Registering for Cloth...

[pleasantlyfurious]

Hi Mamas!

I'm pregnant with my first (due in May) and we plan to cloth diaper so I've been reading up on our options. It's overwhelming and basically what I've gathered is that every parent has different preferences, every baby has a different body type, and there is no way to know what will work for you until your little one is here and you try different systems out. Great.

I'm hoping to register for diapers for our baby shower and was hoping I could get some input (realizing that opinions will vary) about how I should go about it. Basically, I'm hoping you could answer four questions based on what you would do if you were starting from scratch, but knowing what you know now.

1. How many diapers would you register for? I was thinking 20 - more?

2. What sizes? The one-sizes are super appealing - or would you do a spread of S, M, and L?

3. What types and brands? I was thinking I'd do a grab bag of AIOs, pocket and some prefolds with covers - maybe five different kinds and four of each type? Then I could swap out those I don't like for more of the ones I do...

4. What additional essentials? Wet bag? Sprayer? Detergent?

Thanks so much for taking a minute to answer - I really appreciate it!

[Nicole915]

I'm by no means a CD expert, my daughter is only 3 weeks old, but here is what worked for us in terms of registering-

We shopped around for a decent local store that had a flexible return policy. We spoke with the owner about our concerns, and made sure that we could return unused items for different types if the need arose. After registering for a few different types, we returned everything but the GroBaby diapers , and got full store credit to fill out our supply. We even sold back the Bum Genius and Fuzzi Bunz, so that they could sell them as used product.

The items I'm glad I registered for are two pail liners, a small wet bag for the diaper bag, and some good (we got Allens) detergent. I found a pail at target for $8, which was much much less than they were selling them for in the specialty store, so I picked that up.

In terms of number of diapers needed, I've been told it depends on how often you wish to do laundry. With the gro baby system, we have 12 shells and 24 soakers, and that is plenty for us, since doing laundry every other day is workable for me.

Congratulations on the new baby! If there is anything I could answer that I didn't address here, please feel free to let me know.

[My3guys]

Well, you are correct on the every baby, every parent is different and you might not know now what will work for you when your baby is 3 weeks old or 3 months old or 2 years old. So, I think your plan of going for a selection of stuff is good. A good AIO is key. I call those babysitter diapers. Or Grandma diapers. They are easy to use and don't require a lot of explanation and are not scary to those who will be diapering your child on an infrequent basis (like a babysitter or grandma). So, a bunch of those will always be useful. Prefolds and covers are great....especially when the baby is really small. I had three preemies and prefolds were all we could do until they fattened up a bit (they were super skinny and super long...like snakes LOL). How about a couple wool covers? They are great for heavy wetters and overnights and are so incredibly cute (people like to buy cute stuff for baby showers). Some wet bags, snappis, diaper rash creams and salves, a sprayer, wipes, wipe solution, etc.

I would avoid stocking up on too much detergent. Everyone's water is different (hard vs. soft) their machines are different and their child's skin is different. Some people can have no problem with a particular detergent and others will have children who break out in horrible rashes and get burns. You really don't know until you know. No sense in having crates of the stuff in the house if it isn't going to work for you.

Have fun and good luck on the new baby!

[evjolin]

i'm about to be a first time mom as well and am overwhelmed....here's some info i found helpful....

http://www.comfybummy.com/cgi-bin/ca...gettingstarted

http://www.diaperpin.com/howto.asp#gettingstarted

http://www.diapersafari.com/diaperinfo/clothdiaperinfo/

click on the checklist @ diaper safari.

good luck!!!

[Erinjvrn]

I registered for my shower 2 yrs ago. I registered for a dz pfs in preemie and infant, and 3 thirsties covers in each size. I ended up hating the pockets and fitteds I registered for. Just keep in mind that one size diapers really dont fit a newborn, so have something for those first 2 months or so.

[crazyrunningmama]

I started CD'ing my DD when she was 10 months or so and now I am expecting again and I know I'll need to buy more. The biggest thing I feel like I want to invest in this time is one of those sprayer things that attach to your toilet so you can spray off the poop. There are different brands, but:
http://www.diapers.com/Product/Produ...&ci_sku=BU-009

[Galatea]

Hi! I'm in Pittsburgh!

One-sizes will likely not fit until 6-8 weeks. Most people use mostly prefolds till then.

You want 24-30 diapers in the beginning.

A sprayer, wet bag and pail liner are definitely necessities.

[Pinoikoi]

I think I would register for some "samples" three one size fuzzibunz, a set of prefolds in each size, three bumgenius, some sized fb, etc... they are gifts after all and if they don't work out- resell them.

[fawnanddoe]

Here are my suggestions!

Green Mountain diaper prefolds are wonderful - I would get 12-24 of the newborn size, you can always use them as doublers when they don't fit or if you don't like them. Prefolds always come in handy.

I would register for a wool soaker and maybe some longies. I really love wool! It's a great all natural diaper cover and you don't have to wash it all the time, plus they are super cute, keep your babe warm, and are great for night time use.

I got a bunch of bumGenius before DS was born, and I do like them, but I prefer natural fibers over synthetics.

Kissaluvs 0's are great for newborns. They do require a diaper cover. I would register for a few of those and a bunch of diaper covers, you need covers for prefolds too.

Then register for a few different aio's, pocket diapers, os dipes.

IME a lot of people will end up getting you gift certificates because it's just as overwhelming for them!

Get a sampler pack of detergents in case yours isn't working out. I have tried a few that I didn't like or didn't work for me. I recently started using Rockin' Green detergent and it's awesome! I have also tried Country Save and that's really great too.

If you are EBF then you won't need a diaper sprayer for a while. BF poop is water soluble and you can just throw the dipes in the wash!

I would register for 24-32 cloth wipes, might as well if you are cloth diapering! I actually just switched to cloth wipes and water and they are much better.

You will need a small wetbag for when you go out and a large one for your house!

Congrats on your little one!

[carrot_flowers]

i am expecting in February, and after a ton of research and worry, here is my newborn stash plan:

3 dozen orange-edged Cloth-eeze prefolds from greenmountaindiapers
2 Bummis NB covers
2 thirstees NB covers
2 imse vimse NB covers
2 wool soaker covers
2 snappis
3 dozen flannel wipes
Charlie's soap
bac-out stain eliminator
wet bag
diaper pail liner

i am changing this a bit because one of my friends is selling me 10 kissaluvs NB fitteds along with 10 covers, so I will be purchasing only 2 dozen prefolds, and maybe no new covers, depending on the condition of the ones she gives me...

basically, it seems that newborns will only fit in the NB sized stuff for 2 months max, which is why i am going with prefolds. if you look on youtube, you'll see how flipping easy it is to use prefolds, too. it really seems like it isn't a pain at all. we'll see how i feel once i'm doing it 12 times a day!

PM me if you get any good info - i am new to this, too, and could use all the help i can get!