XP: lots of CD questions- long

sunshine336

XP from June 2011.  Feel free to answer 1 or more.  I have a bunch of questions- some probably dumber than others.  I use all pockets in a variety of brands including BG 4.0, Swaddlebees, Kawaii, Sun Baby, and others.  Most are one-size but some are size small.  Almost all of my diapers were second-hand.  I use a mix of MF and hemp/ bamboo inserts- usually mixing a natural and a synthetic insert/ doubler in each diaper.  I've had M in cloth since she was about 2 weeks old, and she's 2.5 months and around 10-11 lbs right now.

1. Regarding fit- do your diapers leave red marks on your LO- from the elastic? I feel as though if I make them loose enough to not leave marks I get leaks.  Also, on many of my diapers, they will be looser in the front- where the snaps are but tighter around the back and look like they're digging in so I don't want to make them tighter, but they still look pretty loose up front.  95% of my leaks are from around the legs, not the front/ back.  And when do you know it's time to go up a rise on your OS?  Her diapers currently sit just below her belly button.

2. Regarding hard water: Any tips for a more effective wash?  If you use Calgon or another softening treatment, when do you add it- in the beginning of the wash cycle or during the rinse?  Also, if you wash your diapers more than once, do you add the softener to every wash, or just one of them?  I have extremely hard water (it's pretty nasty stuff- looks yellow when you pour it into a glass), so I think that has a lot to do with my repelling issues.  I did strip about a week or 2 ago, but that seems to have worked better on some diapers and not others.  On some diapers, it seems like it helped for 1-2 uses and then the diaper started repelling again.  My detergent is the homemade one on 

https://www.theecofriendlyfamily.com/2009/08/cloth-diaper-detergent.html

It's borax, washing soda, and oxyclean.  Any thoughts on how this detergent relates to hard water?  I've not tried any other detergents, and if I do it would be something I can buy at the grocery store or Walmart- so no Rockin' Green or anything else I have to order online. 

3. Regarding leaks: I'm having a hard time determining if my issue is mainly fit or repelling- or both.  In the past 2 days I've been holding M (her laying sideways- BFing, etc) when suddenly pee is gushing out of her leg gusset and onto me, the couch, etc.  This isn't the only time this has happened, but since it's suddenly happening so often it has prompted me to make this post.  Her Pocket Change size small and Happy Heinys size XS were some of the first diapers I had on her and worked fine at first but now are leaking more- but they still sit just below her belly button like the OS on the smallest rise setting do- so I don't think they're too small on her yet.  One of my theories is that they have been washed the most times so may have some of the most mineral/ detergent build-up.  Any opinions would be appreciated.

I know this is a lot to digest- thanks for reading and any input you ladies have would be helpful! 

Dr.Loretta

1. Yes, but DD marks up in just about anything. As long as they're not chafing, it's better to make them snug IMO. I knew when to go up a rise when it just didn't look right, like DD was wearing low-slung pants

2. I have no experience with hard water. Are you absolutely against trying something online?

3. Try stripping and see what happens.

GL!

tokenhoser

1. LO's diapers do leave some elastic marks, but nothing that looks painful. Just like my clothes leave on me. If you think they might fit better, open the rise up one snap and see how it goes. My 4 month old is on the middle rise snap, and it gave us a better fit for sure.

2. Add some calgon with the detergent. If you want to try something else, I'd just give plain ultra tide a shot. RnG worked terribly for me, and my water is not that hard.

3. Hard water will tend to accelerate repelling issues. You should probably plan to strip dipes at least once a month. Just get some blue Dawn (my dollar store has it) or other simple dish detergent (no moisturizers or other additives). Use about 2 tsp in a front loader or a tablespoon in a top loader. Wash as usual, then add a 2 or 3 extra rinses on the end.

mmkaye

I have very hard water and have had good luck with Rockin Green Hard Rock.   I have only had to strip my diapers once and that was after a battle with yeast so it could have been tea tree oil/ bleach etc.  (I did strip them with dawn and it worked well.)

As for red marks, he gets them, but they don't seem to bother him.  I do try to alternate diaper types somewhat to keep him from having a diaper sitting in the exact same place all day.