What's your newborn dream stash? - Page 2

[paintedfire]

Wow, Cristeen. You're awesome for going into so much depth for me. Thanks!

I'm cool with pins, practicality-wise and aesthetically, I love pins. I was a nanny in grad school and the baby daughter of the family I worked for was cloth diapered - with pins. She wasn't my "charge," so to speak, but she was just so darn adorable that I didn't mind helping out when and where I could.

Also, even if they've changed their design I'm still wary. Every time I read or hear the word Snappi I have PTSD-like flashbacks.

(Off-topic: I met the couple I worked for through a support group for lupus - the mother suffered from the disease as well as me. Their oldest child had down syndrome, and they were looking for someone to watch him a few days out of the week. I loved that kid. Working wasn't work - I always told people that I was basically getting paid to play. When I left London for Cambridge leaving him - and his family - was harder than leaving my then-boyfriend. I still send the whole family birthday and Christmas presents and visit whenever I go back to the UK, which isn't nearly as often as I like. I never wanted to have kids - my own screwed up childhood was to blame for that - but he changed it all for me. I'm still the only person he'll talk to on the phone, other than his parents. I'm sorry for going on like this, but I can't help it when I think about that time. He saved me from a pretty horrible state of mind. Outside of my family, he's the first person I ever loved more than myself. I still feel it today. It's enduring, and I credit him for helping to make me the person I am today and leading me to the amazing life I have now. Without him, I very much doubt I'd be where I am now.)

Okay . . . back on topic!

Determine my criteria? Okay, here goes:

1. I want as much organic as possible. That's absolutely my #1 concern in nearly everything, especially here.
   
2. How much noise does the velcro make? If it doesn't wake the baby, then velcro or snaps, it doesn't really matter to me.
   
3. For the newborn period, Juliacat pretty much persuaded me for fitted diapers. I'll be breastfeeding and co-sleeping so easy is the goal there.
   
4. Sized, probably. We definitely want more than one child (I'd like half a dozen but I'm almost thirty, so we'll see) and if all goes well that's the plan. Someone above mentioned that going with sized instead of OS will help increase the life-span of the diapers, so that's what I'm going with on this one.

treeoflife3 - I'm really, really attracted to wool, too. I, myself, have a cashmere thing, inherited from my Mom.

The Aristocrats just look so . . . pretty to me. Anyone have any experience with them? Are there any other wool soakers that are just plain better? I want what works best, even if it's not the best looking. I'll sacrifice if need be.

[Galatea]

Originally Posted by paintedfire

The Aristocrats just look so . . . pretty to me. Anyone have any experience with them? Are there any other wool soakers that are just plain better? I want what works best, even if it's not the best looking. I'll sacrifice if need be.

I didn't like them - not soft enough. I much prefer sustainablebabyish soakers.

Originally Posted by paintedfire

Wow, a professional. I'm honored.



My Snappi thing is from when I baby-sat a friend's little girl (she was about 8-months-old at the time) and the Snappi gouged the !@#$ out of my hand - right in the webbing between my thumb and my index finger. Four stitches. No joke. So there will be no Snappis in my house.


Would you mind very much if I asked you questions every so often? I'm kind of a perfectionist and I want everything to be "just right," whatever that is. I promise not to bother you too much.

No need to be honored!

The Snappi thing is scary, but if you have no problems with pins, then cool!

Ask away - I'm here.

[cristeen]

Organics - there are a ton of them out there now. I also have a lot of hemp, which is not usually certified but does not need pesticides. Unfortunately, sometimes its blended w conventional cotton and sometimes organic. I can give a run down of the organic brands weve tried if you like, but it will have to wait until im not typing on my ipod.

Snaps vs aplix - many dads prefer aplix because its easier, but my DH hates it because its harder to get a good solid fit, particularly if your little is skinny-legged. We had many a leak with our night-time dipes until we figured that out. It also tends to tangle in the wash and is often the first part of a dipe to wear out. Ive had to convert at least 1 aplix dipe to snaps because of failing aplix. Obvioisly my recommendation is for pins or snaps. And like i said above, front snaps just dont work for us, so now i try to stick w side snaps, which are oddly scarce.

