Entire stash for low income mamas... - Page 2

[AngelBee]

Originally Posted by engineer_mama

Not at all. Just list the url somewhere so they can come check it out in color

Thank you!!!!

[amysuen]

Originally Posted by alaskanteach

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.

I never got the folding thing so I think Bummis would be better than pull-on covers. The pfs can be tri-folded and the aplix is so similar to sposies so it'll be familiar to mamas new to CD. I also think that if the pfs were dyed bright colors that would add to their appeal, you could do it fairly easily with tye dyes from a local craft store if you don't want to buy dyed pfs.

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.

My guess is your'e thinking of JenninSeattle, she makes free diapers for mamas in need too, but I don't think she does entire stashes.

What a generous mama you are!!!

[medaroge]

I agree that it can be overwhelming! I'd say for sure go the prefolds/covers route for cost.

I may also suggest a "try it" package, that is maybe not as big as "everything you will need to do it full time"

Try it: 6-12 infant prefolds, 1 prowrap, 1 BSWW, 1 snappi, possibly 12-18 wipes and a possibly a wet bag.

FULL TIME: 36 infant prefolds, 6-8 covers, 48 wipes, 2 snappis, and a wet bag
then they could continue with:
24 Premium prefolds and 4-6 med covers,
then add
4-6 large covers

That woudl be my bare bones package, I do think it would be nice to be able to customize and/or upgrade each size to maybe 1-6 fuzzi bunz per size, or upgrade to add some other options, like a smaller wet bag for outings, pail deoderizers, wool covers, liners, doubblers, as those extras that are nice, but not necissiary.

I also have noticed some sites have layaway plans, that can realy help some families. I knwo one lady who saved $50 per each month of her pregnancy, then she had almost $500 to spend on cloth diapers when the baby came!

[AngelBee]

Originally Posted by medaroge

I agree that it can be overwhelming! I'd say for sure go the prefolds/covers route for cost.

I may also suggest a "try it" package, that is maybe not as big as "everything you will need to do it full time"

Try it: 6-12 infant prefolds, 1 prowrap, 1 BSWW, 1 snappi, possibly 12-18 wipes and a possibly a wet bag.

FULL TIME: 36 infant prefolds, 6-8 covers, 48 wipes, 2 snappis, and a wet bag
then they could continue with:
24 Premium prefolds and 4-6 med covers,
then add
4-6 large covers

That woudl be my bare bones package, I do think it would be nice to be able to customize and/or upgrade each size to maybe 1-6 fuzzi bunz per size, or upgrade to add some other options, like a smaller wet bag for outings, pail deoderizers, wool covers, liners, doubblers, as those extras that are nice, but not necissiary.

I also have noticed some sites have layaway plans, that can realy help some families. I knwo one lady who saved $50 per each month of her pregnancy, then she had almost $500 to spend on cloth diapers when the baby came!

Oh....a try it package.....I it!!!

[organicmommy]

I was going to say something along the lines of getting stuff that people are wanting to part with, check freecycle. There may be people out there that are wanting to rid themselves of theirs as they are not longer needing them. You could wash them up good and have them ready and everything so that that was not a worry. The other input is great and I have started using more and more of my prefolds over the fitteds adn have hardly used a pocket at all in about a month. It is just too warm for the PUL. I don't think I would do wool for someone just starting out, but fleece does breathe and is easy to care for.
and if you want the places like the TP you can get stuff for rather inexpensive to build some box's of stuff with options. I know that 99% of my stash is not new and I have spent less then 300 and have way more diaeprs than I will ever need, but it is nice to know that I can go for 3 or 4 days without washing.

[bfcdapmamam]

I put together a package (on paper) for a friend that decided to go w/o cloth due to other issues (mainly living w/ IL who forbade any "human waste" in
THEIR washer).

I did a try it package for her: 6 infant prefolds, 1 kissaluv fitted dipe, 1 bummis SWW, 1 snappi, 1 pocket. I told her to use baby washclothes for wipes. This would be enough for her to try-it cheap and then she could build her stash according. She loved the idea until it got nixed (b/c they couldn't even afford rent so she was looking very forward to cding).

M

[Knittin' in the Shade]

Yep, I'd go with chinese prefolds (probably 2 dozen premiums, and 2 dozen infant, no preemies becuase they don't fit most babies unless they are under 7# or so) Prowraps or bummis wraps, a few sets of pins. And personally, I'd include some wool yarn, knitting needles and a good soaker pattern so that they can make their own soakers. It's not hard, and there's nothing like woolies you knit for your babe to make you feel all warm inside And it's much more economical to be able to knit your own soakers na dpants (thus eliminating the need for more clothes) than to buy more covers in each size. With yarn sales and places like Elann and KnitPicks, you really can make a soaker for under $10.
I'd also include regular washclothes (12 pack for $5 at walmart or target) and honestly, I wouldn't do the wetbag, I just use ziploc bags most of the time, LOL.

[ZeldasMom]

Another thing to keep your eye out for is that the kissaluvs outlet store periodically sells 3rds and 4ths for cheap. I bought 2 dozen for $40/dozen.

[Julia24]

I'm not totally opposed to the 'all aio' route either - if you go Kushies...I know some Mamas who really think that they worked AND were convienent.

I also know some who just used trifolded prefolds and bummis - all white, all boring, but JUST as effective.

But, then there's the nighttime issue to address.... Of course, my mother just laughed at me when I was complaining and said Jule' when you were a baby we didn't have all this fancy stuff, we just trifolded one prefold inside another prefold and VOILA! Nighttime diaper!!!!

