Diaper frustration

CageyMack

Hi!  I don't post on CD boards, but thought you all might have thoughts and/or encouraging words.

I have a 14 month old boy. Currently, I have a combo of diapers: GMD prefolds (in both "fold to insert" and "use a snappy" sizes), Econobum covers, Grovia covers (hate their pad/inserts, but like them as a lay-a-prefold in insert), and BG Freetime.  The little dude is a mind-blowingly light sleeper and we have only got a few good nights out of him, and so use disposable at night, though I tinker with bamboo/hemp fitteds/woolies/fuzzibunz combos.  

The problem is that EVERY TIME I feel like I've got the system down, it changes.  I just got new Econobum covers and another snappi (was working with 2 covers and 1 snappy) and now I feel like he needs a pull on cover.  Changes are a veritable wrestling match and it takes forever to get a bikini wrap on him, snappi him, put the cover on.  He will, however, step into his pants like a big boy really nicely.  

I use the Grovia covers with a tri-fold yellow GMD often.  It's fine, but I feel like it defeats my goal with the prefold method, which is to not have to wash every thing every single time.  As I'm typing this, I realize that maybe I should be using this system more often, since it is kind of the best of both options: prefold for bum health and fast-on for less screaming and kicking.  Why don't I love it, though?  I have to wash everything every time, which irks me. Econobum, I can get a couple pee-diapers out of it without having to full wash.  

The other problem is that it seems like when I get exhausted with the wraslin' and go to a BG, he will get a diaper rash really fast.  Perhaps they need stripped?  I read something about how someone striped their AIOS and it made them worse!  That scares me.  I love the prefolds (and really like letting him run around in the house and yard with just a prefold and no cover.  I am a SAHM, so don't mind changing often. I can cure a BG-induced diaper rash lickity-split if I put him in disposables with Penaten, or franctionally longer if I use the pre fold-only and Penaten method.  

I love the prefolds because they wash up really cleanly and dry in no time (usually on the line here in three hours or something).  I am thinking about adding tabs to some of my red edge GMDS, because I always have to smoosh him in there and it is just so hard. But they don't seem like I want the bigger size, except maybe a wide.  But I simply cannot justify new GMDs just for a few months when I have all these, especially when I don't know if it will work!

I'm not really sure what I'm looking for, since I'm not going to go to full time disposables.  I just am frustrated that I keep getting *this close* to having a good system and then find it isn't quite working for me or baby or both.  I really don't want to spend any more money on cloth diapers right now.  

Also, it is so tiring to have to hold down a screaming baby to put his diaper on.  I'm starting toilet training in July.  No stress, but we need to get on with it.  Maybe I can tell him if he pees in the potty (or outside is okay, too!), he won't have to submit to a diaper change.  

TIA in advance for any thoughts/encouragement/help!

ElleBeeDub

Your AIOs might have some buildup, or he might be sensitive to synthetic fabrics. As for your prefolds, you could look at different folds to see if any of them are easier/quicker. Alternatively, if you can sew, there's a simple tutorial to turn prefolds into fitteds (I'm mobile, or I'd link it, but you can google it). They would be quicker to put on, and you wouldn't need to worry about folding it before putting on your snappi

unaveragejane

Since you've got prefolds and covers, I'd stick with trifolding until he outgrows the "I hate diaper changes" stage. (You may have already tried this, but this was the age when I started keeping special little toys above the changing table, like small tractors and squishy balls, that wouldn't be safe without a lot of supervision. He loved the novelty, and it saved my sanity!)  The pull-on cloth training pants that I have seen typically start around size 2T, so I'm afraid they would be a bit big for your LO. I think Bummis makes a pull-on cover in smaller sizes, though. That might be something to look into if you wanted to buy something new.

Pandorasbox849

I would try a fitted at night time maybe. And you could add a fleece liner to help wick the moisture away from his skin to help keep him dryer longer. If you're feeling adventurous you could even use a wool cover. But the fitted and a regular cover works wonders on my kiddos.

SkyBee

unaveragejane said:

Since you've got prefolds and covers, I'd stick with trifolding until he outgrows the "I hate diaper changes" stage. (You may have already tried this, but this was the age when I started keeping special little toys above the changing table, like small tractors and squishy balls, that wouldn't be safe without a lot of supervision. He loved the novelty, and it saved my sanity!)  The pull-on cloth training pants that I have seen typically start around size 2T, so I'm afraid they would be a bit big for your LO. I think Bummis makes a pull-on cover in smaller sizes, though. That might be something to look into if you wanted to buy something new.

All of this  ..... Also is he ready to start potty training already? 16 months is SUPER early for any kid let alone a boy.....my 2.5 year old still refuses to potty train even though he is perfectly capable and can communicate with us really well about the potty.

CageyMack

Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions and encouragement. At @ellebeedub's suggestion, I turned one of my GMD pf's into a fitted.  It was so fast and easy!  I really like them and may just make a half dozen or maybe a dozen of them.  

This too shall pass.