prefold users - please help

whitless

I'm new to CDing (as in, started a week ago) even though DS is 11 months old.  I really want to make this work for us, but I've got to admit....I'm not really digging it so far.  I am kind of anal, so I'm having trouble with not knowing if I'm "doing it right".  Here are my questions, answer if you can help.

1. the stink factor:  DS's pee diapers smell after 1 day (in the bin) and, holy crap do they stink when the hot water of the washer hits them!  How much stink is "normal"?  FWIW, all of DS's diapers are new, prepped GMD prefolds.

 2.  The wet factor - how often do you change your LO's diaper?  It seems like DS pees instantly after I put a new diaper on him.  Do I change him again or let it ride?

3.  The covers - do you rinse out your covers?  I feel like they get pretty wet from the wet prefolds and I don't want them to be stinky, too!  I am using thirsties and thirsties duo wrap right now.

Also, I've read all of the info on pinstripesandpolkadots.com and greenmountaindiapers.com and jilliansdrawers.com.  I just really want some input from other users.

 Thanks!

proudarmywife08

1. they will stink a certain amount after being in the diaper pail. If it is an ammonia like smell you have detergent buildup (I doubt it since you're so new to CDing), if its just a general stink then its normal. I hold my breath when I put DD's CDs in the washer.

2. I change DD about every 1 1/2 - 2 hours. She tells me "dipey" when she wants to be changed though so we do it more often. Most would say 2-3 hours. I like to keep her dry though since she's prone to rahses.

3. I don't rinse covers. I use Thirsties as well. I let them air dry between uses and then smell the fabric part on the inside (top area behind velcro strip) before using again to make sure they don't stink like pee. If they smell ok I use them again.

whitless

thank you.  this is very helpful!

proudarmywife08

Glad I could be of some help :-) Your son is too cute!

peachypear

proudarmywife08:

1. they will stink a certain amount after being in the diaper pail. If it is an ammonia like smell you have detergent buildup (I doubt it since you're so new to CDing), if its just a general stink then its normal. I hold my breath when I put DD's CDs in the washer.

2. I change DD about every 1 1/2 - 2 hours. She tells me "dipey" when she wants to be changed though so we do it more often. Most would say 2-3 hours. I like to keep her dry though since she's prone to rahses.

3. I don't rinse covers. I use Thirsties as well. I let them air dry between uses and then smell the fabric part on the inside (top area behind velcro strip) before using again to make sure they don't stink like pee. If they smell ok I use them again.

Ditto exactly!

luvlieK

I would just like to add that some ammonia stink is just normal after sitting in the bin. ?It is what occurs as urine breaks down. ?There is an excess too though.

lily225

1. DD's get pretty stinky. It's the amonia from the pee breaking down I believe, and just gets worse as they get older. Try putting some "air freshener" in your pail (my friend does baking powder mixed with Dr. Bronners, or you can diaper dust or something similar already mixed for you). Do you have a swinging lid?? Make sure it's one that seals when you close it so it doesn't seep smell out when closed.

2.  When I check for a wet diaper, I will check to see if the prefold is wet all the way up the front. If it's just a little wet right in the crotch, I let it go. Super soaked is when it starts going up the back - then it's been too long.

3.  For your wipes, just wipe them down with one of your wipes and then put it out to air dry. As long as you rotate your covers they will be dry by the next use. Of course, if the gussets get wet or poopy, put them in the wash pail.

Don't give up!!! I start when DD was about 2 weeks old and I was very intimidated for a while. But as you do it more, you learn what folds work better for your child and which don't. Every child is different, just like different disposable works better for some than others. Just keep going and you'll get used to it in no time!!!

whitless

thanks for all of your input.

DomerJenC

A little stink is normal.  I'd stick w/ a swinging lid vs. a sealed one though - that'd get potent REALLY fast w/o any air getting to it.  You can sprinkle a little bit of baking soda over the wet diaper to get rid of some odor. Just make sure you use vinegar in the rinse cycle when you wash then to get the pH back to normal.  Also, does your wetbag have a little felt patch on it?  If so, you can put a little essential oil on that (I got some at East of Eden or whatever that natural foods store is right at Lavista and Cheshire Bridge - lemon smells yummy).

We go through 10 diapers a day, and he only goes through 2 from around 8pm - 5am, so we are changing about every 1.5-2 hours during the day.  I don't really mind it, b/c it's not like it increases the amount of loads I have to do - I wash every other day whether I have 2 diapers or 30, you know?

I don't rinse the covers.  I trade off every other time and then just wash them when its time, unless they get poop on them.  I've very rarely had smelly covers in the 2 days they go.

andrealynn0707

Everyone else has already said it all, so I just wanted to add that you are doing great! If the diapers are doing their job and coming out clean, that is all you can ask