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Entire stash for low income mamas...

post #1 of 77
7/6/05 at 3:23pm
Thread Starter 
I have been really wanting to work on encouraging low income families to consider cloth diapering. I am also wanting to set up entire stashes for those who may be interested and may not be able to afford the start up.

I need suggestions:

What info should I make sure they have? What sites do you suggest?

Covers: What kind? How many of each size? Should I do wool at all....like maybe one or two and some wool wash and lanolin?


Longies: Should I include and fleece or wool longies?

Diapers: How many should there be of each: Flats? Prefolds? Fitteds? Pockets? AIO's? (I use mostly prefolds....so that is what the main stash would be probably. I would like to include other options to show versitility and ease to those who are still unsure.) Please put an amount for each size.....newborn, small, medium, large.

Should I consider one size dipes?

Inserts: How many?

Wipes: How many?

Wetbags/pins/snappis: How many?

Anything else I am missing???

Thank you for your time answering these questions!

I am also considering teaching info classes locally to increase awareness about cloth! Feel free to offer any suggestions.

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post #2 of 77
7/6/05 at 4:01pm
Well, when you're brand new to cloth, you get overwhelmed very easily. So, keep it simple, but still explain all the varieties, I'd say. Is Heather Sanders' site the diaper hyena still a thing? How about the RDA? So many things are try it out and find what you like, but there are basic nuggets of info that are helpful like detergent types and amounts for hard vs. soft water, how they affect fabrics (break down faster or cause build up which causes stink, etc) diff btwn all the types of diapers (aio's vs. pockets vs. fitteds vs. pf's...and then the covers...) that cloth needs to be changed more often than sposies, etc...

My thoughts are not clear, but to start out, you'd need no less than 2 doz diapers and 4-6 covers, with about 2-3 doz wipes and a wet bag for travel and a pail or giant wet bag for home storage, and then go from there. Please note to them that it can be as hard or as easy, as extravagant or as simple as they'd like. I'd be terrified if I was starting out here at MDC nowadays when all fitteds seem to be at least $15-$20 minimum and sized (so you need to buy multiple sizes!!!) with $80 pieces of longies for winter. Remember-for every hyena item, there is a perfectly good and workhorse thrifty alternative-like pf's and recycled wool longies and kmart wash cloths (for wipes). Bonus info for sewers!!!! You can make so much on your own if you have the skills and time.

Is this like what you are asking? I can ramble further......
post #3 of 77
7/6/05 at 4:04pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by phishmama
Well, when you're brand new to cloth, you get overwhelmed very easily. So, keep it simple, but still explain all the varieties, I'd say. Is Heather Sanders' site the diaper hyena still a thing? How about the RDA? So many things are try it out and find what you like, but there are basic nuggets of info that are helpful like detergent types and amounts for hard vs. soft water, how they affect fabrics (break down faster or cause build up which causes stink, etc) diff btwn all the types of diapers (aio's vs. pockets vs. fitteds vs. pf's...and then the covers...) that cloth needs to be changed more often than sposies, etc...

My thoughts are not clear, but to start out, you'd need no less than 2 doz diapers and 4-6 covers, with about 2-3 doz wipes and a wet bag for travel and a pail or giant wet bag for home storage, and then go from there. Please note to them that it can be as hard or as easy, as extravagant or as simple as they'd like. I'd be terrified if I was starting out here at MDC nowadays when all fitteds seem to be at least $15-$20 minimum and sized (so you need to buy multiple sizes!!!) with $80 pieces of longies for winter. Remember-for every hyena item, there is a perfectly good and workhorse thrifty alternative-like pf's and recycled wool longies and kmart wash cloths (for wipes). Bonus info for sewers!!!! You can make so much on your own if you have the skills and time.

Is this like what you are asking? I can ramble further......
Yes...feel free to keep going
post #4 of 77
7/6/05 at 4:06pm
Thread Starter 
My goal is to have "A stash in a box" persay. Everything that they would need (and/or want) to cd.

I am looking for lower end ideas (no hyena stuff)
post #5 of 77
7/6/05 at 4:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by AngelBee
I am also wanting to set up entire stashes for those who may be interested and may not be able to afford the start up.
I think this is a really good idea. You regularly see posts here at MDC from people interested in CD who have difficulty with the up-front cost. And these are the folks who are lucky enough to have online access and make their way to MDC. One of the local television stations in my city is having a community baby shower for low-income moms and one of the items on the list of things they are asking for is diapers. I would love to be able to offer people who are interested an option to do cloth rather than sposies.
post #6 of 77
7/6/05 at 4:11pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZeldasMom
I think this is a really good idea. You regularly see posts here at MDC from people interested in CD who have difficulty with the up-front cost. And these are the folks who are lucky enough to have online access and make their way to MDC. One of the local television stations in my city is having a community baby shower for low-income moms and one of the items on the list of things they are asking for is diapers. I would love to be able to offer people who are interested an option to do cloth rather than sposies.
This is what sparked my idea. My SIL wants to do cloth. She saw mine and had no clue how easy it could be. As a mother of 5 (4 living), money is really tight. They do not have a computer, yet alone internet.....so I could not tell her to look it all up.

That's why I decided to do a "stash in a box" type thing. Everything you need to know and need to cd in one box.

I just am not sure exactly WHAT should all be in the boxes.... :
post #7 of 77
7/6/05 at 4:17pm
Flats or regular 4x6x4 prefolds, pins or Snappis, and Dappi nylon pull-on pants.

