Cloth Diapering Recommendations?

[Lulu2000]

Any brands that stand out above others?

Any recommendations on how to choose which type of diaper?

Any diapering (or otherwise!) gadgets/accessories that you have found really really useful?

I am really starting from scratch here!

thanks!

[samstress]

i used nothing but prefolds and covers from birth until the time dd learned to use the potty (at nearly two).  there were just so many choices out there and i found it overwhelming.  i plan on doing the same this time around. 

you might want to post in the diapering forum.  that many more people to advise you.

[dayiscoming2006]

This is the answer I gave in the other DDC I participate in...

Quote:

Originally Posted by dayiscoming2006 

Diapers I've liked...

I like the dream-eze aios and fitteds but they don't make them anymore. I think some of the grovia stuff is like the old dream-eze stuff so you could look at those.(Grovia OS AIO looks like a dream-eze but OS instead of sized.) The nice thing with the dream-eze fitteds and AIOs is they had a sewn on one size insert that was split in two layers so it is very quick drying.

I like contour diapers a lot. I have some imse vimse ones but they aren't as absorbent as I'd like. Once baby gets to be like 5 or 6 months they need a nice thick doubler with the imse vimse OS contours. The imse vimse flannelette OS contours fold down very well for a newborn, but the terry ones are a bit bulky. 

I like double gusset covers. My favorite for now are the Thirsties sized covers. I have also done alright with the bummis super brites.

trifold hemp inserts - used as doublers - LOVE! Would totally work as a newborn diaper as well. I got mine on clearance for $2 a piece. Big score!

I'm OK with the old thirsties AIO/pockets. They make Thirsties duo diapers instead now. They may be worth a try though I haven't tried those specifically. 

Sandy's fitted diapers - they work fine, but I like other ones better.

I've done prefolds with covers successfully but I'm a bit lazy and like other types of diapers better for that reason. Also prefolds seem to always bunch up for me, it doesn't effect performance but it is a bit annoying. If I couldn't afford anything else. I'd get double gusset covers and prefolds. I liked using a snappi with my prefolds. It's a good idea to get some doublers or larger sized prefolds

that you can fold down for extra absorbency for night time and naps - especially when your baby is older. 

I like the large PUL wet bags in a 13 gal kitchen garbage can for my diaper bin. I also use a 5 gallon bucket for putting diapers I've sprayed off with a the very handy diaper sprayer. 

I really like the small zip wet bags for going out of the house. 

Diapers I've hated:

Kushies AIOs - first diapers recommended to me and they sucked. Never kept in a single blowout.

Knickernappies - I don't like the gussets and I had some leaking issues

Smartipants - horrible fit!

Fuzzibunz OS - they work alright but the biggest problem I ran into was pee wicking onto clothes with those and I almost never had that problem with other systems.

Proraps AIO - it's OK, but it's size is off. Order a size larger if you are close to the next size and the velcro isn't very good.

MEOS (mother-ease one size) - way to thick in the middle. Will leave your kid waddling around and may be too bulky for a small baby.

booroi covers - they work alright, but I wouldn't trust them with blowouts. - best on older kids - and the covers bleed for a little while, so you have to prep them. 

kissaluvs cheaper doublers - might as well not even bother

Small drawstring wet bags - they work but not as well as the zipper kind.

My favorite diaper review site:

Diaper Pin

A mistake I'll try to save you all from - Do not invest a ton of money into one system until you are sure you will love it. I learned multiple times the hard way. 

With the one exception being if you are seriously poor - in that case, go with good old prefolds, snappis (if you want) and for me double gusset covers but for others it'd be fleece or wool cuz they don't like PUL.
 

That's all I remember for now. I hope that is helpful to some of you. :)

[PAgreenmama]

Originally Posted by dayiscoming2006 

A mistake I'll try to save you all from - Do not invest a ton of money into one system until you are sure you will love it.

I agree... i used prefolds and covers and a selection of different pockets with dd.  i found that different diapers worked better or worse as her body changed.  one thing that i LOVE is a wool soaker for nighttime!  

[crazyms]

I just answered a similar thread in the April DDC I'm in too but...

