I know it may be a little early but DH and I are pretty set on CD from day 1 if we can. Doing our research and trying not to get overwhelmed.
My question is about registry though. I am thinking we will get our CDs ourselves online from vendors since it is cheaper once we decide the brand/type. I also know people tend to gift disposables/wipes for the shower. Is this something that's unavoidable and we should just plan on returning once we get them or do we register for a few CD items at BRU/BBB to get the idea out there that we are CD? Not trying to be gift grabby, just don't want our family and friends to waste money on what we are not planning on using.
Re: STMs who CD
I am considering CD. However, if I do, I plan to use disposables when I am out and about. So, I would still welcome disposables as a gift. If you plan on exclusively CD, then maybe you should make note of it on the shower invites? Not sure of the proper etiquette on this though. If you aren't comfortable with that, you could put prefolds on your registry. I hear even if you go all in one or pocket diapers, prefolds still com in handy for extra padding and clean ups.
ETA- I'm not a STM, just been thinking of this myself
This. It doesn't hurt to have some around for emergencies. You can always return them later if you want. I'd probably use word of mouth and maybe put a couple CD related things on the registry. Warning though: many folks will know that you plan to cd but will still get you disposables bc they think you won't stick with it, or it won't work out, or you'll discover "it's so much work" etc. Return or donate!
I'm intrigued by this raffle idea. Been to a bunch of baby showers and never seen/heard of this. So there's a prize for the winner and every person who brings a diaper related item gets a raffle ticket for the drawing to win? That's neat... I'm not really into the games but this sounds fun, my mom would have a field day planning it all out. She is an elementary school teacher so the corny games will be unavoidable I know.
We used CDs with DD and we didn't get any disposables as gifts. I registered for a few things cloth and people just figured it out. I will say (for those wanting to do partial cloth) that it's probably easier to go completely cloth. If you are doing the laundry anyway, it's not really that much more work to use cloth while out and about. It's kind of a lot to manage two sets of diaper materials, IMO.
I will warn you that some people are NOT supportive of cloth diapering. They can be rude and judgmental. Personally, this just fueled me on and made me more determined that I can do it. Everyone at my showers were really supportive, but I did attend a baby shower (of a friend who was going to CD) and her sister and cousin bought her a ton of disposable supplies and made jokes the entire time about how disgusting cloth diapering is. It was so rude and uncomfortable! She is still cloth diapering her daughter, and she just turned one.
We are planning to exclusively CD... we aren't really big travelers, when we do travel it's to our family beach house which has a W/D. Thinking we may register for/get a few G Diapers for travel when we have to stay in a hotel. We were originally going to do them exclusively but after more research I feel like it's super expensive compared to CD or even regular disposables.
Luckily my parents and family is very supportive of the CD. My mom chose to CD me at a time when pampers were the new best thing and all the rage. People can judge away... I feel like no matter what you do as a parent you'll be judged about something, just have to stand your ground. And I'm 100% with you, judgey people just make you want to be more successful with whatever it is! Good for your friend and her success
BBB has BumGenius 4.0s, which is a great diaper. I would definitely register for some there. As for wipes and sposies that you will inevitably get, you will be able to return them. So long as they are unopened and the store sells that particular brand and package size, they will take it back.
I actually just remembered last night that TB has a CD board. I didn't post anything but I did check out their FAQs section, I know a lot of boards like you to read that before posting specific repeatedly asked ?s. I didn't see the google doc- will have to look again! Thanks for the heads up! I still keep in touch with all the girls from my Knot wedding month board, but we have moved over to FB cause we're all on there more, we have a CD post on there and lots of moms have used different types as well so that was really helpful. Lucie's List also gives a link to the Alpha Mom blog which is hysterical to read and has a ton of info on CDing, so I used that plus my knottie friends' advice to start... Looking into BumGenius. One knottie friend did recommend the Best Bottom- is that a hybrid tho? I couldn't tell from their website. We aren't looking to do a hybrid... I think I like the pocket diapers like BumGenius and FuzziBunz (?). My research so far is limited. Trying to take it a day at a time and start early cause all the info can be very overwhelming.
Edit: Lucie's List*