help me be interested in cloth diapering

[curious&eager]

I use disposables and I've read a few things online that seem to say cloth diapers are better about containing leaks. That is a real plus for me if it's true. I know nothing about cloth diapering. It seems to overwhelming and I haven't considered it until now when I have to handle leaky poops almost daily. Besides the costs savings, how great is cloth diapering? Does it really handle leaks? Anything else you would like to share with someone unsure about making the switch?

[lifeguard]

All of the poop blow outs I've had have been with disposables (& we've had some doozies!) but never with cloth.

I love the way ds looks with his cute, puffy diaper butt. Disposables are just not as satisfying that way (extra bonus that I made mine so I feel proud when I see them/use them).

Washing is really not hard, I wouldn't say it is any harder than bringing the garbage out to the curb (although some people do have some trial & error to find the system that works best for them).

It saves us a ton of money. I never have to keep track of how many diapers we have in the house or run out to buy more 'cause we've run out.

Some people say toddlers pl sooner when wearing cloth 'cause they are more aware of when they wet - we're not there yet.

You get to customize how you diaper so it fits your baby perfectly.

For me purchasing & throwing out something like disposable diapers causes me a lot of anxiety because of the environmental impact. So the cloth just feels right to me.

I love pulling the clean diapers out of the wash & folding them & stacking them in the basket. Everything about it is pleasant.

[mamasurprised]

I have been cding for four months now. My DD was wearing disposables at night but she outgrew the newborn size and I made an effort to use cloth at night too and it's working wonderfully.

I read for several months during pregnancy about CD and I didn't make any purchases for awhile, just to be sure of what I wanted. One of the most economical and EASY ways to CD is prefolds and covers. I use GMD prefolds purchased second hand ( I don't know if I can say from where but PM me and I'll tell you, or if someone knows that it's ok to share that website let me know) and I also purchased all of my covers second hand.

I started with thirsties, prowrap, gdiaper covers, and one motherease airflow. I bought two of each of these covers in the newborn sizes. Thirsties were my favorite so I bought 4 size small for her next size and now we have moved up to mediums at 4 months.

I put the used dipes in a dry pail and every two or three days I was a load. It is SO easy and like pp, I never have to worry about running out of dipes at a bad time. My DH, in-laws, parents and friends were SO skeptical at first, and now they ALL can change her cloth diaper and without ANY fuss!!

[lavieenrose]

My child is now 5 years old, so it's been a while, but I still tell anyone who wants to listen how much I LOVED our Fuzzi Bunz. They were adorable, easy to use, super soft, rarely leaked (maybe once or twice, and my child was a heavy wetter as a toddler), environmentally friendly, etc. etc. etc.! I am also delighted to tell everyone who will listen that my child NEVER had an instance of diaper rash, and all we ever used was the occasional sprinkle of Ammen's powder. No messy creams (as those were a no no for the fleece liner anyway). CD was absolutely the best choice for our family.

[Juliacat]

Check out my web site!

http://juliacotton.wordpress.com

[fairymom]

I have to second the Fuzzy Bunz! i love them and have never had a blow out in them. I have had one or two in other CDs but I remember w/my odc we had just as many in posies- I think it's all about the lo and position when they poo not the dipes themselves(w/CDs that is).

As for CDs and making the switch- I recommend it to everyone who'll listen.

My dcs (all of them but lo that is) suffered from bad yeast rashes and I tried CDs w/my 7 and 4 yr and the rashes were gone w/in a day or two.LO has yet to have one and he's been in CDs since about a month old. I feel the dyes in the posies are what caused the rashes and it was/is sooooo hard to find posies w/o some sort of "art" on them (maybe 7th gen or one of the other natural brands don't have them but those are way too expensive for me and CDs don't have that at all).

like others have said I don't have too worry about running out and washing them really isn't hard at all. DH loves CDs too and says they are just as easy as posies. Also I think posies smell weird-even clean ones- don't have that issue w/CDs.

My suggetion is start w/a small stash- get some used ones off the Trading Post here or check out your local CL and see how you like them. Now what kind to get is a really personal decision- some like prefolds ALOT, others prefer AOI (all in ones), pockets or fitteds. I myself like pockets (in particular Fuzzi Bunz) and fitteds (Kissaluvs) but I've been CDing for almost 6 mnths now and have just found what works best for us. ALL my CDs are used so i've saved lots of money doing it this way.

