CD the old fashioned way

carrie3303

I have recently purchased a bunch of the new trend in cloth diapers, the AIOs and the like. However, I keep going back to my younger days, I am the oldest in my entire family, and the oldest of 5 in my close family. I was cloth diapering my cousins and brothers and sister as long as I remember. I remember the days of flat white diapers, diaper pins, and vinyl pants. 

I keep going back to that memory, and it just makes so much more sense to me. Sure, the all in ones are super easy, and more convenient. I just can't see spending such big bucks on one single diaper. I have purchased a couple, off ebay, that come with a liner. I will certainly use those. I have also bought some diapi brand velcro diapers, that you just use a cover on. I really think I will like those. But yesterday, I bought 24 flat, all purpose diapers, two packs of vinyl pants, and two packs of diaper pins. I am so excited about that! 

 I will rotate in some sposies for travel and babysitters and such. 

 Is anyone else just going the "old fashioned" way, and how is it working for you? Any major complaints from those who have tried? 

kdello

I REALLY suggest purchasing a Snappi instead of pins. I find prefolds to be more absorbent than flats. If you're going to be the primary diaper changer, your plan is probably fine. If you expect babysitters/relatives/daycare to change the baby, you should probably have a few AIOs available for them.

 

Edit: I strongly prefer wrap style covers to plastic pants. If baby has a poopsplosion, you'll have to pull the whole poopy mess down their legs and get poop everywhere. Also, wraps are more snug to the diaper, which prevents puddling of pee in the plastic plants. I suggest Thirsties Duo Wraps.

11kacey

I am not 100% sure, but if I remember correctly vinyl does not let your baby's skin breath as much as PUL and definitely not as much as wool or fleece, so that would be my one issue with vinyl, plus it is just not near as cute as the alternatives. 

I love my prefolds, but I really, really love my weehugers covers!

As far as "modern" cloth diapers, I use pockets (fuzzibuns, blueberry, bum genis and rumperoos) and work at home mom's (wahm) All in Ones with a snap in soaker. It takes a lot less time to dry than other All in Ones like Bum Genius. I have two each Kissaluv AIO and Bummis AIO and like them too. They wash really easily de to their similar design and really quickly.

katie4253

Not that old fashioned, but I use prefolds and covers with a snappi.  I don't like the idea of vinyl pants because they seem like a PITA to put on.  I don't even like putting clothing pants on my LO.  I know I would get pissed having to put plastic pants him him every time.  I like the thirsties duo covers because they go on like a diaper. 

pixy_stix

I sometimes use prefolds with a snappi and cover.  Not vinyl pants, though.  They seem more trouble than they're worth.  I'd look into thirsties duo covers if I were you.

I can understand why you would want to do what you're doing, though, as we're all more comfortable with what we know. 

Pamela05

Ditto trying out a snappi. You can get a better fit and less chance of poking baby. Also wrap style covers over pants.

CeltiCutie

I hear a lot of ladies say they prefer their prefold diapers and covers to the "new" way of doing things. I agree w/ pp's regarding using the wrap covers vs. the pull ons. I don't see anything wrong w/ the prefold/cover options. Just know that as they get older and more squirmy diaper changes are difficult with prefolds... and like pp suggested maybe have a few AIO's, pockets or fitteds on hand for anyone who might be watching baby or have an excess of covers on hand so they can just fold and lay the prefold in the cover. Prefolds are a bit difficult for a sitter/family member who isn't use to them. GL! I think you'll be fine! 

LeahRW

I like my prefolds/snappi/covers.  They're not as fancy and expensive as the AIOs/pockets/whatever, but a big improvement over flats/pins/vinyl.  The prefolds are more absorbent than the flats, the snappis are easier than pins and don't stab anyone, and the wrap covers are more breathable and easier to use than vinyl pants.  I feel like this is the logical updated version of the old-fashioned way.

AggieBeth06

Only thing I'd add is that you definitely want to consider a nighttime solution. I now primarily use flats, but I use fitteds for nap and night. I use my prefolds if we're out and about or during naps if my fitteds aren't clean. The flats just aren't absorbent enough.?

