Cloth Diapering Mamas HELP!

phq2011 · November 2012

So I am thinking about switching to cloth diapers, but I have no idea what I need or how to do it. What has worked for you and do I need all the accessories? Do you use the inserts? What are the covers for?

ETA: How many do you suggest buying and are there different sizes?

rMe6411 · November 2012

Check out the thread from cloth diaper board:

https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/ShowThread.aspx?PostID=48640290#48640290

eta: the video is a really great start to learning what you need to know:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVo6SMebcX8

phq2011 · November 2012

I didn't even know there was a cloth diapering board! Thanks

byrne15 · November 2012

there are are different kinds you can buy....

I personally have:
15 bum genius
10 alvababy
diaper sprayer
pail liner
rockin' green detergent

the diapers I use are "one size" so there is no need to buy multiple sizes.

Susan2685 · November 2012

I think I over bought on the shells (covers)

Here is what I have

Grovia all in 2 (I like these better than all in one because they are faster to dry and I can reuse the shells...they are also one size fits all)

20 shells (covers) I originally bought a lot of snaps but now I have a few more velcro. I like the vlecro better because it's easier to diaper but the snaps are probably cost effective, because evenetually the velcro will stop being so sticky.

30 inserts (I have to do laundry every other day and I use sposies at night, my LO is very fussy with dirty diapers and we still change at least 15 diapers a day)

*I bought a mixture of stay dry and organic cotton. I wish I bought all stay dry and DS hates the cotton ones because he feels wet as soon as he pees

*I also have 4 stay dry boosters (I don't really use these....I probably will start when I cloth diaper at night once he goes through less diapers during the day)

Grovia magic stick (diaper cream...you need to use special diaper cream for cloth)

Nellie's laundry detergent (I bought mine at costco I think for $100 for 2000+ loads of laundry)

Big Planet wise wet bag

Small Planet wise wet bag (for outings in the diaper bag or for when I'm washing the big bag)

DS is BF so I did not buy a diaper sprayer yet as there is no need

I bought everything from caterpillarbaby.com and costco

Costco had a pack of 6 diapers for sale with sposie inserts and the magic stick

and I bought the live package at caterpilar baby.

Check for sales this weekend!

*We have only been using cloth for about a month now as the one size only fits babies 10lbs+. I'm glad I have too many shells as I am planning on having 2 more children and using the same diapers, this way my diapers will hopefully last longer and get less wear

WhimsyGirl14 · November 2012

We bought 18 prefolds and 18 inserts and have 6 thirsties covers. This has been sufficient for us.

I will be purchasing 6 more covers at next size and 18 more prefolds in next size for DD for Christmas. These should carry us to potty training.

I still need to figure out what we're doing when she actually is potty training, since these diapers won't work for her to pull down/up.

twoitalians · November 2012

Ambsies:
Don't buy any right now. Try a cloth diaper trial first and figure out what works best for your baby and your lifestyle. Jillian's Drawers does a 3 week trial where they send you a bunch of different diapers for $10.
For DD we mostly used prefolds and covers.
For DS we use pockets 95% of the time and occasionally use prefolds and covers.

Do this. I didn't know about CD trials until after I bought some CDs to try. Unfortunately, DS hated them. I think they were too heavy/made his bum too warm/he didn't like the bulkiness. I had to try selling everything on eBay because the stores don't take them back after you wash.

FWIW, if DS had liked them, I probably would have done fitted diapers with covers. Little more expensive, but they were the ones he tolerated the best and they were easier for us to use.

Bemyselfandi · November 2012

There are so many options, I would try a trial from Jillians first. I like pockets, but for ease, some days I really really love my covers with stay dry inserts. I LOVE my Kawaii pockets. Seriously my favorite out of everything I have. I stuff them with the microfiber insert and an extra hemp insert and I never get leaks. LOVE! Seriously, right now it's my most favorite thing. I've heard Alva's are great. I might get some of those.

oprastr · November 2012

I love prefolds, I use hemp, and covers because they wash and dry so easily. My husband and daycare use pockets, we have BumGenius. Many families like all in ones because they are closest to disposables but the take way to long to dry for me!