I am of the op that prefolds can be real hard to use for a newcomer to CDing- my sister used a service and all they provide is prefolds and she got so frustrated w/it she gave up after a month (she's a 1st time mommy and new to it all)- also my DH is new to the game and avoids our prefolds like a plague because they are too hard for him. But others get the hang of it real fast.

GL on your decision...

[Blueone]

I went off and on for a few months and wasn't sure what to think. But I've been cloth diapering for about a month now and I love it!

I use AI2 (gro baby) and like that it doesn't take up much space in the diaper bag and that they aren't bulky. And since I use cotton I don't have to have a complicated wash routine or use a very special laundry detergent. I just use Arm and Hammer Sensitive and it gets them clean. Any natural fiber like that works with most any detergent.

As for leaks, I only have them if I don't put the diaper on right or position him right and they have only been wet leaks, not poop leaks. I had that same problem with disposables too, but they leaks poop at times.

Sometimes I wish I had just bought prefolds and a cover since that would have been cheaper, but these are really nice too and are more contoured with a nicer shell than a prefold.

If you go for it, it's a big jump. I was really nervous after I bought them and worried I'd give up, but I haven't and it was a great investment!

[DevaMajka]

I used disposables at night on a trip recently, and every single night the poop leaked out of his diaper and onto his clothes and the bed. Ick.
We cd full time (except occasionally at night) and have had 1 poo leak in CDs.

I prefer pockets and AI2's. The only thing with pockets is that they could potentially require more trial and error in washing than non-fleece inners. If they start to repel, you could have some pee leaks until you figure it out. Of course, there are WAHMs that make pockets with natural inners.
IME, natural inners are quite unlikely to leak either pee or poo. I still love my fleece pockets though.

Other reasons I love cd'ing:
*They're cuter. Changing diapers is going to be a BIG part of my life for the next 2-3 years- I may as well use diapers that make me happy
*You save money over sposies. Even with laundry costs (which don't really add up to much). But also figure in the laundry you won't have to do after sposies leak poo. lol
*IME, sposies stink after being pee'd in. CDs that are properly cleaned don't stink.
*The diapers I have seem like they'd be more comfortable than sposies.
*With sposies, I was tempted to "get my money's worth" and to waste less, and so I changed less often (always chaanged poo right away, of course). With cd's I don't feel guilty for changing more often.

[curious&eager]

Thanks for your responses. I'm so on the fence. It's sounds great, but I'm nervous. I will read this info over and reread the website that I was given. I'm interested, but it is a big jump. I have to keep talking with my husband and see and read some more. I'm almost out of disposables right now, searching online for a good deal to go out and spend some more money. It would be fun I think to make the switch.

[michelle123]

I didn't start CDing my first daughter until she was 5 months old because I was so back and forth about it. I finally bought a couple of diapers and figured that if I didn't like them, I wouldn't be out too much. I fell in love and was hooked! It's hard to understand until you try it, but it's definitely addicting.

It can get overwhelming since there are so many different kinds. To help make it easier, think about the features that are most important to you (put on like a disposable, stay-dry inners, natural fabrics, etc.) and narrow it down from there. Pick one or two diapers that look good to you and give them a try. Good luck!

[Gabes Mommy]

I've been cloth diapering since my son was about a year, and I wish we would have started sooner. We've had fewer leaks because you can put as much absorbency in the diaper as you need. Disposables, you have to just take what they give you. There are a lot of options, but if you read reviews and forums, you can find the option that will work best for you. If you have any other questions, let us know!

[ErikaS57]

Maybe try one of the cloth diaper trials? There are several out there that let you try out an assortment of diapers for 14, 21, or 30 days for about $20 + a deposit. You then return whatever you don't want, and they credit you for what you returned. I just ordered one from Mom's Milk Boutique and can't wait. Jillian's Drawers and Diaper Daisy (as well as other sites) have trials as well.

I figure I can see how it works (I work full-time, so am a bit nervous), and if it's a miserable failure I'm only out $20 plus return shipping.. so pretty much risk-free lol.