[ohiomom]

Another thing you can add to the package is a pattern for the recycled wool soakers and longies. That way they can go to good will and get cheap wool or acrylic sweaters and make their own. Maybe print out some stuff from f&f on how to make prefolds, prefitteds, fitteds etc.
Jamie

[Gabrielle's Mom]

I would put CPF's and proraps in there along with a couple snappis... a small wetbag for travel and a large one that goes in the pail. I loved my prefolds/snappis/covers when DD was tiny...

[DreamingMama]

I was lower then a low income family when I started to cloth diaper

and made my own flats with some flannel sheets. I bought gerber plastic pants to cover the diapers and used diaper pins. I loved it and would do it again if the cercumstances were the same.

There are so many online resources for how to make your own diapers now too. http://www.diapersewing.com

[ZeldasMom]

Originally Posted by ohiomom

Another thing you can add to the package is a pattern for the recycled wool soakers and longies. That way they can go to good will and get cheap wool or acrylic sweaters and make their own. Maybe print out some stuff from f&f on how to make prefolds, prefitteds, fitteds etc.
Jamie

I like this idea and DreamingMama's idea about including instructions for sewing your own diapers. If there is a place in your area that is an especially good source of materials you might want to mention this. For example there is a store in my area called "Dig and Save" where the things that don't sell at the local St. Vincent DePaul go when they don't sell. They sell old clothes by the pound, which is way cheap.

Another thing to *possibly* include might be tips for folks who don't have access to the best washing facilities. I remember seeing threads in the past about apartment living, laundromat diaper washing, and washing while camping that might have some ideas.

[Ruthla]

I don't know if you should really be including ALL sizes of covers in one shot- what if their baby doesn't do well with a certain brand or material of cover? I'd also include some wrap style covers- some parents will NOT stick with CDs if it means fussing with a snappi and a cover.

Wool CAN be expensive, but it doesn't have to be. It can be the only cover option for babies prone to rashes,and it's the only thing I've ever had success with overnight. I'd suggest including a couple of wool covers for nighttime use (skip the longies- wool covers can be worn under PJs)


I agree with providing both snappis and pins.

Prefolds seem to be pretty popular, but I personally preferred flats- they wash and dry faster (a key factor if you're using a laundromat, line drying diapers, or have a tiny washer and dryer in your apt.) They're also more versatile in terms of sizing- I used them exclusively for my son for a few weeks after he outgrew the dipes I made him, before I had time to sew some bigger ones, and they fold up as small as needed for newborns.

When I CD'd my first, I had about 5 dozen flats, 6 vinyl pull on pants, about 2 dozen baby washcloths, and a dozen pins. I used plastic trash bags to line my diaper pail, plastic grocery bags as wetbags, and ziplock bags to carry wipes. As she grew, I bought bigger covers. When I started CDing with 2 babies (after a hiatus with 1, then 2 in sposies) I bought another 4 dozen diapers (2 dozen flat and 2 dozen prefold) and more covers, then bought more covers as they grew.

With ds, I made contoured diapers out of an old flannel sheet, got some covers as an RAOK, then had fun sewing fitted dipes for him. I think I spent more on diaper sewing materials since ds was born than I spent on all diapering supplies combined for the girls!! See what the internet can make you do!?!?!?! In all seriousness, most of my diaper fabric was an investment in a business that hasn't quite gotten off the ground yet (and may never do so )

[Julia24]

Okay - so now I'm thinking on the 'nighttime issue' maybe just an ideas page....since it looks like there will definitely have to be some sort of LITERATURE packet with all the washing, folding, sewing, options, etc.

Wow! You didn't know what you were getting into, right (nah - I know you did!)

[AngelBee]

Thank you all for your input.

Ruthla....the business may still come.

Night time issues is what made me consider adding a FB or an Aristrocrat. Both work very well for us at night. And my wool I only wash when he leaks poop or it needs to be relanolized so care is pretty easy. (Espacially now that I do it in the wash machine thanks to an MDC mama! )

[Kindermama]

coming from a mama who's tried alot of diapers & covers over the years....most of the well-known brands.....Well, I came right back to my favorites again and not because of financial reasons by any means..........Chinese prefolds, snappis, pins, Dappi nylon pull-on covers & ME airflows....go figure huh!!! They are the easiest to wash and I never have to worry about the DIAPER STENCH! : that's enough to turn anyone off from cloth...cause then you have to buy sportswash, wash and rinse, rinse, rinse....etc....

So, I have to go with JuliaCat's idea with stuffin' the wet bags with infant, premium prefolds, etc.

I still would stick an ME airflow cover or two in there because they have always been the most reliable covers day or night.

[AngelBee]

Hmmm....I have never tried an airflow cover. I would not have thought of those. LD

[ohiomom]

Instead of spending the money on aristocrats, if you sew, go and get some wool sweaters and make some butt sweaters to put in the package...especially if you are doing this all out of your own pocket book. I have one butt sweater that I made and I think it's cuter than an aristocrat. That way, they can see how it's made and have instructions so they can try their own. Then, the left over pieces from the wool sweaters you can use to make them some wool doublers. Just a thought
Jamie

[AngelBee]

Originally Posted by ohiomom

Instead of spending the money on aristocrats, if you sew, go and get some wool sweaters and make some butt sweaters to put in the package...especially if you are doing this all out of your own pocket book. I have one butt sweater that I made and I think it's cuter than an aristocrat. That way, they can see how it's made and have instructions so they can try their own. Then, the left over pieces from the wool sweaters you can use to make them some wool doublers. Just a thought
Jamie

Yes.....I definantly am a fan of recycled wool! That is what most of the wool I have purchased is.

I recently picked up some wool sweaters from a thrift store to practice making covers and longies (I do not really know how to sew.....we will see how it goes)

I have been collecting crats. Most are really felted and were FFS. They still work great!