Please Help me figure this CD thing out

[Sweetmama26]

Ok so I'm TTC starting in March. I would like to CD my new baby as I've had a hell of a time with the expense of Diapering my 16 month old son, now if he's not potty trained by the time the new baby comes (which I'm hoping he will be) I would like to know which diapers are the best AIO or AI2 diapers to use? I'd like to stay away from prefolds as I don't think I would be efficient in diapering a squirmer. Also which are the best brands to buy and how many diapers should I get for a "starter" kit?

[lalemma]

If you don't already have a brand preference, I would probably buy some used diapers (there's a FSOT on Diaperswappers, and I think here on MDC as well?), in a good assortment of brands, see what works for you, and then get more of that type and resell the rest.

People usually say that you need about 12 diapers per 24-hour period for a newborn. So if you take that figure and are willing to wash every other day, you'd need about 24 diapers.

I have a personal bias against AIO diapers (I think they're too hard to get clean, and they take forever to dry)- forgive me if you've considered and rejected this already, but how about pocket diapers? A waterproof outer, a dry-feeling inner, and then you stuff the pocket with something absorbent that dries quickly. FuzziBunz, BumGenius and Happy Heiny are a few popular brands of pockets. There are also a ton of WAHMs who make diapers.

If you're planning on exclusively CDing from birth, you might consider one-size diapers, to really get your money's worth!

Do you know about the DiaperPin? You can find many, many reviews of every cloth diaper and CDing accessory under the sun there to help you decide. Here's a link to the AI2 review section:

http://www.diaperpin.com/diapers/ite...asp?subcat=AI2

[Sweetmama26]

I do plan on CDing from birth as from experience its too expensive to continue buying disposables and really bad for the environment, I'm trying to reduce my carbon footprint and save money, I had looked into bumgenius, they seem really easy to use too. I have never heard of diaper pin so I'm gonna go look there for info too. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

[Pinoikoi]

We like sized fuzzibunz pocket diapers. They also have a one size option.

[eirual]

When I CD'ed we started off with pre-folds (you quickly figure them out so don't let that stop you- they really aren't that complicated!) 'cause they were cheap and easy and easily grow with your child.

I then used the pre-folds as inserts for pocket diapers (I returned my Fuzzy Buns in favour of Happy Heinies and loved them- I liked sticking to only one kind and keeping it streamlined) only because DS was going to daycare at 9mos and they agreed to cloth diaper but I wanted to get them something very user-friendly. Otherwise I would have stuck with pre-folds.

CD'ing is a very personal choice. Take a close look at your motives. If you're doing it to keep diapering cheap, I'd stick with pre-folds and you can still play around with covers.

May I ask where in Canada you are?

[Sweetmama26]

Originally Posted by eirual

When I CD'ed we started off with pre-folds (you quickly figure them out so don't let that stop you- they really aren't that complicated!) 'cause they were cheap and easy and easily grow with your child.

I then used the pre-folds as inserts for pocket diapers (I returned my Fuzzy Buns in favour of Happy Heinies and loved them- I liked sticking to only one kind and keeping it streamlined) only because DS was going to daycare at 9mos and they agreed to cloth diaper but I wanted to get them something very user-friendly. Otherwise I would have stuck with pre-folds.

CD'ing is a very personal choice. Take a close look at your motives. If you're doing it to keep diapering cheap, I'd stick with pre-folds and you can still play around with covers.

May I ask where in Canada you are?

I am in Fredericton, NB. My main motive is to reduce the amount of environmental impact I'm having on our environment, and then cost effectiveness.

[starrmama]

It really is a lot of personal preference. I personally love flats and natural fiber fitteds with wool covers, but I don't have particularly squirmy babies thus far lol.

I teach a CD class once a month, and I usually tell people to have 36 diapers on hand for a newborn - that gives you the option of laundering every 2-3 days without feeling like you're running out of clean diapers. I also really encourage people to try a few types and brands before investing in one heavily... that way you can see what you like and what seems to work well for your baby. One size is really popular now, but I also have to caution that if you have a big chubby baby they won't fit very well, if at all... my dd couldn't be stuffed into Bum Genius by 6 months - too tight on her thighs!