I really like pfs and covers and that's what I'm planning on doing. I agree that you don't want to buy too many of any one system until you figure out what works best for you and your baby. I would also suggest buying used if you are comfortable with that to save money for the trial period. I buy used cd's from diaperswappers.com and have had really good experiences. The basic types are pfs or flats with covers, fitteds, pockets, or AIOs. They have a few other types but those are the main ones. FWIW here's my take on them: I don't like pockets because if I have to stuff each diaper then why not just lay a pf inside a cover? I don't like fitteds because if I have to use a cover over it why bother? AIOs are nice and easy to use just like a sposie but they take longer to dry and I don't care for that for daily use. I like to have a couple of them just for when we go somewhere though or for dh to use because it's easier for him. My plan for the baby is pfs and flats and a few covers and wool covers/soakers. It's cheap, easy to use (to me) and they wash/dry quickly. I do have a couple of diaper pins and snappis I could use but with my first 2 I usually just laid the pf in the cover and closed it up. Another thing I really liked was that there were less sizes to buy of pfs, just get the different size covers (still just nb, sm, med, lg), and as baby grows the smaller ones can still be used for burp cloths, cleaning rags, or doublers.

My stash plan is: about 2 dz each pfs and flats, 6-8 covers, 4-6 wool covers/soakers, a couple AIOs or other types for quick changes and backups, a few dozen wipes. I also have a couple of diaper pins and snappis, changing pad, wet bag for home and smaller one for diaper bag, a tube of diaper cream and we're good to go.

[Smidge]

My faves are Primm N Proper Baby's AI2s and prefolds from GMD or Little Lions (grab the seconds to save money).  My fave covers are the Thirsties Duo and Bummis.  I've been diapering for 3+ years and I'm about to potty train my youngest.  I've tried TONS of brands :)

[yosemiteroses]

My favorite are 100% cotton unbleached flatfolds with wool covers. Also you will want some snappis, cloth wipes, and spray bottles for water and diaper changing potions and some wet bags to store your dirty diapers in until wash day, and a gentle free and clear detergent. Here is a good site to navigate supplies...(http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/index.html)

I like the flatfolds best because they are so easy to wash and dry. They dry very quickly and I find folding them to be so fun! (http://www.diaperware.com/picturepages/flatfolding.htm)

Wool covers are my favorite because you don't have to wash them very often(unless they get pooed on) and they are so breathable. I also use Thirsties Duo covers because they are so affordable and it is nice to have a lot of covers on hand.

Happy diapering!!!

[Lulu2000]

Thanks all!  i am taking notes!  keep the suggestions coming if you've got em!

[reelgeek]

Has anyone used G-diapers? I was thinking of going with that because they have the compostable inserts as well as options for the washable ones, which saves on water as well if you're concerned about the additional water used for regular cloth.

[quinbearzmama]

I used fitteds and pockets with DD and need to revisit the stash to see what we'll need...so I'm taking notes. Thanks so much for posting, mama!  We too loved zippered wet bags for going out and the drawstring bag for our diaper pail.  LOVE swaddlebees bamboo velour cloth wipes, kissaluvs diaper potion, and kissaluvs cloth wipes for cleaning up messy diapers. DD was a peanut and I had lots of luck with Green Acre Design pocket diapers.  We used Happy Hempys and Under the Nile fitteds for overnight dipes with a fleece Stacinator cover.  

Any suggestion for Wool covers that people love?

[dayiscoming2006]

Originally Posted by reelgeek 

Has anyone used G-diapers? I was thinking of going with that because they have the compostable inserts as well as options for the washable ones, which saves on water as well if you're concerned about the additional water used for regular cloth.

I haven't used g-diapers but they do still contain that chemical gel material just like the typical disposable. They contain far less than pampers or something though. Here's the link for the reviews on this system on diaper pin - http://diaperpin.com/diapers/ItemDetail.asp?ID=1764

I would not choose g-diaper based on reviews I have seen everywhere. There just seems to be better options out there. 

[wrenb]

I tried G-diapers while traveling but I didn't like them. They just don't fit DS well and I never trusted the plumbing where we were with the inserts. I love prefolds fastened with a snappi and under a Pro-Rap cover or a wool cover. Recently I've been making fitted diapers from old t-shirts (instructions from Fern & Faerie) which are pretty awesome..

[reelgeek]

I think I'm just going to go with compostable diapers with a composting service (I live in San Francisco - so luckily this is available) after reading a bunch of reviews on diaper pin. Thanks so much for all the reviews and resources, Ladies. Very helpful!

