cloth diapers/nappies « Back to Group Discussions

[JonesiesGirl]

Who else is planning to use these? My first two preloved nappies arrived today (Fuzzibunz Elite birth-to-potty) and I am so excited to start building up my stash! DH doesn't know they are preloved and I don't think I will tell him, we can afford new ones but of course it wouldn't hurt us to save money. I'm still debating what to do about newborn nappies as I'm not sure the Fuzzibunz will fit from birth (I've heard they do fit newborns quite well but we're expecting a smaller than average baby so who knows) but I don't know if it's worth it to have a newborn stash either. What are your plans for cloth diapers?

[Sienna-forever]

I plan to, but it will be the first time i've EVER used them, i'm a total novice! I have just sent off for a brochure to give me some ideas as im clueless! 

[SparkleMaman]

We used cloth with DD from birth until she decided not to use them anymore and use the potty, just before turning 2. I LOVED them!!  I did have newborn sized diapers and they indeed fit best. My DD was average sized, 7 1/2 pounds, but the newborn sized diapers were all that really worked well that first month. Everything else seemed overwhelming to her tiny body. They sort of fit but were enormous looking. I used Kissaluvs Size 0, Newborn, those first few weeks. I only had a dozen and supplemented with my Motherease One Size Diapers (8-35 lbs, these fit the entire time, though again, a bit big that first month). I ended up selling my Kissaluvs on Ebay, and got almost what I'd paid for them new, after being gently used for a month. So, win/win! After that, I tried a bunch a various styles and brands but my favorites by far were the two styles of Motherease diapers. Never ever had a leak! We used the one size diapers with various sizes of covers from birth- age 2 for everyday daytime wear. And I loved the Motherease Sandy's (for heavy wetters) at night time, we had the smalls (8-20 lbs) and mediums (20-35 lbs), never needed the larger Toddlease size. DD nursed all night long and hence was a heavy wetter at night. The Sandy's now come in a fourth newborn size. Motherease has a cool intro offer for each style they make, 1 complete package - diaper, insert (if applicable) and cover - for 30%, including shipping. I just ordered one of each (8 diapers total, including some all in ones - with diaper and cover in one, much like disposables) to check out. I plan to use the Motherease and Kissaluvs fitted diapers again this time. They are a little pricey, compared to prefolds, but so worth it, especially if you'll use them for more than one child. Unfortunately, I gave away all of my old stash. I found the sizes accurate (for the range they fit) and after my initial investment mainly only had to purchase larger diaper covers as DD grew. There are SO many options!! If you have a store nearby that sells cloth, it's worth checking out what they look and feel like. And many mamas find certain styles and brands fit their little ones best, depending on body shape/size. Good luck!!

[JonesiesGirl]

Thanks for sharing your experiences, SparkleMaman! I'm thinking we will want newborn diapers for the first month or so, and I've found a website that rents them out for £60 for three months, so I think we will be doing that. There really are so many options! I ended up narrowing down my options just by reading lots of reviews and figuring that we might not want to fold diapers if we can avoid it. The pocket BTP ones sound nicest to me, and I've definitely had a lot of fun adjusting my FB nappies already...

[fourlittlebirds]

Another cloth diaper mama here! I've been using them since my second was born. I tried them with my first, but that was back before we had the internet and I was trying to get huge prefolds and gerber plastic pants to fit my 6 lb princess. Haha!!
I love fuzzi bunz! They're my favorite pocket diaper. My cousin let me borrow her bum genius with DS2, and I like those, too. I also just use the prefolds and a variety of covers... Bummis, Imse Vimse, fleece... I could easily get carried away, but I started out with the basics and with each baby gradually built my stash. I can't wait to buy diapers for this baby!!

[fourlittlebirds]

Originally Posted by JonesiesGirl 

Thanks for sharing your experiences, SparkleMaman! I'm thinking we will want newborn diapers for the first month or so, and I've found a website that rents them out for £60 for three months, so I think we will be doing that. There really are so many options! I ended up narrowing down my options just by reading lots of reviews and figuring that we might not want to fold diapers if we can avoid it. The pocket BTP ones sound nicest to me, and I've definitely had a lot of fun adjusting my FB nappies already...

Folding diapers isn't as difficult as it sounds, especially if you get a Snappi. I used primarily prefolds with DS1 and fuzzi bunz only at night. It was super easy and the most cost effective way for me to start out cloth diapering.

[fourlittlebirds]

Sparklemaman: I think the kissaluvs size 0 are so adorable! I've been wanting to splurge and get some since I started cloth diapering. It's good to know that they resell well. Something to think about this time around.

[Sleepymama]

I CDed both of my kids (including my 10 year old--I CDed before it was cool, man!  LOL.  I think my choices with him were kissaluvs, bummis, and motherease.  That was right before the WAHM industry took off)   I used to have a diaper sewing WAHM biz, and I still have my serger and snap press, so I plan to make all of mine this time.  But my personal prefs--I don't like all in ones or pocket diapers on newborns.  You change them so often and the poop is so runny.  AIOs/pockets do leak a little more often especially if baby doesn't have chunky legs.   My personal favorites for the newborn stage are cloth fitteds (kissaluv 0s fit my babies great, but there are tons of others that are good) and a knitted wool soaker or stretch wool cover.  Since this is a winter baby I plan to knit lots of wool longies and just use those with a couple of long sleeved tshirts at home.  When they are a little older (5-6 months), then I like pocket diapers because they're fast.  Especially once they are crawling and cruising and won't be still long enough to put a diaper and cover on.  And especially in summer.  But I like fitteds w/ wool soakers, shorts, or longies a lot.  There are a lot more brands available now than when my DD was a baby and I can't even remember what my other favorites were.  I had a little beetle that I liked, but I don't think I liked it enough to spend THAT much on it again.  Kissaluv's size 1 and up don't fit as well in my experience.  They really excel at the newborn size.  (I actually saved one of DS's to use as a template to make my own pattern.  The rise is low, which fits my kids great, & I'm assuming this baby will be similar)

I used to make a nighttime pocket fitted diaper w/custom inserts that sold really well.  Cloth at night can be a challenge for some babies.  There are some awesome fabrics available now though.

