Anyone excited about their cloth diaper stash?! « Back to Group Discussions

[newCTmama]

After much searching around in the attic, I finally found our newborn/small diaper stash yesterday! It is so exciting to lay it all out and see what we have - and what we "need"...! Anyone else excitedly collecting tiny diapers?

Over time, through sales, gifts/loans from friends, etc., we have accumulated a nice little collection. We found fitteds to work best for DS, so have 5 Kissaluvs 0s, a few mama-made fitteds, and 6 new workhorse fitteds from Green Mtn diapers (they had an awesome sale on them - $18 for 6), as well as about 6 prefolds. I'm planning to knit a few pairs of longies, and will use a few pul waterproofs as well : ) What about you?!

[cieloazul]

I can picture the cute little tushies now :)

A couple weeks ago I came across a dozen prefolds in EUC at a thrift store so I snatched those up. They're tie-dyed and really super cute. I pulled out my stash so I could strip everything all at once. Turns out the new ones are the same size as the ones I already have. Infant size I guess, as opposed to newborn or premium? With DS we did disposables in the first few weeks, owing to lots of baby shower gifts and freebies, and then switched to prefolds and waps. (I sold the fitteds that I had; never liked them.) That set-up worked great until we had a major plumbing issue a few months later and lost our W/D. We went back to disposables at that point. So I'm goign to need some larger sizes for sure, and since I want to get going with cloth earlier this time I need some NB stuff too. So far I've knit two pairs of longies and a pair of shorties and made a soaker from a felted wool sweater, with more projects in the to-be-completed pile.

Shameless plug...a friend from my mom's group runs this awesome online cloth diaper store www.kissedbythemoon.com She's got a Facebook page too.

[Jackies]

This is our first time CDing, so I'm starting from scratch. I made a spreadsheet to keep track of the covers and their sizes. My goal right now is to get 3 PUL covers and 2 wool covers in newborn/x-small, small, and medium. I'm about halfway there by picking up used ones on the internet and knitting the soakers. We don't have to get inners since we're going to use a service. Then once the baby gets here we can see what we really need for our schedule and get more if we need. The covers look so cute in a stack.

[travelmumma]

SO EXCITED!!!!!!!
I have created a really cute stash! I would say it is small but it is getting bigger and bigger lol. I have stopped buying now! Bank account can't handle the cuteness that is cloth!
Because it is our first, and our first time with cloth, we are going with a whole different range to see what works for us!
Some all in ones, some 2 in ones, come fitted with covers, and some pockets too!
That way we can see what we like and what fits!
They have to be Daddy proof after all LOL (for us anyway!)

[mamaharrison]

Originally Posted by Jackies 

This is our first time CDing, so I'm starting from scratch. I made a spreadsheet to keep track of the covers and their sizes. My goal right now is to get 3 PUL covers and 2 wool covers in newborn/x-small, small, and medium. I'm about halfway there by picking up used ones on the internet and knitting the soakers. We don't have to get inners since we're going to use a service. Then once the baby gets here we can see what we really need for our schedule and get more if we need. The covers look so cute in a stack.

just an FYI I wouldn't mess with buying larger sizes right away. CD can be very tricky and you cannot know what will work or not work beforehand or how big/little your babe will be. For instance, many babes don't do well with PUL because it isn't breathable and can really hold that moisture in--some babes don't like that and some get rashes as soon as wet hits their skin, kwim. I would concentrate on buying a few covers for the size you are in and maybe a size bigger but just in one {cheap} style. Your kiddo won't outgrown over night and you will be able to anticipate the need fo the next size and by then you will likely know of any issues--IE: we HATE pockets! stuffing pockets sucks! and/or we found fleece covers to be the cheapest and best at preventing leaks for our DD so we never did PUL or any other covers. 

