cloth diaper feedback needed... « Back to Group Discussions

[amanda bee]

hi mamas (& mamas to be),

i am currently checking out/researching cloth diapers...

(i wish i could make them but it is not an option right now). 

i used fuzzibunz for my DS but i am thinking of using bummis for my new babe. 

any feedback?

what is your favourite cloth diaper and why?

[CookAMH]

I plan to do the same with our third as I did with our first two - prefolds with some Fuzzi bunz (old style) pockets mixed in. I liked the variety and the ease of washing and stripping as needed with prefolds. I love Thirsties covers and Mother-Ease airflow for nighttime.  I don't really need to replace anything yet even after two kids, so boo, I don't think I'll be making any fun diaper purchases this time, haha.

There are such cute diapers out there though!

[splath]

We use a lot of prefolds and kl0 with wool mostly since I knit. I do have quite a few various newborn fitteds that were given to me. I have a few pockets-- mostly sunbabies and a few bg. My kids outgrow bg pretty quickly though so I don't really like them. My 2 year old is in mostly crickets (hemp diapers that aren't made anymore).

[Bromache]

My go-to diaper has been the Motherease one-size fitted with Motherease covers, and then extra-stuffed pockets (Swaddlebees and Blueberries) for overnight. I like the fact that they are less expensive than pockets, hold up very well (had them for five years now!), and are easy to use (snaps) and fit for a variety of ages and sizes. The covers, though not the cutest ones out there, turned out to fit the best and I loved the snaps instead of velcro. I also like that they're Canadian made.

For #1, I used infant prefolds with Thirsties covers for the first few months. Those weren't too bad, once we got the hang of how to fold them and use the snappis. They're definitely the easiest to care for as far as washing! For #2, I splurged and got some (used) Kissaluvs 0's. Those were sooooo cute, and worked so well! I loved not having to fuss with a snappi. Unfortunately, I have since gotten rid of both the prefolds and the KL0's, so I'll be needing to buy new newborn diapers again. I'll probably go with some new Bummis prefolds to keep it relatively inexpensive. They're also easier to reuse later on, as they make great cleaning cloths/rags. It just makes the most sense, much as I loved the cute little colored KL0's I had. 

If you're undecided, I would suggest trying more than one type and brand. Don't invest in an entire system of expensive diapers until you're sure they're the best choice for you. (Prefolds being the exception. They're cheap enough, if that's what you're considering, to just plunge in and get a couple of dozen.)

[canadaap]

I love my motherease one size! But for number 2 I got some prefolds for the first few months, and I loved those even more! (I thought they would be too hard to use, that is why I didn't have them for #1, but I was so wrong!) And now that he is almost 2, I use the prefolds in my motherease as extra padding at night.

I have a few all in ones, but to be honest, they are my last resort. I find they leak sooner than my motherease do. And motherease are fairly inexpensive, and made in Canada! (I actually know the family that make them).

April

[haurelia]

We love prefolds with Thirsties and wool interlock covers. We used FBs some with our first from about 3 months on, but I'm thinking I'll try to sell some to fund more wool. I like the natural fibers of cotton/wool and think they work best for heavy wetting. One thing about PFs and covers, tho, is that when potty-learning time comes, it seems a bit easier to deal with whipping off a pocket/AIO than a PF/cover.

[nettlesoup]

Mother Ease one sized fitted for me too. I did also use Wonderoos but I found that the waterproof cover stopped being waterproof pretty quickly. I have no idea if it's fixable, so I just stick with Mother Ease.
 

[thefreckledmama]

Originally Posted by splath 

My 2 year old is in mostly crickets (hemp diapers that aren't made anymore).

I loved Cricketts diapers. I had quite a few with my youngest, but my ex MIL bleached them so heavily they started falling apart. She ruined quite a few diapers over the years, no matter how many times I literally demanded she not wash them.

Anyway-I have used so many diapers over the years-bummis, swaddlebees, green mountain pre fitteds, all different prefolds, bumGenius AIO's, pockets, organics, thirsties covers, bummis covers, wool I made, sustaiablebabyish pants, etc.

I have given most of my stash away to friends, so I get to start over with this baby. I'm planning on doing all bumGenius, either 4.0s or Freetime-and I'm still undecided on snaps or Velcro. I need something simple and low maintenance, I don't want to mess with wash routines or lanolizing wool this time around. And I need something easy and no fuss for DP and even the older kids to manage. In my mind I'd love to do all green mountain prefitteds and wool, but I know better than to make the extra work for myself that I know it would be with our water and washer issues.

[amanda bee]

thanks for the information/feedback!

I think i am going to go with motherease...i checked out their website and think they are awesome...totally affordable and i love the organic option.

i am definitely going to order one of the package deals of the one size fitted (plus i love supporting canuk businesses to boot!)

i am also totally intrigued with the pure wool aristocrat diaper covers (soakers).(which are also from a canadian company).

i am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that you rotate 3-4 covers & air dry between use (unless soiled) and that they only require laundering once every 2-3 weeks.... 

http://www.aristocratsbabyproducts.com/diaper_cover.html

has anyone used these before???

