Anyone Cloth Diapering? - Page 2 « Back to Group Discussions

[RaeRae1109]

This is the one thing I have really been researching and trying to figure out what to buy before June!  There are way too many options and how do I know which will work best for Baby?!  I am currently looking at Mother-ease fitted one-size diaper (fits 8-35lbs! And comes in organic cotton) and Kissa's organic hemp/cotton fitted.  And then I will most likely go with a wool cover (I am in love with the one Kissa makes) and......I don't know what else! Inserts? Cloth wipes? (I battle with just making my own wipes, but I don't have a lot of extra fabric just laying around that would work well for it, but I have been keeping my eye out at the local thrift store for such things.) And then how many do I really need? 

Wow, diapers really are the biggest stress on the impending arrival of Baby!

[RaeRae1109]

Okay, just spent the last two hours researching (yet again) and limited my choices down to 4 or 5 different diapers (still mainly the ones I mentioned above) that I was going to buy one of each just to see and try out. Filled my Amazon cart, gawked at the price, deleted some, yada yada.  DP comes home from work and I show him my list.  He immediately vetoed the twice as expensive EcoPosh recycled one-size fitted diapers (I understand, but I still wanted to try them!). So the cart gets a little emptier and cheaper.  Then he says "whatever happened to just the regular flat cloths that you safety pin?"  Ugggggg......all my searching and browsing is lost on him!

What do you ladies think?  Is it doable with just prefolds and covers?  Is it worth it to buy the spendier fitted diapers?

[dayiscoming2006]

Originally Posted by here we are 

when I see people doing cloth with wool, AND cloth with PUL, which is what I'm assuming Thirsties &those name brands are...i want to ask how the baby responsd differently..like since its less breathable, do you notice that? I am worrying about using anything but wool, but after reading more especially about leaks , i wonder if i will need them in some situations. I wish i could get a sense for how it feels to the baby.

Well, wool is more natural. But, PUL is much more convenient in my opinion. You may want to try a couple of each kind or something to see what you end up liking. My kids have never had any major reactions to any of my cloth diapers except if they have gotten build up of ammonia, that will cause a bit of redness and needs to be taken care of in the wash. I think you may like to try a few things and sell what you don't end up liking. That's typically what is recommended. But, if you just can't afford it, simple is best. I think you were thinking prefolds and wool. You may still buy a PUL cover or 2 and see if you like those. Then sell those if you don't. I don't think baby minds either way. I do not have wool, I have fleece covers though and I like those because I can just toss them in the regular diaper laundry.

[dayiscoming2006]

Originally Posted by RaeRae1109 

Okay, just spent the last two hours researching (yet again) and limited my choices down to 4 or 5 different diapers (still mainly the ones I mentioned above) that I was going to buy one of each just to see and try out. Filled my Amazon cart, gawked at the price, deleted some, yada yada.  DP comes home from work and I show him my list.  He immediately vetoed the twice as expensive EcoPosh recycled one-size fitted diapers (I understand, but I still wanted to try them!). So the cart gets a little emptier and cheaper.  Then he says "whatever happened to just the regular flat cloths that you safety pin?"  Ugggggg......all my searching and browsing is lost on him!

What do you ladies think?  Is it doable with just prefolds and covers?  Is it worth it to buy the spendier fitted diapers?

I think prefolds and covers can be just fine, but I do like fitteds better because they have the leg and waist elastic and that helps with holding in the mess. You may want to get a dozen prefolds or so and a couple of types of fitteds or whatever you were looking at trying to round out the stash. I like snappis when I use prefolds. I wouldn't bother getting some fancy spendy ecoposh diaper either. LOL I really like my PUL covers, but I also enjoy my sweetpea fleece covers. I don't know anything about wool except you have to wash it by hand and it is of course natural. I never liked the prices of those covers, so I never tried them. 

Wipes: I'd get or make like 2 dozen. Doublers, you can use smaller prefolds as doublers. For example, preemie prefolds wrapped inside the newborn prefold for a newbie. Or you can by special doublers. I would want like 6 of those to start out. You may need more later, but you can always order more. If you use prefolds as doublers than I suppose they are cheaper by the dozen. I have even used thicker cloth wipes paired in two and folded in half as a doubler. Whatever works. :)

Hope that helps some. Decisions, decisions. Don't forget to check http://diaperpin.com/diapers/product_reviews.asp for reviews. And if a diaper you are looking at isn't on diaper pin then use an internet search to try to find reviews.

