Give me the scoop on Cloth Diapering

[AustinMom]

I'm due in late Aug/early Sept with our second and really am wanting to do cloth diapers this time around. We did disposable with our first, didn't have any allergies, etc, but went through a box of diapers a week. We did potty train early with a combination of EC and sign language and that started at about 14 months or so. He's been fully potty trained for about 6 months now, even through the night and long road trips and he's two, so thankfully I won't have two kinds in diapers!

So, I do want to use cloth, I'm a little scared as I don't know much about them. But before I really decide I want to give cloth diapers a couple months to see really how hard/easy they are.

So, what all do I need to know? How many diapers do I need? How often do you change them? Do they leak? I've seen some type of covers to put over them, are they necessary? Where do I find them?

We are going to breastfeed till 6 mo and then start solids (and of course continue BFing) so I'm not worried about poop in the first 6 months, but after that, I AM. I HATE POOP. When my 2 YO has an accident of poop, I usually throw the underwear away (this is very rare). I HATE POOP. That's really the reason I potty trained 'early' because I hate poop so much, it's gross, it stinks, It gets all over the place, etc. Did I mention I hate poop?

Thanks!

[terra-pip]

I'm the same way about poop...I don't care when ebfeeding...but after my kids hit about 1 year old...I'm grossed out.

I just started CD-ing this month with my 1 month old...I'm loving it so far. I just bought 12 FuzziBunz one size pockets and used disposables for the first week...and now dd is in cloth all day. I'll use a sposie when we go out and at night...but to be honest with you I am having so much luck with these fuzzibunz not leaking that I may start to try being brave at night. About going out...I just have this aversion to toting around dirty underwear (because thats basically what they are) everywhere I go.

I go through 12 pretty quick...but didn't want to buy so much at first. I think 20-30 or so dipes will get anyone pretty far. I haven't had any problems washing them either. i just throw them in a hanging laundry style bag in the wash room and then wash them when I've used them up. I use Purex free and clear on warm/cold and a pre soak in warm/cold with Oxyclean. So far so good. And i don't do anything about breastfed poo...but I'm thinking i may buy a diaper sprayer when solids start. And I change them just as often as I would a sposie...meaning every time they're dirty or wet. But I have noticed that these Fuzzibunz can hold some wetness just like a sposie.

I bought new diapers...but there's a lot of used for sale at www.diaperswappers.com. I also like www.diaperjunction.com and www.cottonbabies.com.

[Katie T]

The smallest stash I had was 18 bum genius 3.0 (pocket dipe) and it was a perfect amount for a 1yo. I didn't think to order more before I had DD2 so was washing 2 times a day till I ordered more. For a newborn I would order 24 if you are going with a pocket diaper or 36 if you are going with a prefold. I loved the bum genius. But mine were aplix and if I had it to do over again I would get snap now that they have them. I converted mine to snaps and they are still in brand new condition 2yrs later.

With pocket diapers the poo flings off really easy so hope that helps. I perfer to "stuff" my diapers with prefolds as opposed to the microfiber they come with.

It is fun to cloth diaper~

[LisaSedai]

How many diapers do I need? How often do you change them? Do they leak? I've seen some type of covers to put over them, are they necessary? Where do I find them?

Depends on how often you want to wash, and how much your baby goes. I think most people need at least 12 - 24 for a new baby. You should change the baby about every 2 hours. I have not had any leak issues so far. My CD are really adjustable so I get a good fit on her. I don't need covers for the type of diapers I use, I use what is called an all in one which is the most like a disposable diaper, and pocket diapers - where you stuff a pocket with an insert or prefold diaper.
I bought my diapers online, no one sells them where I live, except for the old fashioned white ones that you can use for burp cloths that you would have to use pins (or a snapi) and a diaper cover for.
I'm new to CD and poop gross factor was an issue for me also. I took the plunge though and bought about 6 fuzzibunz (small) 2 happy hineys (small) and 6 bum genius (small). I used the hospital freebies and some shower gift disposables until they ran out but now we are happily mostly cloth (baby 7 weeks old) Breast milk poop is not terribly disgusting- I drop the diapers in a dry pail (don't even rinse them in the toliet) and wash every 2 days. My washer doesn't have a soak feature so I just do a short cold wash, then a long hot wash. The poop has totally come out so far. My DH, Mom and Sister (babysitters) were leary at first but now they see how easy it is. And cloth is so darn Cute.(My Mom said "awwww" the first time she saw my drying rack full of lil dipes on the patio.)

