Help me plan my basic diaper system

[Amy@STL]

I feel funny just writing this

Can I please get the basic steps involved in changing a diaper, so that I know what essentials I am missing. I am aiming for a very simple diaper system.
This is what I have so far:

1. 35 prefolds(Don't know if they are Indian prefolds, but they are actually coming from India with mom)
2. I don't want to use anything synthetic. So far, I see covers are made of polyester. If that's so, I won't use covers. Not sure what are the consequences?
3. I can't afford a changing table. Plan to put baby on the bathroom shelf next to sink...its a decent size bathroom with enough space. Can I buy a baby changing pad and use it on top of the shelf? or are all such pads meant for going on top of dresser/changing table/proper furniture?
4. Can I use a simple trash can...the tall kitchen types for diaper pail? I want to line it with something which I can wash with the dirty diapers...possible?


Ok, now I need the actual steps! I will try to write them up:

1. Lie baby on a sturdy surface.(changing pad over bathroom shelf)
2. Remove soiled diaper (and put in a diaper pail without washing? maybe put some baking soda or something before putting soiled diapers?)
3. Wipe baby with wipe/washcloth (Use nearby sink to wet with warm water)
4. Discard wipe in same diaper pail ?
5. Apply anything on baby? or just wipe dry?
6. Put new diaper.
7. Every few days, wash the soiled diapers and wipes.

For a starting system, can this do? I am sure I will get more ideas as I get more experience, but as of now, anything important missing?

[octobermom]

Well you have a few choices for covers. that are more on the natural than synthetic side
1) wool its natural works well the down side they can be bulky expensive and some react poorly to it
2) cotton covers (we used these) some companies sell 100% cotton covers they do have something added that make them water ressistant and one could argue that its not 100% natural because of it but for someone looking for a natural fabric cover and can't use wool its a good choice they are also nice a trim underclothes but can be pricy
3) nylon nylon isn't a totally natual fabric but Its not quite synathic eaither and bet of all it works super well and is super affordable. they do mostly coem in pull one style so with prefolds you'll have to pin or snappi but at around $3 a cover there a great things to have..
Conquence of no cover especially with prefolds LOTS of wet clothes and possible Poop blowouts. I'd highly suggest having at the very least a few covers for outtings.
I'd personally nto rule out synthetic covers though yes there are alternitives unless you know your LO is allergic a good cover is worth its weight in gold and there is a big diffrence between a dozen synathic covers over the course of a CD babies life which are often passed down to another child or resold befor tossed and the synethic disposable that will have a one time use of 2-12 hours depending and then be tossed forever....

As for the changing table your plan will owrk wondefully and I'd recomend it above a traditional changing table. With my oldest I had a traditional open changing table and yes it ws used but it was more a pain especially when she got old enough and jsut pulled everything off the shelfs With this I jsut have a dresser that I stuck a changing pad ontop of before long babies end up mostly changed on the floor or where ever you are at the time anyways.

Kitchen sized trash can is the #1 most reccomended "diaper pail" for cloth so thats a great choice its what I have there are lots of places that sell diaper pail liners and they will fit these trash cans. I have one from Target lined with a planet wise seconds liner
SAs fot how to change pretty much as you say you'll learn what is best for your baby as you go but yes thats pretty much the steps.

Deanna

[Amy@STL]

Thanks a million Deanna!!! I am going to explore more on the covers.

I am so glad I found this forum

[Lil'Momma]

I have to agree with PP, I have a $450 changing table (baby gift for first baby) and it was used a handful of times with DS1 and not since....

We change on the floor, bed, couch, anywhere. I just grab a toddler sized prefold and lay underneath then change wherever... works great!

[Pepper44]

I plan on using all wool with my new baby. (I hope she isn't allergic!) I had a few wool covers for my older DD and we loved them.

This is what we did, and will do again:

-Use a waterproof pad or just a towel to change the diaper on. Lay it where ever you are...bed, living room floor, couch, etc. It's really *not* that messy!

-A wetbag is made of PUL, which is synthetic, but I don't know what else you would use? We didn't even have a diaper pail. Breastfed poop doesn't really smell bad. Once she started eating more solids I kept the wet bag in the laundry room. We washed the wet bag with the diapers, so you need two wet bags.

-Toss the diapers and wipes in the bag together, at the infant stage don't worry about rinsing or soaking or anything. It all comes right out in the wash.

-We used flannel wipes with just water on them. You can use a wipe solution if you want, but it takes more effort and some water works just fine. The bottom dries fast, you don't have to dry the baby or put any cream on unless there is a rash problem.

-We also used fleece strips in the diaper because they work well as a stay dry layer and keep stains off of the diaper...

[Amy@STL]

Thank you everyone for the tips...we are also going to use flannel prefolds. Though I am planning to get some softBum diapers...I liked the description and product. Looking forward to diapering ....