***Cloth Diapering Mamas*** - Page 5 « Back to Group Discussions

[jr'smom]

Originally Posted by TwilightJoy 



We are not planning on doing sposies at all.

24 fitteds? Oh goodness, I didn't realize it was that many. Thank you!

Would I need the same number of AIOs?

The diaper changes become less frequent the older the baby gets.  I think I started with 18 pocket diapers and had to launder them every other day. Eventually I only had to do laundry every third day.

[jr'smom]

We used BG 3.0 one size and a few FB small pocket diapers on our newborns and they were fine.  My babies were 10lb 6oz and 10lb 11oz at birth BUT they both lost nearly 2 pounds in the first few days and the diapers still fit fine. 

I did use chemical free disposables until the meconium went away and the cord came off though.

The pocket diapers looked big but there were no leaks.  In fact, the only leaks (blow outs) we had were with the sposies.

[nstewart]

Mamas who have used cloth wipes before:

What did you make them out of?  I'm thinking of cutting up and serging the edge on some old flannel receiving blankets I have that I always found too small to be useful. Anything else you feel would be better?

How big should they be? (5"x5"?  Bigger, smaller?)

What did you use for wipes solution? (just water, water with calendula or tea tree oil or something?)

How did you wet them? (I know some people use a spray bottle, others keep the wipes in a wipes warmer with solution in the warmer)

How many do I need to make if I wash dipes 2 times per week?

Thanks!!

[adventuregirl]

N, I made these for DD and used flannel, just sewed (serged) together two pieces with the soft side facing out. They were great! I used them for 2 years, the entire time she was in dipes and maybe used something else 2-3 times in all. Once we were done with them I used them for rags and we still use them to this day for cleaning around the house. I made them 8x8 or maybe 10x10 and liked the size very much. I found that sometimes this was kinda big (like for just pee dipes), but mostly a great size as I would not usually need more than one. I would just wet them in the sink before a change, but I also carried a peri bottle full of water around with me out of the house and would just wet them down with that when it was easier. I didn't add anything to the water and that never was an issue. I can't remember how many I made, but it could have been 2 dozen or so? I'm guessing...I just used up all the flannel I bought. I actually spent a long part of my early labor sewing these...ha!

[CoBabyMaker]

N, I have tried a flannel and never cared for it.  It all honesty my favorite wipes were always just those thin little baby wash clothes that come in packs.  I find them fairly worthless for bathing but just right for little bums!

[scary biscuits]

It all honesty my favorite wipes were always just those thin little baby wash clothes that come in packs.  I find them fairly worthless for bathing but just right for little bums!

I agree, that is what I used with my little guy.

[pastormama]

Originally Posted by CoBabyMaker 

N, I have tried a flannel and never cared for it.  It all honesty my favorite wipes were always just those thin little baby wash clothes that come in packs.  I find them fairly worthless for bathing but just right for little bums!

Yep - I just went to Target, bought a 12-pack of the cheapest white washcloths there, and cut them in half.  No sewing, although I could have serged the edges down because they did start to fray after many washes.  

For wipe spray, I fill a 12-oz spray bottle with 1 C water mixed with 1 T aloe and a few drops of lavender/tea tree oil mix.  I warmed the water to allow it to all mix up, but I sprayed it on cold.  DD never seemed to mind too much.  I have heard of people keeping the wipes in solution, but I was afraid of mildew setting in - although the TTO should help prevent that.

For out and about, I still use disposable wipes.

[PhilsBabyMama]

Originally Posted by scary biscuits 

I agree, that is what I used with my little guy.

Me, too! The flannel ones and velour ones just smeared poo around. The texture of the baby wash cloths worked really well for wipes. We'll be using those again.

I made a couple different wipe solutions, but found that water worked just as well. At home I'd just wet the wash cloth down at the sink, out I'd use a spray bottle.

[nstewart]

Thanks ladies! 

You've saved me the $$ I was going to spend on a wipes warmer, and saved me the time I was going to spend sewing up wipes!  I will probably use the baby face cloths I have now for wipes since they're super grungy anyway (never used them on DS in the tub, but loved them for washing his face and hands after meals once he started solids) and buy new ones to use in the kitchen.  I just have to make sure I mark which are which....lol.

[CoBabyMaker]

I need to list my pockets for sale so I can buy some prefolds but I am so confused on how to price them.  Has anyone seen a guide to pricing used dipes?  I tried to look at diaper swappers but the pricing kind of seems all over.  I was thinking I would try to sell them on our local craigslist first.

[nstewart]

If you were trying to sell on CL, I would check CL where you will be selling to see what others are selling comparable goods for.  That's what buyers will be comparing to.

[adventuregirl]

OK, I need some help in deciding what to get. Focusing on NB dipes to begin with. Last time, I very quickly ditched the prefolds and had DD in Kissaluvs size 0 for the first few months. I hated the bulk of the prefolds and wasn't really good at it. I also just fell in love with how cute the fitteds were and loved how they fit. I am thinking of doing the same this time around, however, once we got to the next sizes, I tried all sorts of dipes and ended up using Fuzzibunz almost exclusively for the rest of the time. I really liked the ease of AIOs, but pockets were where I landed since you could stuff them however you needed (and then I finally had a use for those prefolds). I also like the fleece layer for dryness rather than cotton. My one issue with the Kissluvs was just that, I ended up cutting up a bunch of fleece and lining each dipe with those to keep her bottom dry and protect against rashes, which she had but cleared up with the fleece.