There are online stores that have a try before you buy type feature- you can get some CD and try them for a week or two and send them back if you don't like them.

[AustinMom]

Help me understand....is it $20 for one diaper? That seems like a lot. I kinda wanted to do this for economical reasons too. If I was to go about this in the cheapest way, how would I do that? What all supplies would I need?

[treeoflife3]

For me, if I were just starting out again knowing what I know now and had no diapers anymore for some reason, I would just buy 12-24 prefolds and 12-24 flats with some wool covers (fleece if allergic/vegan) and metal locking head pins. Prefolds are quicker and flats are cheaper. flats can double as inserts too with bigger prefolds on older babies and toddlers. I also use both for spills and messes and junk.

Really cheap, easiest to clean and dry and if you learn on a newborn, they are much easier on a bigger baby/toddler (although I sometimes need to use a snappi instead of pins when my kiddo is being a tad too wild) The wool isn't as cheap, but it is an AMAZING cover (I like pull on, not wrap style because they hold leaks better and double as clothing too) but I also like thirsties duos which provide a nice cheap option.

For poop, I hate poop too. I've realized that I might be hurting my jaw because for some strange reason I clench really hard til I'm done cleaning the diaper off and it is in the pail. I currently don't have a sprayer, but that would be SO much better... just hold the diaper and spray and done. I have to dunk... definitely much grosser, but it DOES work. Get the sprayer if you can be warned though, cheap ones made with plastic parts might leak... its worth it to spend a bit more on one with great reviews and good parts.

other than the prefolds/flats, pins/snappis, and sprayer... you just need some wipes and wetbags. I don't like flannel wipes myself but most people do.. I like a nice soft sherpa. You can make those yourself if you can sew and in a pinch, some fleece you can cut up (no need to sew!) will work too to save money. plain old water is fine for a wipes solution. I like olive oil and lavender as well but I don't use any recipe.. I just add what feels right... when I do add anything as I do often just wet the wipes at the sink immediately before use.
wetbags are sold all over. I have a pail liner wetbag in a regular old cheap garbage can for my diaper pail... some people hang their wetbag from a door knob. personal preference. I also recommend some travel wetbags too for when you leave the house

then find some good detergent (google cloth diaper detergent charts) and you are pretty much set to go.

Pockets and aios and fitteds and so forth all have a different reason for being someone's preference. I really like fitteds with snaps or snappiable os fitteds (bagshot row bamboo being the most popular for that style) but you really can't beat the price and multi use of a prefold or flat especially if you learn on a newborn so that you are more ready for a toddler.

[Katie T]

They can seem pricey but the 18 bum genius I bought cost me less than 400 if I remember right. Well I got them for around 16$ a piece because at teh time the site I ordered from (Cotton Babies) had a deal that the more you buy the price goes down (they may always do this I haven't looked) anyways that has diapered 2 kids. With sposies being what 20$ a pack that added to savings really quickly!

If you buy all in ones or pocket diapers you won't need a cover

prefolds, flats, fitteds all need a cover of some sort and prefolds and flats need a snappi or pins.

You CAN buy a wet bag but a grocery store bag works fine.

You can use cheap washrags as wetwipes or make your own or just use store bought wipes. I made mine from 2 pieces of flannel with blanket stitch around the edges.

Cloth diapers leak less IME than disposables. They will leak if not changed when they are soaked but so do disposables.

Good luck if you have any other questions please feel free to ask.

I am sure Imissed some diapers like the flip diapers (which don't need covers) but ladies fill in any gaps I have left. I have been out of the diaper buying stage for a while and there are lots of new things out.

[terra-pip]

I bought 12 brand new fuzzibunz for 170$ from a momma on diaperswappers who has her own website store, a drawstring laundry bag from walmart for a couple bucks, some 5$ Purex Free and Clear and a tub of OxyClean which is what 6 dollers or so and I just use CVS brand wet wipes. Not everyones preference but this system is working for me. We have sposies too for night or when we go out but I have actually had to take an unopened package back to the store because they were not going to get used..and only 12 diapers. I want to get some more just to space out my laundry time. My water bill went up a little bit...but it likely would have with the extra newborn laundry anyway. Still a lot cheaper than all those disposables. Especially when you consider that these dipes adjust and grow with my baby. The only confusing part imo is deciding what kind to use. I wish I could try them all!

