New to cloth diapering

dancer7889 · November 2013

I would really like to try cloth diapering on LO. DH is somewhat on board (slowly getting him there!) I was considering doing a cloth diaper trial to see if it'll really work out for us (and if DH will really go for it.)

Anyone who cloth diapers... Did you do a trial? Is it worth it? Or should we just go for it and start stocking up on diapers now?

dancer7889 · November 2013

And if you did a trial, who would you recommend doing it through?

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Nickiechan · November 2013

We didn't do a trial... Cottonbabies and also Kelly's Closet run deals where you get free diapers with so much amount purchase. I knew when we went into cloth diapering that I wanted it to be streamline. I know some say this isn't the best option, but it really did work out for us. I didn't want my OCD to get in the way or "Which insert fits into which diaper". I also wanted it to be as easy as possible for both DH and myself. We bought 24 BumGenius 4.0 diapers first, however we are now up to 39(which could be too much). 6 of those where aplex or velcro... and tbh I would trade those in for snaps. They haven't held up as good as our snaps. Cotton Babies had buy 5 get 1 free and Kelly's Closet gave away a free OS diaper with every purchase and we got lucky that it was BG. We do have a BabyKicks diaper through that deal, but we never used it. However, I did use the hemp insert. We paid around $14.50 for each diaper. We got two hanging Planet wise wetbags which we cycle through. We use Charlies Soup which we bought from amazon in bulk since we also wash our clothing in it. We do have a diaper sprayer, but I would say we use it off and on... most poop is ploppable. We do a bleach cycle on the diapers once a month per directions from BumGenius. We love our one size pocket diapers. Over night we can double stuff if need too. It is really is easy with the modern type cloth diapering. DH loves it and likes it better the disposables. We always had blow out with them. DH also stuff diapers while he watches TV... it isn't any extra work really. We do use disposable wipes.

CMLand05 · November 2013

You are a champion @nickichan and thank you @dancer7889 for the post. I too will be a first time mom trying to do the cotton diaper way. Fingers crossed.

smchik · November 2013

We didn't do a trial. We started with a Flip set to see what we thought and went from there. We ended up doing a mix of flips and pockets (variety of brands depending on what I found and thought was cute - I even mix up the inserts sometimes). When she was little, I preferred Flips (no stuffing) but once she got bigger, moved more, the pockets were easier. I do agree re: the snaps v velcro. I really don't like the velcro. Just more work to secure them before washing.

aLsMay24 · November 2013

No trial for us. I purchased a bunch of different stuff but mainly wanted prefolds to start with and covers. I also had some newborn fitteds and BG aio size newborn. The prefolds worked awesome. I also bought a bunch of new and used BG pockets, fitteds, larger prefolds and a bunch of randoms just to try, mostly used. We wanted Velcro for daycare and we liked it for home but now we are in snaps. I'm hoping the picture shows up. This is my stash before DS even got here. I suggest to buy used at first and then once you know what you like and what work you can sell the stuff that doesn't and buy more of what does. I ended up buying every size of prefolds one we found we loved them so much. And then shortly before 2 all of his BG pockets were to small even on the biggest setting so I bought Alvas.

novelblessings · November 2013

@Nickiechan Did you use the newborn AIOs or go straight to the BG 4.0? I would also really like things streamlined and as of right now we are planning on buying BG 4.0 based on recommendations and their ease of use. I'm just afraid they might be a little big and bulky at first and have been going back and forth with getting a stash of the newborn AIOs.

Nickiechan · November 2013

novelblessings said:

@Nickiechan Did you use the newborn AIOs or go straight to the BG 4.0? I would also really like things streamlined and as of right now we are planning on buying BG 4.0 based on recommendations and their ease of use. I'm just afraid they might be a little big and bulky at first and have been going back and forth with getting a stash of the newborn AIOs.

We got newborn diapers for the first month. DS was born at 7lbs and 2oz and he gained weight pretty quickly, so we where in our BG 4.0s CD maybe after he was a month old. I don't think we ever bough newborn diapers and asked at our baby shower for newborn diapers. We do sometime do disposables if we are going on a long trip, but even on short trips we cloth diaper. We got a medium size planet wise wet bag. I did get a WAHM (work at home mother) one but tbh it didn't keep the stink in like planet wise did...

DS's first CD - Photo taking July 1st - he was born May 30th.

novelblessings · November 2013

@Nickiechan Very cute! Yea, we were thinking of just going with disposables until she is big enough, considering we will probably get some from the shower anyways.

farmrose · November 2013

I kinda want to make some tiedye flats

@bunnyfungo. Most of my stash so far is prefolds and a few pockets for DH and grandmas.

