Cloth diapering 101 « Back to Group Discussions

[Eilis]

Here are my initial thoughts about cloth diapering (I am a newbie to this endeavor). I'd love any feedback!

- I think I am going to order supplies from Green Mountain Diapers, combined with sewing and possibly knitting some of my own.

- I could buy a couple of newborn sized GMD prefolds (https://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/diapers.htm#DSQ%20Prefold%20Diapers) and then copy the size/thickness as I sew additional diapers with materials in my stash. Since I sew, I can't see the point of spending much money on prefolds. Or are the GMD prefolds better in some way than what I could make myself?

- I also want to get some GMD "Workhorse" prefitted diapers with doublers built in (https://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/diapers.htm#workhorse). Are these way easier to use than the prefolds? The workhorse diapers have snap closure option, or no-closure pinnable or snappi option. What are pros and cons of snaps/no snaps? Has anyone used the snappi closures and did you like them?

- Some people say they aren't going to bother cloth diapering in newborn stage, but rather ask for disposibles as shower gifts then start cloth diapering when the baby is a little older. What do you think of that approach?

[heyitskalista]

Originally Posted by Eilis 

Here are my initial thoughts about cloth diapering (I am a newbie to this endeavor). I'd love any feedback!

- I think I am going to order supplies from Green Mountain Diapers, combined with sewing and possibly knitting some of my own.

- I could buy a couple of newborn sized GMD prefolds (https://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/diapers.htm#DSQ%20Prefold%20Diapers) and then copy the size/thickness as I sew additional diapers with materials in my stash. Since I sew, I can't see the point of spending much money on prefolds. Or are the GMD prefolds better in some way than what I could make myself?

- I also want to get some GMD "Workhorse" prefitted diapers with doublers built in (https://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/diapers.htm#workhorse). Are these way easier to use than the prefolds? The workhorse diapers have snap closure option, or no-closure pinnable or snappi option. What are pros and cons of snaps/no snaps? Has anyone used the snappi closures and did you like them?

- Some people say they aren't going to bother cloth diapering in newborn stage, but rather ask for disposibles as shower gifts then start cloth diapering when the baby is a little older. What do you think of that approach?

I know people make their own prefolds. There are tons of tutorials out there. I can't comment on which is better as I've never tried it.

I don't find fitteds that much easier than prefolds. They are nicer for babysitters/ grandparents who won't know how to fold prefolds. We use snappis and love them. I prefer snaps over Velcro but honestly, I like prefolds because they don't use either. Just one less thing to break/ wear out.

I have gone both routes.... Used disposables and disposables for the newborn stage. I prefer going with cloth from day one. There are lot of reasons for that but mainly because when I use paper diapers, I get tempted to keep using them. I find it easier to establish a diapering/ laundry routine right from day 1.

[talldarkeyes]

I prefer snaps on my cloth diapers because the aplix/touch tape etc. tends to wear out within two years (sometimes faster!). I don't do cloth from day 1 mostly because I need time to catch my breath and because I can't rationalize purchasing a stash that will only be used for a few weeks. I suppose if you plan on having many kids it would make more sense but I never have a clue if my body will let me have more than just this one I am carrying.

[Eilis]

Thank you so much for this input, you guys! I didn't realize that building up a newborn size stash doesn't make much sense esp. if you might only have one baby, ever (as in my case). What I'll do is focus on stash-building for small and medium size, and I'll plan to use disposables for the newborn size. If I happen to get some cloth supplies for newborn size, great, but this will not be my focus.

Glad to hear that snappis have worked well for you, Kalista. (I didn't realize that prefolds don't require snappis or any fasteners. Does this mean the diaper covers hold everything in place?)
 

