Cloth Diapering on the cheap « Back to Group Discussions

[talldarkeyes]

I have cloth diapered both my dd and my foster ds so my bum genius 3.0's are looking pretty sad. I basically need to start all over with a stash! I no longer want to do pockets and I have four thirsties duo wraps in size two (with 7 or 8 inserts) in good condition and I have four Happy Heiney's one size pockets in good condition as well but I have NOTHING for a little babe except two small old style Fuzzibunz. I want to do primarily prefolds and covers but I have been astounded at the cost! It is almost the same cost for prefolds and covers in the different sizes as it is for a stash of 18 one size pockets!

I need some ideas and recommendations for cheap cloth diapering that doesn't involve flats. I also will use disposibles for the newborn period. Ultimately I want to spend less than $300 and not all at once. Here are some of my ideas:

-Bummis starter box in infant size $158 on Amazon (includes 24 organic prefolds, 6 covers, wet bag). Plus two more wraps like thirsties duo in size two, 18 medium size prefolds. Total: just over $200

-Green Mountain Diapers prefolds in 3 sizes (I could get the small size used), two dozen each except large size, 1 doz. $28, $32, $35/dozen per size. Sweet pea brand one size covers (7) at 10.95 each. Wet bag/pail liner $15. Snappi set $7.55. Total: around $250

-Diaperjunction.com package of 24 small Diaper Rite prefolds plus 4 bummis wrap $86, 2 econobum one size starter kits (1 diaper, 3 prefolds) $11.95 ea., dozen medium diaper rite prefolds $2.59 ea., 1 diaper rite one size cover $9, 1 wet bag $15, 1 snappi pack $7.50.
Total: around $170

-Two Econobum onesize starter kits $50 ea. (3 covers 12 prefolds). 1 wet bag/pail liner. Total $115

Obviously, there are pros and cons to each choice based on durability/quality. I also didn't include a night diapering solution as I am still trying to figure that one out (Motherease fitteds? Knickernappies super do insert? Can anyone help me out?).

So, recommendations? Anyone have experience with the prefolds/covers I mentioned here or didn't mention (as in you know of something better)?

[StartingAllOver]

I have no ideas, but want to watch this thread because it's been 8 years since dd was in diapers, and I long since parted with my cd stash! I need to start from scratch, on a shoestring. 

[dayiscoming2006]

I've heard good things about the GMD(green moutain diaper) prefolds. Otherwise, just any premium quality prefolds. Tiny Tush had some I got a long time ago and liked. I don't have them anymore because I switched to contours and fitteds. I have always loved my thirsties sized covers. Cloth diapers aren't so cheap unless you can find some nice ones used, but they do end up being far cheaper than disposables. I'm gonna have to buy some more because of wear, but just a few odds and ends. Thankfully, I hung on to all of my stash even though I was thinking I was done before I got pregnant this time. I have the imse vimse contours, there's nothing terribly special about them, but they work alright. You do need doublers and stuff with the flannelette ones. They are kinda thin. Thankfully, I have lots of doublers. 

[coalifetime]

I have used gmd prefolds, snappis and several different covers (including thirsties and bummis) and I think you can be pleased with the simplicity and lower cost.   I have long lean babies and had the orange edged, red edged, and green edged.  It took forever to get into the green edged with my kids.  I would purchase the prefolds that you mentioned were used and then go for the 'medium wide' baby size (on sale for 29$ a dozen right now)  that they now offer.  I would use the smaller sized prefolds as a doubler at night.  If you think the wetness at night is irritating baby's skin then I would cut strips of fleece and put in the diaper to keep the cotton diaper from touching the baby at night.  The fleece can be handy if you are using a diaper cream later and you can just throw it away instead of getting diaper cream embedded in your cotton diaper.   I would purchase a wool cover and lanolize it for nightime use as well but it is not necessary to have a wool cover imho.  Some Moms seem very talented at turning a sweater into a cover.   I would recommend two diaper wet bags if you can that way you have one in the pail while the other is in the wash.  I would also recommend cloth wipes, and this can even be baby wash cloths to keep costs down.  

I got ride of my stash and I am also considering 'where to start'

[heyitskalista]

We use prefolds too and love them! 

I got a few covers second hand from local consignment shops and Kijiji.  Thats a great way to save money too!
 

