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Hawaii Babies
CD Mamas: What do you use???
We just got back from our "Intro to CD" class. Phew! Talk about information overload! We got to both handle and see live demos (on stuffed animals) of various diapering systems, from prefolds/thirsties to fitted diapers to all-in-ones to pockets. Gah!
Brian liked the all-in-ones because he didn't think he could handle pocket inserts and folding/fastening prefolds. However, all-in-ones were the most expensive and we were told many of them won't fit right if our baby is under 8 pounds.
1) What do you use for daytime, overnight and going out? A few of the CD mamas who were at the class say they use different diapers for all three. I was hoping to keep it simple and use just one type, but maybe that's not possible?
2) Does your H help with the diaper changes? How's he doing with that? Does he have a diaper preference?
3) Did you use CDs right away or did you use disposables for a couple of weeks after birth?
Thanks for sharing! We really would like to make this work. 
This discussion has been closed.
Re: CD Mamas: What do you use???
Good for you Nicole for exploring your diapering options. As you know, I am a cheap-a$$ so we went with the least-expensive CD route...that said, it's worked perfectly for us and I don't regret not going with the more expensive options out there.
If you're really unsure I recommend you do a "diaper trial"...there are many retailers that will let you try various CD options for 2-3 weeks and if you don't like them you return them. You can also then decide what works best for you and your family. Here's my post at Pregosaur that details the various trial programs available as well as what system we've been using.
1) What do you use for daytime, overnight and going out? A few of the CD mamas who were at the class say they use different diapers for all three. I was hoping to keep it simple and use just one type, but maybe that's not possible?
Daytime and must outings: OsoCozy Indian Cotton Prefolds (Unbleached) with Thirsties Duo Wraps (when Libby was newborn we used the size XS and S Thirsties Covers but now she's just in size 2 Duo Wraps. We did try a Bummis Whisper Wrap and regular Bummis Cover but we definitely prefer the blowout-proof leg gussets on the Thirsties). We also use cloth wipes (organic bamboo from Etsy seller Wooldins) with plain tap water when we're at home.
If we'll be gone all day (like when we go to my MILs) or overnight (vacation, etc.) we use sposies. So far I've tried 7th Generation and Huggies Pure and Natural and prefer the latter although both have the gel. It doesn't seem to bother Libby much. The sposie wipes we use are Walgreen's brand "Renew" which are bamboo and unscented. They don't irritate Libby's skin and are supposedly more eco-friendly. I have yet to explore my hybrid diaper options like Flip, g-Diapers or Grobaby.
Nighttime: Thirsties Duo Diaper with stray-dry inserts and an added hemp insert. She can go 8-10 hours in this and not feel wet (if she does, she'll wake up!). She's a heavy wetter and they are soaked in he morning but we've never had a leak. It's our fail-proof solution for now. We did try Fuzzi Bunz One Size pockets but could never get the snaps to fit her right and we did have leakage. So we prefer the Aplix closures on the Thirsties as well as the leg gussets...they fit Libby's small waist, chubby booty and chunky thighs perfectly.
2) Does your H help with the diaper changes? How's he doing with that? Does he have a diaper preference?
J is all over diaper changes (he's home with her while I am at work so he probably changes more dipes than I do!) and he's shares in the washing/drying duties too. He is actually more comfortable with the prefolds and covers than the pocket dipes we use at night but I think that's because I am the one who stuffs them and puts them on her so he's had less practice with them. He really hated the snaps on the Fuzzi Bunz. In fact, he has big man hands so there are certain clothing items he never dresses Libby in because he hates to fiddle with the small buttons, etc.
3) Did you use CDs right away or did you use disposables for a couple of weeks after birth?
We use sposies (Pampers Swaddlers) for 5 days and then starting CDing on day 6...basically until the meconium passed (my milk came in on day 5). She was less than 8 lbs on day 6 (I think she was 7 lbs. 6 oz. by then) but they fit her. We prepped them in advance (in the third tri) so they were all ready for her and we didn't have to deal with that and a newborn baby.
The laundry routine is easy for us...we wash every other day and do the diapers and wipes together. The diaper pail is a standard kitchen trash can with a top (Sterilte) and it's lined with a dry bag (WAHMIES, we have 2 that we rotate between washes). One of us just starts it in the morning and by afternoon there's a batch of fresh diapers ready to be put away and used. Sometimes one person does it from start to finish or if our schedules don't allow for that one will start the wash and the other will make sure it cycles through to the dryer. From start to finish it's about 4 hours.