[northcountrymamma]

really helpful thread...subbing.

[treeoflife3]

Originally Posted by cristeen

Organics - there are a ton of them out there now. I also have a lot of hemp, which is not usually certified but does not need pesticides. Unfortunately, sometimes its blended w conventional cotton and sometimes organic. I can give a run down of the organic brands weve tried if you like, but it will have to wait until im not typing on my ipod.

Snaps vs aplix - many dads prefer aplix because its easier, but my DH hates it because its harder to get a good solid fit, particularly if your little is skinny-legged. We had many a leak with our night-time dipes until we figured that out. It also tends to tangle in the wash and is often the first part of a dipe to wear out. Ive had to convert at least 1 aplix dipe to snaps because of failing aplix. Obvioisly my recommendation is for pins or snaps. And like i said above, front snaps just dont work for us, so now i try to stick w side snaps, which are oddly scarce.

Yeah, we have all the same problems with aplix. I can't stand the stuff. It is really only good on my little one if she is right between two snap settings but usually the tighter setting is just fine and doesn't bother her anyway. It is why I prefer pinnable diapers though. Just easier. I didn't find aplix to be too loud, but it definitely wears out fast no matter how much you make sure they are on the laundry tabs.

Side snaps are AWFUL on my little one, but a friend of mine also prefers them. Her kiddos have big bellies and mine is skinny other than her thighs. I can't get a tight waist fit usually with side snapping. It really definitely comes down to the baby's body.

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by treeoflife3

Side snaps are AWFUL on my little one, but a friend of mine also prefers them. Her kiddos have big bellies and mine is skinny other than her thighs. I can't get a tight waist fit usually with side snapping. It really definitely comes down to the baby's body.

See, that's interesting. My guy is super skinny, with skinny legs too. They're either on the same snap setting (top and bottom), or the top is one tighter than the legs. With front snaps, unless they have really good elastic in the legs (pulled tight), even snapped as tight as I can get it across the belly, it's loose around the legs. Dipes that everyone else loves like BSRB just don't work for us.

[paintedfire]

Originally Posted by Galatea

I didn't like them - not soft enough. I much prefer sustainablebabyish soakers.

Well, those are just all kinds of pretty, aren't very? I think I'm in love.

Originally Posted by Galatea

No need to be honored!

The Snappi thing is scary, but if you have no problems with pins, then cool!

Ask away - I'm here.

Yeah, I'm cool with pins, no problem and thanks so much! Crazy type-A, first-time mom here, so I'm focused on perfect right now, even though I know there is no such thing.

Originally Posted by cristeen

Organics - there are a ton of them out there now. I also have a lot of hemp, which is not usually certified but does not need pesticides. Unfortunately, sometimes its blended w conventional cotton and sometimes organic. I can give a run down of the organic brands weve tried if you like, but it will have to wait until im not typing on my ipod.

That would be wonderful. Thank you!

[cristeen]

Originally Posted by paintedfire

That would be wonderful. Thank you!