[westcoastlady]

Just a note about the poop... you can get biodegradable flushable liners that go on the diapers. They look kinda like paper towel only thinner. I get the ones from Bummis. I have to use them because I live in an apartment with shared laundry and it's the only way they will let me wash my diapers here. They aren't that expensive... they are $7 for a roll of 100 and that lasts me about a month. It means you don't have to scrape the diapers at all (sorry... my sons poo is the consistency of peanut butter and it does NOT just flick off my fuzzibunz or bum genius)... you just dump it in the toilet and flush it away. I love them... i don't think I could live without them now.

[saharantea]

LOVED Cloth Diapering, Did it for 3 Years

Find a good store nearby that can take you through your options--we had a great one near us called Mother Natures that was so helpful in explaining the different options, addressing concerns/problems we were having, and keeping us updated on new items that would be helpful. Of course, I'd be happy to share my experiences, but when I started typing it up, it was a whole dissertation, so email me if you want the details of what worked for our family.

Best of luck!

[AustinMom]

ok...I think I'm getting it, I REALLY like the idea of the liner! That's a perk. Now, I don't need the whole $20 diapers because I feel they are priced this way for convenience to mimic disposable diapes, and i don't care about that much.

Some issues on the terms used....sposies? pre-folds? Flats? fitted? fuzzibums? I figured I could just buy a package of 10 diapes from walmart and use those with a cover. Am I wrong? Is this not a good idea? What is the best cover if I do. A lady I saw has a cover with little bungie things that wrap around buttons on the cover, I liked that idea a lot. I don't want to use pins, as I'm accident prone, and don't want to deal with pins and a wiggling baby. Snaps, I would think could be wrong, would come open easily?

I get the wet bag thing, and I'll probably use a grocery baby, or put a trash can in the laundry room and line it with a bag and use that to store them after use before I do laundry. I'm guessing when out, I'll just pop em in a grocery bag and then dump it when I get home? Thoughts on this?

This is VERY helpful to me. Thanks so much for all your advice, it's REALLY needed.

[treeoflife3]

Originally Posted by AustinMom

ok...I think I'm getting it, I REALLY like the idea of the liner! That's a perk. Now, I don't need the whole $20 diapers because I feel they are priced this way for convenience to mimic disposable diapes, and i don't care about that much.

Some issues on the terms used....sposies? pre-folds? Flats? fitted? fuzzibums? I figured I could just buy a package of 10 diapes from walmart and use those with a cover. Am I wrong? Is this not a good idea? What is the best cover if I do. A lady I saw has a cover with little bungie things that wrap around buttons on the cover, I liked that idea a lot. I don't want to use pins, as I'm accident prone, and don't want to deal with pins and a wiggling baby. Snaps, I would think could be wrong, would come open easily?

I get the wet bag thing, and I'll probably use a grocery baby, or put a trash can in the laundry room and line it with a bag and use that to store them after use before I do laundry. I'm guessing when out, I'll just pop em in a grocery bag and then dump it when I get home? Thoughts on this?

This is VERY helpful to me. Thanks so much for all your advice, it's REALLY needed.

the gerber prefolds you'd find at walmart I hear are AWFUL... they are really only good as burp rags. I've never even touched one though so I couldn't say.

for the liners, some people LOVE them but be warned that it isn't guaranteed that poop STAYS ON the liners. I often use fleece liners with diapers that don't have a stay dry layer or to use some zinc diaper cream and although I cut mine quite large and have the dipes on well, the poop still often finds itself on the diaper a bit and sometimes enough to have to rinse. For me personally, I'd rather not deal with a liner at all if I can just have a sprayer but like I said, some people LOVE the liners and don't have those issues. Its like anything - it works for some and doesn't for others.

sposies = disposable diaper
prefold = the kind most people think of... rectangle of fabric with the middle thicker than the sides. requires pins or a snappi (look it up, perfect for those scared of pins )
flat = an even BIGGER rectangle or square of fabric that is only one layer. Requires more folding but it will fit from newborn til potty trained in most cases depending on how you fold it (you usually need to double up on older kiddos though)
fuzzibunz = brand of pocket diaper

My favorite kind of cover (not required for diapers with PUL on the outside like bumgenius and fuzzibunz) is a pull on wool cover (you can get soaker style or shorts/pants so it doubles as clothing) but I also really like thirsties covers which are a PUL wrap style in velcro or snaps.