Edited by dayiscoming2006 - 2/28/13 at 9:46am

[BumkinsMum]

Originally Posted by RaeRae1109 

What do you ladies think?  Is it doable with just prefolds and covers?  Is it worth it to buy the spendier fitted diapers?

Just my small . I've diapered 4 children in nothing but prefolds and wool covers. Never had a breathability problem. No rashes. No fussy babies.

And they last, still using prefolds from #1.

I got, as a gift for #5  a few Thirsties fitted and I wasn't super impressed other than they dry so much faster than wool. Still no rashes or irritations. So that's my combo. Love the prefolds though.

Amazon.com has prefolds that are real reasonable ($1 each w/FREE ship) if you're interested. But yeah on the fitted diap cover price it's crazy!

[littlegreenlady]

I also did prefolds and those thin flats (i think that is what they are called) with covers only. Someone gave me some fuzzy buns and I really really disliked them. I used the PUL covers in the beginning and they were fine for us. There were a few leaks, but It always seemed to happen when my son was outgrowing the size of the cover. Then I switched to the Gdiaper covers because I thought since they were made out of cotton they were better (I folded prefolds and flats for those as well). I used those for the longest time, they were really easy to take off and put back on even when my little guys was standing and/or attempting to run away (also very convenient for ECing in public). You can just throw them in the washing machine and air dry them like any other cover. When he outgrew those we switched to wool and I loved those covers, I had some that were hand made and the others I bought used on diaper swappers they were the little beetle brand with snaps (I did not like the pull on ones). I did not feel the hand washing was too much, and I never had a leak.

So as far as wool versus PUL or other plastic based covers I personally prefer wool, but I have sensitivities to synthetic fibers, and am a big fan of wool in general (wool will naturally cool or warm up so even in summer they don't get hot in them. Whereas the plastic lined ones will keep in the heat and I felt that was not great for a little boy). Having both around till you decide which you prefer is probably best. Oh and they outgrow them faster in the beginning so paying for the more expensive wool ones may not be worth it for some people. I know I could not bring myself to pay over $40 for one diaper cover. IF you want to try wool and the price is an issue I recommend buying some used.

I've known moms who were happy with prefolds and covers with one child and then chose a different system for another because they had different needs. So like everything else you just gotta go for it and if it's not working try a different system. I was grateful that prefolds and covers worked for us, cause it was the cheapest option and they do outgrow them every few months (at least mine did)

oh and I should mention again that my opinion is based on pee diapers only, my son stopped pooping in his diaper after the first couple months.

[littlegreenlady]

oh a friend just sent me this link for making your own wool covers (NO SWEING) I'm gonna be trying this!!

http://wearyourbaby.com/Default.aspx?tabid=312

[bearandotter]

I knit my own knit covers and longies (wool pants that go over fitteds). I can make one for about 5$, which sure beats the 40$ish price tag retail. I love the curly purly patternhttp://www.curlypurly.com/soaker.html.

[RaeRae1109]

littlegreenlady- that wool diaper cover is freaking fabulous!!  I am definitely going to be making some of those!

Thank you all for your advice of prefolds.  I might buy one or two fitted just to try them out and then a dozen or so prefolds and maybe one PUL cover.  I am not into the idea of using a synthetic fiber, but DP says it might be easier and cheaper.  I will have to look into making more of my own (why oh why are my crochet skills better than my knitting skills!? If only I could crochet super tight, hehe!)

[RaeRae1109]

http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/prefolds.htm

Just found this website with lots of good info on prefolds!

[bearandotter]

There are some awesome crochet cover and longie patterns too! doesn't even have to be super tight or you could mildly felt your crochet to tighten it up.

Most of the knitted ones are done in the round so you just knit around in circles, very little purling required. Plus the are for pee and poop,
so the odd mistake really won't matter!

[holidaymama]

We are going to be using mostly prefolds and covers at home, but pockets at daycare. I am going to try a bunch of things since this is my first baby to CD. I am lucky enough that we have a fabulous cloth diaper store just a few miles away.

My friend who has really helped motivate me with CDing said she didn't start until about two months because she just wanted to get the hang of being a FTM. This is #3, so I am going to start right away which means I will have to have the infant sized things where as she just started with orange edged prefolds and never had to use different ones (big baby).

My list right now includes

2 dozen prefolds

4 fitteds

6 covers

4 aio

4 pockets

[RaeRae1109]

Okay, I've gone straight crazy.  Maybe it's Baby Brain, or maybe it's just me!