That's it. A full, birth-to-potty stash for under $200.
post #8 of 77
7/6/05 at 4:23pm
Okay....More details. I would get an XL wet bag and a M wet bag. In the M wet bag I would put 2 pairs Dritz pins and 2 Snappis. I would put it in the L wet bag with 2 dozen infant ubcpfs, 2 dozen premium ubcpfs, 3 packs of Dappi nylon pants in each size, and 3 dozen or so baby washcloths. I would also include some flats (like at least 6) and some instructions for various flat folds.

If I were TRULY low-income (I mean really poor, not just broke and with leaky plumbing : ) I would be interested in the cheapest options that still work. Fitteds, pockets, AIOs, fleece and wool all rock, but they aren't necessary.
post #9 of 77
7/6/05 at 4:29pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Juliacat
Okay....More details. I would get an XL wet bag and a M wet bag. In the M wet bag I would put 2 pairs Dritz pins and 2 Snappis. I would put it in the L wet bag with 2 dozen infant ubcpfs, 2 dozen premium ubcpfs, 3 packs of Dappi nylon pants in each size, and 3 dozen or so baby washcloths. I would also include some flats (like at least 6) and some instructions for various flat folds..
Do you think there should be any preemie prefolds?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Juliacat
Fitteds, pockets, AIOs, fleece and wool all rock, but they aren't necessary.
The only way I would add these is if...

A) I have some I am willing to part with

B) My friends give me some they are willing to part with

C) My sewing improves so that I can make recycled wool and dipes.

Also....Angelo has PUL sensativities, so I want to let them know if one thing doesn't work for you, don't get discouraged.....try this instead. KWIM?

I don't want to intimidate them though... :
post #10 of 77
7/6/05 at 4:34pm
I wouldn't include preemie prefolds, but I'm not really the one to ask!

Yeah, I know it can be frustrating when something doesn't work for you, but at the same time I think it would be even more frustrating to be told "THIS can work BETTER, too bad you can't afford it!"

Maybe a catalog to a cloth diapering store that also sells via a 1-800 number so folks without Internet access can have a look at the other options.

Also, I said a guide to flat folds, but a detailed and well-illustrated guide to both flat and prefold folds would be even better.
post #11 of 77
7/6/05 at 4:36pm
Don't get premies for those on a strict budget. Yes, they work for about one week, lol, and yes, they can be used as other stuff (ppd mama pads and nursing pads...ask me how I know and cleaning cloths...), BUT, you get more mileage out of infant pf's. You've got to show some sort of low end fitted at least. I quit w/ds#1 b/c I knew of NOTHING and had gerber off the rack pf's and thought I was in a very very hot place. I did not care for them and then I had to pin them, then I had to cover them with gerber pull on nylon pants...again, thought I was in diapering hades! So, with ds#2, I went cheap, but easy and never turned back and now I'm on #3. With ds#2, I had cheapie snug to fit fitteds (one size), motherease line (all of it), kushies aios and fitteds, and snugabye aios (a joke, imo), and true cpf's. ENFORCE the point that what works for some babies won't work for others. Uhh, what else? Ohh ohh! Show how pf's can be changed easily into fitteds!! Doesn't Karen (the kool sheep soaker mama) still have great frugal diapering info too-esp everything to do with pf's? Add her info. It was great. Even had step wise folding instructions!
post #12 of 77
7/6/05 at 4:41pm
The All Together Diaper Company makes discount fitteds and AIOs. I guess if you really want to, you could include one of each of those. One-size fitteds and pockets can be economical too, but at that point I think you're starting to venture into the "overwhelming" category...same as if you started including a bunch of different covers....
post #13 of 77
7/6/05 at 4:48pm
ick. the atd's are so industrial, though. Yep, tried those out too, lol. They do work, but they are so nursing homeish. That's just a vanity mark against them. : Just make mention of those-that they exist and do work.
post #14 of 77
7/6/05 at 4:53pm
I think the atd's are kind of cute :

Incidentally, this is a really nice idea! If we ever get back on our feet financially, I may follow in your footsteps! You will be making such a great difference in people's lives.
post #15 of 77
7/6/05 at 5:05pm
My input... I would give prefolds and bummis wraps. Some pins, and 2 THICK reused wool soakers. (one small-medium, and one medium/large)

I personally never figured out the snappi thing, and they do have to be replaced sometimes. I think pins would last longer. The soakers could be used for nighttime, and then just prefolds and wraps for daytime.

Someone was taking diaper donations awhile ago... Jenn something?? I think she moved, but is still an mdc member.. ask her about the whole donations thing. You might end up getting enough meos to do that.
post #16 of 77
7/6/05 at 5:23pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Juliacat

Incidentally, this is a really nice idea! If we ever get back on our feet financially, I may follow in your footsteps! You will be making such a great difference in people's lives.
Auuhhhh......thanks
post #17 of 77
7/6/05 at 5:24pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you mamas for taking the time to answer me. I truly appreciate it
post #18 of 77
7/6/05 at 5:47pm
Hey Angela

I've treid to compile a bunch of info on my site (link in my sig ).

I think a very useable stash would consist of just prefolds and PUL wraps. That's what I used on my kiddos and it worked great.
post #19 of 77
7/6/05 at 5:50pm
Thread Starter 
Karen....I love your site! I have been there quite a few times.

Would you mind if I printed some of the info to put in the boxes?
post #20 of 77
7/6/05 at 5:52pm
Not at all. Just list the url somewhere so they can come check it out in color
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