I find snaps much harder for kids to take off than velcro. My just barely starting to get ready to potty train kiddo almost never can get her snaps undone.

for wetbag vs plastic bag, the wetbag will be washable and reusable whereas a plastic or garbage bag will need to be tossed if any poo gets on it. I SUPPOSE you could try to wash it, but I don't know too many people who would put in that effort when you can just throw a cheap PUL bag into the wash WITH the diapers. wetbags aren't too terribly expensive and you only NEED one big one and one travel one really. I personally prefer two so I always have one ready if the wash takes too long and I'm sure some people have multiple, but only ONE is really necessary.

In my perfect of perfect stash, I would just have 3 dozen flats with wool covers matching the season to work for clothing and some pins. cheap, easy to clean, cute, simple. My toddler however doesn't care to sit still for me to do pins (I'm not fast like some mamas because I started learning while she was moving rather than when she was a newborn) so I often use fitteds with snaps, one size fitteds that require a snappi (or pins) and once in a rare while, an old pocket (which I also keep around for the husband and babysitters) wool however is more expensive than a few thirsties covers (I find I'd only really need maybe three or four for any size and the thirsties duos make it so I'd only need 5-8 TOTAL for the entire diapering time) but it works better and allows baby's skin to breath better which is why I'm willing to pay extra for wool. If you look around hyena cart though, you can find some vendors who sell wool interlock shorts and pants for pretty cheap relatively speaking.

[terra-pip]

I use Gerber prefolds and flats for spitup and breast milk cleanups...they're great for all those bodily fluid clean ups. As dipes I think they suck..I tried with my oldest and some pins. I personally wouldn't do that. Thats just me.

I've also read that these flushable liners may not be very environmentally good because they can cause damage to septic and water plumbing etc. And they still have some of the same chems that sposies (disposable diapers) do. These chemicals can coat pipes over time and cause damage etc. Just my thoughts. I would just get a sprayer when the poop changes...thats what I plan on doing anyway.

I use FuzziBunz brand and I've used snap covers with my oldest and they do not come open...they're very well made.

The wetbags are not very expensive at all.

Just google cloth diapers, mama...you'll find out that it's very simple and even fun when you get started!

[AustinMom]

Y'all are all SO HELPFUL! I really want to do this, and I'm the most crunchy of all my mom friends (as in none go the natural birth route, all think I'm crazy for HBing, only one BF till 10 months cause she was tired of it, and all use disposable and potty train at like age 3-5)

So, this is what I'm thinking, tell me if I'm missing anything......

I'll get about 2 dozen (to be on the safe side I'll have plenty) flat diapers, I don't mind folding them.

2-3 diaper covers with at least 5-6 snappi clipper things to hold shut (I tend to loose stuff a lot, and those, i see as easily lost). Are the thirsties better than the wool? I know I wouldn't need the snappi things with the thirsties, but I live in Austin, where it's pretty hot through the summer (when baby will be towards the end of diapers hopefully). Is the one better for this?

I do want to do the liners, as I'm only going to (hopefully) deal with icky poop from 6 mo-12mo, when we start potty training. If I need to wash the actual diapers or covers out from poop, I don't mind that occasionally, it's no big deal. (I'll keep the extra rubber gloves from our HB kit )

I'll use a grocery bag/trash bag in a trash can in the laundry room, and just throw out the trash bag when I do laundry and replace it then. I'll keep a few extra grocery bags in the diaper bag when I travel. I do have a laundry basket that has a lid that I could use for diapers, but It's a little big for the laundry room, and my laundry room is pretty small.

Is that it?

[treeoflife3]

the snappis aren't for the covers, they are for the diapers. If you are going to try flats, you'll need snappis no matter what kind of cover you have.

As for what is best, you'll get different answers. I think wool is best personally but lots of people can't or won't use it for a variety of reasons.

Just remember that using garbage bags instead of a wetbag will over time cost you more money as well as adding to the landfill. Your plan will certainly work but it has drawbacks of some degree.

Don't forget to look up cloth diaper detergents. There are charts for store detergents (google cloth diaper detergent chart) and there are detergents specially designed for cloth diapers (as well as for if you are washing in hard water.)

[momsmyjob]

Prefolds and not the wal-mart type are the cheapest.

Try here
http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/