Probably been asked a hundred times, but...

[inneedofgrace]

I am on kid number three (due in 6 weeks) and finally considering CDing. I am almost convinced and have been researching the types/styles available. I am hoping for advice for basic kinds and brands based on the criteria below.

1. Economical is very important. I'm not even sure if/where I can scrape together the initial outlay. $20 is a big deal in this house.
2. I am a lazy mama. I barely do the regular laundry and like the quick on and off and in the trash of sposies. However, I don't really care how long they take to dry. Also I do NOT change diapers at night!
3. My kids are hyperactive from birth--I had trouble getting a sposie on the first two most of the time. Those snaps look hard to do but I am worried velcro would get old and not work in the wash. Plus be too easy to pull off.

Prefolds are cheaper but I am not sure any kid of mine will stay still long enough to get that plus a cover on.
All in ones seem easy but maybe not absorbable enough. I am worried about leaks.
I like the idea on one sizers, but I'm afraid they won't fit baby right and leak--ugh!
My babies are small to medium size.

I am just a little overwhelmed and confused by everything out there. Any advice would be appreciated.

[danalyn]

Pocket Diapers with microfiber inserts

There are pocket diapers that you can "stuff" with microfiber inserts. They do not require a cover. Bum Genius may be considered the "top" brand for pocket diapers, but there are other "brands' that are essentially knock offs of Bum Genius. People have differing opinions on knock-offs. I personally have no issue using the knock offs, and I also have quite a big stash of Bum Genius. I love the pockets because of the "dryness" factor. The lining (the part that touches your baby's skin) in usually made of "fleece" or "suede cloth" and the wetness is pulled into the micro fiber insert, leaving the baby's skin dry for the most part. Have you visited diaperswappers.com ? You'll find a TON of info ....... Check ebay, too, for pockets. also check out this website:
http://theluvyourbaby.com/8-36lbsHeavyDuty621.htm

[mumkimum]

You'll do best trying a few different things, imo. Starting out I got 1 or 2 each of different styles I liked, and as I needed to size up I'd buy what my favorites were instead of what I didn't end up liking. Quite a few places offer diaper 'sampler' packs - which discount trying out diapers of a few different brands. Looking for some assortment of used diapers is another good way to try things out and save money - I've gotten some great stuff on craigslist in our area.

Prefolds (or contours, which you might find a little easier - less 'folding' and all, still pretty cheap in comparison to others) are really the most versatile - you can get covers you just tri-fold them and lay them inside - no snappi or pins.

I like pocket dipes over AIO's too - you can vary the absorbency, they'll often be somewhat cheaper than aio's too. The aplix/velcro used for diapering is pretty sturdy and diapers are usually made with laundry tabs to fold them before washing to help them stay in good condition. I have quite a few used velcro dipes/covers that still have good aplix fasteners (you can also repair it easily).

Brand-wise - thirsties duo diapers (they're pockets) I've been impressed with for their fit on a nb. They have 2 sizes instead of being one-sized, and you don't have to take out the inserts for washing (they'll come out on their own) which is nice to not have to do.

[KristyDi]

I just wanted to point out that it dosen't have to be all or nothing. You can get what you can afford (maybe a dozen pfs and 1 or 2 covers to start or 3 or 4 pockets or AIOs or whatever) use them then when you run out use sposies till you get them washed. Then next month buy a few more cloth diapers till you have a full stash. This would also give you a chance to try several things to find what you like. That's pretty much what I did. Splitting up the cost helped a lot.

I like prefolds and think they're pretty quick once you get the hang of it. I also really like Thirsties covers both the duo and the classic.

[AFWife]

Originally Posted by KristyDi

I just wanted to point out that it dosen't have to be all or nothing. You can get what you can afford (maybe a dozen pfs and 1 or 2 covers to start or 3 or 4 pockets or AIOs or whatever) use them then when you run out use sposies till you get them washed. Then next month buy a few more cloth diapers till you have a full stash. This would also give you a chance to try several things to find what you like. That's pretty much what I did. Splitting up the cost helped a lot.

I like prefolds and think they're pretty quick once you get the hang of it. I also really like Thirsties covers both the duo and the classic.

Exactly. You can get something like the EconoBum package (lots of pretty nice prefolds and covers for a fair price IMO) and do that during the day and do sposies at night.

