For REAL now: cloth diaper questions, please!

MediaBride

Sorry about that ladies - my computer is having seizures or something!!

I mentioned to my DH a little while ago about using cloth diapers with #2 adn he just stared at me.  Then he said "I am NOT washing out a diaper in the toilet - that's just gross!!  And what do you do when you are at a friends house or out in public and you have to change a dirty diaper??"

I must admit that I have never used them and do not know the answers to these questions.  Can anyone give me a quick, simple run-down of the process and how you like it compared to disposibles?  We own our own company so we both work from home, but money is TIGHT and I'm trying to think of things to cut back - like disposible diapers.

 Help??

katie277s

I was actually just talking with DH about this last night.  Because we both work, I do not think cloth diapers would work 100% of the time, but I do think that they would be okay at night and on the weekends.  Maybe you could buy disposable ones for when you travel, etc. 

I was on a website and they have come a LONG way from when we were children.  Do a google search and you will find lots of options.  HTH.

JOEBunny

If you are hoping to save money using cloth diapers, it is unlikely to happen.  DD will end up using diapers for almost 3 years.  I use target diapers.  I estimate my cost total at around $900.  For cloth, it was going to be at least that without even counting the extra laundry, water, and electricity. 

hikerbeth

Here's my $0.02 and experience:

We used cloth diapers for the cost savings and it did save money (but there is a larger up-front investment).  I got about 5 dozen prefolds and a dozen wraps for $150 or so online.  This is what we primarily used.  I had about 15 pocket diapers (one size) that we used for trips out of the house and daycare.  Those cost $13-$15 each.  I also had some All-in-ones that we used for nighttime.  They were $25 each, but the only things that would work for overnights.

Other purchases were Snappis (diaper clips), and wet bags (large ones for lining the diaper pail and small ones for taking in the diaper bag to hold wet diapers).

I did diaper laundry about every 3 days.  I just threw the diapers in the pail (no swishing in the toilet).  Breastmilk poop washes out very easily.  Once we moved to solid poop, I just dumped out whatever I could into the toilet and washed the rest.  My wash routine was a cold prewash followed by a hot wash and cold rinse (with very little detergent).  I line dried my pocket diapers and all in ones and dried the prefolds on high.

I used them for 2 years, 8 months so definitely got my money's worth . . . and I will be able to use them for child #2 someday. . . I may have to replace the elastic in a few of the pocket diapers, but otherwise, they are good to go.

hikerbeth

I'll also say that I would recommend some of the package deals that are offered online so you can try out a few types before you decide what is right for you.  I think there's even one (Jillian's drawers maybe?) where you can return the ones that don't work for you and your baby.

jessicaclare

Taking them out and about is not an issue. The only time I use disposables when I'm out is when we take a road trip to our cabin. DD is a SUPER heavy wetter and even though she rarely leaks, I just like the peace of mind.

When you are out, you take a wet bag with you (its like a little zippered bag that's waterproof) and just toss the diaper in there and take care of it when you get home. 

Breastfed baby poop is totally water soluable, so you can really just toss those in washer. Once they are solid, the poop just plops off. The worst is really the "peanut butter" type poops. Those do require some swishing. I don't find that I have much more contact with the poop doing that than I do changing and wiping her, though. Personally, I think you're pretty up close and personal with poop no matter what, so what's one more little step? Plus, you really are supposed to put the poop in the toilet from disposables too, even though most people don't (and don't know that you should). 

Cloth diapers have come a really long way. They are just as easy as disposables, IMO. My DH was resistant at first too, now he doesn't really mind. 

hero

I suggest you go ask the girls on the Eco board. Some have been cloth diapering the entire time and some switched over when their dc was a bit older.

jessicaclare

Also, in terms of cost, it can be cheaper, but it can end up being more expensive as well. A startup stash will cost you between $100-$400, I would say. Its more of an upfront investment, but if you get the kind of diapers that can grow with your child, you won't have to invest too much more later on. If you'd prefer to do a sized diaper, and you aren't having anymore kids, there is a pretty good market for used diapers. I buy and sell on www.diaperswappers.com. You can definitely recoup a lot of your cost that way.

If you plan on having another child after this, it works out to be an even bigger savings because you can use the diapers again. 

goodhartedmommy

I have been CDing for almost 2 years. I've spent probably $700 or $800 on diapers, but that's for 3 kids, and also because I just like to try new things. Compared to disposables for 3 kids, that's still a huge savings. I started out with prefolds and have added the convenient diapers here and there. If it's purely for cost, get prefolds. They're really not hard at all. It takes a couple tries to get a fold right, but after that they're super easy, and you can get your entire stash for around $100. You can add in some of the convenience diapers like pockets or all in ones for about $15/each, but you can do that over time. They do make one size diapers which will save money because you can use them for every size besides just born newborns. I'm not a huge fan of them, but many people love them.

 I don't find taking cloth while on trips or out in public to be hard at all. I have the wetbag to put diapers in. They have them on swaddlebees.com's outlet store right now for $3 or so. Also search for second's sales for your diapers. The quality of the diaper is not compromised, but they're cheaper because of something silly like the wrong color thread or the snap is off centered a little.

Ask me if you have any specific questions. I love cloth diapering. Besides saving money, they're super cute, better for the environment, and better for baby since you don't have the icky gel and chemicals involved. 

MichelleWP

It can easily become a cost savings - or just as easily the other way around. It just depends on what and why you are doing it. I typically CD (not right now because my daughter is a butt-scooter which doesn't work well with cloth diapers). They are not any more difficult IMO than disposables - I do/did not use them as much for eco reasons but more because my kids have very sensitive skin and I like having natural fibers vs chemicals. I don't have a huge stash, I mainly use one-size pockets so they last forever, so my investment was very small in comparison to what I'm now spending on disposables (hopefully she will walk soon!)