PLEASE please help me start!

[Bridie's Mama]

Talk me down mamas...CD info is SO overwhelming!

1st question: should/can I start with my 2 year old who isn't quite showing readiness for potty training yet? If so, what do you recommend (and please use abbreviations with whatever they mean in parentheses b/c I don't know them yet! )

2nd question: How do you start with a newborn? I'm reading prefolds are easy...what kind of cover is best then? Are they also easy to care for? Wouldn't they leak?

3rd question: Do you need to change CDs more than disposables? How often?

I am SO overwhelmed by the wealth of info out there...I'm totally confused about prefolds, covers, soakers, AIO...etc. I've looked on a million websites, but I just need simple directions.

FWIW, my dh isn't on board, so it needs to be easy for him too...and I'd like it to be relatively inexpensive to start with until we know we're going to stick with it.

Thank you! I really look forward to your help!

[ShwarmaQueen]

Well you're asking a lot...

Cheap and easy? I'd go for prefolds. Basically, the more convenient and sposie-like you get, the more expensive. AIO's are the most expensive, but the 'easiest' for newbies. Flats are the cheapest, but require the most learning in folding, and covers. Fitteds are ok ease-wise, but still require a cover (and are not cheap). But prefolds are more cheap (check out littlelions.com - the seconds are dirtcheap) and can be tri-folded (just like it sounds, into thirds) and put straight into a cover. Easy!

[octobermom]

Were going to do prefolds and wraps for our upcomming baby. (plus I have a few fitted and pockets) I choose to invest in true newborn sized prefolds while there a TINY bit more than prefolds found at some places I think its totally worth the spend to get ones that fit with little folding.
My DH is a simplicity person so for him we use the trifold method. This shows what I mean.. See the diaper is simpily folded into 3s and layed inside a cover
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...celeryopen.jpg
Then fastened just like a disposable onto baby..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...rydots8wks.jpg

For me I actually Like securing the diaper more it will help with containment and allow the cover to be used a bit more..
My most used fold in the angle wing like shown here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xt52Gs8YmUw trust me just 2 mintues of practice with a doll and you'll be a pro.

For covers there are a lot to choose from but some favorites for many and that have be tested through the years..
Bummi SWW and the new Bummi super brites
Thirsties both the orginal and the duo wraps
Nicky covers a bit pricier mostly because they fit a smaller size range but BULLET proof
Proraps a simple budget friendly cover many have loved
These are all trusted brands of covers all that can fasten on and off just like a sposie would.

Deanna

[Alohamelly]

I started my 2yo who I used disposable diapers with a couple of months ago when I started using cloth on my newborn. He has done fine with it. It took some trial and error, but the best diaper for him are the sized Bum Genius AIO.

We did use prefolds in the beginning, but I prefer pocket diapers so that is what I'm using on my baby.

I change diapers often no matter if we're usign a disposable diaper or cloth - about every 2-3 hours or as needed.

[Juliacat]

IMO, you should change ANY kind of diaper after every pee, if you can. This is the best rash prevention there is.

Check out my web site for answers to a lot of your questions.

http://juliacotton.wordpress.com

[Sasha299]

I loved prefolds but for the ease factor I got some AIO and pockets - DH and my extended family were not quite sure (understatement of the year). If you are not squeamish about used diapers you can go to diaperswappers or cdnation and pick some up for a fraction of the costs. I did that until we all got into the swing of things. That also allowed me to try some of the more pricey brands without breaking the bank.

[Michigan Mama]

If you can, it's nice to try a few different kinds to see what you like. When I started with ds1, I tried a few pockets and prefolds. I then started making some, all different styles, and it turns out I like fitteds with a nice cover best of all. Don't particularly care for prefolds. That's for my older son.

I assumed I would like fitteds best for my newborn as well and not care for prefolds, but got mostly prefolds because of the price difference. I love prefolds for my little guy!! (he's 7 wks tomorrow and almost 13 lbs) I love my fitteds, too, but honestly the pf's work great, are really quite easy to use and easy to wash.

Now, it is important to consider ease of putting on/taking off, but also of laundering. I think many people who throw in the towel with cloth do so because of laundry/washing troubles. While many people do just fine with pocket diapers or aio (these types usually have a synthetic fabric inside like microfleece or suedecloth), sometimes people have trouble finding a good wash routine. While this can happen with any kind of diaper, it seems like more people have absorption or stink problems with synthetic fabrics than with natural fibers (like cotton, hemp, bamboo and wool). Another factor for me is how much I hate stuffing pocket diapers. They go on and come off easy, and my hubby is totally on board, but nevertheless, I'm always the one who has to put the inserts in the pocket diapers and I just dread it.

So, think about all the factors that are important for you, keep asking questions, and go from there! Good luck with your decision!

[Ifluffedthree]

cheap and easy would be prefolds
as for hubby's use of them -- he simply needs to put his mind to it, regardless of what kind your using.

you will have more changes per day than disposable. most people don't realize that they are suppose to change disposable almost as often as cloth anyway if they want them to be "safe" to use.

Newborns are easy to do cloth with. Toddlers are not hard either. I switched my sons back into cloth after using sposies due to a surgery and lengthy recovery for 7.5 months. They adjusted back into cloth with no problem.

Routine is your key, no matter what you set yourself up with.

Good Luck!

[Carhootel]

#2

prefolds will work with any covers (pull on, wrap style with velcro or snaps...) they are very easy to care for, very sturdy and very absorbent. They are also the only diapers my DH will use. The only time prefolds get 'confusing' in my opinion is when you start to talk about different folds for them. You can just fold them like a letter (tri-folded) and lay them inside the cover and put it on or you can use pins or a snappi to secure the diaper around the kid and then put the cover on top of that. They way you secure it with the pins/snappi has a lot of variation but there are some basic 'folds' that are easy and totally leakproof. In our house we just use one fold and that's what I showed my DH and that's all he does. He was happy to learn just one thing and he's pretty ambivilant to the whole diaper thing, but now sposies confuse him since he just knows prefolds.