Going about it the wrong way?

[Channelle]

I'm due in December with my first, and I wanted to cloth diaper. My dh is totally in support of this. The main reason we want to do it is to save money. (The other reasons like environmental, and of course, healthier for our baby, are totally part of it too, but the main reason is to save money)

So I was planning on buying dozens of gerber prefolds, pins/snappis, and then investing in covers (a couple pull-on pants, a wool cover for night, a couple bummis, and maybe a blueberry)and just using that system. To me it seems maybe not the easiest, but the cheapest route.

But, I went to a cloth diapering class at my local hospital, and the lady running it actually owns a clothdiapering store in a city next to our own. I got to talking to her and her two co-workers, and told them my plan and they honestly seemed a little horrified that I was wanting to go that route. They basically told me that unless I invest in all-in-one systems, that I don't know, my cloth diapering wouldn't be as good...they pushed me really hard to use fuzzibunz ($215 for 12, plus liners and stuff) or bumgenius ($285 for 12), but that is a lot of money! Not to mention I wanted to buy a wetbag, a pail, and cloth wipes! It seemed like we weren't considered good enough unless we used the most expensive everything, like it was a competition or something. They actually said that the a prefold, pins, and pull-on pants were from the 50's and needed to stay there! We left without buying anything, and I felt like crying all the way home. I'd love to do the whole system, but I just don't have that kind of money, even with dh's new job. Even one bumgenius diaper is like $25!

Now I don't know what to do, I'm half tempted to just forget about it all together, and start investing in disposables, and looking for deals on them...there is just too much information out there, it's so confusing!

Any help?

[Galatea]

Don't get Gerber prefolds - they don't absorb anything. Get Indian prefolds.

Don't get pins - they are a pain in the butt. Get Snappis.

Get some good quality covers (Bummis, Thirsties, Blueberry, whatever, just not Gerber pull-ons.)

Otherwise your plan is fine. I think the reason cloth-diaper-store owners steer newbies away from prefolds is that (at least in my experience), a few months later I get a call from a new mama who is overwhelmed by the new baby and can't get the prefolds on and wants to quit cloth. Getting easier diapers prevents this. But if you are committed to prefolds, then go for it!

[lifeguard]

I use prefolds pretty much exclusively (I have one aio someone gave me). It's not the "wrong way". But it is a little more tricky at times. But far from impossible. Sounds like someone just wants to make some money.

I have pins & snappis with mine. I use whatever I'm in the mood for - usually pinning when ds is coverless around the house.

I just used cheap flannel from the fabric store to make my prefolds - super cheap & they work nicely. More expensive does not necessarily equal better.

[srs]

Just ignore the hype - she's trying to sell you diapers, so of course she wants to sell you the most expensive stuff. I love prefolds, especially for non mobile babies. They're inexpensive, super easy to wash, natural materials, and really easy once you get the hang of it. And the Bummis covers I got for my three month old still fit her at close to 29 months, amazingly, so for us those were definitely a winner too.

There's always time later to save and buy all in ones or pocket diapers if you want to, like for outings or overnight or toddlers or whatever. Newborns grow fast and go through a ton of diapers, so don't spend the money now. I'm due in December too with #2, and all I've gotten for this baby are some newborn size prefolds, some new Snappis, and my mom has knit some wool longies. That's going to be it for the newborn period, unless we need more of something.

ETA: I second the recommendation to get Indian prefolds instead of Gerber, unless you plan to EC as well. I like the flannel Gerbers for EC (they might technically be sold as burp cloths), but as far as absorbency go with Indian or Chinese prefolds. I've only ever found them online.

And yes, the pail and the wipes and possibly a diaper sprayer are way more important purchases and should come before expensive diapers.

[LionessMom]

def do not buy gerber prefolds. they suck.

all you really need is some good prefolds and some good covers and some flannel wipes. i use a plastic (30 gal) garbage can for my wet/dry pail. i use it dry. i used to use plastic grocery sacks in the dipe bag for dirites but did eventually get a nice wet bag. i bought the bummis box. you get 36 infant prefolds and 6 covers. i added 2 more covers just in case. they have good prefolds. very absorbant. looking forward to using them again on the next one. you just have to get bigger covers for bigger babies. maybe get bigger prefolds if you need it later.

that lady just wanted to sell you stuff. yeah that stuff cvan be nice but it isnt neccesary.

and you dont need a sprayer or anything either.

what doesnt shake off will come off in the wash. esp if you bf. just do a cold prewash, soak it even. then wash in hot with your detergent. the hot water activates the detergent. then 2 cold rinses and you should be clean. i use 2 rinses just in case i accidentally got too much detergent. if you dont have enough they wont get clean, but if you dont get it all rinsed out you could get rashes.

from what i heard, the trick to keeping the NB poop in is too jelly roll the sides and snappy it snug.

and dont worry. if you have any problems you can come and ask and we will try to help you figure it out.