[dayiscoming2006]

Eilis, I will say if you get or make the size 7-15 lb prefolds you'd get plenty of use out of them and you could probably use them from the beginning unless you have a very small baby. I like the size and style of the thirsties x-small covers. Don't know what you could make like those or if you'll do PUL or something else, but just my thoughts. Have fun building a stash and I wouldn't plan on for sure having only one, unless you plan on being sterilized after, though, that isn't my business, just saying, things don't always go according to plan. My sister is having her third while using birth control pills. I wouldn't touch hormonal birth control methods anyway because of the health effect and possible aborting factor, but just to give you an example. And I know of at least one mom in this ddc that is having her third condom baby as she put it. :) 

[zeeohee]

I don't have any personal experience with this yet, but it also seems to me just from Ebay browsing that cloth diapers seem to have a really good resale value, especially if you're planning on only one baby. Seems like even a small newborn stash, resold, would be cheaper than disposables for a couple months....

[Eilis]

I'm going to buy the diaper covers (except for possibly knitting some), but sew some of the prefold diapers themselves. Thanks for all the ideas. Your insights really help!

[rainbownurse]

I was talking to a friend of mine who suggested using disposable diapers at first (I'm not planning on it) but was pretty insistent on it. She said meconium was really hard to get off cloth diapers. I want to cloth diaper right from the get go. Any suggestions?

[dayiscoming2006]

Originally Posted by rainbownurse 

I was talking to a friend of mine who suggested using disposable diapers at first (I'm not planning on it) but was pretty insistent on it. She said meconium was really hard to get off cloth diapers. I want to cloth diaper right from the get go. Any suggestions?

That's only like a couple days. And you can use flushable liners, or microfleece liners to protect your cloth diapers. Otherwise you can buy/request just a small pack of newborn disposables for the first few days. One nice thing about having sposies for the first week or so, is that it is one less chore to worry about or worry someone will mess up(if you get help) when you are recovering.

[talldarkeyes]

Originally Posted by zeeohee 

I don't have any personal experience with this yet, but it also seems to me just from Ebay browsing that cloth diapers seem to have a really good resale value, especially if you're planning on only one baby. Seems like even a small newborn stash, resold, would be cheaper than disposables for a couple months....

It depends on how small your baby is. If your baby is average sized 7-8 lbs and grows normally they should be out of the newborn size and into the small size by the first month since most newborn diapers range from 6-10 lbs. and small cloth diaper size starts at 9-10 depending on the diaper. If you can get a really cheap used newborn stash, awesome, go for it. I bought the Bummis small kit which is supposed to cover from 8-15 lbs and I have read reviews saying that people used them from birth. I still think I might do sposies for the first week or so until the umbilical stump falls off.

ETA: I found this package and I thought it was a good value: http://www.clothdiaper.com/PRODUCTS/Basic-Prefold-Diaper-Package-with-Thirsties/

Edited by talldarkeyes - 1/31/13 at 11:34am

[rainbownurse]

okay, more questions! I've also been told that you can't use soducream/zinc creams with cloth diapers. ?

[dayiscoming2006]

Originally Posted by rainbownurse 

okay, more questions! I've also been told that you can't use soducream/zinc creams with cloth diapers. ?

It's best if you use cloth diaper safe cream/salve. It will usually say in the description of the cream/salve if it's meant to be used with cloth diapers.

Examples...

Grovia Stick

Earth Mama Angel Baby Bottom Balm

[g&a]

We used snapis with prefolds and covers.  I suppose you could just lay them in and put the cover on but the snappi made the prefold nice and tight,

I bought newborn prefolds last time around and was really glad I did.  dd was a month early and didn't grow quickly so was in those nbs for quite a while.  you can also use them as doublers for toddlers.

Wondering what the best covers are out there, I'm needing some more.

Also, diaperswappers is a board for buying and selling cloth diapers and is a great source of information.

[dayiscoming2006]

I like thirsties sized covers personally. The other covers I've tried are motherease - not a fan, but they did work OK, Booroi, OK, but just didn't work out that great for me because of the style, and Bummi's super brites - similar to thirsties, except slightly different sizing and the gussets aren't as snug and wick a little sometimes(second fave.)

[Eilis]

Good ideas shared! Love the thought that the newborn prefolds could be used as doublers for toddler. Also good to know folks have had good experience with snappis. 

I have heard from several people that Thirsties are great. 

I know it varies by family & how often you do laundry, etc., but generally how many diaper covers would you need for each size of baby's growth? I have my stash started with 2 thirsties duo wrap snaps size "one" covers (6-18 lbs). How many more should I aim to have on hand for this sized baby? 