We have a front loading HE machine by Fridgidaire (Kenmore) and use the "heavy load" setting with stain clean, extra rinse and extra spin. We run a cold cycle all the way through and then run a hot cycle with a small amount of detergent (7th Generation Delicate) then two times through on hot in the dryer (on the towel setting) and they're done. We hand wash the covers and dry bag (WAHMIES) and hang them to dry. We have three covers and two nighttime diapers that we rotate. We have 3 dozen prefolds. When she was younger she'd go through as many as 24 in a day but now, she's down to 8-10/day and one nighttime diaper.
We've never looked back! I think it's one the best BR decisions we have made. It can be intimidating, but once you get into it, it's easy peasy!
TTC/PG Blog | Mommy Blog
We use Bum Genius cloth diapers when we are home during the day and disposable when we go out and for overnight. We really like them a lot. The bad thing about them though is they are expensive, BUT we can use them for a long time to come so I'm sure it will pay off financially. Also they are too hot for LO to wear around when we are out since we live in such a hot place. It takes about 10 minutes for us to stuff the inserts into the diaper cover every other day, not too bad.
We also have a few 'flip' diapers. They are made by Bum Genius but you don't have to stuff them, they need less covers, and they are much cheaper. Those are worth looking into for sure.
Yay for you guys for considering CDing!
1) What do you use for daytime, overnight and going out?
Daytime and nights: pre-folds with covers
Going out: Thirsties AIOs and BumGenius 3.0
Adrian's not STTN yet, so our we might try BumGenius for nighttime then b/c it comes with extra inserts.
I bought a variety of diapers to experiment with and all work well for different reasons and at different times. In all, I have 24 pre-folds, 3 covers for each size, a few AIOs for each size, and 12 BGs. I use thin washcloths as wipes and Wahmies bags and a dry pail for storage. Spent $400 for everything, which I think is not bad considering the conveniences of the AIOs and BGs
I had no intention of using cloth when we went out or at night, but it's been so easy that I'm CDing almost exclusively now! YAY!
2) Does your H help with the diaper changes? How's he doing with that? Does he have a diaper preference?
He does! I introduced him first to the pre-folds and after a few tries, he's a pro. And the AIOs and BGs take zero effort. He doesn't complain.
3) Did you use CDs right away or did you use disposables for a couple of weeks after birth?
I had my stash prepped and ready from birth, but we received SO many disposable diapers as gifts that it wasn't until recently that we made the switch. And I was glad for that because there was so much poop early on!
Did you buy your CDs locally or online? I haven't done too much research, but I'm very mindful of the variety on-island, as well as shipping costs to Hawaii.
1) What do you use for daytime, overnight and going out? A few of the CD mamas who were at the class say they use different diapers for all three. I was hoping to keep it simple and use just one type, but maybe that's not possible?
We only use one type of cloth diaper. We have fuzzibunz (size 1). We'll go up to size 2 when Elyse gets bigger. Fuzzibunz have a once size option, but I felt it was too bulky when it was all buttoned up to the smallest size.
When I go out and about in town I use CDs. I have a travel wet bag that I just put the dirty diapers in and empty it into the main wet bag when I get home.
We were given a wipe warmer and I was really comfortable with our diaper station set up so we are still using disposable wipes. I throw them in the wash with the CDs and throw them away after they're dry.
In the last few weeks we've been using disposables at night time.
2) Does your H help with the diaper changes? How's he doing with that? Does he have a diaper preference?
Russ does help, but I do the majority of diaper changes. He prefers to use disposables at night time because he finds them easier.
3) Did you use CDs right away or did you use disposables for a couple of weeks after birth?
We didn't CD until Elyse was about 3 months. When we switched over she was about 12 pounds and she still didn't fit the CDs right. There was a space left around the legs even when it was on the tightest button. I switched over anyways because the CDs stopped poo-splosions way better than the disposables.
Married Bio
All online and everywhere I bought from shipped free with a minimum purchase. I checked DiaperPin.com regularly for sales and scored great deals. I ordered from MomsMilkBoutique, ElegantMommy and DiaperDaisy.... they were all great!
