cloth-diapering

[Nick'sValentine]

Well..I originally said I wouldn't do it for various reasons. I've been reading up on it today and it seems like something I might be interested in trying out. A few questions I have are:

What's the best and easiest way of starting out? Will I have trouble switching her from disposable to cloth?

My daughter is very small, she's still in preemie clothes, weights 6lbs 3oz and is about 19 1/2 inches or so. Can she fit into cloth diapers??

What supplies will I need just to get started?

What's the best way of cleaning these and what are some detergents you all use?

I've read some articles already...I'm just interested to see what your opinions/experiences have been like.

Thanks for your help!

[birthjunkie27]

First off, this might do better in the diapering forum. A moderator might move it anyway.

You have no idea how excited I was when I saw this post! I know yesterday you told me you didn't want to CD (cloth diaper) so I didn't want to go on and on about how much I love it. Now I can!

Let me say that this is my first time using cloth. My first two were "sposie" babies. I had no idea people were even using cloth still, until I stumbled upon this website last summer and a whole new world was opened up! To answer your ?'s:

What's the best and easiest way of starting out? Will I have trouble switching her from disposable to cloth?
I built up a stash over the last few months of my pregnancy, since they are intially kind of costly. But...over time, and especially if you have more kids and reuse your diapers with them, they are WAY cheaper than disposables. I still used sposies for the first 2 wks with Samara because I was just not ready to do laundry at that point. Switching over to cloth was surprsingly easy! Best way to start....I'd suggest getting a few different kinds to see what you like. There are prefolds, fitteds, pockets, and AIO's (all in ones). Prefolds and fitteds need a cover. Pockets and AIO's do not.


My daughter is very small, she's still in preemie clothes, weights 6lbs 3oz and is about 19 1/2 inches or so. Can she fit into cloth diapers?? Hard for me to answer this....Samara was a fatty! LOL!!! I'm pretty sure you can. Kissaluvs size 0 are the BEST newborn diaper in my opinion. They are tiny! There are also some diapers made by Righteous Baby called "fit like a mittens" FLAM....these are itty bitty too.

What supplies will I need just to get started? Some diapers, a diaper pail, a diaper pail bag like this , some wipes. I just use those flimsy baby washcloths that you get like a trillion of at a baby shower. I make a mixture of water, baby wash, and apricot oil in a wipes warmer, and put the wipes in there. viola, warm, good smelling, soft wipes.

What's the best way of cleaning these and what are some detergents you all use? There's a few different schools of thought on this. Some people seem to have really complicated washing routines. The keys are: HOT water, and minimal soap. Regular Tide is best. Just a tiny amt. Like....a tablespoon? That's what I use. I don't measure it though, just kinda pour in the tiniest amt. (Reason being, that too much soap can cause soap build up on your dipes, and they won't be as absorbant as they should be, and can cause rash on baby). I first dump the diapers (bag and all) into the washer and do a COLD soak/wash. Then I do the HOT wash with Tide. Then I dry them. Very simple.

[Nick'sValentine]

Oh! Sorry I posted in the wrong forum..

Thanks for all the helpful information Bethany!

[Taedareth]

I LOVE cloth diapering!!

I'm a brand new first time mama and I decided to cloth diaper for two reasons: 1) Way healthier for the baby's skin (disposables contain chemicals that turn urine into gel and may be carcinogenic - no way do i want carcinogens next to my child's genitals for 2-3 years) and 2) WAY WAY CHEAPER!!

The thing that totally surprised me about CD is that it is so ridiculously easy and convenient. People made it sound like a big pain, but I'm glad they didn't dissuade me. I've used disposables diapers on other people's babies and they are not in any way easier to use than cloth dipes. Seriously.

If you're like me and needing to save a buck, here is the website I bought our diapers from. The easiest type of diapers is "All in ones" which are basically the same as a disposable except made of cloth. It has a waterproof shell with absorbent cloth insides and seals with velcro. Voila! But they're also the most expensive kind.

The ones I use are prefolds. I got 3 dozen of them from that online store for $63! (They also have a newborn startup kit with 3 dozen prefolds and 6 covers for like $100 - check out their "package deals.") I just pin one on the baby (you can use a Snappi if you don't like pins) and then put a waterproof velcro-sealed cover over it. The covers I like best are Bummis brand ($8.50 per cover), but there are hundreds out there for all different prices, take your pick.

