WWYD: Diaper Service fitteds for the first month? « Back to Group Discussions

[LightForest]

We haven't had a cloth diaper thread in a while!

Interested to hear whether anyone has an opinion on this. I've been waffling over the decision for months and am at the point of pulling the trigger... Or not.

I have cloth diapers already - 24 flats, and a handful of prefolds, plus 2 fitteds that would fit a newborn. I love using flats, but they ARE fiddly. And washing diapers is extra work no matter how you cut it. We have coin-op machines in our building -- .75/wash load, plus another .50 if we use the machine to dry them (instead of line drying, which is also an option but is obviously yet further effort).

I just found a diaper service that provides weekly delivery of organic cotton diapers, and they actually offer fitteds. Their price for 4 weeks of the service, delivering enough diapers for a newborn, is $120 if you do half prefolds/half fitteds and $150 if you get all fitteds. (This price is a little high because it includes a one-time start up fee.)

SO, what option do you all think I should go with? Should I use the diapers I already have from the start (and pay to do the laundry myself), or should I pay to have the service wash and deliver the much more convenient-to-use fitted dipes to me for those first few weeks (then start using and washing the diapers I already have later on)???

[scruffy too]

Since you are not a FTM, you can draw from your previous post-partum experience with your first... 

• How tired were you? 
• Did you feel that laundry piled up, or were you able to stay on top of it (keeping in mind this time you'll have a LO AND your first.) 
• Do you feel this would be a good way to spend the money ($150 for 4 weeks = $37.50/week... Laundry at one load per day = $8.75 x 4 wks = $35.)
• Would DH be more likely to help with diapering if LO is in fitteds?

I think I personally would do it - but we do not have such a service here.  (I'm thinking of a home-based business next year..???)

[chocolatechip]

Well, having just set up a diaper service account today...   This was one of the things I asked for at my baby shower - gift certificates to the diaper service. I'm figuring we'll use the diaper service for at least the first few months, while figuring all the other stuff out about being a parent. And then we can decide at that point if we want to switch to washing them ourselves. At that point, they're also going through fewer diapers, right?

I think scruffy's questions are excellent ones. And then personally, I feel like if you can afford it, it might be a really nice treat for yourself to take diapers and laundry out of the equation for the first weeks, so you can focus more on the new little one and not have to deal with the laundry, especially since you have to go use coin-op ones anyway. 

[sunshinelove]

It depends on how much you dislike having to use the public machines. In terms of money, using the machines is definitely cheaper but as far as your sanity and comfort, it might make more sense to spend the extra money. I, personally, wouldnt bother with the diaper service, but thats mostly because i'm used to doing things myself so its not a big deal to me. However, i do like your idea of just using the service for a few weeks or a month so you can rest during that time and then using the coin-op machines after that. That way you're not stressing yourself with an added chore you dont need but you leave the option open of saving money once you're feeling more stable and active.

[firespiritmelody]

Does it cost extra on your machine to do an additional soak and/or rinse? Everyone's wash routine is different but I generally do a presoak and then an extra rinse, this will probably add to your expense of doing it yourself.

We went with a diaper service with our second and it was wonderful (even though it was just prefolds!) We absolutely would have done it again with DD3 but we had moved and there was no service in there. We've since moved again and seriously considered it but right now it's just not in the budget, especially because we were gifted a bunch of china cheapy os pockets... so, we'll work with what we have. BUT, if it was in the budget, we'd definitely do it again! 

[wildmansmom]

We don't have an option for a diaper service in our area so we are going another "shocking!" route.  We are using disposables for the first 2 weeks or so and then transitioning to cloth.  Partly because I don't know how I'll feel after delivery (I was in a world of hurt with a 3rd degree tear w/ DS) and because we will have my mother and MIL helping out who are not familiar with using or washing cloth. 

I know that you can handwash and dry - especially if you are using flats because they dry so quickly.  Maybe this would be an option?  http://dirtydiaperlaundry.com/tag/flats-and-handwashing-challenge/

[LightForest]

Thank you all for your thoughts!