Just a thought from someone who has BTDT ; )

We LOVED kissaluv 0s with DD, but don't own any--we borrow nb stashes in my circle of friends--we kind of pass them around back and forth since they get so little use. However, mostly prefolds in that mix and I really want to grab some cheap used Kissaluv0 {KL0} and a cover or two for the babe, but I think it is just really not worth it because DD was 9lbs and I feel like this kid has a good chance of being at least that but likely more and a 10# babe is likely to be able to fit into our MEOS diapers from the start, so, not really worth the $$ that we don't have. We'll see though, I may not be able to hold out ; )

[lulubikes]

I'm super obsessed with making my own diapers and covers, LOL! I have only made one diaper and 2 covers so far! I have a bunch of old T-shirts and wool sweaters. Plan to do prefolds out of the tees and covers out of the sweaters. I knitted 2 wool soakers and have gotten some other wraps handed down and bought a few wool covers used, so that I'm actually covered for the early months. So if I don't get the prefolds made, I can just purchase some used ones or something. I also bought some fitted diapers in the newborn size, I only have like 3 though.

I think I'm going to put some diapers on my registry so I have some of those too.

In case you're curious. Here's the patterns I plan to try:

http://fernandfaerie.com/sewing_prefolds.html

http://katrinassqs.blogspot.com/2007/10/free-soaker-pattern.html

http://www.borntolove.com/frugal-column2.html

[stegenrae]

We used fuzzibunz almost exclusively with our older boys, but I'm just *done* (I think??) with pockets. I'm looking forward to going old-school, with just plain prefolds and hopefully wool. But since I'm not looking to spend a ton, and will be inheriting and buying used from friends, we'll fill in the blanks as needed. I've never done prefolds full-time, so I suppose I should look into how many I need to really have on hand in order to do diaper laundry every other day. I know it depends on the kid, but I also know you change more often with prefolds than with fb-style pockets... When I registered, I did go ahead and register for the prefolds and thirsties covers that Target carries online (holy crap, people! WHEN did Target start carrying fuzzibunz and thirsties?!?)

Anyway. We have a nb stash that floats among a group of local mamas, and should be up for grabs just as I need them. IIRC, there were about 6 Kissaluvs 0's in there (my faves!) as well as some awesome newborn PUL covers, but can't remember which brand. They have the cutouts for the umbilicus and everything. (anyone know which these would be??)

cielo, I know some people who prefer to use all those flannel receiving blankets as newborn dipes. It's all in the folding. (and seriously, who needs more than half a dozen of those suckers at most for the baby, anyway?) 

Hm, I kind of completely forgot about Snappis. I'll need to get a few in each size.

[chicajones]

Love that this was posted! I just had our first little shower this past weekend, and we got three perfect-fit small FuzziBunz, as well as a BumGenius all-in-one. I'm still swimming around trying to figure out what we need to register for (on Amazon) and what I'll want in our stash. Here's what I'm thinking:

+ Two dozen Prefolds

+ 3-4 diaper covers (newborn/smalls: thirsties, kissas)

+ 8 AIO for small baby (grovia, fuzzibunz)

+ 3 One Size AIO (fuzzibunz, bum genius)

+ 8 AIO for bigger baby (fuzzibunz - size medium)

+ Extra set of small inserts

+ Extra set of medium inserts

The pocket diapers seem like the ones I'd use the most, but I've heard in the beginning when there are toooooons of diaper changes, it can be better to do prefolds and covers. I also want to knit two or three wool soakers, but I have no idea how those will turn out. Is this reasonable? Or should I be splitting my options more between different kinds of dipes?

Edited by chicajones - 9/4/12 at 1:14pm

[Mamabeakley]

It's really hard to know what kind of diapers you - and anyone else who will regularly be changing your baby's diaper - will actually like.  So my advice is try a bunch of things in small sizes and then sell off what you don't like and stock up on what you do as baby gets bigger.

We started out 8 years ago with a full stash of velcro covers and contour diapers someone gave us as hand-me-downs.  We liked them a lot, but as DS1 grew and changed, we learned that we also really like AIOs, and do not like pockets or anything with artificial fibers (unless baby really needs to avoid nighttime changes - some babies wake all the way up if you change them in the night and that is awful - but I don't mind changing diapers in the night if I'm nursing anyway and baby stays mostly asleep through it.  Pockets with fleece liners are excellent for getting all the way through the night.)  I can't tolerate wool in my breathing space, which includes babies who are nursing and sleeping with me, so we don't do wool (true respiratory allergy - it's not that it's itchy, it's that I can't breathe.  Wool socks are okay on me but that's about it.  :-( )

Right now I would really love to spend $$$ on Bumgenius Organic/Elemental one size AIOs, but that is not going to happen.  We have some that are still in useable condition from DD's toddlerhood, lots of tiny-to-small contours/doublers, kissaluv contours, lots of covers in a variety of sizes, and a fairly big  collection of medium and large Bumkins AIOs (which I like a lot, too - they are easy to dry compared to other natural fiber AIOs.)

