Thinking about cloth diapering

felish06

Okay, so we are TTC and I'm thinking about ways to be environmentally friendly once I have a child.

I'm looking into cloth diapering and I don't even know where to begin! Could you guys give me some pointers on what I'd be looking into instead of using disposable diapers?

How many cloth diapers are recommended to start out? I understand depending on how often you do laundry... it will differ, but I am looking at 15? 25? 50? I'm just getting a grasp on numbers.

Would you recommend getting a multiple of different sizes? I know each baby is different, but I would hate to get too many of one size and not use them...

Has anyone hand-made their diapers? Would you consider it to be more expensive to purchase them offline? or is making them cheaper?

Last thing, okay. You have the outside of the diaper and then the extra padding in the middle for the wetness? is that correct? 

Thanks!!!  

tokenhoser

The FAQ is in the top right of the board (in tiny little writing, don't feel bad for missing it).

We had about 30 newborn diapers and have about 20 one-size diapers now.

Generally, you need a newborn set and a "one size" set. Some people do all the sizes (XS, S, M, L), but most do the one-sized snap down diapers.

I bought cheap-ass Chinese made diapers. I doubt I could sew them for the $5-7 I can buy them. Definitely not if I give my time a value. Oh, and the part where sewing makes me swear.

There are different kinds, but they all amount to an absorbent inside and a waterproof outside. Sometimes it's one piece, sometimes it's two.

SGreen0985

Thanks for posting this info. DH and I want to do cloth diapering and have zero experience. :-)

flyer23

On sized diapers, many kids will potty train out of mediums, so you don't necessarily have to buy all four sizes (XS, S, M, L). Some people prefer the look and fit of sized diapers, too.

As for making your own, a lot depends on what type of diapers you want to use, how diligent you are on searching out deals (on diapers OR on fabric), and how much you care about cuteness. And how much you enjoy sewing Buying fabric at full-price, I might spend $30 or so on materials to make 6 pocket diapers, with cute prints. So about $5/diaper, not bad. But buying fabric on clearance, I might spend around $5 TOTAL for the same amount/type of materials -- no cute prints, but that works out to under $1 per diaper. I definitely can't buy for that price! Plus, I love to sew and so diaper sewing has become a hobby for me. I have MORE than enough diapers for DS, but I still love making fun new ones for him!

felish06

haha. Maybe you could sew my diapers and i could buy them from you! I don't like sewing that much because I don't have patience for it! I was going to ask my mom! lol.

tabithakelly90

tokenhoser:

The FAQ is in the top right of the board (in tiny little writing, don't feel bad for missing it).

We had about 30 newborn diapers and have about 20 one-size diapers now.

Generally, you need a newborn set and a "one size" set. Some people do all the sizes (XS, S, M, L), but most do the one-sized snap down diapers.

I bought cheap-ass Chinese made diapers. I doubt I could sew them for the $5-7 I can buy them. Definitely not if I give my time a value. Oh, and the part where sewing makes me swear.

There are different kinds, but they all amount to an absorbent inside and a waterproof outside. Sometimes it's one piece, sometimes it's two.

 

I must be missing it, i see everyone talking about it and i never know where to go.