[Hannahkatiebell]

we cd'ed our ds until i started back to teaching second grade full-time. i couldn't keep up with the diaper washing. has anyone else had this problem? how do you keep up with the cd'ing and work full-time?

 

[HeatherB]

That's gotta be a tough situation! How often are you needing to wash? A larger stash will allow a longer lag between washing, which might help. Of course, wait TOO long and the diapers actually can be damaged (a week or more).

I hope you're able to find a solution you are happy with!

 

[schreiberwriter]

As a working mom, I think 24-36 diapers are best. I also use fitteds and prefolds on weekends so I don't use up my pockets.

 

[Michigan Mama]

What kind of system were you using? While pocket diapers are convenient in some respects, sometimes I really dislike the time it takes to stuff them! The advantage of prefolds or fitteds with covers is you can wash and dry them and leave them in the laundry basket unfolded - just grab what you need when you need it. No prep required!

 

[SeekingJoy]

Can you expand your stash so you only have to wash 1-2 per week? This is obviously easier to do with prefolds than pockets or AIOs.

 

[Hannahkatiebell]

So, it would be okay if I only washed once a week. Really?
We were using aio's but they do take time to stuff. what if i only washed once a week using prefolds and covers. how may would i need of everything for a 14 month old?

 

[beautifulboy]

I'm not sure how many you would need.....but I would definately just try to wash once a week. We currently went from washing 3x a week to 2x a week (we sized up in diapers and when we did I bought more of them so I have to wash less) and anyway, it has saved me a lot of time. At first I thought I could save $$ by having just enough diapers to get by, but now I see that it's really better if I have more diapers than I need and the washing is more flexible. We use prefolds and fitteds btw, except we have 3 aios that we use sometimes.

 

[brietta]

I think you can definitely get away with washing just once a week. And you may find that even a mid-week wash isn't that big a deal either. I think you can use pockets or aios as well as fitteds and prefolds (if you like them) as long as you don't use microfiber inserts, since I would think you might have stink issues with only washing them once a week.

 

[schreiberwriter]

With prefolds and covers, wouldn't you change 8x a day plus a nice absorbent fitted for night? At minimum you'd need 2 covers a day plus the cover at night. You could probably use them from one day to the next and handwash in the sink as needed. So maybe 8 covers a week.

 

[SeekingJoy]

8x a day sounds about right. 8 covers sound like plenty, esp if you snappy.

 

[Hannahkatiebell]

thanks for your input everyone! i'm gonna stock up!

 

[AlwaysByMySide]

The only way I've been able to keep up with them while working is washing every day. It just becomes part of the routine. I wash them at night, right after I change the last diaper of the night, and hang to dry before going to sleep. (Since I line dry, and usually do it inside, they take the entire overnight and next day to dry completely, so I'm pulling off dry diapers and inserts while I'm putting up wet ones.)

I have enough to get us through about 3 days, but I find that if I get really behind, then I have to use the dryer, and I am trying to keep my electric bill down. If I was using the dryer for the inserts, I'd probably only wash every other day.