How many of you plan on cloth diapering? - Page 3

[Mamandefille]

We will be CD also, it will be our second baby in cloth. I've developed a bit of an addiction, lol, we have soooo many different kinds of CDs! We have mostly used the Fuzzi Bunz one-size, but lately DD has been getting a rash every time she wears them, so we're back to prefolds and covers. My plan is to use the FB again for the new babe, but we'll see when he/she gets here. I think DD gets rashes from the synthetic stuff, especially during the summer when it's hot outside, so if that continues to be the case, we'll probably do mostly prefolds. We're using them inside of a few Gdiaper covers right now and I really, really like them. We use the compostable/flushable inserts at night since having a wet (cloth) diaper at night was waking her up for a long time. We had been doing disposables at night, but the compostable inserts make me so much happier since they just go right into the compost bin in the morning, not the garbage.

We started CDs when DD was 5 days old, with some teeny tiny NB sized Bumgenius AIO that I got for a steal. She was by no means a tiny baby (9 lb 14.5 oz) but still didn't fit into the FB until she was 4 months old. I'm looking forward to pulling those out again, they were a great, easy way to start CDing.

To those wondering about cloth wipes, we've used them from the start and only use them with water. We keep them dry in our diaper drawer and just wet one at the sink when we need one. Easy peasy. I tried a couple of wipe solutions near the start, but DDs skin was so sensitive that water just worked better. The one thing I would add is that it's worth the investment to get some nice cloth wipes. I have used a few of the baby washcloths, but I find them to be so small and thin. We bought a couple dozen Motherease cloth wipes and they are fantastic. Nice and thick and big, all we need is one wipe to clean up most messes.

Oh, and the Fuzzi Bunz wetbag is great - hang it on the door and pop the diapers in the top then unzip the bottom to dump it all in the wash (works well with a front loader also). We have two of them and rotate using them (one in the wash, one on the door).

[LalaithYamainu]

We plan on CD'ing!  When we first started TTC I bought diapers like crazy... but it's been three years and our lives are different, so I have to figure out how to sell the ones I have and which ones to buy.  My husband requested just one "type" of diaper, so he doesn't have tons of stuff to learn.

I love the idea of breathable prefolds and wool, but we plan on ec-ing and I wonder if the flip system would be easier?

[cameragirl]

Originally Posted by LalaithYamainu 

We plan on CD'ing!  When we first started TTC I bought diapers like crazy... but it's been three years and our lives are different, so I have to figure out how to sell the ones I have and which ones to buy.  My husband requested just one "type" of diaper, so he doesn't have tons of stuff to learn.

I love the idea of breathable prefolds and wool, but we plan on ec-ing and I wonder if the flip system would be easier?

A PP posted a link to a diaper trading/selling site earlier. Or, you can sell on Craigslist or Ebay, though Ebay has exorbitant fees now.

I think we're going to go with 12 or so AOI diapers, prefolds, and 12 or so covers. I've been watching ebay and craigslist for deals, and we'll keep an eye on the second hand stores.

[cameragirl]

Originally Posted by Mamandefille 

We use the compostable/flushable inserts at night since having a wet (cloth) diaper at night was waking her up for a long time. We had been doing disposables at night, but the compostable inserts make me so much happier since they just go right into the compost bin in the morning, not the garbage.

Do you know how long they need to break down? Do they need a hot compost pile? That would be nice for us to use. We keep a compost pile for the chicken poop, and a worm bin for the kitchen scraps.

[Dandy Lion]

Now that I've started researching options I'm totally overwhelmed. I was planning on going with bumgenius, but now I'm wondering if an all cotton diaper might be best. I like the idea of an AIO, so I'm wondering about grovia. They seem a bit more expensive, but better quality. Have any of you guys used them?

[cameragirl]

My mom has used just about everything out there, and likes AIO's. It looks like we'll get a combo of AIO's, prefolds, and covers for the prefolds.

[bcblondie]

Originally Posted by Dandy Lion 

Now that I've started researching options I'm totally overwhelmed. I was planning on going with bumgenius, but now I'm wondering if an all cotton diaper might be best. I like the idea of an AIO, so I'm wondering about grovia. They seem a bit more expensive, but better quality. Have any of you guys used them?

It IS overwhelming. I splurged on 36bgos and I like them. I do have one grovia and meh. They're sized... and the velcro is actually crappier than bgos so...

