A few questions

smashtree7

We tried cloth diapering with DD1 and it didn't last long. We went cheap and got all Alvas (a full stash of NB and a full stash of OS) and hated them. They leaked everywhere and we gave up after about a week. We had put everything we had into buying all of the pockets and couldn't aford the upfront cost of a new stash so we went to disposables and have been doing that ever since. DD is almost 15 months. Now with a new LO on the way due in April we want to try again. Just a few questions..

We decided to try flats & prefolds with covers this time. I bought 6 GMD flats, 2 Kawaii covers that I won on an Ebay auction, a package of diaper pins and 3 Snappis. I figure if all goes well and we love them, we'll buy a full stash. If we hate it, I only spent 20 bucks on everything put together. GMDs came highly recommended but what are your favorite covers over flats? I would prefer OS so we can use them on both kids but I'm willing to do sized ones.

DD is a heavy-wetter and sleeps 12-13 hours at night and I'm concerned the flats won't be enough overnight. I kept some bamboo inserts from the Alvas so I'm thinking the first night I'm going to try adding that in the center and origami folding the flat. Other thoughts were doubling the flats. Any other suggestions that don't include buying more items (In case we decide we don't like cloth, I want to keep it minimal the first few days while we learn the ropes.)

If we decide to stick with cloth, do fitteds or flats with a wool cover work better? And what brand of fitteds do you like best? I was looking at the S'bish fitteds that are one size which I liked so again, both kids could use them, but they're rather pricy. I just don't want to waste money going for a cheap option and hating it like I did with the Alvas.

Thanks for any input! I was so bummed cloth didn't work the first time and I'm really hoping to make it work now! But if I don't get a system down quickly DH is going to veto the whole thing for good and stick to his beloved disposables.

bumpuser9353653

If you're starting cloth from the newborn stage, you'll need some newborn covers because the baby won't fit in OS till closer to 10lbs. Thirsties duo size 1 and rumparooz newborn covers get lots of love. I liked sweetpea covers, too.

Once you get out of the newborn stage, there are tons of options to go with flats. If you pin them, Thirsties, RaR, and Flip all get love. But you can also fold them like a trifolded prefold and put them in anything- best bottom, grovia, stuff in a pocket, etc. I'd suggest getting a variety of options and then figuring out what works for your kids. Lots of places offer trial packages or build-your-own options.

As far as overnight options, I love my sbish. We tried a few other options like double stuffing a pocket, kawaii goodnight heavy wetters, other bamboo fitteds...but my heavy wetting toddler just soaked through all of them. Sbish snapless multis did the trick. So incredibly worth the money. And I can put them on both my kids.

Good luck!

mrshudson618

Kawaii covers are really not great, so don't decide you don't like flats and covers if you have issues with what you have.

I like thirsties and Assuna covers.

Sbish are very popular but didn't work for us. We use a snappid prefold and 3 hemp doublers at night. It's huge and bulky but it works.



Also, Alva nb are pretty horrible, but their OS are pretty great. So if you only tried for a week last time I assume you never even tried the OS. If you still have some I would give them a try again.

smashtree7

rugbymama said:

If you're starting cloth from the newborn stage, you'll need some newborn covers because the baby won't fit in OS till closer to 10lbs. Thirsties duo size 1 and rumparooz newborn covers get lots of love. I liked sweetpea covers, too. Once you get out of the newborn stage, there are tons of options to go with flats. If you pin them, Thirsties, RaR, and Flip all get love. But you can also fold them like a trifolded prefold and put them in anything- best bottom, grovia, stuff in a pocket, etc. I'd suggest getting a variety of options and then figuring out what works for your kids. Lots of places offer trial packages or build-your-own options. As far as overnight options, I love my sbish. We tried a few other options like double stuffing a pocket, kawaii goodnight heavy wetters, other bamboo fitteds...but my heavy wetting toddler just soaked through all of them. Sbish snapless multis did the trick. So incredibly worth the money. And I can put them on both my kids. Good luck!

What cover did you use on the Sbish overnight? My daughter soaks through all disposables at night except Pampers, so I'm guessing we're going to need to go straight to S'bish if they're the best. She seems to do most of her wetting at night..lol. Thank you!

countrycotton

I have to agrees that os covers are not likely to fit your newborn. Also six changes may actually get you through two or three changes with a newborn. If your serious about giving it so try you will need more diapers, especially if you want to get the toddler into cloth. A diaper trail may be the thing for you. It cost "x" dollars you can keep what you like and return the rest for credit. That will give you enough to truly give cd's a try and take away some of the money fears.

smashtree7

mrshudson618 said:

Kawaii covers are really not great, so don't decide you don't like flats and covers if you have issues with what you have. I like thirsties and Assuna covers. Sbish are very popular but didn't work for us. We use a snappid prefold and 3 hemp doublers at night. It's huge and bulky but it works. Also, Alva nb are pretty horrible, but their OS are pretty great. So if you only tried for a week last time I assume you never even tried the OS. If you still have some I would give them a try again.

Good to know about Kawaii, thank you. I've heard of Thirsties quite a bit so I'll grab some of those.

What did you use as a cover for overnight? I'm guessing all that bulk won't fit in a standard cover.

Oh bummer! I wish I had kept one, I sold them all pretty instantly.

smashtree7

countrycotton said:

I have to agrees that os covers are not likely to fit your newborn. Also six changes may actually get you through two or three changes with a newborn. If your serious about giving it so try you will need more diapers, especially if you want to get the toddler into cloth. A diaper trail may be the thing for you. It cost "x" dollars you can keep what you like and return the rest for credit. That will give you enough to truly give cd's a try and take away some of the money fears.

Oh no, the baby isn't due until April. We got the 6 to just try on the toddler to see if we like flats. We still have a huge box of disposables so they're just to try here and there for a few days to learn the different folds, how to wash them, etc. If after a few days we decide we like flats we'll buy a lot more. But if we don't like them we'll try something else.

mrshudson618

smashtree7 said:

mrshudson618 said:

Kawaii covers are really not great, so don't decide you don't like flats and covers if you have issues with what you have.

I like thirsties and Assuna covers.

Sbish are very popular but didn't work for us. We use a snappid prefold and 3 hemp doublers at night. It's huge and bulky but it works.



Also, Alva nb are pretty horrible, but their OS are pretty great. So if you only tried for a week last time I assume you never even tried the OS. If you still have some I would give them a try again.

Good to know about Kawaii, thank you. I've heard of Thirsties quite a bit so I'll grab some of those.

What did you use as a cover for overnight? I'm guessing all that bulk won't fit in a standard cover.

Oh bummer! I wish I had kept one, I sold them all pretty instantly.


A standard cover fits over all that, we just have to be very careful putting it on and making sure everything is lined up just right so there are no gaps. Ex: If the doublers are too far to the front, it gapes open at the top and leaks.