[octobermom]

Gerbers IMHO are useless for what its worth before I had my DD I did the whole gerbers and pull on pants thing I had the flats the prefolds with foamy middles the DSQ ones and lots of newborn covers/pants and pins. When baby arrived there was NO way NO how these diapers were going to fit not even the flats and forget the covers I could fit both her legs into one leg hole and then pull the top over her head We ended up in sposies for almost 3 months till she grew and we ended up with some diffrent diapers.
Now all this doesn't mean that prefolds aren't a great choice or that one needs AIOs (had just as many leeks with AIOs as gerbers honestly) but I'd look into investing in some quality infant or newborn prefolds and some true newborn wraps one of the most ecconocial systems that would meet this would be infant prefolds and prorap diaper raps. a package like this newborn ($75.00) http://www.little-lions.com/page19.html is an excellent very simple basic CD package and will save you bundles over all disposables (even if you do a bit of both)

[MommaG]

Invest in Indian Prefolds instead of the Gerber prefolds. It will be worth the extra money. Snappis are wonderful. I used Thirsties diaper covers. They now have one size Thirsties covers. They are called Duo Wraps. They say its good to have at least 6 covers to innerchange.

That lady was trying to rip you off. If you ever decided you want Bumgenious you can get those much cheaper. They usually run $17.95 for the 3.0

[MommaG]

Don't forget, you will need a cloth diapering friendly laundry detergent. In example Charlies Soap, Planet, BioKleen Citrus Laundry Liquid, Country Save, etc.

[samstress]

Originally Posted by srs

Just ignore the hype - she's trying to sell you diapers, so of course she wants to sell you the most expensive stuff.

:

don't let them discourage you.

we used prefolds and covers (bummis, thirsties and some wool ones) exclusively until our daughter learned to use the potty (right around two years). we never had a problem (even when she became an active toddler) and will definitely do the same thing with our next child.

from the 50s and need to stay there? i say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. prefolds worked for my bottom and they'll work for my children too. although my mom probably used pins and rubber pants (i'd upgrade to a snappi and a friendlier cover).

[Michigan Mama]

I have a wide variety of diapers that I use for my 2 yo ds, but on my nb, I am loving my prefolds. I use them with snappis and Thirsties covers, as well as a few handknit wool covers (not quite as dependable as the Thirsties)...it's a great system. And definately cheaper. Don't be discouraged! Can take a little practice, but you'll be a pro in no time.

[rachelsmama]

Here's what I did, and I'd do it again: I got as many cheap/free second hand diapers as I could, did repairs as necessary, and filled in the gaps with homemade stuff made out of repurposed fabric, or good quality brand new stuff.

FWIW I know several people who had terrible results with Fuzzibuns, and lots who had great results with prefolds (Indian or Chinese, not Gerber). There are a million different ways to cloth diaper, don't believe anybody who says you have to do it a certain way.

[mushka3000]

Originally Posted by samstress

:

don't let them discourage you. ).

Another happy prefold user here. I really like the Green Mountain Diaper ones because the sizing makes things easier - no need to fold them shorter. I like "fitted" diapers as well (which are priced around $12 each) but prefolds are fine.

[rlmueller]

I'm considering but...

Craigslist baby!!!!

[mamasthree]

Prefolds are awesome, best bang for your diapering buck, although I agree with other posters, go for Chinese or Indian prefolds.

Chinese infant green edge (you can get these lots of places online) will last until about 5 months (Indian infants shrink more and won't last nearly this long size wise). Then you can go to regular size. These have lasted my kids until potty training.

Get a couple snappis and a few nice covers (nickisdiapers.com has free shipping on covers, other places do, too)--I like thirsties, bummis superbrites, imse vimse.

Or go to your local diaper store and buy the bummis package (prefolds and covers). Watch some youtube videos on how to put on prefolds and go for it! It's not hard and it works great. I've never had a blowout onto clothes with prefolds and a cover. And they last through tough washes and lots of kids.

I just sold my infant prefolds to a local mama and recouped 50% of my investment. I used them through 2 kids and they will go through 2 or 3 more with no problems.

Prefolds are definitely the way to go if saving money is your #1 priority. Lots of us use them and love them!

[Ola_]

I agree - do prefolds but get some good ones, Gerber prefolds have discouraged many people as they are not very absorbent. If you're on a budget, Little Lions has the best prices for quality prefolds, and their seconds are even less expensive:
http://www.little-lions.com/

I also agree with getting good covers - they are not that expensive and will make life easier for you. To cut costs ones like Thirsties Duo are adjustable so you only need two different sizes. Or get newborn covers and then go into one-size. There are some websites that offer free shipping too. And if you'd like a few pockets/all-in-ones (maybe once baby is bigger or for outings) you can try sewing your own or buying used (if you find any on Craigslist as mentioned, or DiaperSwappers.com). You can even get some extra prefolds and use them to make fitteds or prefitteds - there's lots of patterns online if you'd like to try it.

