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Disposable vs Cloth
I'd like to get some opinions on diapers. What are you using? If you've chosen disposable, what brand? I've heard not to get the dry-max. Is this b/c it will cause diaper rash? If you've chosen cloth, where did you buy them?
Thanks for your help and opinions. 
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Re: Disposable vs Cloth
Cloth. We are using prefolds from Green Mountain Diapers (Google them) and Thirsties diaper covers. We are fastening them with Snappis.
Until LO's cord falls off and for travel we'll use whatever diapers we have. We got several packs of Huggies Pure and Natural and 7th Generation from our showers.
Hope that helps.
DD2 (b. 9/04/2013)
BFP 2/25/12, m/c @ 6w 3d || BFP 8/1/12, m.m/c @ 9w5d
I'm doing both--disposable at daycare and cloth at home.
I'm using Nature Babycare and if those don't happen to work out my back up is Tushies. These are the only two diapers on the market (that I know of) that are completely chemical free which is important to me. A lot of diapers that tote being eco friendly, like Seventh Generation, still contain the absorbent gel that I'm just not cool with. I like Nature Babycare the best since they are compostable!
For cloth I've picked up a couple Fuzzi Bunz one size pocket diaps that seem great but I'm not that savvy on all the different cloth options out there. I like that they will (hopefully) fit from infancy until baby is potty trained, have good reviews, and are cute
I've purchased them from Amazon.com.
Yes, thanks!
This is very helpful. I wasn't aware that the absorbent gel wasn't good. Will the Nature Babycare diapers leak much if there isn't absorbent gel? How do cloth diapers keep from leaking? Thanks for your help. I want to make the right decision.
We'll be using Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive (no Dry Max) until the cord falls off. After that, we have prefolds and covers--a mix of brands (since fit varies based on LOs shape--we don't know what will fit best, yet!) We have Thirsties 2.0, Bummis, and wool covers (the wool was from a friend, but they're supposed to be great even for summer babies). We also are using Snappis. Our wipes are a mix--you'll want to have cloth wipes if you CD as they can go right in the same laundry basket (vs a trash bin right next to the laundry basket).
We also have some BumGenius 3.0, but those are one-size and I wouldn't expect those to fit for a while.
The EFF board was hugely helpful to me in deciding what to get, and we also took a workshop that was helpful. Diaperpin.com is great, as is this site: https://pinstripesandpolkadots.com/basics.htm.
I'm really catious with chemicals so the gel isn't good from my perspective. A similar gel was used in tampons in the 80s until it was realized that it caused toxic shock syndrome. I just don't like the thought of having chemicals that close to the baby's genitial all the time.
The Nature Babycare/Tushies diapers use an absorbant wood pulp in lieu of the gel and I have heard that the baby will need changed more often since it's not as absorbant as more traditional diapers.
The Fuzzi Bunz ones have adjustable elastic around the legs that you can tighten and there is also a pocket for a removable cloth liner that will help with absorption and I'm assuming stop a lot of potential leaks.
The whole diaper thing is overwhelming, espeically with all the different cloth options out there!
Thanks. It is overwhelming! I appreciate your advice.
Thanks, I'll check out these sites. I've a friend who is using FuziBunz, but haven't checked in on how they are working out.
We also have to use disposables for daycare and travel. I think we're going to try the Nature Babycare first and see how they perform.
We have not begun our stash of cloth diapers yet. Because there is an overwhelming amount of different brands out there right now, we'll be trying a 21 day cloth diaper trial from Jilliansdrawers.com. They will send us multiple types of diapers to try and we can keep the ones we'd like and send the ones we don't like for refund. Because there's not enough diapers in the trial, I am going to get some gently diapers used off of craigslist, spots corner, and diaperswappers.com. I am gravitating most toward fuzzibuns and bumgenius. Plus, they are selling fuzzibuns and bumgenius on BRU's website, so we can use some of our gift cards for those.
I figure I need enough diapers for 10-15 changes a day and to do laundry every other day. Thats a lot of diapers!
i used sposies with DD1, but mostly out of ignorance. With DD2, I am going to CD. It is very overwhelming, but there are tons of sites out there devoted to the subject. EFF board is also very helpful.
I am using CD for the moneya nd environmental impact. We will use PFs and either Thirsties or FB to start with. My doula suggested not getting AIOs in Florida because of our humidity (takes too long to dry). that was good info I had never seen elsewhere.
I didn't know they were on BRU's website! Great! And you're right...it is a lot of diapers. Nature Babycare Diapers are reasonably priced, so I guess I'll see how those work out for travel and daycare. Thanks for your advice.
I've used both. DD1 was in disposables till she was 15 months. We used the cheap store brand and Huggies Overnights for nighttime.