Yeah, I think we're going to go for it. I hate spending the extra money, but we thankfully do have the money right now so the extra expense wouldn't put us in any bind. I don't think I'd even consider it if they only offered prefolds, but I love the convenience of nice squishy soft fitted diapers.

firespiritmelody, unfortunately our machines are super basic, so the only way to do an extra rinse is to pay an extra $.75 for a whole extra load. My solution to this with DD was to rinse the poop off the diapers myself before placing them in the wet bag. I honestly also just can't bear to think of placing all that poop directly into machines that are shared with my neighbors. So anyway, this extra rinsing step further adds to the work of my wash routine. Bleck.

sunshinelove, those are great points, too. i don't mind using the public machines (though it DOES involve extra work to pre-rinse the diapers by hand), but i DO generally dislike the chore of laundry. the biggest issue is really that DD can be difficult to corral to take down... then once she's down there she often doesn't want to come back... so the chore introduces some extra toddler stubbornness stuff that I just don't have the energy for right now!

scruffy - I'm so glad you have such a sensible head on your shoulders  I haven't been feeling "with it" enough to piece together all the important things to consider in any coherent way, but you really hit the nail on the head. Now, if only I could remember what diapering was like in those first few weeks!!! What I DO remember is that DH took a whole month off work, and he was doing all the laundry schlepping (down to the machines) for me at that time. This time DH only has 2 weeks officially off, so I'm just not counting on as much help from him. I also remember that my in-laws all flew out to visit when the new baby was born, but they were rather useless when it came to basic household help. I remember my MIL doing one or two loads of laundry during their 2 week visit. (And I ended up doing most of the folding.) I'm a little less sensitive and more bold about telling them to help me with things this time around. They really do require that. So there's a slight chance that they will provide some assistance with practical day to day chores when they visit this time... I emphasize the word "slight" though!

Let's see - looking at your other good points to consider:

DH does prefer fitteds, but he'll use whatever's available.

I don't agree with your cost breakdown, though. Even in those first weeks, I'm pretty sure we'd be fine washing diapers every two days (not every day). So the total cost of DIY would be about half  your estimate. So, especially since we already have the diapers (so no new expense there), the savings of DIY IS measurable. It's really all about the convenience factor.

[LightForest]

ooh, scruffy, on the topic of new business ideas (which could be a whole new thread honestly) - YES! i HIGHLY recommend that you get a special little notebook and write down any ideas like this that come to you. i remember having SO MANY business ideas like that when I was pregnant the first time and trying to figure everything out. but i didn't write any of them down and by the time my life had quieted down again, I'd forgotten most of them! the exact same thing happened when I was planning my DIY wedding!

sometimes when dealing with baby planning stuff it feels like the market is so totally saturated with business trying to fill a niche - but i do think there's still room out there for good ideas! (i don't know if any of you are gillian welch fans but her song "gotta be a song left to sing" makes my point perfectly.)

[scruffy too]

Originally Posted by LightForest 

I don't agree with your cost breakdown, though. Even in those first weeks, I'm pretty sure we'd be fine washing diapers every two days (not every day). So the total cost of DIY would be about half  your estimate. So, especially since we already have the diapers (so no new expense there), the savings of DIY IS measurable. It's really all about the convenience factor.

Good to know - thanks.  I'm doing all this for the first time, and my mom will be here for a month (she cloth diapered and will be helping A LOT) but I don't know how often they need washing (well, obviously after every use, but how long to let them pile up.)

[LightForest]

scruffy, i think how often you wash pretty much depends on how many diapers you have. but also, if your laundry situation is convenient, then there's not much stopping you from doing a load per day. i'm a laundry procrastinator, myself (this is enabled by having multiple shared machines that i can use all at once!). once DD was using fewer diapers per day, I remember doing diaper laundry twice per week (we were rinsing the poop though so no smell issues there). obviously you CAN go as long as a week without washing them -- that's what diaper services do. though i imagine they really crank their water temps up high and do various other things to ensure cleanliness...

[chocolatechip]

Scruffy, have you seen these little videos? http://www.youtube.com/user/JaimeeGleisner/videos?flow=grid&view=0

If you've already picked your diapers, you can skip the first few (unless you want refresher courses on how to use the different kinds of diapers), but a couple of the videos are really really useful about just the system of diapering, wiping, washing, etc. She talks, for example, about making sure to choose a laundry detergent that's actually safe for cloth diapers, and talks about what the detergent should not have in it, and gives a URL for a website that has a good list of cloth diaper safe detergents. Another thing she recommends is Bac-Out Enzyme Cleaner, which is made by Bio-Kleen (and I have no idea if you can get it in Canada). But she said it can really help with odor and staining. Anyway, I've found the videos a really useful reference, and they only total up in time to about half an hour.

