Cloth Diapers Anyone?!

MrsStarns

FTM here and I've got several friends who cloth diaper and love it. I've already started my stash for when baby comes next summer. Any of you ladies planning on cloth diapering?!

MaidMarion25

I am planning on cloth diapering, everyone I tell this to thinks I'm crazy!

rmjones15

I did with my last and I will this time. It's not as hard as people make it out to be...just make sure you stay on top of laundry

MNOpea

We cloth diaper and super love it. I secretly wish I didn't already have a stash big enough for 2 so that I could buy more fluff

SarainColorado2013

We are planning on it.

TrueMyth

I'm planning on it. Two of my friends also used them but I'm holding off until my official announcement until I pick their brains. I'm overwhelmed by the options, but I'm leaning towards bumgenius all-in-ones for the long hall.

chickpea912

Cloth diaper'd M from right around 2weeks old, and have a sizeable stash for this time around.  It's been hard not to keep buying diapers - especially since we don't know the sex yet - but it's awesome.  I'm a huge CD fan, and a big part of me was secretly thrilled when we CD'd to PLing, even after people told me I'd last two weeks.

otter1103

We are planning on it but also plan on still using some disposable for certain times like whole day at the zoo, long car trips or when flying so not to carry soiled ones for prolonged period.

We are trying to narrow down which ones.

@TruMyth I have a few friends who raved about BumGenius all-in-ones so I think we too are leaning that way.

lclark79

We used cloth for my DD and I plan on bringing out my stash again. I didn't cloth from the beginning with my DD but I would like to get some infant prefolds and covers for this one. 

hollyfp

Yes.  I have purchased a bunch of NB size already.

I don't tell everyone just because I don't care what they think and don't feel like constantly explaining myself.  Our immediate family who matters (will change sometimes) is on board

StinaLeigh

We cloth diapered from 3-4 mos on last time and will do the same this time. I loved it. At first out families did an eye roll at it but quickly got on board when they realized how different it is from back when they diapered.
For me, I do prefer to use disposables in the beginning when things are a little hectic, baby is so tiny (too small for our one size's) and needs to be changed constantly.

flojo973

I really want to but DH is adamantly against it.  I really want to get him to come around to the idea.  I mentioned it to my in-laws this weekend and they totally made fun of me.  

katekat8721

I am thinking of doing a hybrid kinda thing... use CD at home and use disposables out and about. I'll probably also have to use disposables when they're born since they will probably be on the tiny side.

MNOpea

flojo973 said:

I really want to but DH is adamantly against it.  I really want to get him to come around to the idea.  I mentioned it to my in-laws this weekend and they totally made fun of me.  

When I first brought up cd'ing to my dh he was picturing prefolds, giant safety pins, and plastic pants and said no way! I had a friend who let me borrow one of her pockets to show him, and when he realized how easy it would be, and how much money it would save us (he's big on saving money) he jumped on board!

maggiexxx

I use cloth on my 2yr son and will be for sure using CD with our new baby.

flojo973

@CDK211 - I think I might go to a local CD store and buy one to show him.  He isn't swayed by the money savings at all, which sucks.  I think he's just really grossed out at what he thinks will be poop in the washing machine.  I'm going to really have to sit him down and explain it.

StinaLeigh

Seriously, the flushable liners make dealing with the poop so much more bearable. You just plop the liner (with poop) right into the toilet. Diap still gets poop stained but no chunks. Amazing. Didn't ever need a sprayer.

otter1103

@CDK211 did you prefer the Swaddlebees over the Grovia AI2s or about the same? I'm also looking at the hybrids Grovia has but would like to keep the CD'ing as simple as possible which is why I like the all in one's

otter1103

Great and very helpful info @CDK211
Thanks so much!

Lakirat

I plan to CD as much as possible with disposable backups. Everyone thinks I'm crazy too. I'm so glad to hear success stories from this board. I've started buying a couplle different styles now and will fill my stash when I know what works best for us.