Then we switched to cloth. For DD1 I used BumGenius 2.0 diapers from 15 months till she PTed at 22 months.
DD2 was disposable diapered for a week. We used Pampers Swaddlers mostly. Then we used prefolds with Thirsties covers and Kissaluvs size 0 with Thirsties covers. Now we mostly use BumGenius 2.0's and BumGenius 3.0's with some prefolds and Thirsties covers.
I tried a couple other brands of pocket dipes, but hated them all (Mommy's Touch, Mommy's Touch EZ clean, and Haute Pockets).
I mostly bought from:
www.kellyscloset.com
www.nickisdiapers.com
We used disposables (Pampers Swaddlers) for two weeks then switched to a diaper service for 3 months. Since then I have been using a mix, mostly pockets (Fuzzi Bunz sized), some all-in-ones, some fitted, wool covers, prefolds - a bit of everything.
It's been a steep learning curve but after a few weeks I knew which ones I liked and what worked on DS.
I was quite intimidated before I started - there are so many options - but now I am quite comfortable with my stash. And I spend maybe 30 minutes of my time doing laundry and such for them every 2-3 days.
If we have another I will use cloth from the start. Prefolds for newborn stage and then a mix again.
I followed the suggestions on JilliansDrawers.com (based on suggestions from the EFFB) for the number and types. I am doing prefolds with covers for the newborn stage (2 different sizes of covers) and then moving onto Bum Genius 3.0 all-in-one one size until (hopefully) potty training.
We were able to get all our Bum Genius from Target with gift certificates (free to us) which motivated that part of the decision.
We feel that it is more economical (especially over multiple children), better for the environment, and better than an plastic or chemicals touching our baby's private parts.
Good luck deciding and purchasing! I found it very overwhelming at first!
TTC #2 since April 2012
Year 1 - nothing
Year 2 - two m/c
Year 3 - unexplained diagnosis & 4 failed IUIs with Clomid/Letrozole
Year 4 - still unexplained & 3 failed IUIs with Follistim & Ovidral
Year 5 - trying on our own
We're doing cloth. I'm allergic to everything, so there's a chance our LO will inherit my skin sensitivities, and even if s/he doesn't, I still don't want the chemicals near him/her and I cannot justify putting around 2 tons of waste into a landfill.
If you're at all interested in cloth, I cannot suggest strongly enough going to a physical cloth diaper store and having them explain to you your options and the differences between them. I'd done a lot of research before even going into a shop, and it was still SO helpful to actually see things in 3D and get to touch them, etc. Most stores with really knowledgeable people working there are local, not big chain, but most cities have a few you can find by googling "Cloth diaper CityName"
Mother's Day, 2011
We did cloth from 15 months to potty training with DD. DS has been in cloth since birth.
With DS, I've done mostly prefolds and covers. This is by far the most economical option for the early weeks, when they go through so many diapers! Prefolds seem complicated at first, but they're a breeze to use once you get used to them. I used newborn Proraps covers until his cord stump fell off, because they have a nice umbilical scoop. Now, I mostly use Flip covers.
I do have some pockets too, because they're a little easier when we're out of the house, and they're also easier for babysitters. I like BumGenius the best, because they're just like disposables. I also use Kawaii pockets(https://www.theluvyourbaby.com), which are very similar to BumGenius but half the price.
DD was a challenge to cloth diaper because she was a SUPER heavy wetter, so we ended up using prefolds/fitteds with wool covers a lot at home. At daycare, she had to use pockets, and she leaked a lot. That sucked. Nowadays, she only wears a diaper overnight, and we use a pocket with an insert specifically designed for overnight use (i.e. bulky but really absorbent).
I did the trial with Jillian's Drawers when I first started with DD, and it was really helpful! I also agree with trying to find a local cloth diaper store, because it's really overwhelming to read about but so easy once you actually SEE the diapers.
Good luck!
Mommy to DD1 (June 2007), DS (January 2010), DD2 (July 2012), and The Next One (EDD 3/31/2015)
We're doing cloth (though we do use disposables sometimes for going out or whatever). I cloth diapered DD and loved it, so it was a no-brainer this time around.
We're starting out with mostly prefolds and some all-in-ones in the newborn size and will then use BumGenius Organic One Size All In Ones (LOVE them!) once DS is about 10 lbs.
We used 7th Generation disposables with DS until he was 6 months or so (we had to share coin laundry with our neighbors, so cloth was out). Anyhoo, we used prefolds and a variety of pocket diapers my sister lent me until he hit a year, and then I bought a stash of Happy Heinies, which I would NOT recommend - major issues with the seams coming out (luckily I sew and can fix them), and poop really sticks to the inside fabric (we use liners with him, but if any is off the liner - yuuuck). We bought 7th Generation or Whole Foods disposable diapers when traveling, but now we just get Target brand - but I think we'll get less evil disposables for this baby until they are bigger, too, mainly bc of the chemicals involved.