Also, the diaper service recommends ordering 70 diapers a week for a newborn, so that could give you some idea of how often you might have to do laundry (depending on how many diapers you have). Those are prefolds, of course. And I think LightForest is probably right, that the diaper services probably have washing processes that are more hardcore than we normally have at home.

[scruffy too]

Thanks for the link C.Chip.  I have flats and my mom made some fitteds.  I'm very excited to use them - so soft!!  I finally cast on for a wool diaper cover (I've wanted to do so before now, but on my to-do list, there's other things that are taking top priority) but it looks to be a quick knit.  I've already purchased a couple different kinds of soap to try - all recommended for CD.  I have fairly hard water, so a bit of experimenting will be in order.  Also, my new-to-me washing machine has a sanitize function that heats up the hot water even hotter before using it.

[LightForest]

Oh yes chocolatechip, BacOut is awesome!!! I diluted it with water and put it in a spray bottle and would spray poopy diapers after rinsing/wringing the water out. No staining or stinkies!

[LightForest]

Scruffy, good luck with the diaper cover! Post photos on the crafting thread if you get a chance!

[chocolatechip]

scruffy, is it an online pattern you're using for the wool diaper cover? Or could you take a picture of the pattern and share? I'm curious to see if it's something that looks like I could do... :)

LightForest, I'm glad to hear the Bac-Out works! We're doing a diaper service for at least the first few months, but planning on using cloth wipes as well, and I was thinking a little Bac-Out spray on the wipes might help their longevity! (I also have to figure out where we're going to stash the dirty wipes before washing, since the diapers go in their own bag to be sent back to the service...)

[LightForest]

Originally Posted by chocolatechip 

scruffy, is it an online pattern you're using for the wool diaper cover? Or could you take a picture of the pattern and share? I'm curious to see if it's something that looks like I could do... :)

LightForest, I'm glad to hear the Bac-Out works! We're doing a diaper service for at least the first few months, but planning on using cloth wipes as well, and I was thinking a little Bac-Out spray on the wipes might help their longevity! (I also have to figure out where we're going to stash the dirty wipes before washing, since the diapers go in their own bag to be sent back to the service...)

chocolate chip, we were talking about wool covers over on the crafting thread - here's the link: http://www.mothering.com/community/t/1360859/calling-all-crafters-and-wanna-be-crafters-what-are-you-making-for-you-baby/100

I don't know if the pattern that we were talking about there is the one scruffy decided on, though...

I was just wondering the same thing about cloth wipes today. I think the answer might be to buy a simple medium sized wet bag (the size that's usually used for transporting cloth dipes in the diaper bag). I wonder if there's one with both a hanging loop and an elastic opening (for easy one handed access)??? Maybe you could also get one of those teeny trash cans with a lid, like the type you'd use in the bathroom... Then either use a PUL liner inside or just rinse it on laundry day. Definitely let me know what you decide to use!

[scruffy too]

C.Chip - I decided on the Curly Purly Diaper Cover (http://www.curlypurly.com/pdf/soaker.pdf) and it looks like it will easy.  If you have any questions, just post them in the Crafting thread or PM me and I'll try and help.

[chocolatechip]

Thanks, both of you, I haven't checked the craft thread for a long time now! I'll go look.  Scruffy, thanks for the offer of help if I need it! What kind of yarn did you decide to use? I worry a little about the wool being itchy (*I* have a hard time wearing wool, unless it's like the smartwool wool socks, and I don't know what they do to it to make it not itch).

LightForest, I think I'm leaning towards hanging small/medium wetbag at this point. We have our diapers and covers hanging on the wall now, and I think we might have more wall space than horizontal space. Maybe a wet bag with a zipper, that just gets unzipped at the beginning of the changing process, and closed up at the end. Are reusable wetbags really washable on hot like we'd want to do with the diapers/wipes? I wonder about the linings...

[chocolatechip]

Ah, there was a lot of information on that craft thread! Thanks! I'm intrigued enough I think if I can get my act together I'll try it. Don't have many weeks left, though.