New to cloth diapering

spunkyprincessmande

Hi, ladies.  My LO is expected in about 6 weeks and DH and I have decided that we are going to cloth diaper.  There's a little boutique not too far from where we live that we've stopped at several times and seen the diaper demonstration.  We even registered there.  Now that I've had my first shower and gotten several cloth diapers and "accessories" (GroVia diaper ointment and mist spray with cloth wipes) I'm suddenly feeling very overwhelmed.

The lady at the boutique suggested registering for several different kinds so that we can try them out and see what works best for us.  She also suggested that as first time parents we might want to wait a week or two before we start CD because being new parents can be overwhelming enough and if CD doesn't go as planned we might decide to stop (plus she said the meconium poop is disgusting and probably best left for 'sposies).  So, I currently have at least one diaper in each of the following: BumGenius, Thirsties (fitted and duo), Fuzzibunz, and Gro-Via shell.  I also have 6 prefolds.  Looking at all the different diapers and parts (AIOs, AI2s, pockets, etc.) is just so overwhelming.  Any help you can give to someone just starting out would be great.  Thanks!

Also, I know I need more diapers, I'm waiting until my second shower next weekend to go to the store and fill in the gaps.

CaitlinJ22

I planned to CD with my first and bought prefolds and covers. I made it clear I would try it and if it worked great, if not that was ok.. I was very overwhelmed with BFing and having a new baby that I held off on doing cloth for a while. Even when I did, I did it part time up until recently. When DD was born she was tiny and didnt even fit the covers and tiny PFs a friend lent me. When she was 5 wks she had gained real fast and I tried a bumgenius from my son on her and it fit. So we use those on her. A few wks later we decided to go all the way and CD fulltime with both kids. I love it now. 

I would suggest you stick with the types of diapers you have now, and slowly get into it. That way you can figure out what works best for you. You can also do a diaper trial from Jilliansdrawers.com and see what you like for a newborn if you go that route. For me, I will most likely use sposies with each future baby in the first few weeks bc its easier for me.

I guess what I am saying is you dont have to go all in right away, for a while I aimed to used a few diapers a day that were cloth....it made me less overwhelmed.

GOOD LUCK!! (oh and check my siggy for the CD FAQ button for more info from a great site) 

MWoodside

We started CDing once we got home from the hospital.  Next time, we will CD in the hospital as well.  You have to change dipes regardless so the only difference w/ cloth is that you are washing them, KWIM?  

I agree that it's good to try out different dipes & see what you like before committing to buying a certain type.  Good luck!

satreece

I bought a lot of different types of diapers used when I decided to cd when I was pg - everything except my prefolds and covers were bought used... that way I could try a variety out without as much investment up front.  I loved, LOVED prefolds and covers - if my boy hadn't gotten so squirmy, I'd still be using them.  We had a few newborn/xsmall all-in-one diapers when ds was born (easy for night time changing), and I got a few more for the next baby. 

We didn't start cloth diapering the day we got home from the hospital, but I would say that it was definitely in the first week.  Like pp said... you're changing diapers either way and after a day or two, the prefolds were every bit as easy as a sposie.  There is a little learning curve for finding the fold you like the best, but it's kind of fun and once you get it down, it's cake. 

Also, keep in mind that the one size diapers (grovia, bumgenius pockets) won't fit a newborn - I'm sure you knew that already.  

Next to prefolds and covers, I ended up liking bumgenius diapers the best - I have a variety of the fitted all-in-ones, the OS pockets, and the OS organics.  I think they are fabulous.  But I have a handful of fitteds as well (I'm a sucker for the cute fabrics and it's nice for him to be able to run around without a cover or any PUL).

Anyway... hope that helps!

(My biggest resources when I was deciding to cloth diaper were pinstripesandpolkadots.com, jilliansdrawers.com, the EFF board - because there was no cloth diaper board yet)