Cloth diapering - So confused.... - Page 2

[hjdmom24]

Originally Posted by Jaimee 

I teach cloth diapering 101 seminars at natural parenting stores and upon request from friends and family I uploaded the seminar to youtube (in 7 parts).  Sometimes it's really helpful to SEE it all in action.  I go through all the major cloth diaper systems, how to use them, pros and cons, quantities and prices, accessories, and washing.  HTH!

http://www.youtube.com/user/JaimeeGleisner?feature=mhum

Thank you so much for this!! I have been so confused about cloth diapering even though I have great friends who try to explain parts of it to me. I just watched all 7 videos and now feel much more confident that I will be able to do it :)

[SuzyQ-ME]

THANK YOU JAIMEE!!  Your videos are awesome!

[howeberry]

Originally Posted by SuzyQ-ME 

Hi - I found both these websites very helpful just for learning about the options:

http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/

Originally Posted by hennylou 

www.greenmountaindiapers.com has made cloth diapering so easy for us.  they are so helpful and practically hold your hand through all the confusing diapering choices.

I third this!

We use Green Mountain Diapers prefolds with a snapi and alternate between a couple different Bummies covers (they have a new cover that's $10 and works very well) and a wool cover. I really like their pre-folds are sized so there isn't too much bulk, they also wash nicely. We'll go all night with a cotton pre-fold and hemp liner.

We have 3-dozen and wash every 3 days or so. When I purchased ours they had seconds available, which was a great option for purchasing the 3rd dozen at a reduced price.

They also offer a newborn starter pack.

ETA:  We used disposables for the first week or so and waited for the meconium to pass - we didn't want to try to wash that out! We found the transition poop stained, but breast-milk poop washes out pretty well.

[Jaimee]

Originally Posted by howeberry 

ETA:  We used disposables for the first week or so and waited for the meconium to pass - we didn't want to try to wash that out! We found the transition poop stained, but breast-milk poop washes out pretty well.

Or you can use flushable liners to protect your diapers.  Line each diaper for the first few days, then peel and flush- no staining.  :)
 

[Jaimee]

Originally Posted by hdjmom

Thank you so much for this!! I have been so confused about cloth diapering even though I have great friends who try to explain parts of it to me. I just watched all 7 videos and now feel much more confident that I will be able to do it :)

Originally Posted by SuzyQ-ME 
 

THANK YOU JAIMEE!!  Your videos are awesome!

Thank you!  You're both very welcome.  I'm so glad they were helpful! 
 

[somamama]

Originally Posted by howeberry 

ETA:  We used disposables for the first week or so and waited for the meconium to pass - we didn't want to try to wash that out! We found the transition poop stained, but breast-milk poop washes out pretty well.

Originally Posted by Jaimee 

Or you can use flushable liners to protect your diapers.  Line each diaper for the first few days, then peel and flush- no staining.  :)

The sun is also AMAZING at getting out stains. Just put them (wet) on the line or even a sunny window for a couple hours and they will be bright white.

[Ola_]

I have to say we used cloth from the very first diaper (well, my DD managed to poop once before we got that first diaper on her, lol) and did not have any issues dealing with meconium.  We didn't do any special treatments, just dumped into a wetbag, then into the washer - cold rinse, hot wash with detergent, and into the dryer.  Wiping it off her bum was the tough job, the diapers seemed to come clean just fine!  Just thought I'd add that in as I often hear about people being worried about meconium on cloth.

We use fitteds and covers in case that makes a difference.

[AmericanVenus]

We tried several different kinds, and had purchased several from Craigslist so our newborn investment would be less. As our local cloth diapering store said, there are the first two months - and then everything else!

We discovered pretty early on that our DS HATED to feel wet, so prefolds and fitteds were not the right option. We chose the all in ones/pocket/one size because the stay-dry fabric keeps most of the wetness away from his skin. We have added hemp prefolds to the nighttime diaper (into the pocket) and it has worked very well. The one-size/adjustable is great too, because it grows with him and was economical. We have Bum Genius, Fuzzibunz, Rumparooz (great for nighttime!), and Softbums all in twos (great for being out in public).

Good luck!

[mrspnut82]

Prefolds with a cover will be the cheapest option out there plus easiest to wash. I like Thirsties covers, get a few in each size. I like Prowraps for NB size. Get some doublers to go with them for extra absorbent, hemp or bamboo is best. The NB prefolds can be used as doublers later and the regular ones as burp cloths, washcloths ect...if you decide you don't like them. I don't think prefolds will ever go to waste, even if you decide you don't like them at first you might later and they are super cheap so you can't go wrong.

If you want to try something else I would recommend a few AIOs for other people to use or when you want to be able to just throw something on while you're out. They're easier and faster, which might be better for daddy or grandma lol. 

If you want to try fitteds, (still require a cover) Kissaluves 0 are good for newborns, they would be a better option for nighttime since pfs might not be absorbent enough at night.

Check out Youtube videos for how to use a prefold.

Join Diaperswappers.com. You can buy diapers on there lightly used or even new for less than new at stores. Plus they will have tons of advice for you.