So, my advice would be to get maybe 2 dozen Prefolds or flats with 4-6 covers for the newborn stage (cause they're cheap and your baby won't be wiggly much yet) and then make up the other dozen with anything you want to try out. Sposoeasy, Thirsties, Gro Baby, Bum Genius, possibly Flip, and Fuzzi Bunz all might be good to try out based on what you think your preferences will be... then you can make a larger purchase once you see which ones you like. Buy used off Diaperswappers or Cloth Diaper Nation if you want, to save more money...

Oh yeah, and don't forget 2 pail liners (or hanging pails) and 2 wet bags and 1-3 doz cloth wipes!

[Sweetmama26]

Originally Posted by starrmama

It really is a lot of personal preference. I personally love flats and natural fiber fitteds with wool covers, but I don't have particularly squirmy babies thus far lol.

I teach a CD class once a month, and I usually tell people to have 36 diapers on hand for a newborn - that gives you the option of laundering every 2-3 days without feeling like you're running out of clean diapers. I also really encourage people to try a few types and brands before investing in one heavily... that way you can see what you like and what seems to work well for your baby. One size is really popular now, but I also have to caution that if you have a big chubby baby they won't fit very well, if at all... my dd couldn't be stuffed into Bum Genius by 6 months - too tight on her thighs!

So, my advice would be to get maybe 2 dozen Prefolds or flats with 4-6 covers for the newborn stage (cause they're cheap and your baby won't be wiggly much yet) and then make up the other dozen with anything you want to try out. Sposoeasy, Thirsties, Gro Baby, Bum Genius, possibly Flip, and Fuzzi Bunz all might be good to try out based on what you think your preferences will be... then you can make a larger purchase once you see which ones you like. Buy used off Diaperswappers or Cloth Diaper Nation if you want, to save more money...

Oh yeah, and don't forget 2 pail liners (or hanging pails) and 2 wet bags and 1-3 doz cloth wipes!

Thanks for the info, I'm a member of diaperswappers and I'll check out cloth diaper nation.

[starrmama]

no problen

[Pippi L.]

I'd say try a few different kinds before you commit. I'd heard so much about bumgenius and that they were THE diaper to use. I bought two and I thought I'd buy a lot more if I liked them. I HATED them. They were such a pain to wash. They needed stripping constantly or they leaked all over the place. I'm so glad I didn't buy a bunch to start with!

[Sweetmama26]

Thanks for the advice PipiL

[AlishaLukesMom]

I started off with a variety of different types. But I really like the AI2 systems. I have been using the Sweet Pea One Size AI2 system. I like being able to just snap in a new insert. Less laundry and cheaper
But I do recommend grabbing a few pockets/AIOs,AI2s and go from there

[hildare]

depends!

I like the bumgenius pockets, but MY favorites are the fuzzibunz sized pockets.
however, oddly enough, i have a partner who does a large amount of diapering and he HATES the fuzzibunz and the other pockets, AIO's etc. that I've tried b/c he doesn't like the snaps. (now, i adore snaps! they wash and dry so well. the baby won't be able to unfasten them!)

I also have one mommy's touch AIO, which I like, but again with the snaps.
I don't have any that I've gotten that I don't like, actually, but my DH does have strong velcro preference.

so... you may just want to get a variety pack and try them out. some places have a "try before you buy" set, or a variety pack. I like most of what we've gotten, and don't have a problem with drying times being long, etc.

do visit the diaperpin as some pp's have suggested for reviews, but honestly, it's hard to go wrong with a bumgenius pocket one size.

[lesliesara63]

I really like Fuzzi Bunz. If you want a cheaper option, Motherease diapers are a workhorse and are made in Canada. Although I mainly use pockets, I like ME diapers with a Thirsties cover. The ME covers are good, just not the nice colours of Thirsties.

[Sweetmama26]

I just bought some beuble bums cloth diapers online from a person on CDN, I'm excited to get them, there is only 3 but still very exciting.