[here we are]

Hurrah for another diaper thread, one of my favorite but confusing subjects . I think.it just sounds more confusing with all the brands and options, its just too much! I think i will try sticking to one website, GMD?, just because it feels simpler. Why not ? Are people just planning now, when to actually buy? In case you need to return-see -confusion again. Why cant whatever we chose just be good enough? Ok, i.am.kinda talking to myself.

[here we are]

People who prefold- i am wondering about covers that are.not wool, they seem very popular, even though i dont get to look every single one up, but they seem to be mostly involving PUL, waterproof layer. So, i wonder how you all feel the breathability is, does the prefold seem to.be enough of a breathable layer? Does anyone do both those and wool and notice a big difference? I dont even wanna get into my head again on trying to understand it all! I think i need to start practicing on a doll to build my confidence so i wont feel like i need as many fitteds, which seem to be a good night choice.

[dayiscoming2006]

Here We Are:

I liked using thirsties PUL covers. Sometime baby needs more air if they get a rash, but it's still better than a disposable. I personally like to have a couple malden mills fleece covers in each size for times when they need more air. Fleece is known to be easier to care for than wool, though I don't actually have experience with wool covers. Another option is to just snappi or pin a prefold or use a fitted diaper and go coverless for a little while during the day if you are home. That allows even more air flow.

[coalifetime]

Cloth diapering does not need to be difficult.  Whether you have cloth or disposable you will be looking to change the soiled diapers quickly to avoid skin irritation.  Either way, you will look for a diaper that fits along your baby's belly and legs without causing leaks and irritation.   When I first was comparing all the cloth options with baby #1  I also thought it was overwhelming.   I don't mind the wet cotton being on baby's skin for a short time if it means that the cotton is easier to wash.  If I want to keep the wetness off of babys skin then I can change the diapers more frequently or look for a synthetic material that has a more absorbent layer under it.   When it comes to covers I do like the ones that can just get thrown into the wash without the velcro sticking to the diapers (now you can find a lot of those with velcro can be secured so they don't catch on your other diapers during washing.)  The wool covers that I had could not be thrown into the wash and they needed some hand washing..... I cringe at the thought of hand washing poop blow outs out of wool covers.... but I did really like the way they fit my babies at the waist and legs.   I had forgotten about the fleece covers, and I am glad that 'dayiscoming' mentioned them.  I had a few and I loved them and how easily they washed up.  The wool and fleece covers both gave my babies super giant cloth butts, and the pul covers were much trimmer fitting.

If you are new to cloth diapering, I would check out the Green Mountain Diaper website... looking at the photos/descriptions/videos.  Even if you are purchasing from somewhere local or another store, the information will be helpful.  I especially like the way that she displays so many different baby sizes in the same diaper or covers for comparison.

[mizlizzy]

I used Indian prefolds with Proraps covers for my first, and will re-use them.

http://www.jilliansdrawers.com/products/clothdiapers/diapercovers/prorapclassiccovers

We loved the Proraps, never had any leak issues and washing was easy. They are cheaper than alot of other covers out there. My kid was is the small size for a few months and the large size for a few months, but spent about a year in the medium size, so that's what I would buy a larger number of. They are the same covers used by diaper services, and them hold up well if not put in the dryer (which will eventually damage the waterproofing). I would just lay the covers on top of the dryer while the diapers were drying and they would be dry.

The above website, a local-to-me  momma owned store also carries an every changing selection of gently used diapers:

http://www.jilliansdrawers.com/products/clothdiapers/gentlyused

[talldarkeyes]

Luckily I made my own cloth wipes with remnant flannel years ago and they are still kicking. I also have a few pail liners but the PUL lining is coming off so I only really need one more. I wish they still made the wetbags that I originally bought because even though the PUL is coming off they had a handy piece of cloth sewn into the lining where I could put a few drops of tea tree oil which was great for the stink. I cant find a similar product anywhere though I have noticed all the antimicrobial liners they have now. I think I have decided on the bummis starter kit and will buy more as needed, maybe a dozen more prefolds and two more covers in the small size. I might be able to get away with just the 4 thirsties covers in size 2 and a dozen more prefolds. I will probably end up buying more covers than I need since it is addictive.