AndreaC428

We are super psyched to CD -
But totally overwhelmed by our options. I really appreciate your suggestions!

kjohnson1002

I'm planning on it and actually today as a Christmas gift from a friend she gave me 6 CDs to get me started. She also gave me a list of different names to try so I plan on picking up a few here and there...hoping with the holiday some sales will be happening and I can get some more!

ncbelle

Definitely! CDed my first two birth to potty training ...cloth is awesome!

chickpea912

Just a heads up - pretty sure the company that owns Swaddlebees decided to rebrand all of their diapers under the other diaper brand they own - Blueberry.  So if you search for Swaddlebees, you might have a hard time finding them.  Look for Blueberry diapers.

I will say, don't buy all one thing and go with it.  You might get lucky, but more possibly you'll find that they might not work for you.  One of my first diapers was the GroVia AI2, and I found it just didn't work for us - I didn't love their velcro option (don't know if they've changed it), and DD leaked more with those than with others.  There are a ton of diapers out there, and while I can tell you my favorite commercial brands (Bumgenius and Blueberry, although I use a GOOD number of diapers hand made by work at home moms), what works for me might not work for you.

chickpea912

Just wanted to make a quick note - don't feel like you HAVE to use sposies while out.  It is so easy to use cloth while out and about, especially if you use something like a pocket or all-in-one that is one piece.  I know my experience doesn't necessarily have to be YOUR experience, but I found that not long after using cloth, I absolutely HATED sposies - the smell, the look, everything.  Doing cloth full time - at home and away - is super easy.  If you have questions about it, please just ask

lifeisbetteronthered

We CD DD (since a couple of weeks old) and plan on doing the same again. We use AMP OS Duos and love them, plus a couple if WAHM pockets. As mentioned, we had thought we would use sposies when out, but it only took a couple of outings for us to realize that we would rather use cloth 100%, it really isn't that tough. Same for cloth wipes. We started with disposable wipes, but got sick of putting the diaper in the pail and with wipes in the garbage, especially when out. Easier for everything to go in the same place.

And if you have a baby, dealing with poop is inevitable. Using sposies doesn't protect you. They have blow outs a million times more often (we've never had one in cloth).

I don't think cloth is for everyone, but I do think it is for more people then people realize.

girl-23

I've only ever used cloth diapers. My son was in cloth from birth to potty training. This baby will be as well.

MrsStarns

It's awesome to see all you ladies using CDs!!! @mommywaldron it IS as expensive as you make it just like CDK211 said. After getting the scoop from my girlfriends and making up my mind that I was going to do it I began my stash. On Black Friday I found AMAZING sales and even found a few bundles on Ebay. $50 for 6 diapers that included 2 liners a piece. Also Green Mountain Diapers is a great website for first time CD users. It gives how to descriptions on everything and also shows babies with the different sizes as to help you make your decisions on what to get! Plus they've got a dozen of organic prefolds for like $24 I think. 

So I've bought about 60 prefolds for newborns with a handful of covers for them. The rest of everything I've bought can be resized. 

My husband's entire family is against us using CD, but I've got his full support so that's all that matters! Luckily my girlfriend who introduced me to it.. her husband loves it just as much as she does so that helped with my husband understanding how easy it really is and just all around better!

MrsStarns

@flojo973 that's funny because I felt the same way about a year ago when I was first introduced to cloth diapers! I was just thinking.. there is no way in hell I'm putting a sh***y diaper in my washer! But then after I started researching and learning the ways I realized that it really is no different as if you had something nasty on you and had to wash it! Plus the little diaper sprayer should be a big help! My mom is getting onto me about purchasing the disposable liners…. but I'm just not convinced yet! The whole purpose for CD is to save money and not have to constantly buy things… but we shall see!