But I do love how easy they are to care for.

Daisiesinmygarden

I have some of everything, including a lot of prefolds and flats. If you are using the thinner Gerber/Child of Mine gauze flats you might want to stick with pins, as the snappis are kind of scratchy since the material is thinner. I have GMD, Cotton Babies, Gerber and Child of Mine Flats. I had the Gerbers from when my boys were little almost 20 years ago and I was curious about the Child of Mine ones when I saw them in the store the other day and picked up a few packages. All of them have their pros and cons, but GMDs are definitely thicker, larger and more absorbent and they had square ones in stock last time I checked. I think they are easier to fold when they are square. The lease expensive (and locally available) gauze flats clean the easiest and dry the fastest and I don't feel bad if one gets ruined.

I would most definitely NOT use the vinyl pants. I have used them,back in the day, and they just don't compare to the newer wraps (both in ease of use and also effectiveness against leaks). The wraps aren't that expensive and are totally worth it.

Daisiesinmygarden

Oh, and my LO is not a heavy wetter, (but she will soak through a disposable) but she is OK overnight in just about any good fitted/cover, pocket with 2 inserts, or a GMD prefold or flat (but I do use a MF doubler between the diaper and cover). So, I think you would be fine overnight with a flat you just might have to add a doubler. And not to beat a dead horse, however I have to say that using a wrap in the middle of the night is not a problem, but using plastic pants in the middle of the night is no bueno!

epona3

I don't know if it counts as "old school" or not, but we usually use PFs (no snappi - just trifolded in the cover) and PUL wraps. I'm afraid of pinning DD on accident, but if it works for you, do it!

kissntell

My bullet proof night time solution is 2 toddler prefolds with a fleece liner and wool.  You can't get more 'old fashioned' than wool.  It was used long before vinyl pants.

You should get a velcro or snapping cover just to try.  They are fantastic. 

MrsDink

kissntell:

My bullet proof night time solution is 2 toddler prefolds with a fleece liner and wool.  You can't get more 'old fashioned' than wool.  It was used long before vinyl pants.

 

aerotigergirl

I started out using only pre-folds and thirsties duo covers, mainly because I didn't want to pay so much for the more modern options. It took my son a while to grow into the pre-folds/covers, but now they work pretty well for us on days that I stay home with him.

We ended up buying a dozen rumparooz pocket diapers to use at daycare (they were intimidated by the prefolds/snappi/covers and felt much more comfortable with the pockets), and I've come to like them more than my prefolds/covers. I feel like they're more comfortable for my son because the micro-fleece liner in his pockets feels dry, even after he's wet the diaper. In his prefolds/covers, once it's wet, it feels wet against his skin. I have heard some people say that this sensation helps when it comes time for potty-learning, though! 

I've recently been searching for a good nighttime solution for him, and the things I've tried almost always start with a pocket diaper of some kind.

I also second what other folks have said regarding the wrap around covers instead of the pull-up covers. I only bought 6 thirsties duo covers (in size 1), and that has been plenty for us so far.

flyer23

If you like the vinyl pants idea, I would suggest these: https://nickisdiapers.com/catalog.php?category=973

They are cheap ($6 for a two-pack!), and they are much softer and much more durable than vinyl pants. I used them for quite a while and loved them.

Or, as a pp said, wool is great as well. I don't use the Dappi pants or PUL covers anymore. Just wool.

I do use prefolds and covers a lot, and I love that system. My main "complaints" are things that have already been raised by others:

1) I work full-time, and expecting my sitter to use prefolds is asking a little too much.

2) I don't like prefolds overnight. I've used them before in a pinch, and they're terribly bulky for the absorbency that DS needs.

3) When we're on the go, I don't like the hassle of having to change frequently (since prefolds have less absorbency than pockets) and dealing with a diaper plus a separate cover.

Most of my "fancy" diapers are $2 last chance BumGenius's or ones I've made myself, so I haven't spent big bucks on them, especially compared to what I would spend to use disposables in their place. It's just nice to have some options.

mommy2b08

I love flats and pins too. Pins are better for running around coverless at home.