Newbie to CDing...any suggestions?

[danakay]

So, I used disposable with my first daughter and now that I'm pregnant with my second daughter, I'd like to use CDs. I've been doing a lot of research and am totally overwhelmed by the different types/brands. I'm looking into buying smartipants because they're in the price range I'd like to stay in. I'd like to get one size diapers but don't really know how many to buy. Any thoughts?? Has anyone used smartipants?? Any help is appreciated!!

[cristeen]

I'll tell you that most OS dipes don't fit newborns.

I'd recommend deciding your parameters first, what you're looking for in a dipe, and then go from there. Personally, my parameters were organic fibers, no synthetics, fitted dipes, snaps, and wool covers. That really narrowed down the choices for me.

I also recommend not marrying yourself to one diaper before the baby even arrives. I have several brands of dipes that did NOT work for us because of the shape of my little guy.

[inky leeuhhh]

i was actually wondering about the smarti pants myself. however, i wouldn't go out and buy a whole stash of something until you have a baby to try them on. i like a little variety, but usually end up putting either a fitted and wool soaker or a prefold and cover on her. i work and prefer her to be in natural fibers when i am home with her to give her tush a break from the synthetic materials. dh and our wonderful daycare provider use the pocket diapers on her and have no problems with those as far as fit or ease of use. we have mostly happy heiny one size and bg os for pockets. os diapers are typically not a good fit during the nb stage, as someone else already posted. we had the most luck with prefolds and covers ( i trifolded the prefolds at that age, which was super easy ) during the really early days. what are you looking for in a diaper? and what is your price range? maybe someone here can give you more options so you can get a couple things to try for your new little one. if something doesn't work, there are sites you can sell them on. i have also had good luck with craigslist.

[octobermom]

Well if it helps... I had my DD 3 weeks ago she was a tiny one so even now shes still 6lbs and now around 19 inches there is a smartie pants on her at birth there would be no way this would even remotly fit but shes gained some length and some bulk so its more doable but it still pretty loose around the legs..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...h/100_1668.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...h/100_1669.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...h/100_1670.jpg

[cc_mama]

I'd say get a variety especially if it's your first time CD'ing. With DD I mostly used pockets and switched brands depending on how they fit at the moment (sized diapers). With DS now I'm more brave and trying different types of diapers including the one sized. PPs are correct in saying most OS won't work for a newborn - DS was 8 lbs 4oz and they still didn't work the best for us. Happy Heinys does make a mini OS that fits from 5lbs - 15 lbs. You might also want to use different types of diapers depending if you are home or out and about....so go with getting a nice variety to start with and you can start small and supplement with disposables or wash everyday until you see what works for your new lo.

HTH

[Michigan Mama]

I was really surprised how much I loooooved prefolds when baby was little. They look more complicated than they are. Actually really fast, fit well and easy to care for. I have also been really happy with Thirsties Duo Wraps & Duo Diapers. They come in 2 sizes, rather than one, so they fit a nb and should go to PL'ing for most kids.

[Kelly1101]

Just a good tip I picked up from here when I was starting out, if you are also going to be doing cloth wipes, I got a pump thermos http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html...t_adv_XSG10001 and set it beside the changing table, to keep the water (or wipe solution if you use one) warm and fresh. Love it.



I'd also second giving prefolds a shot, they are super cheap and not that hard to figure out, plus they are really easy to wash and dry.


Whatever you go with, as far as sizing/how many, I wash every day / every two days, and here's what I have, which is kind of a "bare-bones" stash:

Newborn:
24-30 prefolds
3 fitteds
6 covers

Size S:
12 prefolds
9 fitteds
4 covers


My baby has been in size S from 3 months - a year, she's a pretty long/skinny baby. But I'm about to move up to size M, and here's what I'm getting:

Size M:
12 covers
6 fitteds
4 covers



Of course if you go with one-sizes or something like that, you'd adjust this, but that's a pretty basic idea of how much you need to wash every day or every other day.

[Mom2M]

I did prefolds and Thirsties covers and really love them! We got some fuzzibunz from someone but they don't fit quite right so I'm glad I don't have only them. I would start with prefolds, I had 24 plus 4 covers for newborn and it was plenty.

[crazyrunningmama]

I ended up cd'ing part time with dd (started late) and really liked the indian prefolds. They were way easier to use than I thought. So for this baby, I just bought more prefolds, more covers and some Snappis (way easy to use!). Added bonus: when dd was potty learning, prefolds were great for cleaning up accidents, even from carpet. Also they're cheap and if you can't re-sell them, you can use them for super absorbant rags for years to come!

[Mom2M]

True, lol, they sure are great for spills! First thing I grab!

[Julia'sMom]

Check out diaperswappers . com It's the best deal in my opinion! We bought several covers (using prefold and cover system) for our babes in the newborn size. Once they arrived and we discovered what worked for us and what didn't, then I went ahead and got some in the next size up. We love our thirsties and are having great success with pro-wraps (which are cheap). I do have one-size pockets, which are just starting to fit now, around 4 months.

[JudiAU]

Cheers! I was in exactly the same position about ten months ago. CD really was pretty easy once I figured it out and I kick myself for not figuring it out with my first. I bought a few used dipes off CL and then bought a bunch more when I figured out which I liked the best. I ended up doing sized fuzzibunz and they couldn't be easier. I just thought the one size were too bulky, the AIO took too long to dry, and since their were lots of cheap, good condition sized FN available used.

[Lynda&Jenna]

Onesize diapers are great but as others said they don't always fit newborns. The wahmies onesize will fit a newborn. You could go with a Thirsties Duo diaper size 1 which fits 6 lbs to 18 lbs. Also a really good priced one size diaper is the Tweedle Bug, only $12.95 and they let you try 1 use it and if you don't like it they will give you a full refund you minus the shipping.
Lynda

[Ambystoma]

My DS is 6 weeks now, and was a smaller baby, so here is what fit him and when:

Birth (6lbs, 14oz--lost down to 6lbs 8oz)--Keep in mind they poop every time they pee pretty much at this size, so getting a super absorbent diaper is a waste imo.
-preemie prefolds trifolded in thirsties XS
-fitteds I made with thirsties XS
-size 1 bamboozle with S bummis super brite cover (LOVE these diapers)
-S Green Acre Designs pocket diaper--we got the bamboo inner

8lbs
-bamboozles
-both bummis super brite and super whisper wrap small now fit over fitteds
-disana small wool cover fits well now
-Green Acres still fit well
-small fuzzibunz fit at the waist but are just a little loose on his skinny legs-a chunkier legged baby would fit at this weight
-rocky mountain one size pocket on smallest elastic setting

11lbs (now)
-bamboozles
-same covers as above fit, but xs thirsties are almost too small over the bamboozles
-Green Acre (starting to be snug in legs, on middle snap, can almost wear outer snap)
-small fuzzibunz fit amazing and are absorbent for day or night
-rocky mountain one size pocket on 2nd smallest elastic setting

If you're interested in pocket diapers for a nb, I would go with the GAD. They're trim and fit my little guy from the beginning. We just stuffed them with prefolds (inserts are kinda pricey for the size small for us). If you want a one-size, I don't recommend fuzzibunz or bum genius (they won't fit a nb, seen moms around here try). The rocky mountain OS worked well when we bought it when he was 8lbs. Not sure about a smaller baby.