So, I am wondering a few things...anyone use Fuzzibunz newborn dipes at all? Opinions? Are there other options out there that would be similar but better? I hear about these BumGenious dipes that sound pretty awesome, anyone try these? Opinions? Other favorites? It has been 9 years since I thought about newborn dipes, so I know there may be lots of new stuff, so I am open. I guess I may have a clue as to how my little one will be shaped based on DD (fairly long and thin in newborn stage, but super chunk legs from 5-11ish months, then slimming, but never skinny). I am also wondering if a pocket or AIO would be leaky with newborn poo, and if having the extra layer of the fitted/cover would be better? Oh, and then beyond newborn, I see that a lot of dipes are "grow with me" or "one size", I really don't like a super bulky diaper, and that is my concern with these, anybody have any experience/opinions?

All thoughts/opinions are very welcome! Thanks!

[jr'smom]

Originally Posted by CoBabyMaker 

N, I have tried a flannel and never cared for it.  It all honesty my favorite wipes were always just those thin little baby wash clothes that come in packs.  I find them fairly worthless for bathing but just right for little bums!

That's what we use too.

We just filled a small bowl with water a couple of times a day in warm weather or walked to the sink each time (it's not far) to get warm water during cold weather.

[SplashingPuddle]

We used old stained towels cut into squares (no edges surged) and they have held up really well considering. No cost to us at all either.  

[cadybh]

We cloth diaper and are excited to do so again with this little one.  We have disposables around for when DS gets a really bad rash (he has very sensitive skin - if he eats too much acidic food and pees or poos overnight then he gets terrible, red rashes), basically.  I love CDing because we're not contributing to the solid waste our household generates, and I think it's overall better for his skin and parts (no exposure to chemicals, plus Mothering magazine once stated something about the high temperature potentially being harmful for boys' reproductive parts).  It's also way cheaper!  I paid $400 for 2 dozen pocked diapers that worked from when he was an infant all the way through potty training.  Can't argue with that!  We have an HE washing machine so I don't worry about the extra water, frankly.

We did have to send DS to daycare with disposables from about 12 mos - potty training (he trained around 30 mos).

[cadybh]

We cloth diaper and are excited to do so again with this little one.  We have disposables around for when DS gets a really bad rash (he has very sensitive skin - if he eats too much acidic food and pees or poos overnight then he gets terrible, red rashes), basically.  I love CDing because we're not contributing to the solid waste our household generates, and I think it's overall better for his skin and parts (no exposure to chemicals, plus Mothering magazine once stated something about the high temperature potentially being harmful for boys' reproductive parts).  It's also way cheaper!  I paid $400 for 2 dozen pocked diapers that worked from when he was an infant all the way through potty training.  Can't argue with that!  We have an HE washing machine so I don't worry about the extra water, frankly.

We did have to send DS to daycare with disposables from about 12 mos - potty training (he trained around 30 mos).

[nstewart]

Originally Posted by Lynann 

This is the pattern I used. I did scale the small down a little more to make it just for a newborn, but DS2 outgrew them within weeks.

They also have a matching wool soaker that is knitted flat and I love how easy it is.

It is important to use real 100% wool for the wool soaker and I found some at $2.49 a ball at knitpicks and it only takes 1 ball to make the small size soaker. One thing I would say about wool for soakers though is to stay away from merino or blends with merino as it isn't very hard wearing for diapering needs. Merino is lovely and soft for other baby items like hats etc, but don't use it for diapers.

I'd post pictures but they are also still on the old computer and I haven't had time to transfer them. maybe once I get working on the new batch I'll post some pictures of them.

Hey Lynann,  just wondering, how much did you scale the pattern down by?  I just printed it off and the small size does look a bit large for a nb.  Should I photocopy it at 90%? 80%?  DS was not a big newborn, he was 7lbs 4 oz and he was born almost 1 week past his EDD.  This baby could be bigger, but I have no reason to believe I'm growing a ten pounder in here.

Thanks so much!!

[Lynann]

I scaled it to 80%, but saying that DS2 outgrew them in less than 3 weeks. So now I'm making some bigger ones to go between these and prefolds.

[nstewart]

Thanks! 

[nstewart]

Can you mamas give me some input.

So, I was looking at the pattern that Lynann posted to make NB size fitted diapers.

I found bamboo flannel online for $7.92/yard.  Based on the "Materials" section of the pattern, I need 1.3 yards per diaper.  This works out to $10.29 worth of fabric per diaper, plus the cost of thread and elastic, plus shipping. (I won't count my time, as it's fun to sew and I like these little projects).

I found these MotherEase Sandy's Newborn Cloth Diapers for $11.98 plus shipping. 

Do you really think I need the full 1.3 yards per diaper for NB diapers?  You end up changing them so frequently anyway, and at every feeding overnight, I just can't imagine using the 8 layers of flannel that the pattern calls for for the soaker.  I used 4 layers in the training pants I made for DS, and he was 7 mos old at the time so his bladder had to have been much larger than that, and they were good to hold 1 pee, that's what I'm hoping for out of these.  It was also just regular flannel, not bamboo flannel which I understand is more absorbant.

I may have some remenants of bamboo velour to use for a few diaper bodies, but nothing to use for the soakers  and some of the diaper bodies, so I do need to buy terry or flannel or something.  I like how flat the flannel lays but input on terry is appreciated too.

Anyway, do you think I really need the 1.3 yards?  If so, any reviews on Sandy's?  I am wondering why they are $11.98 when all the other fitteds are in the $20 range...I can't see buying around $11 worth of materials per diaper and taking the time to make them when I can buy fitteds for $11.98 per diaper (even though I was kind of looking forward to the project!)