Cloth Diapers? Help!

[GoodNamesGone]

I'm not sure if this is where I should post this. Please redirect me if I am wrong.

Ok, so I want to cloth diaper, but I don't have a LOT of money.

Any tips on good diapers that aren't that pricey?

I'd like something adjustable so I wont be running out to buy a whole new set as my baby grows. An all-in-one would be nice, but if it saves money, covers and inserts are fine.

I noticed Gerber is cheap, but a lot of reviewers don't seem to know how to fold them properly- is there a pro out there that can give an honest opinion?

Thanks!

[listipton]

check out the cloth diapering forum You're best bet for the cheapest cloth is prefolds and covers (but not gerber- you'll have to order online). I have fuzzi bunz one size pockets and LOVE THEM : Good luck! :

[ldsmom06]

Go to the diaper forum on here for more info but I recommened 3 brands www.greenmountaindiapers.com if you are wanting a very economical solution. They have prefolds that are sized differently then the avg prefolds making it a better fit and still cheap compared to other systems. They also have lots of info on how to use prefolds and covers. THey also carry an all natural AIO that I hear many people LOVE I have yet to try it though they are called sposoeasy AIOS.
www.preciousdignity.com for great fitteds that have a lifetime guarantee. My dd has been wearing them for a long time and they are still great! I have tried everything under the sun from all different companies, prefolds to AIO's and I have found that the synthetic materials hold stink and fall apart before potty learning( like Fuzzi bunz, thirsties and bum genius). I only use prefolds and clover fitteds with covers now. Its a very low Maintenance system now. I don't have to strip my diaper ever! I used pockets( fuzzi bunz) when my ds was born until he outgrew the med's at 2.5 yrs old then switched him to clover fitteds and prefolds, then he just PL so no more diapers! I hope I helped at least a little, if you have any questions just ask

Good luck!

[mwherbs]

I have sewn my own with flannel fabric I got at the store- they were flat folds like the gerber ones and they can last years- I used some of them for 2 of my kidos - I have also tried to make the fitted ones but I wasn't as happy with them- I have also used birdseye diapers which are just thin one thickness diapers and fold them to fit the best thing about them is that they wash up faster and dry very quickly
and for diaper covers I used shrunk wool, and cashmere sweaters I cut them down the seems(one sweater makes 2 covers) and then the sleeves/neckline are at the top back and the bottom of the sweater gets brought up to be pinned to the sleeves

[GoodNamesGone]

Awesome, looking at the websites and moving my questions to the diapering forum.

Thanks so much!

[annettemarie]

I'm going to move the thread over there.

[Michigan Mama]

Prefolds and covers are an inexpensive and very adequate solution. I wouldn't recommend Gerber - I would get some DSQ (diaper service quality) ones from a diaper store (online or regular).

My favorite covers are Thirsties, which run around $11/each. There are cheaper ones out there, even a pull on nylon diaper pant can work and be very economical. If you can sew, you can cd for next to nothing! It's pretty simple to make recycled wool covers, or you can knit your own.

Good luck and keep asking questions!

[Juliacat]

Originally Posted by Michigan Mama

Prefolds and covers are an inexpensive and very adequate solution. I wouldn't recommend Gerber - I would get some DSQ (diaper service quality) ones from a diaper store (online or regular).

My favorite covers are Thirsties, which run around $11/each. There are cheaper ones out there, even a pull on nylon diaper pant can work and be very economical. If you can sew, you can cd for next to nothing! It's pretty simple to make recycled wool covers, or you can knit your own.

Good luck and keep asking questions!

I agree with the PP except I really disliked Thirsties, I think Bummis or Proraps are better. You could try one of each and see who's right. (j/k, different babies fit in different covers differently)

[Ola_]

I hear the Gerber prefolds aren't worth much in terms of diapering. Those who are determined to use them need to do at least two at a time because they're thinner. I think you can get much better quality stuff online, and for better prices too.

A couple of affordable options off the top of my head:
prefolds: http://www.little-lions.com/ (check out the "seconds" section too)
fuzzibunz seconds: http://www.fuzzibunzseconds.net/store/Default.asp
wholesale one-size pockets: http://www.clothdiaperwholesale.com/...ge/6292069.htm
swaddlebees outlet: http://swaddlebees.com/outletstore

[syd'smom]

I really like my motherease one size and the sandy's. Their airflow covers are poo-splosion-proof! They are Canadian made - so the exchange rate is in your favour too.

Oh - and I know the initial outlay of money for cloth dipes seems expensive, but iirc, even a pricier full set of dipes (like a bum genius, fuzzibun) is worht about the same as 6mos of sposies - you just notice an upfront cost more. Have fun shopping!

[CrunchyChristianMama]

Also remember that in the end you will spend far less by buying a great stock of cloth diapers than you will buying sposies for all their diapering years.

[GoodNamesGone]

I did some number crunching, and the cost of disposables severly outweighs that of the cloth.

I knew it would, but just 1/2 year of disposables, on sale, is twice as much as 2 years worth of cloth.

I've been told that babies soil around 10-13 diapers a day, but the number dwindles as they get bigger. So lets say she's using 10 diapers a day, over the course of a year.

Disposable Diapers, at a decent price, come to around $.20 each. This isn't on a good sale, just a general one. I'm a coupon-clipper. I have bought diapers at $.10 each easily. (not many, I just hadn't decided on cloth yet).

For arguments sake we'll say $.20 to account for emergancy diapers that costs a little more, and my ability to find them on good sales too.

10 diapers a day, 70 diapers a week, 3,650 diapers in a year, 7,300 diapers in 2 years.

That's $2 a day, $365 in 6 months, $730 in a year, $1460 in 2 years.

That doesn't account for getting sick, accidents (I've seen an entire stack of disposables go to waste because something was spilt on them), or other kinds of problems.

It seems, from all the answers I've gotten, I can expect to pay around $150 - $200 on 2 years of cloth. All accidents and sickness do is up my laundry quota....

Running my washer for 10 diapers a day for 2 years will be a signifigant cost, but NOT $1260. With the money I save, I could buy a REALLY nice NEW washer and dryer.

Yay, I can math. Anyway.... I think I got what I need (you guys are always awesome). I think I'll get a smaller starter kit and try making some diapers too. I can always buy an additional kit or just what I learn I/baby like if it turns out I'm no good at making diapers. I -should- be able to do it, I've made clothing before, and diapers are just a type of clothes.

[Galatea]

Even if you get the fanciest cloth diapers, you will still save a ton of money. Getting a diaper just based on the lowest price often leads to unhappiness and using sposies - and then you are literally throwing away thousands of dollars.

Why not try some one-size diapers? FuzziBunz One Size, BumGenius one-size (pockets and organic cotton all-in-ones) and Rocky Mountain Diapers are all good one-size diapers.