[ibusymomto5]

I'm cloth diapering my 2 week old, 9th baby, and I am also a fan of prefolds and covers. Seems the simpler I keep things the more I enjoy using cloth. I also like having a few aios/pockets for the diaperbag but mainly use those later on. I also have a dozen Kissaluv 0s for early on just for a little variety, but I really like the pfs best.

[Petite Bottoms]

Pfs or flats with a cover is a great idea. It's very economical and easy to clean. I liked flats because they were less bulky on a nb than pfs. The Osocozy flats are 27x27" size and fit a nb better than a pf. I didn't like having to size up with pfs either, a flat is the only true one size diaper. It will fit from nb to toddler age.

I have a package on my website called "New To Cloth" it has a great list of what you might need for a nb. I am not sure if I can post the link and don't want to spam you. If you are interested pm me and I will send you the link.

A nice basic to go by is that you will need 3-4 dozen diapers and 4-6 covers if you want to wash every other day. :)

[MamitaM]

I found that when my son was much younger and having just mama milk his poop was so leaky all the time and it wouldn't stay in the prefold that I folded in the standard trifold way. It's much better to do a better fold and sorta wrap it around them a bit and secure it with a Snappi.

[mamadiamond]

definitely invest in some hemp inserts/doublers. as your baby gets older, or if you have a heavy wetter from the start, hemp will be like gold to you. even if you do prefolds during daytime, i'd suggest a few pocket diapers for night. getting enough absorbancy in a prefold (using two or three together) for night makes a very bulky diaper. a pocket with hemp insert(s) is very trim/comfortable for baby to move in as they sleep, and works great for long stretches overnight. my stash is a mix of everything, and i find i like different diapers for different situations. AIO's are awesome for daytrips, but prefolds are great at home or with diaper rash, pockets are great for night, etc. it seems overwhelming, but you'll figure it out as you go. i recommend deciding how often you want to wash diapers, and using that as your number to buy. also, newborns may go through a lot of covers in a day with runny poo, whereas an older baby may make it all day on two. make sure you get enough for the first month or two of pooing all the time.

[ShannonBFCDAP]

I don't know if you already got the help you were looking for but I am a Diaper Parties consultant with Everything Birth.  If you want help deciding on the right system for you or help with ordering, send me an email and we'll see if I can help you out.

[rosiek]

I went with pre-folds and a cover with #1 and she had yeast rash so much I hated cloth.  With this one I bought some pocket diapers on ebay and LOVE them. they pull the moisture away and we have had zero problems.  The down side to pockets is the cost, so I just figured out how to make them :D  Check Craigslist, there are always people selling them.

[natashaann]

I have every type of cloth diaper and my favorite method is a pre-fold (indian) with a snappi (snappis can be scary at first but you get the hang of it quickly) and a thirsties duo wrap.  Cheap and easy.  My daughter doesn't get rashes.  I do use all-in-ones (pocket diapers) at night because they wick moisture better...they are too expensive for me to have many of them.  Good Luck!

[Snapdragon]

I remember being so confused about it too when I was pregnant with ds! It is like a whole new language to learn. People were talking these words I didn't understand- prfolds, fitteds, all different types of covers. I also found green mtn diapers extremely helpful. They have info on their website that breaks it down. We ended up using fitteds, and mostly the all cotton ones. When ds was a newborn we used the green mtn infant fitteds and also the prefold fitteds, with thirsties and bummies covers.

They are all different and it comes down to both learning as you go and trial and error, as well as cost. prefolds are much cheaper than fitteds. I found fitteds to be easier to use. good luck! Within a few months you will totally get it and find your own prefernences

[CStone1]

I have been cloth diapering my 13 month old pretty much since birth and went through a lot of trial and error in the beginning before finally figuring out what works and doesn't and now I've got a system down that has worked really well for us. I use primarily prefolds with covers and some "doublers." Doublers are basically just skinnier inserts that allow you to add extra layers for overnight diapering without quite as much bulk. I use Snappi's with the prefolds - they are like using diaper pins and help provide extra leak protection and hold the diaper in place. I got all of my prefolds and doublers used at baby thrift stores. Most of my covers I have also gotten used - however if buying used covers be sure to check the elastic and make sure it is not worn out and still pretty stretchy. Covers with leg gussets such as thirsties, green-earth and pro-wrap seem to offer the best leak protection. Thirsties are my favorite and are reasonably priced new and come in two sizes. Be wary that diapers that claim to fit a baby from birth to potty training often do not, especially with bigger babies. When diapering be sure that the prefold is all the way inside the cover and none is sticking out. Covers can be aired out and reused several times unless soiled. Currently I have about 12 covers and about 35 prefolds, plus a dozen or so doublers. Adding vinegar to the rinse cycle helps break down ammonia in the diapers.

[dreamgirl]

Those videos are great!  Thanks!!!

I'm also looking at Best Bottom diapers.  Anyone have any experience with those?

http://nickisdiapers.com/catalog.php?category=1899

[tammy1]

Will someone please help me? I'm 53 and will be a first time gramma.I don't understand these new cloth diapers when I cloth diapered my childern I had cloth diapers with diaper pins and rubber pants. I don't understand these new cloth diapers, liners and those pants that go over them.Can someone please help me. I was the one who talked my daughter into cloth diapering the baby and now I don't know how to show her how to use them or even what kind to get. HELP!!!!!!!!!!