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Apple Bottom Baby - these were some of our NB dipes. The fit for a really long time, and were really nice and trim through the crotch, but could only hold one pee.
Baby Beehinds - This was a OS dipe, front snapping. Works well, nice and absorbent, but front snaps don't work for us. In the sell pile.
Bummis Prefold - We used these for 8 mos, and will keep using them as stuffers. They're great.
Clover - Their fitteds are really nice, although the lay in doubler is a little fiddly and a little thin. I love their buttonhole elastic though. I also have some of their tie dipes, and that's our night-time dipe right now.
Cuddlebuns - This was a OS dipe that I've since sold. Too thin to be much good and front snapping. Sold it.
Disana Tie Nappy - Love these. They're a bit fiddly for some people, but we used them as a night time dipe for a long time. My guy just won't lay still for them right now.
Dream-Eze - my fave. I have half a dozen in Sm, a dozen in Med (what he's wearing now) and 9 in Lg, even though he may never need lgs.
Earth Mom & Baby - Their Bumboo OS dipe. Not so OS. Says it fits from 12 pounds, but my 22 pounder didn't fit in it. Their snap arrangement needs work (and I have informed them of this). Really soft and cushy, but I used them twice and sold them.
Firefly - They have a good reputation, but they're just too thin for us.
Goodmama - Love em. Even though they're front snapping (or I just bought some no fasteners ones that arrived in today's mail). Cushy and absorbent. With an additional doubler I've used these for a night-time dipe.
Growing Green - Soft and lovely, but way too thin for a OS dipe. And their snap-in doubler arrangement is a bit weird. Even for daytime wear I have to add a doubler. And on my 8 mo, we don't get a very good fit - it's way too big in the leg and we have wing droop. This is one I want to love, but I just don't.
Happy Hempy - These are a beautiful night-time dipe. They're pocket fitteds, these are the ones with Aplix. We used them for months in the sm size, and I just got the Med ones in the mail yesterday. You can get them in all hemp/cotton or you can get them with a fleece inner (stay-dry). In the sm I got the all hemp, but in the Med I got the fleece inner, since I've been having to line them with fleece anyway. The smalls are in the sell pile.
Imse Vimse Muslin Flats - This is what I'm stuffing our night-time dipes with. Beautifully absorbent.
Jam-Tots - These were a pin dipe, a pocket fitted. Love the style, but couldn't get a good fit around the legs and I suck at pins. In the sell pile.
Little Beetle - good and bad here. I love the Hemp Originals. With the extra doubler, they're great 2 hour dipes. Not so fond of the front snaps, so I converted 3 no fasteners and 1 aplix to side snapping. At 8 mos he's still wearing the size 1 (small). I also have one of their OS dipes, which I bought new and it developed holes within 6 weeks. In addition, they have the same problem as the Bumboo dipes - bad snap placement for an uber-skinny babe.
Lovey-Bum - Loved these in the NB/Sm size. He's in the Med right now and not really feeling the love. They're a bit thin for him - 1 pee soaks them. And they're front snapping. I can get a good fit around his legs with 1 of them, which is a stretchy fabric, but the other 3 don't have the stretch, so I'm risking a blow-out.
Pipers Closet - Lovely dipes, hemp fleece. Great leg elastic even though they're front snappers. I did have to add an extra snap to each wing to prevent wing droop. The internal soaker paired with the front snap though was too much for me. They saw a lot of use when he was between sizes, but once he grew into his Meds, they went into the "sell" pile.
Red Edge Pfs - Not feeling the GMD love with these. They're thinner and not nearly as absorbent as my Bummis PFs.
SNB Etc - These were my favorite dipes when he was a NB. Soft and cushy, very absorbent. They were the first thing I reached for. Too bad it was a WAHM that went out of business.
Sugar Peas Fitted - This was an old style I got. But they went almost immediately into the sell pile. The leg holes were cut for much larger thighs and even on the tightest snap setting we had blowouts. Sold these.
Sugar Peas Snap-in - These I really liked when he was a Sm. Now not so much. It's an AI2 with a wool wrap cover and a snap-in dipe. I think I have about 5 of the covers and 4 of the dipes. He still fits into a Sm, but the absorbency just isn't there any more (he's a big pee-er).
Sugar Plum Baby - I like these. They're cute, they're trim, they're a WAHM. But they're one-pee dipes. And he's still in a Sm on the smallest snap setting at 8 mos.
Sustainable Babyish - love the pin dipe, it's a OS. I use it for night-times or long car rides a lot. My DH won't go near it though.
Swaddlebees Fitteds - These had the same problem as the Sugar Peas Fitteds... too large leg openings. In the sell pile.
Swaddlebees Pocket Fitteds - These I love. Unfortunately they've been discontinued. Uber soft cotton velour, completely customizable. He's been wearing them since his first days, and is still in the Smalls.
Tiny Birds - These were a great night-time dipe for a long time. Super thick and absorbent. The leg elastic was not as resilient as I would have liked, though... I had to really get it tight on the tummy to get the legs tight, it just didn't have much give in the legs. This was one of those dipes that always came out of the dryer still damp.
Under the Nile Prefold - Love em. They're nice and stretchy. They're by far the smallest of all my PFs. I can't seem to find any of the larger sized ones now, I can only find the infant ones, so I can't size up.
Valor Kids - loved em for a long time. But anymore they're not absorbent enough.
WillowSprouts Prefold - he can pee right through it (to hit the floor). We use it as a burp cloth.
Muttaquin 3SR - soft and squishy, great absorbency, but fiddly to put on. In the sell pile.
BSRB - Beautiful and absorbent, too large leg openings.
Bububebe - Love em. Great night-time dipe. Bulky with all the doublers snapped in, but most night-time dipes are.
Bella Bottom - Ugh. Thin with a sewn in doubler, supposedly a OS, but wouldn't stop a pee from a crawler, much less a toddler. Front snapping to boot. In the sell pile.