With this baby, who knooows. I'm thinking we'll do prefolds for awhile, and then use the Happy Heinies (they're one-size), and I might end up getting more pocket diapers, either the Fuzzi Buns one-size or Bum Genius (though BG one-size aren't nearly as big as the HH ones! argh!).
It's been my experience that everyone sells cloth diapers for about the same price (someone correct me if I'm wrong!), so I just go with whoever is closest to me - I buy most of my stuff from two stores (one of which is in my parent's town, so I don't have to pay shipping with her, even). This directory is a good resource to see who's local to you: https://www.diaperpin.com/directory/directory.asp?search=Location
DS2 - Oct 2010 (my VBAC baby!)
We use cloth. We used disposables for the first three days of DD's life, and then again for a month when I got pregnant again and couldn't clean poop off cloth diapers without gagging.
Cloth is a much better option for us. In a month of sposies, DD had more than double the amount of blowouts that she has had in eight months of cloth. She's also only had diaper rashes in sposies (and I change frequently no matter what kind of diaper we use). Plus they're cute, and now with #2 on the way, we're going to save a crapload of moola. Totally worth it, IMO.
I'm sure someone else has answered about the Dry-max, but in case they didn't, the short story is that a lot of moms have reported the diapers caused chemical burns on their baby's bottoms. Yes - BURNS, not rashes. Pampers, awesomely, continues to insist there is no problem with Dry-max. Way to go, guys.
When we used sposies, we used Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive, which don't have Dry-max (but still gave DD a rash).
P.S. I LOVE to talk about cloth diapers and have tried more than half a dozen different kinds, so if you want more input, page me! I'm usually on Parenting After A Loss but try to come here a lot too.
We use cloth. We like the BumGenius3.0s that are currently on sale buy 5 get 1 free (and I prefer to buy from abbyslane.com because she offers free shipping and if you join her yahoo group, you can get 5% off).
When we travel, we use Nature Babycare diapers because they don't have as many chemicals, and don't have the gel for absorbency.
We cloth diaper DD1 and there is nothing that I hate about it. We use fuzzibunzs with her..size medium. They fit from 6 months [which is when we first explored cloth diapers] and they are still on the 2nd snaps..they'll fit until potty training! for DD2 we have cottonbabies indian prefolds, snappis, and thirsties covers. I love that we aren't causing a lot of waste [we even line dry them whenever we can, which is every time right now!] and that we are saving a butt ton [pun intended] of money. We have to plan 3 kids for sure, maybe 4 and we can use the diapers for all of them.
Also DD has sensitive skin [like me] and sposies give her a rash fairly easy. It's a no brainer for us to cloth.
2 beautiful children
proud mommy!
Our Thanksgiving Day baby 11/22/07
Pregnant with #2 with LPD, uterine polyp/hysteroscopy, DOR (AMH = 0.17), 2 c/ps
Our early Christmas present 12/9/10
We will use cloth. We have some from when Madelyn was in them but we didn't start with her until she was 7 months old so we don't have any newborn diapers. We'll be getting most of them at a local cloth diaper store and from diaperswappers.com.
We will be using mostly Kissaluvs and prefolds to start. Them moving on to sized pocket diapers for daycare and going out.
NOTE! Swaddlers Sensitive DO have dry max. The new packages at least. If you're finding them w/o then you're finding stores w/ a lot in stock!!!!!
We'll be doing a mixture of pf's w/ thirsties, bummis and swaddlebees covers, AIO's and fitteds for the girls. Once their out of that size I'll be selling those for One Size AIO's but I also have pf's and covers inthe next size from DS. As well as a ton of fitteds I've made.
I'm using cloth and loving it. It is so much cheaper, better for LO skin, and it is surprisingly easy to do.
We've been using prefolds and a variety of covers (prowraps, thirsties duos, bumkins) and have a few pocket diapers as well.
We're about to buy the next size and are going with Best Bottom Hybrid system from Nicki's Diapers (https://nickisdiapers.com/catalog.php?category=1899). They are almost as cheap as prefolds and covers, but a lot more user friendly. Plus, you can get the flushable inserts from gDiapers or Flip and use them with the Best Bottom covers.
We're using cloth, BumGenius 3.0 one size. I registered for them at Target.com and got some of them that way, then last night I won a large lot on ebay to round out our stash. Diapers.com also has them.
The reason to stay away from the Dry-Max, is that they have caused chemical burns on many, many infants, any where that the diaper was touching the LO's. So sad.