@otter1103 I'm thinking of doing the same thing.. Keeping a few disposable diapers while out and about just for more convenience. I read The Honest Company has GREAT diapers without all the chemicals. Which for me is a big thing right up there with the saving money. I found out all the chemicals that are in diapers and I was shocked. Granted, people have been using them for years and there hasn't been a baby grow an extra leg or anything like that… but to go chemical free and your child get less rashes and irritation that could possibly lead into skin infections and such…. Seems like a good reason to me!

chickpea912

@MrsStarns  I'd say try out the liners, but we never used them.  The only time we used any type of liner was when I had to put special diaper cream on DD that wouldn't work well with cloth - I just made fleece liners that I washed separately.  No fuss, no muss.  You don't have to worry about poo until they are eating solids, and I honestly didn't find it to be a big deal to spray them before putting them in the pail.

The problem that some people have had with conventional diapers have been burns and rashes from the materials in the diapers -  no third legs, necessarily!  But honestly, everyone figures out what works for them, but it is super easy to use cloth out and about.  Not even really a convenience thing, so to buy a few disposable diapers once in a while... probably not necessarily something you'll feel the need to do once you get your routine going.

MrsLabRat

Clueless FTM here.. Can someone please explain the whole CD process to me please? What are the different parts to it.. Just the "shell" and liner? Is the liner disposable, so that only the shell must be washed? Does the shell need to be washed after every change, or does the baby sometimes only get the liner dirty? How does the shell close- Velcro? And I thought one of the comments said that the baby can't wear normal clothes with CD- what do they need to wear then?
Sorry for the question overload, I really need a CD 101

chickpea912

Okay, I'll take a stab at your questions, @MrsLabRat.

First - in ANY CDing situation, you need two things - something absorbent, and something waterproof that will keep the diaper from leaking.  That's the basics.  Here are the different types of CDs, starting with simplest to more complex/convenient.

Prefolds (PFs) - think your old fashioned big square of cloth - used to be fastened with pins.  No longer (although some people do use them), they have these things called snappis (similar to the fasteners that you can use with ace wrap bandages).  This is the absorbent part, so you'll need something waterproof to keep any wetness from going everywhere - used to be rubber pants, no longer.  There are a wide variety of different types of covers you can use - some are super adorable.  Pros: Super cost effective   Cons: Can be tricky to get the various folds right or comfortable for you, two pieces - can be a little annoying/cumbersome

Fitteds - also just the absorbent part - a fitted diaper is FITTED in the shape of a diaper.  So it's like they took the basics of a prefold and shaped it.  Fitteds often come with snaps, so you don't have to worry about pins or snappis, but it is ONLY the absorbent part - you'll need a cover (see link above for examples) to keep from getting everything wet.   Pros: Easy with snaps  Cons: two pieces - can be cumbersome

Pocket diapers - this is getting more convenient.  A pocket diaper is a washable, reusable diaper that has a pocket - the exterior is waterproof, so you don't need an extra cover, and you place the absorbent parts in the pocket.  These can be pretty convenient - once they are stuffed, you don't have to do anything else, just grab it and throw it on the kid.  Come with velcro or snap closures - super easy.   Pros: customizable - if you need more or less absorbency, you just add it or subtract it, super easy once they are stuffed (ie once they are clean, stuff them all right then) - just grab one and go - as easy as a disposable diaper   Cons: Some people dislike having to stuff

All-in-ones (AIO) - what the name implies - all in one piece.  Waterproof exterior, with all of the absorbent stuff already in the diaper.  Pros - super convenient.  Cons - can take a really long time to dry, and unless they have a pocket to add extra absorbent material, you can't customize it to your needs (ie if you have a heavy wetter and need more padding.

All-in-twos (AI2) - also what the name implies - two pieces, but all in one package - often has a snap-in pad or something that is your absorbent material, with the waterproof exterior. Pros: easy, can reuse the shell (sometimes) if it isn't messed on, Cons: can lack the complete customization of other systems (ie needing more absorbency)

I did find that many types of pants were built for a baby with no butt (ie a paper diaper on) - the extra fluff that you get with a diaper can make it tricky to wear fitted pants, like some jeans or skinny pants.  I had zero problems with things like leggings or fleece pants.  Also - you can use wool as a diaper cover, and those end up being an absolutely fantastic option.

ETA: Added in some nicknames of different types.