[MamaChef]

Really depends on your budget.  If you are going cheap as possible, 2- 3 dozen prefolds, 2 snappis, and 4 thirsties covers would be my stash.  I like Little lions seconds because they are cheap and work awesome.  I prefer indian unbleached prefolds.

If you have a bit more to spend and want a little more ease and cuteness.. or if you really want to use natural fibers 2-3 dozen prefolds and fitteds combined.  I really like fitteds made of Organic Bamboo velour, organic bamboo fleece and hemp fleece because they are trim and super absorbant.  You dont have to deal with the stink problems of solely using hemp.. you dont have to deal with the detergent buildup problems of microfleece inners, or suedecloth.  I love side snapping diapers because it doesnt matter if you have a fat thighed baby or a skinny thighed one.  My fave pattern by far is fattycakes and I make my own, or if I didnt Id find a WAHM to make me some with that pattern.  I also like the Not so flat wrap pattern if you dont want to sew elastic/lastin.  Im a big fan of snaps over velcro.  If you make your own you can find WAHM that will just set snaps for you.  I like wool interlock covers (again, you can make your own, there are lots of diaper fabric coops).. wild child woolies is my favorite since it seems that they dont make luxe baby ones anymore.  I also recommend disana wool soakers and one Lana soaker for overnights because it is absolutely bulletproof.  You can also repurpose wool and make your own.  This is a great time of year to stalk goodwill for wool sweaters.

You also need a dry bag and some wipes.  My fave wipes have texture to one side and softness to the other..  so, obv and terry or flannel and obv, hemp fleece pilly side out and flannel or obv.. something good for getting poop off and other side soft for just refreshing ;)

[Lulu2000]

Thanks so much everyone. I really appreciate (and hopefully this benefits others too) all the info. I had no idea what i was getting into!

Now -- if you could only convince my DH that washing diapers in the wash won't contaminate the washing machine and all other clothes that are ever washed in there!

Originally Posted by MamaChef 

You also need a dry bag and some wipes.  My fave wipes have texture to one side and softness to the other..  so, obv and terry or flannel and obv, hemp fleece pilly side out and flannel or obv.. something good for getting poop off and other side soft for just refreshing ;)

 sorry... what's "obv"?

[MamaChef]

sorry about that.. organic bamboo velour.

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by Lulu2000 

Thanks so much everyone. I really appreciate (and hopefully this benefits others too) all the info. I had no idea what i was getting into!

Now -- if you could only convince my DH that washing diapers in the wash won't contaminate the washing machine and all other clothes that are ever washed in there!

Rather than arguing this one, you could add afew drops of tea tree oil to the diaper wash. It is antibacterial, and has a great 'clean and disinfected but still natural' smell.

[mrs.yd]

Wool covers-

Loveybums- very trim, fits under clothes, the thickest one is great for overnight, the thinner stretchy one is perfect for daytime

Covered caboose- very waterproof

[mrs.yd]

Thirsties are a fantastic cover.  They are all-purpose and will work hard for you.

Prefolds and a snappi are great. I used Green Mountain diaper prefolds.  They fit well.

I personally love fitteds.  With my 4th baby I decided that I deserved to have fitteds :)

I have a lot of loveybum fitteds.  I love their Organic Cotton Velour fitteds.  They are stretchy and the fabric has really held up well.  My baby fit into the size medium for 2 years!  She is on the petite side, but it worked out well for me.  I bought several diapers and covers from loveybums "seconds".  I really love the loveybum covers.  They are fantastic. 

I have a few firefly fitteds.  I like those diapers as well.  very trim

I like little beetle fitteds, but the fabric wore out much quicker than lovebums. 
I like Clovers a lot.  I don't see their website anymore, but it seems they are still sold through stores. 

I got 2 large wetbags from Green Mountain Diapers.  They are basically big laundry bags.  I kept the dirty diapers in them.  I like them alot.  The smell would escape though, and dh didn't like that.  So, I now use a bucket from Lowes that has a lid.  I use two buckets actually.

You need a zippered wet bag for when you go out.  It is really best to have two. 

You need something to keep the wipes in when you are out.  I just used a plastic food container.  Only problem is I left them places all the time.  Oh well.