Cloth Diapers « Back to Group Discussions

[Veritas Vitae]

Ok, so I feel like we talked about this before, and someone posted a really helpful link from a minimalist friend who created a list in her blog of what you really need for cloth diapers.  Can we talk about it again? Any advice about what everyone liked as far as brands/types, etc.?  I feel like this is one of the most overwhelming areas as far as baby stuff goes, and I don't even know how to begin to make a decision about what to get.  

I remember from my sister's kids that I really liked pocket diapers, they are easy to use, even for people not familiar with cloth diapers, and they wash and dry quickly.  That's about all I have.

[dovemama]

I second the overwhelming part!

I had pocket ones, and will not be using them this time around. The stuffing them in every night (after waiting for each to dry) wasn't very fun.

This time I just want some covers and prefolds. I think* they might be easier.

[Veritas Vitae]

I liked the prefolds, but I remember them being confusing when they were really little, because you had to twist and wrap them so they would fit, and then were more difficult to use when they were older and moved a lot.  However, I know they are cheaper, and I know when I used a snappy with my nieces, it was much, much easier. The pockets I liked because my sister would just keep a stack of pockets and a stack of prefolds on her shelf.  When it was time to pack the diaper bag she (or even I) would grab what was needed and just stuff those ones.  Then on the go it was super easy to just do a quick diaper change.  However, with prefolds and covers, there is less laundry, since a cover will last a couple of changes.  Unfortunately, since I just used what my sister already had, I have no idea about brands, etc.  

[Veritas Vitae]

I found this set of prefolds and covers on Amazon and it has really, really good reviews.  Maybe not all the bells and whistles of some cloth diapers, but simple and not crazy expensive like some of the more "designerish" diapers can be.  

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002LR78RI/ref=cm_cr_asin_lnk

It seems like this might be a good basic set, and the you could supplement with some other types, like maybe some fleece or wool for overnight, or some pockets or AIO's should a daycare not agree to use prefolds, or some additional covers, if you want to stretch the time between washes.

Oh, and they have a two child guarantee.  One review said they contacted customer service because the velcro on the front of a cover was fraying and Real Nappies sent them 6 new covers.

[eleuthia]

I grew up with prefolds, pins, and plastic pants (for my siblings and some kids I babysat), so I kind of marvel at all the choices we have these days! I think I am going to go with prefolds and my sister is hopefully going to make some covers (though I'm keeping my eye out for good deals on them as well). I think they will be the easiest to wash, and because they're less expensive, it's easier to add more diapers and/or covers if you need to. I am going to have to practice with a snappi, though, since I've never used one! 

[FeralFox]

we did have a thread on this before, it's probably on page 3 or 4 by now.  I think the concensus was that prefolds and covers are an awesome way to start out, that the samples packs offered by some diaper stores are a great idea to try your options, and other than that everyone likes something different, so it depends on your baby and your situation.

I saved most of my diapers from last time, so we'll be doing prefolds/covers to start, a few woolies, a few pockets, and whatever other odds and ends I have boxed up.  I liked bleached prefolds and Thirsties covers a lot, and Bumgenius o/s pockets, but I expect this baby to be a totally different size and shape than the last one, so we'll see.

[Knitting Mama]

For me, prefolds were super duper easy because I never did any twisting, shaping, pinning, Snappi-ing, etc. I just did a trifold and laid them in the cover. Who knows if I'll get that lucky this time.

Moving into AIOs when Cecilia was older and didn't need 12 diapers a day was awesome, too. I generally recommend prefolds and covers (or if you're lucky enough to either be able to afford them or get them on the cheap, fitteds and covers) for infants and then whatever your preference, whether it's AIOs, AI2s, etc. for older babes.

[dovemama]

That is a giant pack!
I do not have that much money otherwise I would probably go with something like that. I am thinking about econobum, but since they are so cheap I am wondering if they are cruddy.

I only had 12 Bg's & I suppose that is why I was always doing laundry!
I definitely want to cut down on laundry this time. For my sanity alone.

[Veritas Vitae]

I think I might actually go with the separate starter packs.  It will be helpful because I know the in-laws want to help us out by buying some diapers, so if they just get 1 set, it seems like that will work a little better. Since I don't know what size the baby will be when it is born, I'm thinking I will just start out with some Seventh Generation newborn size, unbleached diapers, and then move into size 1 for cloth.

This kit seems like it would be a good starter, and then I don't have to make the commitment to 1 kind of diaper for the whole shebang. If I like it, then I can just go up to the next size when the time comes. 