[MayasMama88]

Originally Posted by danalyn

There are pocket diapers that you can "stuff" with microfiber inserts. They do not require a cover. Bum Genius may be considered the "top" brand for pocket diapers, but there are other "brands' that are essentially knock offs of Bum Genius. People have differing opinions on knock-offs. I personally have no issue using the knock offs, and I also have quite a big stash of Bum Genius. I love the pockets because of the "dryness" factor. The lining (the part that touches your baby's skin) in usually made of "fleece" or "suede cloth" and the wetness is pulled into the micro fiber insert, leaving the baby's skin dry for the most part. Have you visited diaperswappers.com ? You'll find a TON of info ....... Check ebay, too, for pockets. also check out this website:
http://theluvyourbaby.com/8-36lbsHeavyDuty621.htm

Actually (just to be informative), Tereson Dupuy - the founder of FuzziBunz - was the first to create the pocket diaper. They are right up there with BGs, and it seems that people who have used both tend to like one over the other for whichever reasons. Personally, I use FBs because I prefer the snaps over aplix (velcro), and the new style FBs are awesome at keeping DD dry without leaking. She sleeps up to 5 hours at night now without a diaper change and doesn't leak! Diaperswappers is a great site to find pockets, I agree. If you decided to try FBs, I buy from www.fuzzibunzstore.com because they have free shipping (no minimum), fast delivery, and a rewards program. You can also go to www.fuzzibunz.com if you just want to know more about that particular brand of pocket dipe.

[inneedofgrace]

I thought of another question. If you get pockets can you use prefolds in the pocket or will they not fit? Or maybe it depends on the brand?
I like the idea of 2 sizes because I am afraid the one size may not fit my newborn (baby 1 was 7.6 and baby 2 was 6.9). But I don't like the idea of buying 3 sizes--it seems like it adds up to so much (Even though I know I won't buy them all at once). Thanks for the advice so far. I am looking up all the recommendations and trying to figure it out. I like the price of the luvyourbaby ones. Under $10 jsut seems so much less shocking than $15-$20. I just feel like I can't make a mistake or pick one and then change my mind because it will cost too much. But my personality is very all or nothing so I feel this need to get everything and be done with it. I'm trying to convince myself it is okay to get a few different ones and see which I like. I hate decisions!

[Sharlla]

i got all my pockets for less than $200 (came out to be $6 shipped per dipe) i use microfiber towels in the dipe instead of stuffnf the pocket so ican reuse the dipe if not wet. we never have leaks
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[ChetMC]

Easiest Laundry

Cloth diapers are the easiest load of laundry you'll ever do. There is no sorting, ironing or folding. Dump them into the washer. Chuck them into the dryer. Store them in a laundry basket. Cloth diapering is not contradicted in the case of laziness.

Generally, I would suggest natural fibres over synthetics. You're less likely to have problems with build-up and stink with cotton, hemp and bamboo. Not everybody has problems with their fleece and microfibre, but it's just the safer way to go.

What people do like about synthetics is that they feel dry next to baby's skin. You can accomplish the same thing by cutting up an old fleece blanket to make liners, which you can easily part with if they get icky.

If you want to try some pocket diapers the Fuzzi Bunz seconds are great. The flaws on all of the ones I've ordered were nearly impossible to find. I've had to compare side by side with a first quality to find the errors. The seconds run about $10 to $12 each.

I like pocket diapers for overnight, an outing when baby is likely to go longer between diaper changes, or for a toddler who is going to save up and then have a big pee just three or four times a day. Pockets are good if you need a lot of absorbency since you can stuff them so full.

I do not think that pocket diapers are cost effective for full time use on a typical baby. Folding a prefold is the same amount of work as stuffing a pocket diaper. If you have a good cover with the flap in the front to help hold the prefold in place it's one step to put the diaper and cover on.

Prefolds are generally a good investment since they can be used with covers, as stuffing for pockets, and as doublers inside fitted diapers. My size newborn prefolds have been in constant service for over six years now. I paid $1.50 each for them.

Bummis, Thirsties and Motherease all make great covers. I like Bummis the best because they've been the least likely to leave elastic marks. I've found all of them to have durable waterproofing.

I also prefer snaps versus velcro / aplix. Snaps hold tighter and last longer.

I don't like AIOs. They are more likely to leak or wick moisture than a diaper and separate cover combo. They take longer to dry because the water proofing restricts airflow. When the waterproofing goes the whole diaper is garbage. They are harder to get clean. And for all of that, they're expensive. AIOs just play on people's fears that cloth diapering is hard, suggesting that they are the closest thing to disposables. It's a bit of a marketing scam.