Something to keep in mind as you're choosing dipes. Hemp is really nice and cushy silky soft at first, but after a while it gets crunchy. That's why I'm selling my Happy Hempys in Sm instead of keeping them for the next babe, they're a bit too crunchy for my taste. And to compare them after months of use to my brand new Meds, it's really apparent how crunchy the fabric gets (not just that brand, all the hemp dipes do it).

I'll also say though that my guy seems to wear Smalls a lot longer than the average kid. At 8 mos he's still wearing a mix of Sm and Meds. He'd still fit into many of our smalls if I hadn't moved him up because of absorbency issues (his Med Dream-Eze are just now getting a good tight fit in the leg). So they were used longer and saw a lot more wear than most people expect them to. And, most of my dipes were bought used to begin with.

[AKislandgirl]

Just to add on to the wool choices...

My favorite night time cover is the disana. I find it to be the softest! We don't wear it during the day because its pretty bulky but I wouldn't give that thing up for anything. Totally bullet proof! I'm always sad when I wash it and I have to choose another cover at night while it dries.

I have a lot of Sbish too, both soakers and karate pants. Love them but the softness and thickness of the wool varies from batch to batch as does the sizing... by a lot in some cases which is super annoying. The colors of course are TDF though!

One which I haven't tried yet but have heard great things about is the kissaluvs wool lover. Supposed to be uber soft and give a great fit.

And I do like my aristocrats, especially the longies for PJ bottoms. Nice under newborn gowns. So yummy!

This thread has me wanting a newborn!

[paintedfire]

Originally Posted by cristeen

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Cristeen, I am ever so slowly working my way through your amazing post. Wow. Thank you ever so much. I just can't say that enough. I'm beyond stunned here. You're incredible.

Originally Posted by AKislandgirl

This thread has me wanting a newborn!

I can't wait for mine!

BTW, I LOVE the name Fiona! Great taste, mama!

[Juliacat]

I want to say, I understand the whole perfectionism thing, I posted here a LOT before my first baby was born, but it's taken a second baby to feel like I've got it down.

Fitteds for newborns
Prefolds after that - I like them because they're easy on the psyche. I just have regular DSQ's from clothdiaper.com, nothing brand name.
Swaddlebees ABC snap wraps are my absolute all-time favorite cover. They fit like Bummis (which are great covers IMO) but have snaps and come in pretty colors.
Bumgenius one-size for daycare because they are easy like disposables and fit a wide range of sizes (though I would not say they are truly one-size)
My mother prefers Velcro-closing fitted diapers because she has special needs. I have the ones from Little-Lions. Tip: Colored outers aren't just for looks, they also help you tell the inside of the diaper from the outside at a glance.
I also like Fuzzi Bunz, for no particular reason, but they're overkill given that I'm perfectly fine with prefolds.

[thebigfam]

Leigh,

Can I knit you a cover? I am dead serious! I really like knitting and I have a great pattern that knits up great! What color is your fave? and for you I would totally go with almost all fitted diapers! That is what I have and love. I just can't really like prefolds.

Big Momma

[millefleur]

Ooh! Subbing!

[paintedfire]

Originally Posted by thebigfam

Leigh,

Can I knit you a cover? I am dead serious! I really like knitting and I have a great pattern that knits up great! What color is your fave? and for you I would totally go with almost all fitted diapers! That is what I have and love. I just can't really like prefolds.

Big Momma

Wow. Thanks so much. That would be amazing! Are you sure you want to do that?