Pins vs. snappis seems to be a personal preference, I'd get a couple of each and see which you like better. And ignore people who are trying to sell you stuff - how mean was that, to discourage you from cloth diapering unless you could buy stuff from them. :

[possum]

I agree with the PPs who think their just trying to sell you something.
We have successfully CDed my 28 month old son with about 50 flats (not prefolds, just 36" squares of cotton that we fold to fit him perfectly) and a variety of homemade covers - some fleece, mostly wool, and some PUL covers. It was well under $200 for me to get diapers and make all the covers he has worn. We use a stack of 24 white wash cloths we got for the birth as wipes.
You don't need a fancy pail. We used an empty kitty litter bucket with the label removed. We also never used a liner of any sort for the pail or a spray thingy for poops.

Flats get clean more easily and dry more quickly than anything else because they are a single layer of cloth. You do have to fold them. Prefolds are the next best thing, although they do take more care in washing.
I think most of the insanity I hear about diaper washing techniques comes from people dealing with multi-layer diapers. It only makes sense that it would be harder to get them clean and dry; the layers just trap poop, germs and moisture. Although there are lots of cute diapers out there, I personally think AIOs are kinda gross. I was also grossed out by some terry fitteds we were given (and used only a few times). It was a Herculean labor to get those things clean and dry.

(Just for full disclosure, we did use sposies full time when we went to Italy for 3 weeks, and we have started using a sposie at night now that he sleeping longer stretches. We were just not happy with other heavy-wetting night time solutions we tried.)

Don't let those snotty busy-bodies talk you into buying expensive poop traps!

[cschick]

Seriously, the cheapest system worked best for us--prefolds (not Gerber, though, when you compare the good ones with Gerber, you'll see why), Snappis, and Bummis covers.

I bought one set in infant size (36 prefolds, 6 covers, 2 Snappis) and one set in regular size (24 prefolds, 5 covers, 2 Snappis). With the infants, I also bought Kissaluvs fitted with snaps--total waste of money. For daycare usage (after an update to their national certification standards basically banned prefolds) I bought BumGenuis. The BumGenuis weren't as big of a waste of money, but I still preferred the prefolds over them. The prefolds didn't care how they were washed, didn't care if I slathered his butt with cream, never got buildup, rarely leaked. The BG were extremely temperamental, you can't use cream with them (without really specially washing them afterwards), and needed special detergent not to get buildup.

[octobermom]

from the 50s and need to stay there? i say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. prefolds worked for my bottom and they'll work for my children too.

Exactly honestly there is a reason these diapers have been trusted through the years. Even in my relitvly short CD years I've seen fancy fitted and AIO fought over and beloved by mamas only to see them fade into obsecurity as the next big thing comes around but prefolds consistantly remain a CD favorite and stample.

Deanna

[Juliacat]

I don't have anything much new to add after PP, but I wanted to chime in that some people are just plain snobs, and somehow if they are trying to sell you something expensive, it ramps up their snobbery a notch. I would definitely get DSQ prefolds and Bummis or Proraps and stay away from Gerber anything, but if you're committed to using cloth there is no reason you'll need anything else. Prefolds and wraps are easy to launder and last forever, and they were what we used 90% of the time on dd when she was in diapers full-time.

[JessieBird]

As if you need to hear it again but... you are totally on the right track. Prefolds and simple covers are an excellent option. If you ask around places like here, DS and FF, you will find tons of people who will choose a prefold over an AIO any day. I have both and have to say that prefolds are just as easy to use (even if they need about five minutes more practice, you'll be a Snappi pro in no time) and they are WAY easier to wash and WAY cheaper to dry (they dry much faster). They'll last a lifetime compared to AIOs. There's a reason why most diaper services provide prefolds!

I agree with everyone who said forget the Gerbers and get indian instead. I got mine at www.nhdcanada.com and they are fantastic. All organic too. They threw in 4 free covers (identical to Bummis) and 4 free Snappis when I bought 36 infant PFs so I was set. For your covers, Dappi pull ups are the only inexpensive but decent pull-ons out there. They are much nicer than Gerber because they are nylon instead of vinyl and they're not crunchy like some more expensive ones I've seen. Lots of people will also tell you not to use pull-ons but I find them very useful as back up for those times when you just can't risk a leak or when your other covers are in the wash or whatever. You don't need a lot of covers to get started either. Even just 3 should be fine then you can gradually add to that if you find you need more. Discover Diaper Swappers - you can find awesome covers there for a fraction of new.