Converting toddler & preschooler to cloth ... quantity question?

merpk · Oct 1, 2003

So am moving to cloth with an 18mo and a 3.5yo. (The 3.5yo adamantly refuses to toilet train until she's 4. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/rolleyes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="rolleyes">: Who am I to argue with such determination. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/rolleyes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="rolleyes">: ) 
Anyway, am looking for amount advice. How many diapers do I need to keep the 18mo happy and the 3.5yo not happy? IYKWIM. :LOL 
Going for in the Bummis Whisper Pants direction for 3.5yoDD, but thinking those don't cut it for 18moDS. 
So? How many do I order? 
Go ahead, hyenas. Make my day. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

merpk · Oct 1, 2003

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/jaw.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="dropjaw"> 
Okay, I understand you ladies are loathe to talk to someone who has openly used disposables for so long, but come on, I am trying to change ... 
Bump ... <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/privateeyes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="private eyes"> 
Looking for advice on how many diapers your average 18mo and average 3.5yo need to go through the day. Assuming it's much different than disposables ... <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/privateeyes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="private eyes"> 
Anyone? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/privateeyes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="private eyes"> 
Please? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/mecry.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="crying">

Aurora · Oct 1, 2003

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug"> 
Well lets see.........................I switched my then 2.5yo dd to cloth last year. Let me tell you, she LOVED it! 
I have only had 1 in cloth so I am not sure about numbers for two. Hopefully other mamas will respond as well. 
How many changes does your 18mo go through in a day? What about your 3yo? Does she use the potty at all during the day? 
I wash 24 dipes at a time so I'd say maybe 36 dipes between the two. That way you can still have some to use as you wash and dry. 
I could be way off though. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/rolleyes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="rolleyes">: 
I am just trying to bump this up and get you some real help. :LOL

sweetfeet · Oct 1, 2003

Hi<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> Sophie is 17 months old so I can offer you some insight on that age. She gets changed about 8 times a day. She sleeps all night in 1 diaper. Then about every 2-3 hours through the day unless she has a bm. So Id get 24 diapers for this age and 4 covers as minimums for washing every 2 days<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> Hopefully someone can chime in on the older child. Would something like the Happy Heiny trainers work for the 3 yo? They are like pull ups. HTH!

tinyshoes · Oct 1, 2003

sweetfeet, I think you're right on the money. 
I switched to cloth when dd was 18 months old. 
My stash had a total of 18 diapers; we used 16 of them: 15 cpfs and 1 fuzzi buns 
This was enough diapers for approx. 36 hours, because my dd used about 9 dipes a day--8 during the day, 1 at night. I washed every day, but it was flexible as to when during the day I wanted to wash. I used the medium load setting on my machine. 
I had 4 covers, could've gotten by w/ 2 or 3. 
It just FREAKS me out how many dipes you use on a newborn, and how few are used with the bigger kiddos!

sweetfeet · Oct 1, 2003

Just dont tell my dh that I admitted that one doesnt need 14 covers for 1 kiddo:LOL

pamelamama · Oct 1, 2003

Welcome to diapering Amy!! Glad to see you come over from the dark side! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/winky.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink"> 
Don't have any specific quantity advice as my kids are bookending yours, but wanted to make you feel welcome. I'm thinking the amount will vary based on how frequently you want to change the kids. Some mamas change after every pee, some wait and do it based on time. Different strokes, ykwim? 
Perhaps while making the change for your 3.5 yo you might want to go to training pants to get her excited about "big girl panties". People like toddlingtots.com 
Good luck!! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/hug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hug"> 
xoox pam

BelovedBird · Oct 1, 2003

So what is changing? Are you moving out of the apartment? 
I switched when my guy was almost a year and a half. My initial stash was 12 nothing special fitteds (kushies, country comforts bought on ebay, used) and 3 covers (2 being almost useless). I washed every other day or every day and often had to use a sposie or two while the dipes dried. I made a few dipes from flannel from the local clothes gamach and cut up towels. Then someone gave me 12 gerber prefolds, I bought 3 diapers and one cover used from someone here (the cover was no longer waterproof though) and I got some snappis and 6 more covers from my Mom. 
That is me. 
I am not sure how many diaps I have but I love fitteds and covers. I also like pf, and if I had the money I would definately get some cpfs. The only thing I paid for was the stuff I bought here. The rest were presents (my initial stash for my birthday) from my mom. AIOs might be nice for babysitters and going out. 
I think 18 dipes for the 18 month old is the absolute minimum. I have 8 good covers and 2 spares. I really think I need that many. When ds had diareah over rosh hashana I did not run out of covers. That was nice. The ones I like best are the bumkins. I have a fleece cover that I really like as well for night (it is lizs cloth). Do not over look fleece liners and doublers. I would also like more of those. 
B'Hatzlacha! I hope that helped even if it was a bit rambly, lol.