1) What do you use for daytime - DCP will accept anything but we bought BG one size pockets and sized AIO for them to make it easy on them. They are probably the only thing MIL could handle so it's good we have them now.
overnight a really thick fitted (goodmama or bububebe) with a thirsties cover. He had a slight irritation in the diaper area so I put a fleece liner in the last few days.
going out? whatever is clean
**If I do diaper changes I often use prefolds, snappi, thirsty cover
other diapers we have: BG organic one size AIO (love!) some sized BG AIO and sized swaddlebees pockets, prefolds, various covers, a few blueberry minky pockets, and some grobaby (grovia) diapers with snap-in inserts
A few of the CD mamas who were at the class say they use different diapers for all three. I was hoping to keep it simple and use just one type, but maybe that's not possible? you totally could - my friend uses all BG pockets. Used disposables until her daughter fit them well (about 12lbs). I just wanted to try lots out and love the buy different ones. I will say the snap closers (with the exception of BG organic AIO) NEVER worked for us and I'm sorry I bought so many fuzzi bunz - I sold them all.
2) Does your H help with the diaper changes? How's he doing with that? Does he have a diaper preference? yes. he has had a few user errors (J has never had a blowout when I change him but has leaked a couple of times DH changes him). He doesn't do prefolds. If he had to I'm sure he could learn, but we have so many other ones he doesn't need to.
3) Did you use CDs right away or did you use disposables for a couple of weeks after birth? right away - Jack has worn less than 5 disposables in his life - just a couple at the hospital. We even used cloth (flats) the hospital had. the nurses seemed amused - but if they are there why not?
1) What do you use for daytime, overnight and going out? A few of the CD mamas who were at the class say they use different diapers for all three. I was hoping to keep it simple and use just one type, but maybe that's not possible?
For daytime we use prefolds with a Snappi and covers. I had prefolds from Abby's Lane, which she has already outgrown. I now use GMDs. I bought 24 but could probably get by with fewer because we only go through maybe 4-5 per day. I have Thirsties, Bummis and Blueberry covers. We have lots of covers because she almost always soils them when she poops. (Not sure if it's something we're doing wrong or what. It never leaks outside the diaper but gets onto the cover.)
My overnight diaper is BumGenius 3.0 with the BG insert and a Joey Bunz hemp insert. So far we have had no leaks with these and she can go 14 hours in them. And she's a heavy wetter. Also, she's had no diaper rash or anything because they really wick away the moisture well. I also have one Blueberry one size pocket diaper, which also works great, but is more expensive. I tried using FuzziBunz, too, and always had leaks.
For going out I use prefolds and covers. I just carry a wet bag that I got on Etsy. We did use disposables when we were in Hawaii, though, because I didn't want to pack the cloth diapers. They would have taken up a whole suitcase.
I think BumGenius would be a great choice if you want just one type of diaper. Just make sure to buy some inserts like the Joey Bunz for overnight. I love the Joey Bunz because they're slim and super absorbent.
Oh, btw Nicole, I think Baby Awearness has pretty good prices. I'm pretty sure their BGs were the same price as what I saw online. I bought my first one there and then ordered more online when I decided I liked them (after we came back to Vegas). But if I lived in HI I would have just bought them at Baby Awearness.
2) Does your H help with the diaper changes? How's he doing with that? Does he have a diaper preference?
Yes, no problems here. He was on board 100% when I first mentioned CDs. He's all about saving money and helping the environment.
3) Did you use CDs right away or did you use disposables for a couple of weeks after birth?
I bought one pack of disposables and once we went through those we never looked back (other than when traveling).
let me say that this is exactly how i felt when i felt read about them online! sooooo overwhelming!!!
Brian liked the all-in-ones because he didn't think he could handle pocket inserts and folding/fastening prefolds. However, all-in-ones were the most expensive and we were told many of them won't fit right if our baby is under 8 pounds.
when i first asked DH that is what he said too. then i got both and asked him to try out the PFs. i showed him once and then the next diaper he did himself w/me supervising. we use primarily PFs now and you know what he did when we had them all in the wash? i left him an AIO to use b/c i knew they might not be dry in time for the next diaper change and what does he do? he grabs one that is on the rocker (used as a burp cloth) and puts it on her!! when i asked why he did that, he told me, "i didn't want to figure out how to use those fancy ones when i already know how to use the prefolds." LOL never in a million years would i think a guy would say that about PFs vs AIOs! PFs really aren't too hard, esp if you learn the easier folds. flats, however, are a different story.