[Sleepymama]

I will say that if you don't like wool, the imse vinse and motherease airflow covers are the best by far.

[SparkleMaman]

Sleepymama That's good to know!! I only really used the Motherease air flow covers. Since I never had a leak, I never looked for another. I didn't know Imse Vinse had non-wool options!! I am allergic to wool and my DD has super sensitive skin so I never tried any wool. Jonesies 60 pounds for three months is a great deal!! How many diapers do you get for that price? You won't need newborn sizes after that for sure. And I too had some leaks with All in Ones and Pocket Diapers. I wasn't super fond of the pocket diapers but my DD wasn't too squirmy to diaper either. The fitted diapers with covers worked for us but everyone likes different things. Mothering had a great cloth diapering article when my DD was little. I wonder if you can find it here on the site... Here's a link but I think you have to buy the digital article http://www.mothering.com/community/a/diapering-naturally

[Sleepymama]

Yep, they make some organic cotton ones and organic cotton velour too.  Velcro closure.  Their velcro is really soft, not stiff.  I might get a couple actually ;)  I also like their cloth pads a LOT.  They have a postpartum size.  No frills, but they hold a lot and wash really well.  I still have the ones I bought 7 years ago and have used for overnights since.

Cute prints too!  http://www.imsevimse.us/p-107-soft-cover.aspx

[Starfish11]

Originally Posted by fourlittlebirds 

Folding diapers isn't as difficult as it sounds, especially if you get a Snappi. I used primarily prefolds with DS1 and fuzzi bunz only at night. It was super easy and the most cost effective way for me to start out cloth diapering.

Totally agree! I was so intimidated by this at first but it's so easy and such an affordable good option, especially for newborns.

I love the kissaluvs, too, and then I am a big fan of fuzzibuns aio.

[hapersmion]

I started CDing when DS1 was 15 months.  If I had known how easy it was going to be I would have started earlier.  :)  With DS2, I used mostly BumGenius 4.0s, the organic all-in-one kind with flaps that are sewn at both ends so they wash and dry easily, but you don't have to arrange them as much.  I love them, but I think they stopped making them a few years ago.  DS2 had better start staying dry at night, I'm going to need those diapers back!  They're starting to wear out a little bit, but I'm hoping I can make them work.  I also used prefolds a lot, mostly without a cover, just a snappi to hold them on.  Great for airing out the bottom, and potty training.  Those are a little ragged too, but we'll call them well-loved.  :)

Those of you who don't mind used diapers might like to know about this site:  http://www.diaperswappers.com/    I got several diapers from there last time - you can even get free-for-shipping ones sometimes.
 

[maggiemay81]

We use fuzzi bunz and no-name pocket diapers lol. We used disposables until DD was about 3-4 months. CD-ing is way easier than people would have you believe. My only advice would be not to throw liners in the toilet when babes starts solids... Even though they say biodegradable. Very expensive fix if your plumbing is older or you are on a septic...

[Sleepymama]

Yes--the best solution for sticky poop is a toilet sprayer.

[ddsharp25]

Hi everyone,

I found a Natural Laundry Additive that I am using for my cloth diapers.   The area that I live in, I have very bad hard water which causes me to use a lot of soap and causes damaged to the cloth diaper. Go to www.zodorite.com.   Hope this helps people with same problem I had.
 

[babibelli]

we're gonna CD here as well. It has been 7 years since I last had a babe in diapers-I must say that there are some pretty cool new products out there. Then again, why oh why did I ever sell my fuzzy bunz??

[Vaquitita]

I have used CD's with 3 kids. I use prefolds with a variety of covers and fuzzi bunz at night. I have some of these http://www.amazon.com/Thirsties-Wrap-Snap-Blackbird-Size/dp/B003GSLCOG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363543537&sr=8-1&keywords=Blackbird+diaper+cover  from my DS. My son grew so fast (he hit 18 lbs. at 3 months) so that they are still new. My newborn size prefolds are looking a little ratty around the edges, but are still useable. I bought some new regular size prefolds with my last baby so those are still good, he should be finished potty training by the time the new baby needs them. I'm not sure if I will need more fuzzi bunz though. My DS may still need his FB one sizes for night, unless I can put him into his big brothers old FB larges. But they are SO big. I have some mediums, but they are mostly pink! 

[Emmecat]

OMG yes! LOVE Imsevimse here- fantastic covers and lovely fitted nappies too, although a little pricey. We CD both our daughters and will def use cloth on this one too. We used a massive range of different types to fit our short fat babies lol and I think it's trial and error as to what fits best. I don't know if you can get them in the States but wool Ecobubs are our choice as night nappies. Otherwise we'll use Kushie classics, prefolds & covers and Nature Baby fitteds during the day. Also a fan of wool longies! (although November is nearly our summer lol)

[ultrafighter]

I had no idea this was so popular.  This is our first and we (I) plan to CD.  We do actually have at least one friend IRL that I plan to tap for info, but keep it coming here!