I want to be part of your world!

allliecat

Hi everyone! 

I have ALWAYS been fearful of poopy diapers but ironically, when thinking of whats best for my babies bum, cloth diapering has always been my desire. With as much research I've done and youtube videos I've watched, I'm still a little confused on the many different brands and types of cloth diapers. 

I *plan* to be a SAHM or work from home, but I would also like to know what works best for you all when you leave the kids with family that may not be used to cloth diapers. Did you use disposables at all for going out, road trips, family, baby sitters? How did family react to changing cloth diapers?

Can someone lead me in the right direction that would be best for my situation? Brands, links, prices, types, anything would be much appreciated! 

If someone could take the time to break things down for me, that would be awesome! I would appreciate any help or advice at all that I could receive! 

Also, leave at the bottom what your favorite diaper of all time is if you'd like! 

Thanks so much!

Rrrrrachel

Cloth diapers are really not that hard. I expected friends/family/babysitters to figure it out. They did fine.

SamanthaPo

For the sitter, who she goes to 4 hours a week, we use pocket diapers. And they are Velcro. It is super easy for her.

At home, we use prefolds and fitteds. We love GMD prefolds, I think their sizes are on point. Also, we've used a variety of fitteds and I love them all.

JJC925

I would suggest seeing if there is a local cloth diaper store in your area. I got a lot of advice and help from them!

tjkdlhb

I use cloth.  I don't buy disposables.  My family/sitter uses cloth without any issues.

freezorburn

Check out the newborn cloth diaper trial at Jillian's Drawers. You can order the trial to ship ahead of time, so that gives you time to check them out and prep them, and then the actual trial starts when your baby is born. You use the diapers for 3 weeks (iirc) and then you can ship back whatever you don't want for store credit. Jillian's also now has a customizable newborn rental program that looks pretty good.

We use disposables when we travel and won't have access to a washer for 3+ days. Daycare uses a combination of disposables and AIO (it's complicated). Most of our AIO/pocket diapers have snaps because they last longer and are harder for LO to undo himself. I had an Aplix BG that I converted to snaps, then regretted it because Daycare couldn't figure out how to put snap diapers on correctly, so I now have a couple Aplix diapers just for daycare.

For going out most people just keep a small wetbag in the diaper bag, and put wet/dirty diapers in that until they get home. Where I live you are not supposed to toss your wet sposies in the regular trash unless there is a special bin provided, so you would have to take your wet/dirty sposies with you anyway.

ETA: favorite diapers -- during newborn stage, Kissaluvs size 0 fitteds or GMD prefolds w/ Snappi and Thirsties size 1 covers; for overnight, S'bish OBF or snapless; for an OS AIO, Blueberry Simplex; for travel when we have access to a washer but no dryer, flats stuffed into pocket shells - Thirsties or Oh Katys.

I think there's no point in picking just one. We live in a world where we have tons of options, so you can try different things and see what you like, see what works for you. 

ElleBeeDub

We use disposables when we travel (because we've never gone anywhere that had access to a washing machine). Otherwise, I use cloth when out and about, and if you're changing my kid's diaper, you can figure out cloth. When I'm out, I have small wet bags that I take, so I just fold up the diaper and take it home to wash. 

We DID buy aplix for the DC because when we sent snaps, G wound up leaking every day.

We don't live close to family, so their reactions weren't really an issue. My MIL was here for a short time after G was born, and she just didn't change diapers (that had more to do with some other issues than the cloth, though ). My sister also visited us for a little while, and after that she decided to use cloth on her youngest too!

A lot of people prefer to use prefolds and covers for at least the newborn stage, since they're cheap and the baby will grow so quickly. If you don't have a local CD store to look at, though, a diaper trial can be a very valuable resource for you. We used prefolds/covers for newborn. For my OS stash, I essentially bought an entire stash 2nd hand that included some of each type so we could figure out what we liked. Since then, I've bought and sold until I now have a stash that is perfect for us (and it still includes a little of everything).