[momzilla]

We have used them with 5 kids.  They are okay.  I, however, like my other wool soakers (some homemade, some other brands), I also love my velcro wool wraps!!

[thefreckledmama]

I really liked Aristocrats as far as wool covers go. They're nice and thick through the wet zone. I honestly got more than 2-3 weeks between washings when I used wool. Pretty much by rotating covers well throughout the day and lanolizing heavily.

Aristocrats also seemed to be the most stretchy and the ones I got the widest range of wear from size wise.

[joanatron]

I just bought a bunch of Flips.  my sis says they are the most absorbent she has tried, and she's tried a lot. 

[fernmama]

We used a mix of prefolds, fitted, and AIO. Most of it is shot after all the kids so I am going with green mountain prefold diapers with wool. Longies since I knit. Would like to try the thirsties covers too.

[fernmama]

Our friends did just gift us some brand-new AIO's. The brand is bottom bummpers. Has anyone heard or tried those?

[vegrunr]

We used all prefolds and Thirsties for our son but I would like to get some that are a bit on the easier side.  For some reason I have had a problem with our Thirsties covers as well.  The first batch started cracking but it was within a year of the initial purchase date to Thirsties replaced them, they have awesome customer service.  Now this batch of covers is sooo smelly after just a single use.  I have tried different detergents and amounts of detergent, stripping, hanging to dry (which is what we mostly do), as well as drying in dryer and I cannot get them to lose the smell.  It smells fine once washed but after the first pee, they are too stinky to use again.  We are now using disposables at night which I hate to do but the covers were smelling up my son's pj's so he had to have a new set every night.  The Motherease look good to me! 

[SuzieSmiles]

Hi mamas  - I need your cloth diaper guidance, knowledge and experience as well (amanda bee - I don't mean to take over your thread but didn't want to start a new one since I too have questions about cloth diapers)...

DH & I are on the same page about cloth diapering, definitely want to do it but there are sooooo many different kinds to choose from and as we all know, they're not cheap. I've been looking into some of the sites that offer sample/starter packs so you can decide which works best for you and will probably splurge for one of those just to get started.

My big question is "how difficult is it to make them"? I am not really a sewer, but did take a class in high school, so I guess you could say that I can technically use a sewing machine, but it just seems so daunting! I made the mistake of telling DH that my grandmother sewed cloth diapers for my mom and he said, well that should be easy enough, why don't you do it?!? UGH! I know that there are patterns out there and that it would probably be easy to do a basic one, but I really think all of the experience of someone who does this professionally and knows how to help them be leakproof, best fabric to use, etc... is really worth the cost of buying them vs making them myself...? Can anyone offer some advice or give me some good ammunition to use against DH for buying instead of sewing them myself OR... is it easier than I think?? Please help!!!

And, what are the basic necessities/accessories I need for cloth diapering? Do I need one of those hoses that attaches to the toilet to rinse them? What do you store them in and do you soak them? What do you put the dirty ones in when you're not at home? What natural detergents are your favorites? Anything else?? Sorry if I sound so lost but that's why I'm posting here, I clearly need some guidance from you experienced mamas! Any opinions are greatly appreciated!! THANKS!!!

[letniaLynne]

Check out diaperswappers.com they have a for sale section where moms sell their used diapers. Also many moms sell diapers that are new and homemade. It is a very big site but I have found it a great way to get your hands on diapers for a great price. You can check them out for yourself and if you don't love them you ended up saving some money on the purchase. Also a great place to off load an old stash of diapers that your no longer using.

[haurelia]

SuzieSmiles

A good resource for beginner CD info is Pinstripes and Polka Dots.  They sell diapering stuff, but their "Diapering Basics" section is really helpful.   I also found diaperswappers to be a good resource for info and used diapering items. 

For me, I would argue against sewing.  You want your CDs to be rock-solid, durable and easy to use, rather than something you throw together.  Now, I'm not a sewer, and you may get better feedback from those who are in the know about sewing CDs, but I'd just buy gently used CDs instead to keep costs down.  

[SuzieSmiles]

Thanks so much letniaLynne & haurelia for the recommendations and websites, I've been checking them out and think I am getting a better grasp on it all. Appreciate it:)

Any mamas out there sewing their own that can tell me that it's not an easy undertaking (especially for someone very inexperienced like me), the time spent perfecting them, etc...?  Need all the back up I can get to convince DH it's best (easiest for us) to buy vs do it myself...

[mattie426]

I haven't sewn diapers, but it sounds like I have done more sewing than you. I want to give it a try, but I will be BUYING diapers. Making my own will be a fun endeavor. If it works, and they are the best ever, I will sell my store bought ones, but I suspect they will not come out perfectly, and when the concern is containing poop, I'd rather it be contained that insist I can do it myself.

Bibs on the other hand, will be Mama made. I have the best bib pattern, and gave made them before!