[mamarhu]

Oy! So I am not really so new a grandma, but I just got custody (temp or permanent, don't know yet) of my 2 YO Figlet and 2 mo old TheBoy. I cloth diapered ElderSon in the days before all these fancy all-in-ones or even diaper covers other than those horrid plastic-elastic things. Then I CD'd the Dumplings, 15 years later, but I did not live in the US, so I didn't have access to all the choices. And that was 10-13 years ago anyway.

So here I am today - determined to CD, but
1. I am overwhelmed by the choices
2. I am seriously flat broke (for a couple months at least)
3. The Figlet has very tender skin

I have started out with a month's worth of diaper service (flat folds) and 6-8 covers (almost all Velcro closing, used) for each baby. This is working pretty well for TheBoy (size tiny); I am learning to use 2 at night, and all the other details that I had forgotten. I also own about 20 size small Swaddlebees AIOs that he is about to grow into.

But the situation is not so simple for the Figlet. She is developmentally delayed (perhaps due to neglect, and probably will catch up); for now, I cannot even think about potty learning. And the diapers are not a problem - but she is raw everywhere that elastic, or PUL touches her skin. She also pees buckets, and soaks & leaks through every night, no matter what I do. She is in such pain - I am really anxious to help her, but the only solution that really works is disposable diapers (well, they still leak, but her skin clears up). She has a history of exema, and I don't know if that relates to her sensitivity.

I welcome any suggestions. Is there a style of diaper cover I could use for her that uses no elastic? I thought of wool soakers, but I am willing to bet that would not work at night. I am using A&D ointment, but would be happy to try an alternative. I am a seamstress, so would welcome suggestions of patterns, styles, or whatever that I could make... at least if I could use recycled fabric (I have a huge stash of used t-shirts and wool and cotton sweaters from my home business).

Thanks in advance to the younger generation - I clearly don't know it all!

 

[rainbowmoon]

I would try the wool. here is a pattern for a cover using a wool (recycled) sweater!
http://www.borntolove.com/frugal-column2.html

wool really does work! I'd also use 2 prefolds with another trifolded and folded in half and lay that in the center (up higher in the front for boys).

 

[emmaegbert]

Wool soaker works really well at night for my son who is 4yo and still wets heavily at night. I didn't discover it until later and I am totally converted. When it starts to let dampness through, time to re-lanolize. I recently made him a cover from a $2 thrift store sweater (that I felted in the washer) and had enough leftover to make "longies" for a new baby friend too.

Snappi's don't work though (they catch the wool) so we're using pins.

Have you checked out the diaper making board? lots of help there about how to make the wool covers.

People also swear by the fleece covers. I've never tried them, but I'm betting you can get thirft-store fleece clothes for cheap and try some out.

 

[littlemizflava]

flats or prefolds will work well. placing a peice of fleece inside next to the skin will keep it with the dry feeling. with my massive peeing ds this didnt work, we still had massive leaking and raw everywhere every night so i folded a microfiber facecloth in 3 at night (prefold doubler and microfiber with a cover). i fleece cover is very easy to make and custom fit so it will not end up too tight and leaving marks but if you are just at home you can use a prefold (or whatever) without a cover and just change when wet.

i was tight on money and did flats and made fleece covers out of a blanket.