[hikingfortruth]

The article I always wanted to read:  

http://lynays.blogspot.com/2011/07/diapers-finally_15.html

[amberskyfire]

We cloth diapered and are planning on doing so again. I got seconds from others so I was lucky enough to have all kinds. I'd have to say that it's very important not to get just one kind of diaper. Prefolds are great in their own way, but they are much more difficult to transport and put on baby in the middle of the night. I used prefolds with covers, but I also always had some snap and some applix fastening diapers that were either AIO or pocket diapers. The AIOs and pocket diapers are a godsend when you are out and about and need to change baby. You can pull them out and put them on with one hand without them falling on the ground and unfolding and subjecting passers-by to some pretty swarthy language.

Also, if you want to do quick diaper changes in the middle of the night, I learned to have a few applix closure diapers or at least covers on hand. You can do those in the dark. Snaps and pins, not so much.

Also, a lot of people really like the pull-up style diaper covers/soakers, but I always hated them so much. If we had a blowout (and it happens at least once every few days), the pull-on covers would smear poo all down baby's legs when I took them off. But that's just my preference.

I really love cloth diapering. I mean, I cannot begin to tell you how much I totally adore it. The disposable diapers always kind of grossed me out. I'm not sure why. I just hated them. They reminded me of disposable maxi pads. Cloth diapers smell good and there is something SO satisfying about seeing them all folded and lined up on the shelf, ready to use.

They don't take any extra work. You just drop them into a pail instead of a trash can. If you live alone, you can just drop them right into the washing machine, no pail needed. Then when you start getting low, dump the pail in the washing machine, set the machine to "double rinse" and hit "start." That's it. Then when you are ready to wash a load of regular laundry, you just dump it in on top and wash it all together.

Best of all, they saved me once when we got stuck after missing our flight. There was literally NOWHERE that I could buy more disposable diapers. I sat down in the airport and started crying and a lady who worked there was patting me on the back and telling me she could buy some for me when she got off her shift in a few hours (because, you know, a baby can totally wait that long) and then I remembered I had brought our cloth diapers which were in my suitcase. I could have screamed for joy.

Edit:

Here's what I would consider the ultimate perfect diaper stash if you are going to use prefolds:

2 dozen prefolds

4 or 5 covers in each size - at least one velcro which is crappier and wears out faster,  but great for nighttime use

4 to 12 AIOs or pocket diapers in each size with snaps

One Snappi diaper fastener (pins suck apple jelly)

2 dozen cloth wipes

A tiny little squirt bottle (get it in the sample/airline section of the shampoo section at the store) to put water in for wipes-on-the-go

A wet bag for going out

I don't worry about brands that much. It's a bit overwhelming, but different diapers work differently for different babies. FuzziBunz are okay by me. I hear Motherease are the best. I got all my diapers used and they were great.

And for the prefolds, everybody says not to get Gerber because they are awful, but I couldn't disagree more! I swear by them. Yes, they are thin and cheap, but I think this is best because you only need one for a newborn and it's not bulky and when baby gets bigger and pees more, you can just double them up. Plus, they are thinner so they dry MUCH faster which is important to me because I'm using them  partly to save money, right?

[Faither]

With DD we were living in a small apartment without laundry and we cloth diapered a bit but it was a pain in the a$$. Now we're in a house and we are totally doing it with Baby B. I'm actually looking forward to it. we're buying a few more diapers just to have a few extra. What our plan is, is CD at home and if we're out and about maybe disposables.

Also Earth Mama, Angel Baby makes a GREAT diaper rash cream that's CD safe and natural and just wonderful. Nothing icky to it either.

[cameragirl]

My sister offered me all of the Gerber prefolds that she has used as burp rags. They'll help. I'll probably still get some higher quality prefolds since the gauze will need to be doubled up later.

[RosieL]

I just received my first ever baby item in the mail. Purchased at deep discount, I got 16 Fuzzibunz XS for the newborn stage. I'm SO EXCITED. They are in pretty primary colors all suitable for either boy or girl. Suddenly this feels so much more real.

[Tjej]

Originally Posted by Brighids Flame 

We're definitely planning on cloth diapering (at least when we're not doing EC)! We have 16 bum genius already, and may be getting some more BG and some fuzzibunz from my sister (though I don't know if her YDD will be out of diapers by the time our baby comes along). I also want to use prefolds, because I've heard that they're super easy and they're just so darn cheap.

We're hoping to do EC from the beginning, so hopefully we won't need a ton of diapers, but for those of you who have cloth diapered in the past: how many did you need for 1 child?