I think I am going to start making my own diapers.  Found some really great fabric (organic cotton/hemp blend, can be bought by the yard at Amazon or from wazoodle.com).  The wazoodle website (Little Green Bear company) also has some great things, like sew it yourself kits!  I don't know if I am reading this wrong, because it seems waaaaay too good to be true, but they have sew it yourself fitted diaper kits, organic bamboo, a dozen for under 4 bucks!  Someone else please check this website and tell me I'm not seeing things.  $4 and I get 12 completely cut out diaper bits (including the snaps) and all I have to do is spend some time sewing them?  Yes please!  I am not the biggest fan of bamboo (the process to get the bamboo fiber into fabric/yarn/thread/what have you is really intense, so I have read), but it is oh so soft and all natural for little baby bums.

I also found a great resource for making your own soakers/covers at http://katrinassqs.blogspot.com/2007/10/free-soaker-pattern.html

(forgive me if this has been mentioned already!)

Been searching for crocheted diaper covers as well.  So I am on my way to making a ton of woolie soakers and organic cotton, possibly hemp combo prefolds and maybe even some fitted diapers.

Am I crazy?  Yes, but this is what nesting is all about!  And apparently what staying up waiting for DP to get off work even though I have to work early in the morning is all about!  Oh pregnancy!

Oh and holidaymama, thank you for your list of amounts!  That is something I need to start thinking about as well.

[here we are]

Originally Posted by dayiscoming2006 

Well, wool is more natural. But, PUL is much more convenient in my opinion. You may want to try a couple of each kind or something to see what you end up liking. My kids have never had any major reactions to any of my cloth diapers except if they have gotten build up of ammonia, that will cause a bit of redness and needs to be taken care of in the wash. I think you may like to try a few things and sell what you don't end up liking. That's typically what is recommended. But, if you just can't afford it, simple is best. I think you were thinking prefolds and wool. You may still buy a PUL cover or 2 and see if you like those. Then sell those if you don't. I don't think baby minds either way. I do not have wool, I have fleece covers though and I like those because I can just toss them in the regular diaper laundry.

Dayiscoming, hi . Whenever i see your "name" now i think of the day is coming for my baby& you are always so helpful, it really means so much to me. I think I'm starting to figure this out. I am thinking prefolds and wool, don't know if considering flats is going to complicate my decision or not. I thinkthey need more folding
.. I'm thinking about getting fitteds for night, less folding when I'm sleepy, but maybe will be sleepy all the time. I guess I think a prefold like origami, with exactness, which i lack. Maybe i just need to try it. Thats it, i need a doll so i can SEE that i can do it. then I'm thinking the fitted goes better with the wool than the pre fold....

[here we are]

Originally Posted by littlegreenlady 

I also did prefolds and those thin flats (i think that is what they are called) with covers only. Someone gave me some fuzzy buns and I really really disliked them. I used the PUL covers in the beginning and they were fine for us. There were a few leaks, but It always seemed to happen when my son was outgrowing the size of the cover. Then I switched to the Gdiaper covers because I thought since they were made out of cotton they were better (I folded prefolds and flats for those as well). I used those for the longest time, they were really easy to take off and put back on even when my little guys was standing and/or attempting to run away (also very convenient for ECing in public). You can just throw them in the washing machine and air dry them like any other cover. When he outgrew those we switched to wool and I loved those covers, I had some that were hand made and the others I bought used on diaper swappers they were the little beetle brand with snaps (I did not like the pull on ones). I did not feel the hand washing was too much, and I never had a leak.

So as far as wool versus PUL or other plastic based covers I personally prefer wool, but I have sensitivities to synthetic fibers, and am a big fan of wool in general (wool will naturally cool or warm up so even in summer they don't get hot in them. Whereas the plastic lined ones will keep in the heat and I felt that was not great for a little boy). Having both around till you decide which you prefer is probably best. Oh and they outgrow them faster in the beginning so paying for the more expensive wool ones may not be worth it for some people. I know I could not bring myself to pay over $40 for one diaper cover. IF you want to try wool and the price is an issue I recommend buying some used.

I've known moms who were happy with prefolds and covers with one child and then chose a different system for another because they had different needs. So like everything else you just gotta go for it and if it's not working try a different system. I was grateful that prefolds and covers worked for us, cause it was the cheapest option and they do outgrow them every few months (at least mine did)

oh and I should mention again that my opinion is based on pee diapers only, my son stopped pooping in his diaper after the first couple months.

I feel the same way about synthetic fibers for myself, it makes me sick, hot, clammy, its really obvoius my skin cant breathe. Even on carrides or other people polyester couch for longer than 30minutes. I am scared for my baby to feel that way about diapers ,car seats, everything, that stuff is everywhere. Anyway, i will come back to this advice and read it again. now I'm interested in pee vs poop diapers if its good to have different things, but I would think you' woudnt be able to prepare ahead of time, you just mean like at night?