azdesertrn · Oct 1, 2003

Ok, I'll play. We switched DS to cloth when he was about 18 months. We used about 8-10 diapers per day. While he's awake I change whenever I notice he's wet (or poopy), averages about every 2 hours (closer together in the morning then in the afternoon he may go 3 hours and still be dry). 
So to wash every other day I would want 20-24 daytime diapers and 3 night time ones. If you wash everyday you could have less. (Remember to allow a few to wear while washing and drying the others- how many depends on whether you are line drying which takes longer unless you are here in AZ in 110 degrees <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin"> ) I say 3 night time diapers because nothing is worse than discovering DS has pooped right after I put on the last night time diaper and having to improvise something late at night. 
He is almost 2.5 now and still uses about the same number as he did a year ago. Right now I use mostly fitteds (cloud 9 softies) at home, while I am at work or when we are out he is usually in a bumkins AIO with a joey bunz tucked under the flap as a doubler. At night we use Happy Heiny stuffed with 2 joey bunz and a smaller doubler. 
Oh, 3 covers is enough for us with fitteds, but when we used CPF I needed more because he is still a frequent pooper and it usually got on the cover when using the prefolds even if I snappied. 
HTH 
Kaye

Aurora · Oct 1, 2003

See???? I knew if I bumped your thread the knowledgeable mamas would respond. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1">

merpk · Oct 2, 2003

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> 
Thanks, ladies ... <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/grouphug.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="grouphug"> 
So next ... oh, BB, am not leaving the apartment (until DH's job search in your neck of the woods is successful) but can't deal with the cost of the disposables and the reliance on it by the kiddos. It really is in your face when it adds up with several kids in diapers, you can't pretend about the sheer quantity, and since I got all up in arms about NY stopping recycling last year, have been feeling quite the hypocrite to still be using disposables. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad"> :guilt <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/confused.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Confused">: 
Okay, so here goes the next question: 
When DS#1 was born my mom bought me packages and packages of Gerber or whoever's cloth diapers as "burp cloths," and have used them ever since as, well, useful cloths. But not as diapers. You know, those big square/rectangular cotton things. So are those "prefolds"? And if I've got those, I can just get the covers and be on my way, right? 
Yeah, I know, that was a real beginner question, right? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

campingmumma · Oct 2, 2003

Hi Amy, 
We've been cding for about 3 months now. I converted my 2 yr. old ds over as well. I found this site (by a MDC mom): <a href="http://mywebpages.comcast.net/kfegelman/index.htm" target="_blank">http://mywebpages.comcast.net/kfegelman/index.htm</a> 
to be extremely helpful in explaining it all: the lingo, the diff. ways of folding, washing instructions, etc. 
HTH

jessikate · Oct 2, 2003

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">Originally posted by merpk <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> 
When DS#1 was born my mom bought me packages and packages of Gerber or whoever's cloth diapers as "burp cloths," and have used them ever since as, well, useful cloths. But not as diapers. You know, those big square/rectangular cotton things. So are those "prefolds"? And if I've got those, I can just get the covers and be on my way, right? </td>
</tr></table></div>
They sound like flatfold diapers to me. Here's some info on folding: <a href="http://www.borntolove.com/d-list1r.shtml" target="_blank">Flat Diaper Instructions</a>

merpk · Oct 2, 2003

One more question. If DS is borderline one size to the next (say he's 22 lbs and the sizes start with 24 or 25 lbs) am I asking for a mess to go with the next larger size? Are these things adjustable? Or is velcro more adjustable than snaps? 
Man is this hard. But it's diapering. Why does it feel like rocket science? And how did mankind survive this? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/confused.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Confused">:

merpk · Oct 2, 2003

AM PLACING MY ORDER TOMORROW. PANIC SETTING IN. PLEASE ANSWER IMMEDIATELY. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/help.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="help">

campingmumma · Oct 2, 2003

Amy, 
What exactly are you looking at for dipes? What website - I might be able to help.

