best of luck to you mama!!