1) What do you use for daytime, overnight and going out? A few of the CD mamas who were at the class say they use different diapers for all three. I was hoping to keep it simple and use just one type, but maybe that's not possible?
i bought some of everything before she was born, except pockets b/c the idea of pulling out a soaked insert was gross to me, plus having to restuff them after each load of laundry seemed like extra work i didn't want to do. now that i am having to spray poopy diapers that idea of a pocket isn't so gross anymore LOL but still, i found what works for us and i'm sticking to it
for daytime with use GMD PFs with thirsties duo covers. for a long time we used them overnight too and i guess we still could but i just choose not to since i have goodmamas and want to get use out of them. i think as she gets bigger and pees more overnight if we were using PFs we'd have to add a doubler to make it work. but she is a light wetter so i think we get away with less bulk than some mamas.
for nighttime we use a goodmama fitted with thirsties duo cover. sometimes i'll use a BG Organic. for going out, honestly most of the time i still do the PFs. people say they like using AIOs for going out b/c it's easier but honestly i don't see what is that much harder about using PFs when you are out??? maybe that's just me. otherwise i take the BG organic AIOs with us.
2) Does your H help with the diaper changes? How's he doing with that? Does he have a diaper preference?
see above
he's been great with the cloth! though he's resisted changing a poopy diaper since she started solids and spraying was involved....but i'm sure he would do it if he had to
3) Did you use CDs right away or did you use disposables for a couple of weeks after birth?
we used cloth until her meconium had passed since i've heard sometimes it stains the diapers. after that we switched to cloth immediately. the GMD PFs come in a newborn size so she fit those well. if you're looking for a good XS AIO for newborns i loved the sposoeasy diapers. you can get a discount from them if you buy in bulk and code NGP gets you another 10% off
Jaime & Brent
Oahu, Hawaii | Sept. 9, 2005
My Food Blog - Good Eats 'n Sweet Treats
Abby's Lane has free shipping, no minimum order
also extra 5% off with the coupon code from their newsletter which is worth subscribing to just for the CD info she goes over weekly if nothing else. if you buy from them mention my name in the comments box at checkout so i get the referral credit 
ETA - just saw that christine already mentioned abby's lane
they are really great, you can ask all sorts of CD questions on her FB page and she will answer them 
Jaime & Brent
Oahu, Hawaii | Sept. 9, 2005
My Food Blog - Good Eats 'n Sweet Treats
Holy cow! How do you only use 4-5 PFs day? Because the nighttime diaper gets you through 14? Wow. I might have to try your nighttime dipe!
TTC/PG Blog | Mommy Blog
When I'm out, I prefer having only one item to deal with (AIO or prepared pocket) rather than 3 (pre-fold, snappi, and cover).
Maybe I'm not sufficiently organized, but I like the one-step action when changing him in all sorts of random locations. And it's fewer items to keep track of before and after. This newbie needs all the help she can get!
Lori, is there any particular reason that you went with Thristies covers rather than a size 1 Duo Wrap (6-18 lbs) when Libby was a newborn?
I'm really leaning towards the Thirsties line, especially with the possible 15% discount.
I was wondering if a prefold covered with a hemp insert and Duo Wrap would work for overnight. Have you tried that before? I'll probably pick up a Duo Diaper or two, just in case.
Whoa! 24 in one day?! All the websites I've visited said that buying 24 prefolds should be enough if you plan to do laundry every other day. Maybe I should pick up a few extra.Yeah! Those BG are awesome. The Joey Bunz really help, too. We only wash like twice a week now.
You could but the PF doesn't wick the moisture so they'll feel the wetness on their skin. This could cause diaper rash in addition to the discomfort of feeling wet.
Thanks!
They had just come out with the Duos right before Libby was born and I hadn't read many reviews about them being used on a newborn. I did get one size 1 Duo and it worked great! And her size S wraps she wore until she was about 8 weeks old.
But she's a bigger than average baby too...she's just past 4 months old and wears size 12-18 mo. clothing and is now in Duos size 2 with all of the snaps opened! She's 26" long and I am guessing about 17 lbs. (she'll be weighed next week at the pedi). I think most babies could use the Size 1 Duos with infant PFs for a lot longer.
When she started sleeping for longer stretches I knew we needed to find a nighttime diaper solution. As Christine said, they can feel the wetness in cotton PFs and with hemp liners. And Libby HATES to feel wet. So I went with the whole fleece + microfiber + hemp route. It works well because it holds a ton of pee and she doesn't feel it.