merpk · Oct 3, 2003

babiesinthesun.com 
(Every time I see that I think of that old song "Seasons in the Sun" nocluebywho ... "We had joy we had fun we had seasons in the sun but the stars we could reach were just starfish on the beach ..." always hated that song, but now it sticks in my head all the time, we had joy we had fun we had babies in the sun ... can you tell i'm losing it???? 
Have you noticed that my new sig-line "LHEP" is "help" spelled sideways? 
So for 3.5yo DD who is not trained nor at all interested in training, thinking of Whisper pants (or whatever they're called) and pull-up whatevers (Gerber or whatever cotton ones). She's not so much a confusion for me (I dont' think) anymore. 
The baby 18mo DS#2 is about 22 lbs ... gotta do the whole shebang, right? So maybe 2dz prefold or whatever they're called, and a couple of cover things? Recommendations? 
And iy'H will be doing this for a newborn in the spring ... <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/yikes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="EEK!"> 
I'm calm now.

BinahYeteirah · Oct 3, 2003

bs"d <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/winky.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink">B'shaa Tovah, Amy!!! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/winky.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up"> 
I can't really offer any more quanity advice, other than to watch out for three and two day yomim tovim when you won't be able to wash. I only have one in dipes, but I have 4 dozen prefolds. I don't really *need* that many, but I've been happy I have them. Sometimes before a Hag or Shabbos, I just don't make it to diaper laundry. Even with 4 dozen plus, I've been close to running out before. Of course, it all depends how often you change. If you stay on top of the laundry, then you should be able to get by with fewer. I was always able to just deal, even when I first started and all the covers I had didn't work/fit. If you start with less, then you can buy only what you really need and that works for you. 
Yeah! Amy's gonna do cloth!

campingmumma · Oct 3, 2003

Hi again, 
How 'bout 5 Bummis pull-on covers for your potty-trainer and I'm guessing you'll be using Gerber-like training pants from Target/Walmart. 
For the younger one, 2 dz. prem. prefolds sounds 'bout right and I would get 6 covers ( I use proraps). I'm sure the Bummis wraps are great too. 
I wouldn't go overboard. You might want to try a couple fitteds, wool covers, etc. and then figure out what you want for overnight use. 
You may find cheaper shipping at: <a href="http://www.naturalbabies.com" target="_blank">www.naturalbabies.com</a> <a href="http://www.naturalebaby.com" target="_blank">www.naturalebaby.com</a> <a href="http://www.kellyscloset.com" target="_blank">www.kellyscloset.com</a> <a href="http://www.smartiepantsdiapers.com" target="_blank">www.smartiepantsdiapers.com</a> 
Other recommends: 
For nighttime, an Aristocrats wool soaker over a hemp Nighty Newt -needs to be snappied from (<a href="http://www.littlelounginglizards.com" target="_blank">www.littlelounginglizards.com</a>) or a hemp fitted firefly sleep tight diaper. They're expensize at $25 - but IMO well spent. You have to order firefly diapers over the phone. The # is posted at: <a href="http://www.fireflydiapers.com/quickdry/" target="_blank">http://www.fireflydiapers.com/quickdry/</a> 
HTH

merpk · Oct 5, 2003

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/jaw.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="dropjaw"> 
Am in awe, ladies. I posted last on this, what, yesterday? 36 hours ago? And this thread is already on page 7 ... <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/yikes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="EEK!"> 
You mamas are somethin' else. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/privateeyes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="private eyes"> 
Anyway, so from highs to lows, placed my order Friday morning, yay, then DH went ballistic when I told him about it because we have an unavoidable expense this month and my order makes us unable to put it on the credit card which makes us unable to pay for said unavoidable expense. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad"> 
The mama who took my order is a very patient person ... :LOL 
Anyway, am partially convinced that DH's reaction is partially legit because of finances, but he wanted me to cancel the order altogether instead of arranging a payment plan, so I think he just is afraid of the laundry ... we are in an apartment, and he does the shlepping of the laundry mostly (brings it home for me to fold), so I understand that ... well, anyway. Hopefully this is still happening, just a little slower than expected ... <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad"> 
Thanks for all the support, ladies ...

Converting toddler & preschooler to cloth ... quantity question?

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