I haven't read everything so I don't know if someone answered you already, but with ECing I believe we needed more cloth diapers.  Part of the thing with EC is to not have a baby stay in a wet diaper.  So in the early stages when we were figuring it out we changed quite often.  I don't really remember how many I had.  I remember I bought too many and sold some, but I think something like 24 was what I kept (which may well still have been too many, but I don't do laundry every day).

Tjej

[farmheart]

as far as CD and EC the two easiest things for me were... prefolds and no cover (when around the house) so I would know immediately if he was wet and you can cue them as they are going so they connect the cue with going even if in their diaper... OR just AIO were good because they were easy to take on and off quickly

[cameragirl]

You know the only thing I think I'll miss about disposables? Being able to squish the diaper from outside to see if the gel has expanded from pee. My parents and in-laws never figured out that trick and still stick their finger inside to test, even with disposables.

[Janel47]

HAHA!   I think it took us like 2-3 yrs of cloth diapering to realize there is actually an easy way to test cloth for wetness.  Just sniff the suspect area... if you smell urine or worse, change away.  The finger test works too, but smelling requires less handwashing. 
 

Originally Posted by cameragirl 

You know the only thing I think I'll miss about disposables? Being able to squish the diaper from outside to see if the gel has expanded from pee. My parents and in-laws never figured out that trick and still stick their finger inside to test, even with disposables.

[cameragirl]

I have the nose of a bloodhound after the HG I had with DD, so the sniff test will work. You can smell it in disposables, too...not sure why they still do the finger test.

[lunabin]

I CD'd my first from 10lbs until she was 2 1/2, and am a BIG advocate.  First off, the only reason we stopped is because she was sick over the Spring, and was on antibiotics, which caused recurrent yeast infections that wouldn't remit in the cd.  We've been tempted to go back, but are afraid with the summer heat it'll be the same issue, and she's almost potty trained now...  But, we ARE cd'ing our new LO too.  

I only used One-Sized pockets (Bumgenius 3.0, 4.0, FuzziBunz, Mommy's Helper, and Happy Heiny's) - and this time and only using Bumgenius.  We cd because of the issue with waste - I like knowing these will biodegrade in her lifetime (generally takes about 30 years for cotton to break down vs. 200 or so for disposables).  It is a little cheaper for us because we have well water and it's free, but generally, the cost of the cd's, washing/drying (water/electricity/gas), and detergents is about the same as if you used disposables - though this may be debatable.    

We also use full-time daycare, so the all-in-ones or pockets are key!  We also supplied a clean wet bag everyday, so have extra of those.  It's important to get a good wet bag and pail - I like Wet Happened for travel and the Planet Wise for home (I don't dry the one at home because it can ruin the PUL, just hang).  For home, I also used cloth wipes that are stored in a wipe warmer (keeps them wet and free of any bacteria) so we can just throw them in with the cd's and wash together.  If you are a SAHM, you might be able to get away with a sprayer, but because of daycare, we instead used rice paper liners by Imse Vimse for poops after 6 months - they are flushable and then daycare could just toss the poop instead of sending it home (yuk).  I don't know much about using soakers, but if you use anything with PUL, it will last longer if you hang dry.  After seeing my friend's Bumgenius ruined, I won't ever dry my diapers again!  

[Janel47]

Totally debatable.  :)  If you're buying a large stash of expensive diapers, then yes.... you won't be saving a ton of money, but it can be done for much cheaper.  I estimate I spent about $23 or less per month for 36 months for DD2 from birth to potty training for diapers, utilities and detergent.  I know that's on the low end, but if you spend less than $1000 total on your diapers, you're probably saving money... although factors like early/late potty training, how often or not you buy disposables as back up or overnight use, and how "stash content" you can be will all play roles in how much you're spending month to month.  I think you're right on the one hand... for many people it's not a cheaper option (but still better iMO).  But on the other hand, if someone goes into it to save money, they certainly can.  :) 

(by the way, not really debating, just discussing)

Originally Posted by lunabin 

It is a little cheaper for us because we have well water and it's free, but generally, the cost of the cd's, washing/drying (water/electricity/gas), and detergents is about the same as if you used disposables - though this may be debatable.    

[cameragirl]

We could put up a retractable line in the garage for the winter months, and something outside for summer. Air drying isn't a problem. I'm trying to talk Mom into letting us bring our washer and dryer over, though. It is a super-capacity system, so it cleans 3 loads at once. That is SO nice when you have everything covered in puke or pee or poop those first few months.