Cloth diaper switch « Back to Group Discussions

[Rowdie]

Well, we're outgrowing the Thirsties size 1 diaper covers and I'm thinking of making the move from pre folds to pocket diapers. I've been keeping my eyes out for deals on Craigslist and at our local baby consignment shops. Any favorite pockets or ones to steer clear of?

[MLog]

It looks like we'll be outgrowing our covers here as well.  I'm starting to look into fitteds and wool, especially since DS has been getting some reoccuring diaper rash lately.  I think having him in the PUL covers at night is the culprit.  My cousin is currently working on knitting me some soakers, longies, etc.  I'm super excited about trying wool!  I've been spending too many hours on cloth diapering websites doing research and looking at different options.  I haven't looked to pockets at all so I'm no help to you Rowdie, just wanted to share where we're at.

[Rowdie]

I so know about the hours spent on researching diapers. I didn't work this hard before I bought my car!

[forestmushroom]

fitteds and wool are my favorite.
 

[Sky]

like fitteds and wool, like pf and covers, like thirsties duo, right now we are in sposies as the laundry room is not hooked up yet (remember we  are redoing our CT home lots of construction) OYE!!! using our old washer is a PITA  for cloth new washer/dryer is ordered and hopefully be in, about 2 wks.....

Edited by Sky - 10/7/12 at 9:11am

[Rowdie]

Thank you all for your input! I'm curious why wool covers get such raves as I tend to avoid wool in my own clothes (itchy ick). 

[Rowdie]

Another question, despite all the glowing declarations of the magically stainless properties of BF poop, my EBF DD's poop does stain the cloth. Sunlight gets most of it out, but not all. I'm using a shared coin-op machine in our building, so there is not a lot of control on just doing a soak or just a rinse or tweaking the water temp. I've been washing them on "delicate" to get the cold wash. Should I soak them in a pail? use vinegar? lemon juice? baking soda? 

[persephassa]

Iread some people use hydrogen peroxide--I haven't tried it, tho, the sun works for me. I also use baby ganics stain remover, sometimes.

I think people like the wool partially because its all natural, no synthetics. I have some wool but I mostly use flats & pul covers & pockets (triple stuffed with bamboo, hemp & sherpa, at night).

[BubbleMa]

Originally Posted by Rowdie 

Thank you all for your input! I'm curious why wool covers get such raves as I tend to avoid wool in my own clothes (itchy ick). 

The good wool covers won't be scratchy.  I like wool because it's soft, breathable, waterproof, and you don't have to wash it every use.

Originally Posted by Rowdie 

Another question, despite all the glowing declarations of the magically stainless properties of BF poop, my EBF DD's poop does stain the cloth. Sunlight gets most of it out, but not all. I'm using a shared coin-op machine in our building, so there is not a lot of control on just doing a soak or just a rinse or tweaking the water temp. I've been washing them on "delicate" to get the cold wash. Should I soak them in a pail? use vinegar? lemon juice? baking soda? 

Layla's poo stains everything it touches, but the sun gets the stains out with no trace left behind.  You could try soaking the poopy diapers in a pail until wash day.  Or rinse in the sink (or get a diaper sprayer).

[Rowdie]

Thanks for the tips! I may cave and get a diaper sprayer, which will be handy when we graduate to solid food poops. I have such an array of pockets right now, where some manufacturers say no vinegar or baking soda and others that encourage it.

I also learned that if the sun doesn't get out the stains, I should re-wet them and sun them again. I was just keeping them in the sun for longer periods to no effect.

[BubbleMa]

Lemon juice (in the sun) may help too.  :)

[forestmushroom]

Synthetics are just too hard to care for for me... if they aren't staining then they are leaking or not drying.... I just don't have any luck with them. A m merino wool will not be scratchy.

I like longies (or even fleece pants/longies as covers) becuase it is just more practical for dressing baby, too. It doesn't always make sense to have a diaper, cover and pants... so the longies are the pants, too.. I do have some PUL covers, but just don't do well with pockets or AIO.
 

[BubbleMa]

Originally Posted by forestmushroom 

Synthetics are just too hard to care for for me... if they aren't staining then they are leaking or not drying.... I just don't have any luck with them. A m merino wool will not be scratchy.

I like longies (or even fleece pants/longies as covers) becuase it is just more practical for dressing baby, too. It doesn't always make sense to have a diaper, cover and pants... so the longies are the pants, too.. I do have some PUL covers, but just don't do well with pockets or AIO.
 

I'm getting to this point.  I'm about fed up with my pocket diapers.  They're so high maintenance.  I love how easy to use they are though.  I wish there was a natural fiber pocket.

[Astraia]

I use synthetic pockets, and I'm pretty meh about them but I can't justify to myself the cost of wool and can't be bothered with flats or prefolds.

I also don't really care much about staining- they're clean, I don't plan to eat them or show them off to anyone. I have tried hydrogen peroxide before and it seems to work, but in general if the sun doesn't get it out then I don't get too worked up about it. I mean, he's just going to poo in them again. And again and again and again. And yes, rewetting and sunning makes the most difference. Once they're dry (which happens fast!) the sun doesn't work as well. You can also try storing them while you're waiting to use them so they're spread out in a sunny window for some residual sunning. 

One caution with a wetpail- oh man oh man does it ever STINK. I haven't done it, but everyone I know who wetpails you can smell it as soon as you walk in the house. Maybe they're doing it wrong?