Considering cloth diapering

Deblondie1

Hello all! DD is about 5 months old and in size 2 Pampers. 

I am considering cloth diapering for economical and environmental reasons. We go through a TON of disposables and it is starting to bother me. What would be your "starting" suggestions? What all do I need to purchase/ read/ know? ANY advice will be helpful. 

Ok I'm going to go back to lurking and trying to pick up useful information  

Dr.Loretta

Hi and welcome.

I'd recommend starting with the FAQs at the top of the board. Good info and resources there. We're always here to answer specific questions as well.

Deblondie1

I actually just opened the FAQ. Helps to read a little before posting huh? Doh!

frostnoel

I started Cding when DS#2 was 4 months.  I would definently go with one-size diapers.  The first ones I bought were the Econobums.  I bought the box set that came with 3 covers and 12 prefolds.  It's a very inexpensive option and I wanted to make sure I was going to stick with it before buying the more expensive diapers. 

I pretty much use just CottonBabies brands (econobum, flip, and bumGenius) and they work great for me.  I have read most people discourage sticking to just one type when you are starting out because you might like something else better, though.

Deblondie1

I just bought 6 Bumgenuis One-Size diapers. I thought that was a good starting point, if I don't like them I can send them back. Guess we will see. After reading more, i decided I kind of wanted to skip the pre-folds, seems like more work. 

Dr.Loretta

Deblondie1:

I just bought 6 Bumgenuis One-Size diapers. I thought that was a good starting point, if I don't like them I can send them back. Guess we will see. After reading more, i decided I kind of wanted to skip the pre-folds, seems like more work. 

they're not as hard as they seem, but you don't HAVE to use prefolds. Fitteds are another good option. We usually encourage variety in case what you try doesn't work out. Used and seconds are some other good ways to save $.

kaswanson

My advice would be to just try it out.  Even if you don't know all the "rules" of CDing.  You can learn as you go.  I spent hours learning everything and it was really confusing for me at first.  I freaked the first time I accidentally dried my inserts with a dryer sheet.  Guess what?  They still work!    There's A LOT of info out there but once you get going it's pretty easy.  

COmommy0f2

I would recommend getting pre-folds as they are not expensive at all.  I purchased 5 dozen for $100.00 and that was plenty.  Too many actually.  I see why a lot of people use the fancier ones like bumgenius or the fuzzibuns, as you don't have to be intimidated by the learning of how to actually put them on your baby.  Though I would like to add it really isn't that hard, to fold them, and you never have to worry about sizing as they will always fit as you can just fold them for a custom fit.  Watch some youtube videos to learn how to get them on, or better yet ask you mom or grandma and they will know how to do it as they didn't have a choice back then.

I always did cloth diapers unless we were on vacation and I preferred it.  You don't have to deal with stinky diapers.  Once they are soiled if it is just urine you put them in your prepared diaper pail (just a little water, borax and a little bit of dreft) or if they have poop on them just throw it in the toilet and let it soak off.  Then transfer it into the diaper pail.  I had a little tool called a "diaper duck" which I found at babybestbuy.com it was very inexpensive and I did not have to reach my hand in to the dirty toilet water to retrieve the diaper. Good luck!

rubyjem00

Deblondie1:

I just bought 6 Bumgenuis One-Size diapers. I thought that was a good starting point, if I don't like them I can send them back. Guess we will see. After reading more, i decided I kind of wanted to skip the pre-folds, seems like more work. 

I had the same thought about prefolds but I wanted some for my NB because they were the least expensive option. Now, we really, really like them. Even my husband, who was not completely on board with cloth diapering at first, is amazed at how easy they are to use. 

Perfolds may not work for you but I would suggest trying some of everything because you might be surprised as to what you like and what you don't like. 

gabriella78

What you need to know is that cloth diapers are fun.  The laundry part is not hard at all and you'll probably become addicted to CDs like a lot of us.  Good luck and enjoy!