MrsLabRat

Thank you so much @chickpea912!! You really broke it down for me

chickpea912

The only pieces you could really use between washings are the covers - those that you use with prefolds or fitteds or possibly with an All-in-two - depending on the kind.  If it was just a pee diaper, I'd wipe it and let it dry and reuse.  If it was messy, and some of the mess got on the cover, you'd probably want to wash it.

Pockets you have to wash each time you use it, since the inner part of the pocket - the piece against the baby's bum - has urine and other liquids pass through it, so you wouldn't reuse that until you washed it. 

(Just trying to make sure I included everything)

lifeisbetteronthered

While EBF you don't have to do anything special, just toss them in the wet bag and put them in your diaper pail when you get home. If baby is FF or eating solids when you can either use a disposable liner (what we do), swish the diaper in the public toilet, or save it to deal with when you get home.

MrsStarns

@chickpea912 thanks for piping in! You are full of good information! I've read and read about CD abd I believe I have a decent grasp but you really broke down the different types and made it super easy to understand!!

noryang

We have cloth diapered DD since birth. LOVE it but definitely love diapers that I didn't expect to. I find that AIOs are the most difficult to deal with in terms of drying and getting your wash routine right. They just don't rinse out as well as a diaper's whose layers open up more. A prefold, for example, opens up and tends to rinse out more easily - if that makes any sense. Our favorite diapers are the Workhorse Fitteds from Green Mountain Diapers. 

Mrs.C.V.

Question here too! Do disposable liners fit all types of cloth diapers (all in one,all into etc)? How do they attach? Thanks so much for all the info here, I've been reading up on CD ing but this is really making it all more clear!

chickpea912

In terms of our and about - I used mostly pocket diapers, so they were pre-stuffed and ready to go. I had a bunch in my bag ready to go, so I would just grab one. Regardless of the state of dirty diaper,I'd throw it in a wet bag (lined zipper bag that keeps other stuff from getting wet). If it was re-solids, no biggie, just put it in the pail once you get home. Once she was older, if there was poop, I'd just dump it in a nearby toilet before putting it in the wet bag. Easy peasy - I found it JUST as easy as using a paper diaper while it and about, exception didn't have to buy diapers I DIDN'T want to use and I didn't have to feel bad about adding to the landfill.

In terms of numbers - for newborns, I'm planning on 24-36 diapers to go 2-3 days between washing. I plan on getting a dozen prefolds with 3-4 covers, some fitted, and maybe some all in ones. I'm going for KL0s (Kissaluv fitteds size zero), Bumgenius newborn all in ones, and maybe some Rumparooz Little Joey all in ones.

Disposable liners just lay in on top of the diapers (if you're talking about the disposable longer that is ONLY used to catch poop - it looks sort of like a dryer sheet, if that makes sense). If you mean disposable inserts that are sort of like a disposable diaper inside a reusable outside,I have no idea. I haven't used them - refer to the landfill concern I have before.

You only have to prep natural fibers a bunch of time in order to yet their absorbency up. That's prefolds, fitteds, and anything that uses hemp or cotton. Something like the pocket diapers or all in ones that use synthetic fibers only have to be washed once to get any shipping/store uck off.

MrsStarns

@Babywear I definitely agree with everything chickpea has stated. As far as the brands though... I've read and heard that so many different brands work for different babies! You'd probably be better off just doing your research, studying reviews, and buying a variety to see what works. That's what I've done anyways. I've got some months before my baby is here, but I've started my stash and I've got 6 of one brand (I found a bundle deal on eBay), a few from another brand and a few fitted from Green Mountain Diapers. Plus, I had a friend who was selling some of hers (there wasn't anything wrong with them she just opted not to do it anymore).
And when you read reviews... Really think about what there saying. I found some bad reviews on some diapers but after reading them several times they really made no sense. I isn't feel they seemed to be using the diaper correctly or to it's full potential and then just writing a bad review.

Brittnic531

I'm a little late to this conversation but I'm curious if any of you have returned to work and still CD'd and how that worked with daycare/ babysitter, etc. FTM here and I've always been really interested in CDing but not sure how to make it work for us. Thanks!