[sallyrae17]

I posted this in the last thread, but I love my prefolds and covers. I used them all the way until my son was out of diapers (20 months). I didn't find it difficult to put a prefold on an older infant at all. He is super scrawny with little legs, so I needed something that I could "twist" or tighten. Do not be afraid of twisting the diapers! It's so freaking easy! Plus, you do it once, you've done it a million times. I used Snappis so that he could go without a cover when we were at home for more air circulation. I got a couple of the Gro-Via diapers when he was potty training because they were easier to pull off, but I only got 2 and still stuck with the prefolds for the majority of the time. 

As for cleaning and drying, prefolds are definitely the easiest.

[LeAnn A Doula]

I love this site, Green Moutain Diapers! It's packed w info and great reccomendations. They also have some nice packages. I'm trying to decide if I want to get a NB package or just go straight for the sz 1's. I also like this blog, Haute Clothed Buns. She has great reviews w tons of images for the fancier dipes.

So much great info but I'm still lost as to what I want to buy. I think it'll just come down to trial and error. I'm thinking prefolds w covers that snap. I like the idea of the simplicity but I also want something w a trim fit. I hate the idea of all that bunchy fabric on my little babies bottom! I also want to avoid leaks (obviously), so fit and absorbancy are super important (again, obviously). So I'm thinking that OS is out for me and I'm planning to start w sized prefolds and covers, plus a few pockets for convenience and some woolies for night time. From what I've seen, I don't think it'll be that much more expensive to use the fitted covers. At least that's what I'm thinking at this point.

Any input is welcome!

[Knitting Mama]

For my girl, Velcro covers fit better because they were minutely adjustable. Just some food for thought. 

[FeralFox]

I agree on the fit, but velcro does have its issues.  It gets all sorts of fuzz and junk stuck in it that you have to dig out regularly.  Evcen with good quality covers, the edges curl and the velcro sometimes splits.  And if you throw them in the dryer (which I didn't always but had to from time to time) your diapers come out in a giant stuck together lump that you have to untangle, sometimes slightly damaging other covers in the process.  Most covers will have little tab savers to stick the velcro to in case of dryer use, to keep the velcro from sticking to anything else, but I have found them to have a high failure rate.  Oh, and as kids get older, velcro is a bit easier for them to get off if they're the nudist type.  For these reasons we ended up switching to all snaps.

[LeAnn A Doula]

I have heard that but you have to be so careful to close the tabs so they don't snag everything. I've also heard that it weakens with use and I'd like to be able to use these dipes for multiple LO's.

[LeAnn A Doula]

Feralfox - love your shamrock!

[Knitting Mama]

Originally Posted by FeralFox 

I agree on the fit, but velcro does have its issues.  It gets all sorts of fuzz and junk stuck in it that you have to dig out regularly.  Evcen with good quality covers, the edges curl and the velcro sometimes splits.  And if you throw them in the dryer (which I didn't always but had to from time to time) your diapers come out in a giant stuck together lump that you have to untangle, sometimes slightly damaging other covers in the process.  Most covers will have little tab savers to stick the velcro to in case of dryer use, to keep the velcro from sticking to anything else, but I have found them to have a high failure rate.  Oh, and as kids get older, velcro is a bit easier for them to get off if they're the nudist type.  For these reasons we ended up switching to all snaps.

That's odd, the tabs on mine have always worked like a charm. I've never had issues with them coming out of the dryer in a big wad or sticking to other clothes. And if any gunk gets in the Velcro, I've found a Snappi cleans it off really well.

[sallyrae17]

I had all velcro until my son was older and then had some snap ones. If the diapers stuck together in the dryer, it wasn't a big deal to take them apart. Most of them have tabs that stick to another side of velcro so that problem doesn't happen. Anyway, I like velcro and it's what I primarily use. I should also mention that most of my covers were previously used and I had no problems whatsoever with velcro not working or worn out portions. 

[ilovetchotchkes]

Yeah, im' working on replacing ALL velcro- i'm going to try to convert the covers to snaps. SOMEONE short, gingery and toddlery, can get them off. 

Heaven help me if he figures out the snaps. He's definitely the nudist type. he's currently bare nekkid and won't let me put clothes on him 

[Knitting Mama]

Cecilia is pretty much always naked. Then again, so was I as a kid, and I am pretty sure we both have some sensory input issues. I don't care. It just means that she uses the potty most of the time and sometimes misses, but it's no big deal.

[dovemama]

Well, just in what little experience I have, BG's velcro (bought about 3 years ago) was icky and gunky. I never had snappis, instead I spent minutes yanking tiny pieces of gunk out of their velcro.

Eww.

That being said, I totally think it is easiest with a squirmy baby. But I like the snaps for the cleanliness.

I am thinking about buying thirsties (one size) snaps. Anyone have experience with these?