[dayiscoming2006]

Minimum covers would be 3 for all sizes. Two to interchange during the day and one to wash. But, you'd have to wash your covers by hand after soiled to keep up with the demand I'd think. With a newborn, I'd absolutely want to have more. I have 7 xsmall thirsties covers. I would be fine with 5-6 though. The reason is they poop a lot and you'll have far more dirty covers during the day as a result. In small and medium it's nice to have 5-6 covers as well. Though by the time they are in medium, you might even be able to do with 3-4. I personally wouldn't want less than 4. In large 4 is plenty, the covers almost never get soiled because they eat solids most of the time by then. Medium will get the most wear. They hang out in that size range for a really long time. This is with PUL covers specifically. I have little experience with other types. I do have some fleece covers but, in addition to the PUL covers. I like to use those for night time and sometimes when I am dealing with a rash.

[midsummer]

Thank you, dayiscoming, I have been going round and round in circles thinking about diapers for a few weeks now and that's a really helpful count. I think I've settled on mostly prefold/covers because of the quicker drying time and maybe adding some fitted or pocket once we get to medium sizes, but I didn't have any sense of how many covers I would need...

Do you (or other folks) use wool covers--especially at night, I was thinking--right off the bat with a tiny baby or do you wait until they are bigger and sleeping for longer stretches? It looks like most of the soakers really would fit a bigger baby, like 3 months and up? I'm not quite crafty enough to make wool soakers but maybe would get a couple for nighttimes. 

[dayiscoming2006]

I use malden mills fleece covers at nighttime for small-large sizes if I do cloth at night. Right now I've been doing a lot of disposables at night because my daughter is a really heavy wetter. But, I have done night cloth at various times. With a newborn, I personally didn't use any fleece or wool covers because I didn't have any in that small of a size. Even my small fleece covers really only got minimal use because I wasn't so confident that they would contain blowouts. I might give them more of a run this time around. The nice thing about fleece or wool for night is that they would absorb some of the potentially excessive wetness. Fleece definitely worked better than PUL for night once they sleep for long stretches. Before they sleep for long stretches, I don't think it matters much. It can be nice to use wool or fleece at times when they are rashy. Also, using a diaper without the cover or letting them go diaper free for a period of time during the day is helpful for clearing rashes.

[nicoled80]

We started cloth diapering my first at 8 months (because we were unsure of it before then and didn't really start researching until my son got his first bad diaper rash at that time).  I still will not cloth diaper for my newborn.  I will wait until s/he is big enough for our one size diapers (which I believe will be about the same time baby quits pooping at every feeding).  Our favorite diapers are Knickernappies.  The Loopy-do inserts are my favorite but because of the expense, we only have a few of those.  FuzziBunz were a leaky mess and BumGenius' backflap that caught poo when rinsing annoyed us.  We also have Flip diapers (with both microfiber and organic cotton inserts).  We liked them up until our son just got too wiggly and it became a pain to keep the insert in the cover when changing him (pocket diapers were easier to rinse too). 

We have a Knickernappies diaper sprayer after the BumGenius one (which is clearly of lesser quality) started leaking after only 6 months or so.

We weren't able to find an overnight diaper that didn't leak on our very heavy wetter and wasn't so bulky that it bothered our son so we used a disposable one at night (nap worked fine in a regular cloth diaper).

I made our cloth wipes out of two layers of flannel (we used disposable wipes on the go).  We used a solution of tea tree oil, lavender oil, olive/baby oil and water for the wipe solution (a little aromatherapy during each diaper change).  We used a leakproof 32 oz. plastic jar to store it.  Then just wet a few wipes at a time in a square snapware container.

We have two FuzziBunz hanging diaper pails and two Kushies "On the Go" wet bags for the diaper bag.  We used Country Save detergent.

[harmonious]

Hi - what do you ladies recommend for a diaper bag and do you think you requirement is different if you do cloth diapers vs. disposables?  I'm wondering if a backpack style might be easier to carry around, especially since I hope to wear my baby a lot.  I'm also planning to use cloth diapers and didn't know if they take more room than disposables?

thanks!