One suggestion if you're going to get prefolds - buy unbleached cotton ones!! I'm not saying that for any environmental reason (although there is that) but because the unbleached cotton is MUCH MUCH softer than the bleached ones. I couldn't believe the difference. The bleaching process is harsh on the cotton fiber. Unbleached cotton is so much softer and fluffier and has greater tensile strength (i.e. longer life).

So here are my diapering tools:
two safety pins
3 dozen prefolds per size (newborn, infant, toddler)
6 covers
3 dozen cheapie baby washcloths (you could also cut up a piece of flannel cloth or old t-shirts)
diaper pail with hinged lid
kitchen-sized garbage bags to line diaper pail


Here's my change-the-baby routine:

1) Put baby down on foam pad on the bathroom counter.
2) Remove diaper cover and lay it aside.
3) Unpin wet diaper, putting pins into a block of soap (keeps them sharp) and tossing wet diaper into diaper pail. (If diaper is poopy, rinse under running water in the sink or swish in toilet to remove solids before throwing in pail.)
4) Grab washcloth from folded pile on bathroom counter. Get washcloth wet in sink and wipe baby's bum. (I also keep a liquid soap dispenser full of 1/3 castile soap 2/3 water. If the diaper was poopy I squirt some soap on the washcloth to clean baby's bum. Then I rinse the cloth and wipe again with just water.) Then throw washcloth in diaper pail too.
5) Dry baby's bum with a clean hand towel that is kept on the counter just for this purpose.
6) Pin a clean diaper on baby.
7) Put the cover back on over the diaper (unless the cover got dirty, in which case throw the cover into laundry hamper.)

That sounds really complicated but I promise it takes under 2 minutes

My diaper washing system is:

When diaper pail is full, empty it into washer machine and run a rinse cycle on cold. Then when the machine is getting ready to go into the wash cycle, dump in a normal amount of detergent for a large load (I use All Free Clear non-alergenic or Seventh Generation). I occasionally also throw in half a cup of baking soda to neutralize the pH because otherwise amonia can build up over time (from urine). I always wash the diapers with cold water (because I'm cheap, and I've never read anywhere that the temperature matters). Then I throw them in the dryer on regular setting.

It's just like running a regular load of laundry. No hassle at all. And if I'm too lazy to fold the diapers afterward, I just grab them out of a clean laundry basket as needed.

[Taedareth]

The book Diaper Changes contains all the information you could ever wish to know about cloth diapering. It talks about all the different styles of dipes and covers, has reviews of different diapers, patterns for sewing your own, info on how to wash and what detergents are best (i think she recommends borax) and contact information to hundreds of diaper companies. It's the ultimate authority on cloth diapering!

[birthjunkie27]

Want to add that I don't rinse poopy diapers cause breastmilk poop isn't that bad. Once she starts solids, I'll probably rinse first.

[spiralmg]

When DD was born, I wanted to use cloth diapers (which I couldn't do with DS) - but I was really worried about nighttime, and also how hard it would be to change so many diapers each day... so I also got a stash of disposables. Long story short: I have a bunch of outgrown newborn disposables sitting around that we never used. I am using prefolds except when we go out, then I use a Bummis cover with a fleece/microfleece liner (because it keeps her drier if I can't change her right away). It is really so easy, and I love that some nice fresh clean cloth is right next to her body - instead of some chemical-filled paper product. We used environmentally friendly disposables, but it always seemed like DS was wearing a paper bag! Yuck!

[allnaturalmama]

Before discovering MDC, I learned just about everything I knew about cloth diapers from the catalog from www.babyworks.com Very newbie-friendly articles on CDing in addition to a good variety of products.

[Thursday Girl]

nak

chiming in to agree with the PP. i use prefolds and they are so easy!!i use a snappi though. it takes a little practice to get the fold right, but opnce you have it down it's not a problem. for covers i really like diaperraps, which are very rice friendly. when she was newborn the newborn prowraps where great but now that she's in a small they don't fit right around her skinny thighs. although her bumpy does. i know some covers are better for thin thighs some better for pudgy thighs.

i do use a hot cycle to kill any bacteria or germs, but cold first.then a hot. i use plain water on a cheapy washcloth for a wipe.

if you want to try diffrent types i have a great place for pocket dipes(no coverneeded) they are cheap there and wor great on josephine (i use these every once in awhile, my dh likes them a lot)

www.mothercultureherbs.com
i'm pretty sure that's the site they are called canyon pocket diapers.

courtney

good luck it's great my first was sposie'd and the diffrence is amazing!! and it's really not that hard at all, easy even. the laundry isn't bad which is what scared me the first time.

