XP: Seattle Area CD Mommas!

scrh2010

I have a question! I am still a CD newb and SUCK at putting prefolds on DS. I don't know if it's normal to have a large amount of cloth that you have to shove into the cover after you're done or not, but that's how it happens... And I feel like I am not pulling the cloth tight enough... Anyway, enough ranting, on to my question. Is there a CD class or something where I can get some hands-on training in the art of CD? I have looked at pictures online, but I'm more of the "show me, then help me, then make sure I don't screw up" type of learner.

MSTie24

Yep yep!  DH and I did a class at Birth and Beyond, and I went to a private one without him taught by the owner of Punkernoodle.  What sort of fold are you using?

P.S.  Prefolds are lame.  Next time I am going all fitteds and tiny pockets.  

scrh2010

Where is Birth and Beyond? And where is Punkernoodle?? (I am also looking for new places to buy covers and things)

I am laying the open prefold under R's bum, folding the sides inward between his legs, and trying to pull it tight up and bringing the back corners around his bum, though they seem to hardly come around at all. Weird, since he's not all that chunky in the hip-area... 

doublem

First of all, are you using infant-sized or newborn-sized prefolds?  If you're doing the infant ones, I can see how you'd have extra fabric that would need to be dealt with.

Punkernoodle Baby is in Ballard and Birth & Beyond is in the Madison neighborhood.  Their classes are great and also helped my H feel more confident about CDing.

And I second Shane's comment about fitteds - we got 12 of them a few weeks after E was born.  Our prefolds quickly found their way to the back of the drawer, and we kept finding reasons to do more laundry to wash the fitteds more.  A few diaper companies just came out with newborn-sized pockets, too!  With how often you're changing diapers and the great resale value of CDs, I think it would be a good investment.

scrh2010

Thanks! I ordered the medium sized infant prefolds since they said it was for 15lbs and up to some number I can't remember, and R is very nearly 15lbs already. I guess since he isn't quite 15lbs yet I can understand the extra cloth, but its weird because there is so much extra cloth around his butt but not extra to close the diaper around his waist, it barely overlaps with the front cloth... I guess I'm just confused and in need of a class.

MSTie24

Try some different folds and see if they work better.  It does sound like probably a prefold size issue, though.  We quit prefolds as soon as she fit her one-size dipes, so at about 10lbs, so I'm not sure what is a good fold for a baby that size.  Do you use the diaper service?  

Octoberlove

I've found that as long as your cover is on tight, it doesn't really matter if the prefold is fitted perfectly.  My mom doesn't even use the snappi, she just folds each side of the perfold into the center and calls it good.  We had the extra cloth at the top front issue for a while too and we would just fold it down.

I took the Punkernoodle class with the other girls and found it very helpful.  I hope it gets easier for you!  Cloth diapering has been one of the most satisfying things I've chosen for DD so far.

Kathzoo

I use mostly prefolds on DD and would be glad to meet up and give you a quick tutorial or something.  I also did the class at Birth and Beyond and loved it.  I live in Shoreline, not sure where you are.  Email me if you want to set something up.  zoogirl22 at hotmail

omangie

Have you tried you tube in the meantime? Video might be a little more helpful than just pictures until you can get to the class.  Admittedly, my prefolds are the bottom of my stash, and are there only in case of emergency.  Good luck!

Zista

I did the Punkernoodle class too, but learned most of my prefolds folds from the CD blog.  We used the "angel fold," which folds the back over about an inch or so.  It sounds like that might solve your problem... it shortens the diaper so you have less length, but makes the "wings" longer for attaching.  We also used a snappi instead of pins... way easier.