[RaeRae1109]

Okay, I am crazy. DP came home and corrected me on my silly earlier rantings.  On the wazoodle website when I was discussing the fitted diaper kits and freaking out over the 12 for $4 price, I was wrong.  It's $3 something a piece and you have to buy them in increments of 12.  So $36 or so for 12.  Still a good price if you want all the know how of making some fitted diapers and the materials.  They also have sample packs that just come with enough material to make one, which might be the way to go and then just buy what you need and use it as a template. 

Oh crazy crafty mind way too late at night after a long day of work and before another!  Off to bed with me before DP starts pinching my bum!

[dayiscoming2006]

Originally Posted by here we are 


Dayiscoming, hi . Whenever i see your "name" now i think of the day is coming for my baby& you are always so helpful, it really means so much to me. I think I'm starting to figure this out. I am thinking prefolds and wool, don't know if considering flats is going to complicate my decision or not. I thinkthey need more folding
.. I'm thinking about getting fitteds for night, less folding when I'm sleepy, but maybe will be sleepy all the time. I guess I think a prefold like origami, with exactness, which i lack. Maybe i just need to try it. Thats it, i need a doll so i can SEE that i can do it. then I'm thinking the fitted goes better with the wool than the pre fold....

Glad to be helpful. Prefolds are super easy once you've given them a try and gotten used to them. I use a snappi with mine - so I get the regular size(not the shorter sizes("better fit") sizes they started making for trifolding in a cover. I don't like just trifolding because it offers less mess protection and looks bulkier, and unless you buy wool wraps, you wouldn't be able to do trifold. Fitteds would work a little better with wool in my mind, but there are lots of women on here that do prefolds with their wool, so it obviously can be done. Maybe you should buy a thing of prefolds and a snappi and look up the different folds online. I usually use the angel wing fold or whatever it is called. 

http://www.tinytush.com/how-to-fold-prefold-diapers.html - it can be snappied like that. Just claw one side, claw to the other side and then pull down and claw in the middle and it's secure. That will make more sense once you've done it. There are other fold techniques out there. Maybe look on youtube for prefold folding techniques or internet search.

[littlegreenlady]

here we are- it is good to have different things around. I've found that different things worked at different times. The PUL was the easiest to clean so if you have a lot of big poops then you won't run out of covers because they are waiting to be washed or are drying. I've never used fitteds, but am hoping to get some this time around. I'm guessing they are better at containing poop.

I'm guessing your question was about preparing for poop? Ya it's really not something you can predict in the beginning. For us a pattern began at some point so I had an idea of when he may poop and also because we were doing elimination communication (infant potty learning) I knew his cues and could put him on the potty/over a bucket when it was time. He then stopped pooping in his diaper all together. We still had pee leaks at night when he was outgrowing diaper covers and I knew it was time to get a new set.

[littlegreenlady]

I caught the nesting fever and the other thread about peoples plans got me motivated to go through my baby stash. I have a better idea of what I have and would like to get. I have 50 prefolds (not sure how I got so many) so I won't be needing more of those. I know I'm gonna get a few more covers and am pretty sure I'll get thirsties again. Someone mentioned liking a particular style for leak proofing, can't seem to find that post (think it was by dayiscoming). Something about the leg area maybe? 

Also I think I'd like to try some fitteds this time, but not sure how to go about choosing them. Anyone have any tips? How many should I get seeing as I already have an abundance of prefolds. 

One more question. With my first LO I used a big bucket to keep the dirty diapers. It got smelly especially in the summer. I have a well ventilated unused back porch which is where I kept the bucket so it wouldn't smell in the house. this worked, but I'd like to explore other options. What did you ladies use, how was it with smell? How often do you wash the diapers, and do you wash them with anything else? I've heard of a big wet bag that can just be washed with the diapers, but was concerned that the PUL would wear out in the hight temperature I usually wash my diapers with.

[here we are]

Fitted diapers- I am looking at GreenMountainDiapers, they have 3 choices-the less the better for me, its overwhelming as it is. I am trying to decide about using them for nights &having enough until wash day. Its just they have the Workhorse, but i dont like that you need many sizes, then one geared more towards newborns& i THINK a one size after that which I am leaning towards. But then they have an organic more expensive one, cant think of the name. I like it b/c it looks so adaptable for the longest amount of time. I feel stumped. Anyone else considering these I would love to hear your thoughts. I cant let this be so hard!