CD basics for a newbie?

[heatherweh]

Brand new to cloth diapering. I've been using disposables and I have a 1-month old baby (and a toddler who will hopefully be out of diapers soon). What would you suggest as a basic stash for a beginner? The whole thing seems so overwhelming and confusing. I would want something simple for sure, that is simple to use and simple to launder and care for. I understand this is subjective so differing viewpoints are appreciated. Thanks for taking the time!

[LDSmomma]

We started at about 2 mths with 36 prefolds and 4 pull-on covers. We had way too many pfs and not enough covers. I've heard 6 suggested. Also, I recommend not using pull-on covers. Whenever his pf leaked poo onto the cover, it got all over his legs as I pulled it off! Now, I use aplix covers.

At night we used, and still use Bum Genius pockets.

For wipes, I have 36, which is perfect. I use plain water in a warmer with the folded wipes.

We used a diaper pail for a while, but recently switched it for a plain ole open trash can, which I rinse in the shower when I dump the dipes into the washer. With the lid, the pail stunk when opened before, but now there's no smell at all!

[veedeepee]

We have a 6-week old, and we're doing prefolds with Thirsties covers. We have 36 prefolds and 7 covers. LDSmomma mentioned that 36 is too many prefolds, but I find the number works well for us because at any given time several diapers are being used for other purposes (right now, there's a couple in his cradle to catch spit-up or leaks, a couple laid out on a blanket on our living room floor to catch spit-up or leaks during floor time, one or two by the chair I nurse in to catch milk and spit-ups, etc.). So 36 works well given that we're not using all of them for diapering on any given day.

The prefolds are very easy to use - just make sure you have enough covers because poo will get on them fairly often. With 7 covers, I still have to wash at least half of them on any given day so we don't run out.

[Michigan Mama]

There are tons of options out there, but I like prefolds and fitteds with a good cover for the newborn stage. For washing every 2 days, 24-36 diapers is a good amount. Prefolds are very popular because they are inexpensive, and easy to care for. You don't even have to fold them when they come out of the laundry! Many people prefer natrual fibers next to baby (like cotton, hemp or bamboo), while others prefer pocket diapers or All-in-ones (aio), which often have a synthetic wicking layer next to the skin so baby feels drier.

I'm a fitteds kinda gal myself, because I feel they keep the poo in a little better, but they also cost more. So it just depends on what you're looking for!

Here are my faves - but it's different for everyone - Thirsties covers (and aio when I use them), Sugar Peas fitteds (or homemade : )) and TinyTush for pockets...

Good luck and keep asking questions!

[EmmalinesMom]

For the newborn stage, I'm a big fan of prefolds and Kissaluv 0s fitted diapers with covers. I like the Thirsties and Bummis Super Brights because of the leg gussets.

Many of my clients start out with about 30 diapers and 4 to 6 covers, and that's fine for washing every other day.

I have a Cloth Diapering 101 document on my site, or I'm happy to email or snail mail you a copy if you'd like. It just goes over the basics.

Congratulations on the new baby!

[heatherweh]

Originally Posted by EmmalinesMom

For the newborn stage, I'm a big fan of prefolds and Kissaluv 0s fitted diapers with covers. I like the Thirsties and Bummis Super Brights because of the leg gussets.

Many of my clients start out with about 30 diapers and 4 to 6 covers, and that's fine for washing every other day.

I have a Cloth Diapering 101 document on my site, or I'm happy to email or snail mail you a copy if you'd like. It just goes over the basics.

Congratulations on the new baby!

Cool! I read your document. A couple things stod out to me that I want to try and avoid, maybe it will help narrow down my choices for a system:

I want to avoid hemp and wool (I don't like the idea of special laundering or treatment for them).

I want to avoid inserts (which I guess would mean pocket diapers) because removing the inserts on a soiled diaper doesn't sound like a good time plus I don't like having to decide what type of insert and how much since I'm indecisive anyway (gee did you notice ).

As one pp mentioned, avoiding inner layers that pull up seems like a good idea since now that its mentioned, smearing poo all down baby's legs doesn't seem like a good idea.

Also, I have an almost 3 year old who will be in diapers for a couple more months (hopefully not much longer than that fingers crossed).

I want to be able to just launder everything together.

The Bummis cloth diaper kit appeals to me because it seems easy to start with and has everything packaged together, but if it won't be a good fit for my needs I can certainly purchase everything one item at a time.

Then the next question would be: how do I acquire my new stash economically? Do I go to a store that sells cloth diapers, use a website, check eBay? Used or new? Used diapers admittedly freak me out a little bit...

I will do cloth wipes too, may as well and I see I would need some wet bags for my diaper bag. What other materials are necessary? D I need one of those sprayers that attaches to the toilet? Does that turn into a mess in a half bath?

[MommaShark]

The bummis kit is great and will totally meet your needs. Last time I priced it - you could do it for a bit cheaper at mtdiaperstore.com......


I prefer prefolds (see thread about prefold love: http://www.mothering.com/discussions....php?t=1084880 )

I find them faster to put on, easier to clean, faster to dry. easier to store and highly absorbent. My mom used them on all 3 of us and my MIL used flats on her 4. They work. For ease and speed use PUL wrap style covers (Thirsties, Bummis).
The Bummis Box for 8-15 lbs is $145 - you can find free shipping
The Bummis Box for 15-30 lbs is $117 - get free shipping
For newbies the box has it all and even tells you how to wash diapers - all I'd add is a wet bag for traveling and a diaper pail liner. For solid food poop a diaper sprayer is nice but not necessary.

http://nickisdiapers.com/catalog.php?category=507

OR you can price out 36 infant prefolds and 6 Bummis covers, 2 snappis and the rice paper liners (pee goes through, poop gets flushed - not necessary for breast fed poop - or at all......I'm only use if out and about) then for when LO is bigger 24 premium prefolds and 4 covers with snappis and liners (if you want).

I prefer Indian prefolds - softer, I get unbleached but you have to wash them more to prep them to strip the natural oils.

Diaperswappers, MDC, THe Baby Wearer all have used diapers for sale. I wouldn't go with used (but many moms do). You don't know if they have taken proper care of them. When I was looking at used - the difference in price and shipping costs for prefolds made used about the same as new. Get free shipping.


For Indian Prefolds my fav. place is mtdiaperstore.com - even with shipping they're cheaper than other places with free shipping.

Other sellers I like are Abbyslane.com (free shipping)
Nickisdiapers.com (free shipping on covers and/or over a certain amount)
There are a ton of great cloth diaper sellers - but I'm a creature of habit.

[heatherweh]

TY so much for all he help! I have a good friend who will let me come check out her stash in person and show me how to use them all. I'm looking forward to changing over!