XP: Dumb questions re: cloth diapers.

goldenleaves · February 2010

How do cloth diapers work exactly?

Are the velcro?

How do they not leak?

Where do we buy them?

Do we wash them ourselves?

How much to they cost?

DH and I are considering switching, we're just not sure of the pros and cons.

fallbridequeen · February 2010

These are questions that really should be answered with some research. There are many options to choose from when CDing, The eco-friendly board is a good place to start. GL!

goldenleaves · February 2010

Thanks! I'm looking for opinions from real people on what type is their favorite and if they'd recommend them.

Tonya_G · February 2010

goldenleaves:
Thanks! I'm looking for opinions from real people on what type is their favorite and if they'd recommend them.

I love the BG organic OS AIOs, but only have a couple of them. The bulk of our stash is Smartipants, which work well for the day. At night, if your LO is sleeping longer, you'll need something more absorbant. We've been using GroBaby w/ a booster soaker at night and it works for the meantime- when she starts sleeping more than 8 hours at night, we'll probably have to change to something else, wool perhaps.

www.diaperpin.com is a good resource for CDing info.

WyoGal · February 2010

Tonya_G:
goldenleaves:
Thanks! I'm looking for opinions from real people on what type is their favorite and if they'd recommend them.

I love the BG organic OS AIOs

This is what we've switched to almost exclusively and I love them but I didn't get very adventurous in exploring different types of diapers. They are on the expensive end, but I stocked up when they were 20% off.

We've tried a lot of others and rarely had leaks in cloth (probably less than 10 in six months that were mostly user error and no poop blowouts). Washing is super easy at home once you make it part of your routine. I stumbled across some diapers used on a local buy/sell listserve, but most I've gotten online. I got the snap BG OS AIOs, but have some velcro. Velcro can often give a more conforming fit, but it didn't wear well for us, even over a short time and using the laundry tabs.

There are very, very few cons for us. I love that I never have to run to the store for diapers, that the diapers are soft, they leak far less than the few times I've put him in a disposable. To me, the chemicals in disposables also make them smell awful when they're wet. We'll break even with cost on M's diapers, and will likely diaper our next children for close to free. They're bulky to travel with, but other than that, I don't have a single regret. Even DH is a CD evangelical now :-)

nd01 · February 2010

How do cloth diapers work exactly?

- There are three basic ways to go: a two party system (cloth diaper plus waterproof cover) and an All-In-One, aka AIO (cloth and cover are sewn together) and a pocket diaper (a waterproof cover with a pocket where you stuff absorbant inserts).

Are the velcro?

- The AIOs and pockets are velcro or snaps. If you are doing it with seperate covers, you can buy fitted diapers that use velcro or snaps or you can buy pre-folds which you fold together and usually keep together with a snappi (a thing that has replaced the need for pins)

How do they not leak?

- The waterproof cover

Where do we buy them?

- Typically online - don't buy the Gerber ones at the store as they aren't absorbant. Green Mountain Diapers is a great place to start (check out the New to Cloth link), as is Jillian's Drawers which has a trial you can sign up for.

Do we wash them ourselves?

- Most people do but you can research diaper services in your town. Everything needs to be washed after every use except if you go the 2-part route as covers need to be washed less often depending if they get damp our soiled (I wash mine maybe every 10 days but rotate through 6 covers)

How much to they cost?

- Prefolds are $1.50 - $3.00 a diaper. Fitted diapers are usually $5 - $15. Covers are $10 - $20. AIOs and pockets are usually $15 and upwards. The cheapest are the prefolds and the covers and usually the AIO route is the most expensive. Here's a good link for cost comparison and quantity suggestions: https://www.diaperdecisions.com/cost_of_cloth_diapers.htm

But you'll definitely get the most responses on the EFF board. GL! Feel free to PM me if you have more specific questions!

rainlily · February 2010

You've gotten lots of good info so far! I just want to add that you can choose to buy one size (OS) cloth diapers. That is all we own, but we started to CD when LO was 5 months old. Most OS diapers work for babies 8-35 lbs. You adjust elastics (Fuzzibunz) or snaps (Blueberry, bumgenius). This way you can use the same diapers as your LO grows. We have not had any issues with leaking or blowouts. There is an Eco Friendly Family blog that has a ton of information and links to other sites. That is where I did my research. You can always just buy a few AIOs and a few pockets to try out. If you like them, buy more. If not, you can sell them.

goldenleaves · February 2010

Thank you so much ladies!

starlingrose · February 2010

In ncbelle's siggy there is a link to cloth diaper info she put together. There is also a blog, ecofriendlyfamily.blogspot.com that is super helpful
(im not 100% sure that is the website name but EFF board will know for sure)

christina627 · February 2010

We just switched too. We did the trial at Jilliansdrawers. It worked great for us. We loved the FuzziBunz pockets best. I have one perfect fit and one One size. I so have 2 one size BG's, which are great, I just prefer the FBs. We use these at night and for out and about bc they have great absorbancy and are comfy when wet bc they pull the wetness away from the skin.

Otherwise we use Chinese DSQ or Indian DSQ prefolds and Bummis covers. (thirsties covers came with JD trial, but I prefer the Bummis). I also got a Day pack of the FLIP diapers...I'm not a huge fan, I wouldn't buy them again...I would take them back, but can't. (JD you can send them back within 30 days but I bought them local) I also bought some from craigslist that are Bummis covers and australian fitteds which I haven't tried.

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