Newbie to clothing diapering - with two 5 yr olds!

[MaryJaneLouise]

OK, I've been a bit of an ostrich on the cloth diapering thing. My DH was very opposed, and I didn't have the energy to fight him.

But, now one of our 5 yr olds is having a painful diaper rash from overnight pullups. He still pees a LOT overnight -- I would guess at least 2 big pees / night. He is also a very heavy sleeper, so can't yet grasp the concept of getting up to pee in the night.

My boys are big -- size 5/6 shorts and pants. Is there ANYTHING that will be pee resistant, in that size? Please be specific with brand name recs etc.

:thankyou:

[Katie T]

My best guess (which isn't as informed as other mama's who may chime in because I haven't diaper shopped in a LONG time) would be to get some toddler size prefolds and stick another prefold in as a doubler. You can either use two toddler size for this (which will be pretty bulky) or a toddler and regular size laid down the center. As for cover I am not sure, wool would be best for breathability but they are more pricey. I would look at the weight limit of X Large size covers and see if you think they would fit.

That would be your cheapest option as long as you don't think having the moisture against his bottom will make the rash worse. If you do you can always lay some fleece in so that will keep the diaper so it doesn't directly contact his bum.

[npl]

We ended up getting a custom-made "pull-up" made with a fleece pocket and a hemp booster. Nothing cotton was going to absorb enough, and he was not a big kid, but a toddler prefold wasn't big enough. To get enough absorbancy with cotton would have been way too bulky.
In the end, the fleece pocket didn't work for us. I think he was too heavy, and we got compression leaks as he would lie against the wet diaper.
I'd go for a pul pocket with hemp stuffers/inserts. You'll probably have to get it custom-made, and I'd look at people who make incontinence products for special needs kids and adults, as they should be able to get the sizing right, and to make them look like a pull-up/underwear rather than a diaper (very important for self-esteem). I would get it made with a stay-dry layer against the skin - microfleece lining, unless he is sensitive to the polyester fleece.

[fruitfulmomma]

Happy Heiny's http://www.happyheinys.com/pocket_trainers.php and Snap EZ http://www.snap-ez.com/InfoECOTrainers.html both make larger trainers. They are pocket-style so you can add additional inserts into them for more absorbency.

[lyterae]

Originally Posted by fruitfulmomma

Happy Heiny's http://www.happyheinys.com/pocket_trainers.php and Snap EZ http://www.snap-ez.com/InfoECOTrainers.html both make larger trainers. They are pocket-style so you can add additional inserts into them for more absorbency.

This! We used Happy Heiny's trainers for our daughter (she was wearing a size 4/5) at the time and the medium fit with room to spare.

[cchrissyy]

All Together Diaper has stuff in all the big kid and adult sizes. whenever people call me looking for special needs stuff for older kids, I say to try them.

Or, you could skip the pull up and just change the bed. Get a few waterproof pads and set up the bed as light as possible with sheets or blankets that will wash easy and not take long in the drier. (ok, maybe this sounds nuts but I swear it's what we do twice a night for our 2nd grader)