Most pressing thing here is probably getting a drier set up.  I don't like having to wait for dipes to line dry!  We've been line drying all our clothes all summer which has been fine, but it's not going to work well unless we dramatically increase our line capacity indoors for the winter (which would probably drive me nuts - too messy looking!)

[purposefuldoula]

Oh my goodness! reading this prompted me to go through my stash and write out what I have.  I've part time cloth diapered two girls on up through potty training so I have a random set of diapers. 

Here's what I have so far:

** A set of Best Bottom diapers in the medium size, (11-22lb) These are covers(8) with snap in inserts(13.) My dear friend gifted them to me after only using them for 6 months! I'm really excited to try them out! 

** 2 BumGenious Medium hook and loop pocket diapers

** 4 BumGenious One Size hook and loop pocket diapers (These have been through two years of diapering and need the velcro replaced before DS comes earthside.)

** 11 microfiber inserts

** 12 prefolds

** 2 wool soakers knit up by me

** Almost 4 (I'm working on the second leg of a pair right now!) pairs of wool longies. I've made 1 newborn, 2 small, and 1 small/med size so far

** 1 Thirsties Medium cover

** 1 roll of biodegradable liners. (I've never tried these before, so we'll see what they do.)

** 1 bottle of bum spray for wiping

** toilet sprayer

Things I'm going to either make or purchase to complete our stash:

~~ Next month with I can pay her, I am purchasing a set of 12 Charlie Banana pocket diapers, size 0-6 mo from a friend. They have only been used on one child and are in pretty good shape. (I'm hoping to stretch them out to be able to use for almost a year, since my babies tend to take forever to get to 20lbs. These will fit up to 18lbs.)

~~ Some newborn covers and prefolds.  (cielo - I might tie-dye some. That sounds like fun!)

~~ Cloth wipes! (I've not made a proper set before, and since I plan on exclusively using cloth this time around, I figured why not. I'll be repurposing material for these. 

~~ Some larger covers- but I probably won't make them until he's way older.

~~ Wet bags and a diaper pail wet bag

~~ possibly a wool mat for when he's teeny tiny and doesn't have a cover on. 

~~ Some more clothespins! I've somehow lost a ton and don't think there is enough for a big load of fluff

~~ Some more snappis and pins for all of the prefolds. I might sew some prefolds into fitteds, too. 

Now I'm all in the diaper mode and I'm thinking I might strip and get the diapers I have now ready. Can I ask what kind of soap you all use/ are planning on using? For the last few years, I've been using a mixture of equal parts washing soda and borax. It seems to get them pretty clean without any build up. And it's super cheap! 

[segolilymama]

I LOVE my diapers :) They were found, washed, folded, and but into the baby dresser weeks ago ;) I couldn't say what I have without dragging the laptop in to make a list, but I do know that each of the boys changed so much - one week a prefold with cover was perfect, the next I was reaching for an AIO. The weight, where their little chubs are, size, etc make things shit constantly. I have lots of different kinds for just this reason.

I do know I need a couple more prefolds in small & regular sizes, I told one of my GF's that's what i want for my 'shower' - a diaper cake made from colored pre-folds :)

Every now and then, I go in and look at the diapers for fun. I'm such a dork, lol.

[newCTmama]

So many fun stashes and ideas! I concur with not knowing what works well until your child is here - I was so sure I'd love AIO's with DS, and I did like them, but he didn't fit in his BG's all that well, and our front loader just couldn't get them clean in less than 3 washes, so we ended up turing to fitteds and pockets : )

Speaking of pockets - Stegenrae - I'm ina similar boat - I think I'm done with pockets (in favor of pf's and fitteds), but just don't know...they are so darn trim and convenient! It's a fun decision to ponder!

[stegenrae]

Originally Posted by newCTmama 

Speaking of pockets - Stegenrae - I'm ina similar boat - I think I'm done with pockets (in favor of pf's and fitteds), but just don't know...they are so darn trim and convenient! It's a fun decision to ponder!