[hottmama]

I use prefolds, snappis, and velcro diaper covers (I prefer Nikkys and Bummis, but buy whatever's cheapest- posting an ISO on the MDC forum "TP Diapers" has found me a few cheap used covers lately!)
Prefolds can be bought on ebay for like $15-20/dozen, and you'll need about a dozen for every day that you want to not wash diapers. We have about 4 dozen and do diapers every 4 days.
Snappis are awesome, I didn't use them with my first and they really prevent poop leaks. With my first I just folded a prefold in thirds, set it in the diaper, and velcro'ed it on. Snappis cost about $2 a piece and you only need 1 (for some reason I have 6, 3 still in the package, one in the kid's room, 1 in the diaper bag, and 1 on the baby so I never have to search for one).
For covers, I prefer all-cotton Nikkys ($15 new, but I bought 4 for $14 on ebay a couple days ago) and Bummis ($8.50 new), but buy whatever's cheapest- I always Ebay and also, posting an ISO on the MDC forum "TP Diapers" has found me a few cheap used covers lately!
For wash, I just dump the pail (unlined- I just spray it off in the shower when it starts to stink) into the wash, and wash regular cycle on warm, then dry the diapers on high in the dryer and air-dry the covers. I use Arm and Hammer unscented. One warning- All Free & Clear is known to cause diaper covers to leak, don't ask me why, though.
I think newborn prefolds would work fine for your baby, as my baby has outgrown them at 12 lbs. The thing with prefolds is you can fold them in many different ways- I can fold a toddler sized prefold to fit my 7 wk. old.
Good luck!

[Taedareth]

Hottmama - thanks for the warning about All Free and Clear. OH NOOOOOOO what am I going to use then? I read up on the Bummis washing instructions and among other things it says:

# Don’t use any natural cleaning products that contain oils or softeners which may coat the fibers of your diapers or covers. People have reported problems with the following cleaning agents:

* All Free and Clear (and other Free and Clear detergents)
* Dr. Bronner’s Soap
* Some versions of Bio-Kleen
* 7Th Generation
* Dreft
* Ivory Snow
* Most "pure soap" products

# Products that have been damaged by natural cleaning products can sometimes be saved! Repeat the following process twice: Run your covers and diapers through a wash with only hot water (if allowed by manufacturer’s washing instructions). Run a second wash using 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup vinegar in the wash - and 1/2 cup vinegar again in first rinse cycle. Run a second rinse cycle with plain water.


So, if we can't use organic and/or nonalergenic detergents, and we can't use normal detergents then WHAT CAN WE WASH OUR DIAPERS AND COVERS WITH?? *cries*

[birthjunkie27]

In all my research..the most commonly recommended detergent is regular old Tide. Not free and clear...not with colorsafe bleaching....just plain Tide. And a miniscule amt of it.

I've also seen Allens Naturally recommended a lot, but I've never tried it and don't know where to buy it.

[aisraeltax]

im being lazy b/c i still sick, so im copying birthjunkie's post.

What's the best and easiest way of starting out? Will I have trouble switching her from disposable to cloth?
I built up a stash over the last few months of my pregnancy, since they are intially kind of costly. But...over time, and especially if you have more kids and reuse your diapers with them, they are WAY cheaper than disposables.

I go back and forth in what I prefer right now. i think i like pockets best but i also have some one size dipes that are by ecobaby i think that i like alot...super absorbant.
i will say that i bought too many but i have been sick 2 days going on 3 now and i was supposed to wash on Wed., so ive gone 5 days now without washing dipes. thats not a good thing..they should be washed every 3 days to maintain the health of the diaper.


My daughter is very small, she's still in preemie clothes, weights 6lbs 3oz and is about 19 1/2 inches or so. Can she fit into cloth diapers??
Ethan is almost 11 lbs. right now but was 8.4 when he was born. there were several dipes that i know would have fit him if he had been smaller and that he has already grown out of, so i think its totally doable, especially prefolds and a cover. i dont think i woudl spend the $$ on small diapers..i just ended up with several b/c i bought seconds on mdc and they had nb ones in there.