It's amazing how dry to the touch fleece can feel even after it's soaked. I also find the Thirsties Duo Diaper more trim than if we double stuffed the Duo Wrap with a PF and insert. That said, the Duo Dipe with it's microfiber + cotton insert with an added hemp insert isn't exactly trim, but it gets the job done!
Some mamas will DIY their own fleece liners (stay dry) and place them over the PF/added doublers. You can get fleece pretty cheap at any fabric store and cut it into strips about the size of a dollar bill. Place the PF in the wrap and the fleece liner between the PF and the baby's skin. Then no added pocket dipes are needed. I do think the simpliest way to go is PFs + Covers. We did Snappi until she was about 8 weeks old but it started to seem tight on her belly so we just ditched it and used the tabs on the covers to keep it all in...works perfectly. Now when she's older and curious and able to open the tabs? I'll have to get the toddler sized Snappi to outsmart her I think. Unless she outsmarts me first and is using the potty fulltime by then! LOL!
Yeah, reading the other mommies here that does seem extreme. Again maybe it's because she just HATES being wet and pretty much fusses immediately after peeing. When she was younger she could pee 2-3 times an hour depending on how often she was nursing. Lately, she can go longer...and even wakes up dry from some naps. We only use 8-10 diapers/day now. But in the first 2 months or so it was a lot more because like I said, we might change her 2-3 times an hour! Also, we probably tend to change her more often because we CD and know that a fresh batch is just a laundry load away. For example, if I know she's pee'd and hasn't pooped I don't wait until she does...I'll change the wet diaper and let her dirty the next one. Although now we're doing EC I've had NO poopy diapers this weekend...yay!TTC/PG Blog | Mommy Blog
nicole, we had 3 dozen orange edge GMDs (nb size) b/c she did go through 20-24 dipes a day when she was itty bitty. this allowed me to wash EOD ....part of this was b/c she was a sleepy nb...we'd change to wake her to nurse, change between boobs to wake her (and she'd often pee), and then she'd poop right before she was done nursing too! now that she is older 2 dozen is totally plenty and maybe a few too many, since it's recommended that while you CAN go longer between washes, that you still wash EOD. you've got lots of good Qs and i'd highly recommend you ask them on the abby's lane FB page as she has experience talking to tons of mamas so she can tell you what the overall experience is instead of isolated experiences like on this board. not that the advice isn't good, but every baby is different and you will find that we all have our different diapering solutions. for instance, some babies are sensitive to the microfiber in BG diapers (microfiber over time also holds stinks in) so while cotton doesn't keep them dry it also has its advantages. miss A doesn't mind being wet so we use all natural fibers. click on this link and scroll down to "other info and our opinions" to read more about natural vs synthetic fibers
oh and for now i wouldn't worry too much about an overnight system. when they are just born there is no overnight since you are getting up every 2-3 hrs
once they start sleeping better you can try different night time systems to see what you like
I guess b/c she is already wearing a snappi and cover when we go out... all I throw in the diaper bag is more PFs
if the cover gets poopy I just wipe it with the wipe until we can get home and change the cover since it's pretty rare for her to poop now. maybe that's why I don't see the difference... but if you don't already have it on, I can totally see how all the extra pieces can be inconvenient!
Jaime & Brent
Oahu, Hawaii | Sept. 9, 2005
My Food Blog - Good Eats 'n Sweet Treats
Thank you for all the great info and insight, everyone!!! I had absolutely no intention of CD until MH said he wanted to learn more about it. I knew there were many options out there, but I had no idea exactly how many!
I've bookmarked all of the sites you've mentioned and even signed up for a few newsletters.
As of right now, I'm thinking of primarily using prefolds/covers. I might get a couple of pocket and fitted diapers, just to see what they're like, and then decide whether to get more when baby is actually here.
hey nicole! again, congratulations on the sweet boy on the way! i've been MIA but hope to be around more as school is out and i get to be home with LO!
you've got great advice about CDs here . . . just wanted to weigh in on my fave nighttime--bumgenius organic one size all-in-ones . . . they are so thick and last all night--once they sleep, that is!
also, i wanted to know if you went to wear baby awearness for the class? i LOVE that store! i got most of my CDs online, at cottonbabies.com, but i've gotten all local diapers there. it's a great resource. take care!
I'm the same - I love just taking extra prefolds. I also have a econobum cover (that I got free) that I folded up really small and just put in the diaper bag in case of emergency or the rare instance when I don't realize he doesn't have a prefold system on as we leave the house.