My favorite diaper varies depending on the day/situation. I have favorite nap diapers (Rumparooz with a hemp or bamboo soaker and a MF doubler), favorite out-and-about diapers (Grovia AI2s), favorite around-the-house diapers (prefold and cover), favorite leave-them-for-DH-or-a-sitter diapers (Tots Bots), and favorite nighttime diapers (fitted with wool). 

Cloth is very much like a good pair of jeans. What works for me  won't necessarily work for you, you kinda have to figure out what is a good fit for you and your family

CLLDLL

You got a lot of good advice above. So I'll just say

1. Dont make your whole stash all one brand or even all one style. You might surprise yoursellf and love something you thought you'd hate. That happened to me. Also baby may grow and change shape and what fit perfect at 4 months may leak at 8 months.

2. We use disposables for travelling when we won't have easy access to a washer. Otherwise we use cloth exclusively.

3. My DC figured out cloth without too much trouble and he was there first cloth baby. Yours will too. We send Velcro pockets because that's what I bought for them originally, but I do send and occasional snap pocket or AI2 and they do fine.

My fav diaper is all of them. No seriously if you made me pick only one to use I'd get GMD flats and Blueberry Cover all covers. But I love Best Bottoms, Sweet Pea covers, Thirsties covers, AppleCheeks pockets, and SoftBums Omnis.

Chichigo

I thought I would use disposables when I went out, but quickly changed my mind. I did use them for our first trip with baby so I didn't need to worry about laundry.

My favorite is also flats with blueberry coveralls (rumparooz newborn for that stage instead). Now that I am diversifying my diaper stash, I like to have at least one pocket or AIO in my diaper bag when out of the house. Its more convenient than a two step system if changing on a floor in a public place.

emmylou78

I don't know if I was side-eyed for CDs. But no one has ever said anything. My mother watches the baby, and she uses then CDs I send with no problem. She even removes the inserts!

Pockets can range anywhere from $10 Kawaii up to mid-high $20s for others. It depends on why you are CDing I guess. Is it to save money? Then cheaper pockets (Alva, sunbaby, Kawaii may be best) or prefolds/flats with covers.

I went against the grain and bought all BG 4.0 pockets and Some NB prefolds and covers. They were a mid level price and seemed to be generally liked by most. I wanted a stash by the time the baby came. The only ones I've added are some Kawaii pure & natural and Thirsties pockets bc they fit before the OS (one size).

I use disposibles randomly. They were gifted, but after the size 2s are gone I don't plan to buy more. FWIW, the only time I've had leaks is when in sposies. An of course I was out when it happened.

And what exactly do you need broken down?

emmylou78

Wow. I have too much time with the baby asleep. That was a bit long.

allliecat

Thank you all so very much for all your advice! Really really helped. You all are awesome! 

Dreamingmommy4

I exclusively use prefolds (Osocozy brand) with Flip brand covers. I ended up diapering this way because it is inexpensive (we are doing this to save money) and the Flips just so happened to be the first brand I tried and I love them. Using prefolds w/ covers is a super easy way to CD. DH had no problem figuring it out and anyone who has watched DD does just fine. My SIL had no experience, I showed her once and she had it down. My parents and ILs both have watched DD as well, but I never had to teach them. Both sets of parents CDed us when we were kids so they picked it up right away. When we travel we go by a similar system to some of the PPs, we use disposables if we are going to be 3+ days without a washer. GL on your CDing journey!

bumpuser9353653

We use primarily gDiapers. DH liked their system and it got him on board with CDing pretty easily. We switched DD over at 6 weeks and they fit her well.

She'll be 2 in June and we're still primarily in gDiapers but with a couple BG (BumGenius) 4.0s and one Grovia AI2 in the mix. Everything we have is aplix/h&l/Velcro because we hate snaps.
I actually really like the Grovia AI2s and plan to get more.

With baby #2 due in May, we'll be using pre-folds and covers until she fits into the gDiapers.

Our family was all supportive and willing to learn the system. And you'll find more and more people will start popping out of the woodwork in the CD world once you start.

We use disposables only if we won't have easy access to washers and for plane travel. Otherwise, we just make sure to bring a wetbag.

Favorite diaper this far? I'm really liking the Grovia AI2 for everyday use. I just wish it was a little cheaper so I could really increase my stash.