[MittensKittens]

Originally Posted by inneedofgrace

I am on kid number three (due in 6 weeks) and finally considering CDing. I am almost convinced and have been researching the types/styles available. I am hoping for advice for basic kinds and brands based on the criteria below.

1. Economical is very important. I'm not even sure if/where I can scrape together the initial outlay. $20 is a big deal in this house.
2. I am a lazy mama. I barely do the regular laundry and like the quick on and off and in the trash of sposies. However, I don't really care how long they take to dry. Also I do NOT change diapers at night!
3. My kids are hyperactive from birth--I had trouble getting a sposie on the first two most of the time. Those snaps look hard to do but I am worried velcro would get old and not work in the wash. Plus be too easy to pull off.

Prefolds are cheaper but I am not sure any kid of mine will stay still long enough to get that plus a cover on.
All in ones seem easy but maybe not absorbable enough. I am worried about leaks.
I like the idea on one sizers, but I'm afraid they won't fit baby right and leak--ugh!
My babies are small to medium size.

I am just a little overwhelmed and confused by everything out there. Any advice would be appreciated.

1. There are cheap-ish diaper options out there. Prefolds and covers is one, ordering pocket diapers from China (which I did) is another. If you sew, that is another option to explore. I definitely saved A LOT of money by cloth diapering.

2. Me too! I find CDs way easier. Once they are in your house, they stay there. No having to go to the store to buy sposies, and no daily trips to the container to throw them out. Wonderful! Sure, I do a load of laundry every day now, but throwing dipes in the machine and hanging them out to dry is still much, much less hassle than the mentioned buying and throwing out of sposies.

3. I don't like velcro dipes either, because in my experience, velcro wears out and gets nasty. Snaps are great for really active kids, because they stay on wonderfully. Snapping on a diaper is not more difficult than fastening a sposie.

Hope that helps!

[inneedofgrace]

Thanks for all the replies! They have been really helpful. I think I am norrowing it down to prefolds and pockets.
Has anyone ever had trouble with leaking with the luvyourbaby dipes or the cheap chinese ones (like the ones I see all over ebay)? I like the price but I don't want to be disgusted with cheap quality that breaks/wears out/leaks because it's cheap and badly made.
I also found a local mom who has started a diaper party business. She will come and show several different kinds of diapers and do a presentation that might convince dh and mother (or at least adress their concerns). Plus I can earn bonuses, etc. for diapers bought. A pretty cool idea I thought! So I scheduled a party. Plus I will keep reading on here. Thanks again!!

[rachelsmama]

I'm a huge fan of getting as many second-hand diapers as possible for free or cheap, then filling in the blanks from there. It's a way to try out a bunch of styles for cheap. Also, you can use old towels, cut up old t-shirts, etc... for stuffing. You might get some ideas at http://fernandfaerie.com/frugaldiapering.html

[november]

Are you opposed to buying used diapers? You can find great deals on diaperswappers.com if not. It's not something I personally do, but I know most people are fine with it -- they are just sure to disinfect them when they get them. That way you could get AIOS/pockets for a cheaper price than new.

If you don't think you can go the prefold route, I would definitely suggest Kawaii diapers. You can buy them cheaper directly from the company than on luvyourbaby, I think, unless you buy them in bulk to receive the free shipping. I was going to order one or two Kawaii dipes from her and the shipping was $15. Um, yeah right. But there are TONS of satisifed users of the Kawaii diapers -- I have had great experiences with them. I like them more than Fuzzi Bunz, to be perfectly honest with you. And honestly, you're going to have to pay for sposies anyway so it's not a matter of IF you spend the money, but a matter of what you spend it on.

You could also go the Flip route. You can buy a day pack of the stay dry version for $50 brand new. That's two covers and six inserts. You could get by with three packages of those until you could afford more if you had to. It'd be 6 covers and 18 inserts. They are a one size diaper so it would last from pretty early on through potty training.

[november]

Oh, and another thing -- you might want to consider the Nubunz diapers. I know when I was looking into cloth about 8 months ago, people were really liking the Nubunz diapers as well. I'm not sure if that's still the consensus but just thought I'd mention it. I do know people have been satisfied w/ the Kawaiis for several years by now so I think that'd be a pretty safe bet, imo. I know a lot of people are against buying China diapers, but I think if it's all you can afford, you gotta do what you gotta do. I don't know this for certain, but my best guess it that Pampers and Huggies are also made in China so you may as well buy the resuable dipes instead if it's gotta come from China!

[jeminijad]

Nubunz seconds are really cheap.