newbie -- what do i need to full-time CD?

[babybirkel]

OK, so I intended to CD my son when he was born but for various reasons we gave up.

I am pregnant again and due in February and I want to make the switch to full-time cloth for both this new baby and my toddler (who is currently 20 months old).

Let me tell you what I have, and what I am planning to purchase, and you tell me if that's enough or what all I still need to fully CD both of them. I will want to wash diapers every other day or every 2-3 days.

This is what I have:
-a friend of mine is giving me some newborn prefolds and wraps, but I don't know how many yet.
-8 size small covers (which should last up to 15 lbs or so)
-4 size medium pockets
-12 one size pockets (which I will begin using with my 20 month old as soon as DH gets paid again and I can buy some Rockin' Green)
-we also have a bag for the diaper pail
-lots of inserts

This is what I think I still need:
3 dozen capri sized prefolds (Little Lions)
2 dozen premium sized prefolds (LL) (for when the babe is 6 months or so)
1 dozen toddler seconds prefolds (for nighttime diapering with my toddler)
4 (??) wool soakers/longies (for my toddler, for nighttime)
4 (??) wool soakers/longies for my new baby whenever he stops pooping every time he eats and can go all night without a diaper change
?? size medium covers to go with the premium sized prefolds (once new baby is bigger)

Or should I just go with one sized covers that will work for both my toddler and my new baby? How many?

We are on a limited budget and I don't know how close my toddler is to potty learning. We've used mostly disposables with him, but I want to switch to cloth full-time for both of them.

So, what else do I need to do this full-time without washing diapers every day?

thanks for your help!!

[cristeen]

Covers - my guy didn't fit into Smalls until about 6 mos. We had to use preemie sized on him at birth, and he was 8 lbs. At the very least, i'd get some NB covers. OS covers would work fine for your toddler and from Med on. I like Mommys Touch. 4 would probably be plenty at that age/size, in combo w OS Pockets (do you know what brand?). I love Babyology wool for night-time. It's oneof the cheaper options and nearly bulletproof. But, since cost is a concern, i can also highly recommend Pipers Closet wool wraps. I have a wool flannel one that is bulletproof, and it was also under $15. I have 4 wool covers because i tend to wash 2 at a time. You could probably get away w 2.

The only other things i have to add are wipes (a cut up tshirt works), and some plan to get toddler poo into the toilet. I love my diaper sprayer, but its not cheap.

[Marissamom]

I just want to say, you don't have to wait until you can buy special detergent before starting. regular detergents will break PUL down, and can cause buildup, but if it's only for a few washes, I would go ahead and use your regular detergent to get started.

does your DS fit into the Med pockets still? If so I would try using the pockets you have for a couple of weeks, my DD is 16 months, and we don't use pockets, but we go through about 18 inserts and 6 covers every three days on average, so I would imagine that as long as you have enough inserts, 12 or 16 pockets should be plenty. If you do decide you need more for your DS, I would get one-sized at this point so you get max use out of them. And I would wait until closer to when the baby is about to outgrow the smaller prefolds and covers before getting anything more than you need for your DS in the larger sizes, because he may be PLed by then and you would only need enough to diaper one kid.

as you said you're on a tight budget, wool is expensive, I think if it's just going to be used for night-time, 2 in each size should be enough. wool can be worn for a week or two before needing washed. and you will need some kind of lanolin or lanolin wash.

[babybirkel]

thanks!

i don't think my son will fit into the medium pockets right now. he's like 28 lbs or thereabouts and sort of chunky. plus i think they might be too short in the rise now.

the one size pockets will fit him though.

i forgot to mention that we will be using cloth wipes, so thanks for reminding me of that. i was just going to use cut up t-shirts or cheap washcloths (you can buy 'em in bundles at meijer for pretty cheap).

i was going to get some wool soakers off etsy. they are still kind of expensive IMO (like, say $15-$20 a cover) but they are cheaper there than on GMD or someplace like that ($40+).

i will get some lanolin and wool wash, too.

as far as the one size covers i was thinking of getting, i was thinking maybe flips? i have heard good things about them.

if i get medium covers i was thinking baby behinds.

you really think i can just start using the regular detergent? DH gets paid this friday so i can order some rockin' green then. at most i will wash like 3-4 times before i get the rockin' green.

i used size small covers with my son when he was a newborn, but he was over 9lbs at birth. i will look into getting some newborn covers though, if you think i will need them...i don't know how much this kid will weigh at birth (i kind of hope it's less than 9 lbs!)

thanks for all your help!

[babybirkel]

oh and for the toddler poo: disposable liners.

thanks!

[Marissamom]

3-4 times with reg detergent isn't going to hurt your diapers. detergent issues don't seem to crop up until after a few months. I actually only use regular detergent, but our dipes are nylon, not PUL. PUL especially starts to break down after several months of regular detergent. a week or two won't be enough to damage the dipes, just use a smaller than normal amount and do an extra rinse and it'll be fine.