What supplies will I need just to get started? Some diapers, a diaper pail, a diaper pail bag , some wipes. I just use those flimsy baby washcloths. I also cut up a lot of receiving blankets and sewed them up and use them. i dont put my wipes in the warmer..i just put water (w/ some baby oil and eucalyptus) in the warmer. the wipes are beside it and i wet them as i use them.

What's the best way of cleaning these and what are some detergents you all use? my routine is one wash on cold w/ baking soda and vinegar (every couple of washes) and then one hot wash. i then will dry most of the dipes, except the pocket outers and anything that has stained...these i hang in a bathroom that has a good window for sunning.

hope i helped.

good luck..it really is easy and you never have to send dh to the store for dipes!!

[Panthira]

I wash my baby's diapers in Bi-o-kleen. I buy it in bulk online and it's drop shipped to me. It's a fantastic gentle detergent.
I also use Bac Out by the same company every now and then to get rid of odors. I also use to use Sport Wash with my 2 yr old's diapers to strip the detergent out of them until I couldn't find it at Walmart anymore. Anyone know where to get this?

I used prefolds with my 2 yr old when he was just born and I hated the snappis and pins. I'm really lazy sometimes. So I bought fitted diapers. Some have snaps, some have velcro. Some of the newborn ones I use are called Stay Dri, or something like that, and I don't know where I got them (Canada?). I also use Sandy's. Kissaluvs work excellent for newborns, but I didn't like them for older kids. I use Fuzzibums for my 2 yr old, and I have some for the newborn too, but they don't work well for newborns. I have all kinds of wraps, but I like wool best, especially for nights.

I have a bag lining a diaper pail. I don't rinse newborn poo. I throw it in to soak on cold, no detergent. Then I do a cycle with a small amount of detergent (and maybe some bac out) on hot with an extra rinse.
I don't dry my Fuzzibuns in the dryer. Wool soakers and wraps I handwash every couple of weeks with lanolin.

I hope this made sense, since I'm trying to hurry before dinner is here.

[Taedareth]

Panthira, can you give me a link for the company you buy Bi-o-kleen and Bac Out from?

[Panthira]

I used Good Humans, a somewhat local shop in Santa Cruz, CA that got it drop shipped for me. I prefer to call them though, it gets shipped faster.

I'm probably going to switch to Azure Standard (Oregon) because I'm a drop point on their truck route and get free shipping that way. They do deliver, but they only have the original laundry powder (much cheaper!) and not the premium stuff, and I think the premium stuff is better for diapers. I have to check that.
I have to call them too (nice people) because they are overhauling their website and it gets funky on their end.

There are a number of companies on the web that you can get it from. One example:
Punkinbutt
I also buy Bac Out in bulk, and use their natural bleach for clothes. They say it can be used on diapers, but I've never used bleach on diapers (you can't use conventional bleach on diapers). That GSE stuff looks interesting, but it's already in Bi-o-kleen.
The bulk stuff lasts forever! About 600 large laundry loads. Much, much more for diapers.

[spiralmg]

Originally Posted by jewelysmommy

i use prefolds and they are so easy!!i use a snappi though. it takes a little practice to get the fold right, but opnce you have it down it's not a problem. for covers i really like diaperraps, which are very rice friendly.

I have a good alternative to the snappi - we have been using a little elastic belt - you tuck the diaper under it. I got mine for about $5 at theecstore.com. It is so easy to get the diaper on and off and nothing sharp involved. Of course, if you have a real poo-monster, maybe you need something that would hold the diaper on a little tighter, but for now this is working great for us. You could probably make your own belt (just fleece sewn around a piece of elastic) for next to nothing.

[mariposita]

Originally Posted by spiralmg

I have a good alternative to the snappi - we have been using a little elastic belt - you tuck the diaper under it. I got mine for about $5 at theecstore.com. It is so easy to get the diaper on and off and nothing sharp involved. Of course, if you have a real poo-monster, maybe you need something that would hold the diaper on a little tighter, but for now this is working great for us. You could probably make your own belt (just fleece sewn around a piece of elastic) for next to nothing.

i use these every day!!! like linda said, you can make your own. they are so easy! i have no sewing skills and made two of them a few weeks ago. i highly recommend it!