[thebigfam]

YES! I will be knitting for my own so I would love to knit one for you! So what colors do you like? I have a bit of a wool stash! Off the top of my head, dark blue, clery like green, natural, brown/ tan mix, Cream, navy blue, shoot I have a ton!

Big Momma

Or you could buy some wool and send it to me and I will make it of that

[paintedfire]

Well, my favorite color is yellow, but navy is a very close second. It really wouldn't matter to me at all - as long as it's not orange. There's not room here to explain, but I HATE the color orange. I've got a bad association with it - long story.

Thank you so, so much! This is way, way above and beyond the call of duty.

[faeriecurls]

This is such a great thread! I am making my list of dipes to try out from this list! We are doing to fitted/PF combo for NB stage and then see where to go.

Leigh - I am also in Brooklyn & we are considering using Diaperkind for the first month or so - they only have organic prefolds (4-8-4) but they will also wash your stash (I asked only about organic fabric fitteds). I just thought it would be a little easier in the first few weeks to have someone else do my diapers. Still not 100% on this though.

I went to a CD workshop at metromini's last week (It's on the UES - I think Park & 75th) and they have a few different brands/types to check out, which was great because it totally convince DH to CD (he was up in the air at first) and totally sold me on wool.

[To-Fu]

Originally Posted by Juliacat

I have cloth diapered 2 babies from birth and I feel really, REALLY strongly about fitted diapers for newborns. Flats and prefolds are too complicated for me the first two weeks, and pockets and AIO's leak newborn poop in the middle of the night. Fitteds are the only diapers that are easy enough to use, fit well, and hold everything in. We used Kissaluvs 0 for both of our babies, but if I were doing it over again I would probably buy the infant fitteds from Green Mountain Diapers or something else cheaper than Kissaluvs that does the same job. It's only the first few weeks of the baby's life that I feel this way, but time does weird things when you've just had a baby and can make three weeks feel like fifteen years.

Just a side note to say if you buy kl0s from their site, you can get "seconds" for much cheaper.

[RunningMama]

My favorite NB fitteds are Sustainablebabish sized fitteds, Scuttlebutts, Muttiquin Baby, Kissaluvs, and ElBees. and Bumstoppers!!

I agree that you should get a variety of different brands, I personally like to get four or six to really get a good feel for how they work.

As for covers, I use Aristocrats, and I do love them, but I do find the Disana, Lanacare and Kissaluv wool lovers soakers all toe much softer and have the same look as the Aristocrat. They all come in naturals well, but you can get the Disana in colors, or you can easily dye them with unsweetened Kool-aid!

Personally, I like wool covers much more than PUL. I think it is just personal preference. I guess since you can use wool as clothing it makes it easier. My dream wool stash for a NB would be:

Three pairs of cabled longies by Lynne of Cabbages and Kings on Hyena Cart, all made from single ply merino or Malabringo yarn.

Two pairs of knit longies by Kim, Runningmama on Diaperswappers.

Two Ruskovilla longies

Two Lanacare merino wool sleepsacs

Two Lanacare wool soakers, nb size

And four Bummis pull on whisper pants for under the NB outfits, like onesies, that most likely won't fit with a fitted and wool cover.

Another thing I'd think about are a few AIO's for under NB clothing. I personally like the Bum Genius xs AIO, and Very Baby XS AIO's by Tallula Baby. I have six of each for the little one OTW in the fall. I like the Very Baby ones better because they do not have microfiber inners like the Bum Genius. I try my hardest to stay away from microfiber because it is hard to care for, IMO. I look for all cotton, hemp/cotton blends and bamboo fibers for my diapers.

Good luck! HTH!

[RunningMama]

Originally Posted by thebigfam

Leigh,

Can I knit you a cover? I am dead serious! I really like knitting and I have a great pattern that knits up great! What color is your fave? and for you I would totally go with almost all fitted diapers! That is what I have and love. I just can't really like prefolds.

Big Momma

Ohhh, what pattern do you use?
I've been looking for someone who does the vanilla soaker pattern from Ravelry.....I'd love to have one on Malabrigo....
Do you know of anyone who can knit this pattern?
Thanks!