I'm thinking of snagging a few gdiapers and/or flips to stuff with a strategically folded hemp prefold for times we "need" a trim dipe. I've seen them really cheap, so maybe just a couple of them wouldn't break my bank. (I'm dreaming of being able to sell off my leftover fb stash and not spending any more than what I get for it on the "new" stuff.)

Originally Posted by segolilymama 

The weight, where their little chubs are, size, etc make things shit constantly.

  I know what you meant, but it works without the "f", too. ;)

Originally Posted by purposefuldoula 
Can I ask what kind of soap you all use/ are planning on using? For the last few years, I've been using a mixture of equal parts washing soda and borax. It seems to get them pretty clean without any build up. And it's super cheap! 

Mine is neither economical nor environmentally sound. We have a front loading LG. My steps are thus:

1) dump all the icky stuff in, select "Rinse and Spin" option with extra high spin and water plus feature

2) Select "Speed Wash" with Cold water, no spin, Heavy soil, Water Plus feature...add full scoop of OxiClean directly to load, and 1 tsp of Dawn ultra to liquid detergent dispenser

3) After soaking overnight, Select "Sanitze" cycle, with Steam option, Highest spin speed, Add 1 cup baking soda directly to load, another 1 tsp of Dawn to dispenser

4) Select "Speed Wash" with Hot water, Highest spin speed, Water Plus feature, filling softener cup all the way with distilled (white) vinegar

5) Feel guilty for negating the whole purpose of getting an *efficient* washer.

After diapering for 7.5 years, this is the only thing that essentially performs a mini-strip every time, so I don't have to change anything up. And they still have skunk.  (but I *have* had them for YEARSSSS.) Like I said, I'm done with pockets. sigh.

Edited by stegenrae - 9/5/12 at 7:57pm

[Mamabeakley]

We had a Sears front-loading machine for most of our diapering time.  I think the smell issues tend to be worse with non-cotton fabrics - the only thing we ever had difficulty with was PUL covers once babes got bigger and we weren't using big enough/thick enough dipes inside them.  Our machine had a pre-wash cycle and we'd use that on hot and then the regular full length cycle on hot, both with full amounts of free and clear powder detergent.  That pretty much always did the trick.  We'd dump solids in the toilet first before putting in the diaper pail, which was dry.  I didn't really care about stains, but occasionally would sun-dry the dipes just for the heck of it.  Things will be different this time since after 8 years of that plus at least one load of clothes every day, the washer died.  We currently have a junker from Craigslist which does fine for our clothes, but DD was using the potty before we got it so we haven't tried it out for dipes yet.

[segolilymama]

Originally Posted by segolilymama 
 

The weight, where their little chubs are, size, etc make things shit constantly.

  I know what you meant, but it works without the "f", too. ;)

After diapering for 7.5 years, this is the only thing that essentially performs a mini-strip every time, so I don't have to change anything up. And they still have skunk.

OMG I still can't stop laughing... talk about a funny little typo.....

And yours is pretty appropriate, too ;) My diapers sometimes smell like skunk as well, lol!

[purposefuldoula]

Those of you that have used cloth wipes before, how many do you need? I'm starting on them today and am wondering how many I should make. 

[Mamabeakley]

I like to have LOTS - but I'm also lazy.  I just take flannel fabric and cut it up into some small and some larger squares.  I don't hem or serge or anything, I just let them fray over time.  Flannel is cheap and I don't care if they wear out and get stringy on the edges.  So I probably have around . . . 30 or 40 of them?  I don't really know.  A big pile, like enough to fill a couple of 1 qt containers?  I'm guessing, volume wise, not that you'd store them in a quart jar or anything!

[mamaharrison]

Originally Posted by purposefuldoula 

Those of you that have used cloth wipes before, how many do you need? I'm starting on them today and am wondering how many I should make. 

I have 36 and that is plenty ; ) I have a stash of 40 dipes and wash every other day during the NB phase.

[purposefuldoula]

Thanks, mamabeakey & Dana! I'll shoot for forty!  I plan on zig zagging the edges but I might get bored before I reach forty. I'm using flannel, too.

Another question, do either of your use a wipe solution? Care to share recipes?

[Mamabeakley]

Nope, just water, and usually I just duck into the bathroom to wet a few wipes before opening the diaper.  We've lived in VERY SMALL spaces, though so that might not work so well if you're in a bigger type of house.