BethRN1987 · November 2013

bunnyfungo said:
I wonder if I comment on enough of these threads if I can get someone else to try flats lol. I love love love my flats. They were like 25 cents each and there's no need to worry about sizes. I actually enjoy folding them too. I call it diaper origami! And with the snappi it's just as easy as any other diaper IMO. Come to the dark side!!!

I think I'm going to get some flats for the newborn phase- just not sure how many covers I will need. I figured I'd get 36 flats. I want to start CD day one at the hospital and while I was told my soft bums and thirstys duo would fit a 5 lb baby I've heard in the CD board they won't. Stressed momma here.

BethRN1987 · November 2013

I also think flats would be pretty darn easy after watching cloth diapering 101 on you tube

aLsMay24 · November 2013

I tried a few flats. I ended up using them just like prefolds so I just stuck with the prefolds. I was too lazy to figure it out any further.

Bjordanemery · November 2013

@Nickiechan LOVE your stash!

I have been slowly building mine since summer. I hit a lot of the online sales and I have a bunch of different brands only AIO and pocket diapers currently but I`m planning on getting prefolds and covers too. I lurked on the Cloth Diapering forum for quite awhile reading opinions on brands (they have a few awesome FAQ pins at the top) and watched a few YouTube channels to really learn the basics.

pattipants · November 2013

bunnyfungo said:

I wonder if I comment on enough of these threads if I can get someone else to try flats lol. I love love love my flats. They were like 25 cents each and there's no need to worry about sizes. I actually enjoy folding them too. I call it diaper origami! And with the snappi it's just as easy as any other diaper IMO. Come to the dark side!!!

I am intrigued by flats! We are going to a cloth diapering workshop in a few weeks, and I definitely want to check out all the different kinds.

hisbeautyalways · November 2013

I have some flats! I have *every* type of diaper. My preferences change with age/shape/mobility of baby (or now, here, toddler).

I bought a little here and there through my pregnancy last time, which I liked. I hit up sales.

My original stash was new (from sales) - BG 4.0 (pockets), BG 3.0 size small, econobum covers/prefolds. Then I ordered some Kawaii Pure & Natural (meant for newborn/small babies - never fit, always leaked), my mom got me a best bottom shell/insert, and I bought another shell and some more inserts (these are my diaper bag diaper). Then a couple rebranded Sunbaby pockets.
used - newborn kissaluvs (fitteds), bummis covers sz newborn, happy heiny (hated them, sold them later)... and newborn prefolds.

My son was born 8lb4oz and leaked in every OS diaper I had for 3 months, so I got a ton of use out of the newborn diapers. The first OS diaper to fit right was BumGenius pockets, but I think Best Bottoms would have probably fit without leaks before 3 months had I tried them earlier.

ClaireBear90 · November 2013

I did not do a trial. I did a ton of research and bought a few of several different styles/brands, mostly when they were on sale.

I was glad that I owned my diapers, because initially I thought I really liked BumGenius 4.0s . . . and then they started leaking ALL the time, as soon as DD would pee. I could have probably figured out a solution, but I just didn't want to deal with it. ETA: I ended up liking prefolds and covers, with hemp doublers for overnight.

The ladies on the Cloth Diaper board were a huge help to me!

ClaireBear90 · November 2013

@Nickiechan you're making me want to dig out the few Bum Genius 4.0s that I have and give them another shot, haha. I know a lot of people absolutely love them and I love the IDEA of them, just not the fact that they leaked so badly for us.

Nickiechan · November 2013

ClaireBear90 said:

@Nickiechan you're making me want to dig out the few Bum Genius 4.0s that I have and give them another shot, haha. I know a lot of people absolutely love them and I love the IDEA of them, just not the fact that they leaked so badly for us.

Did you prep them? I feel our inserts hold TONS of pee. I know some say that they didn't fit their babies as well as some of the others. If I remember correctly we did have a couple leaking problems, but that was because we didn't change his in time. Never blow outs.

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dancer7889 · November 2013

Thanks for all the replies. I was only thinking about doing the trial for a non-committal aspect for DH, so if they don't work out for us one reason or another, we aren't out the money. But id prefer to forgo the trial and gradually stock up til march to reduce the sticker shock.

I've done a bit of research, but think I need to get DH more in on it so he can tell me which ones he thinks he'll like.

One more question- where do you buy used cloth diapers? That seems like a good way to go to get an initial stock started and try out different kinds, but no one around me cloth diapers. (They usually look at me like I have ten eyes!) so Locally I don't think I'll have much luck.

aLsMay24 · November 2013

@TallAsh we loved our goodmamas as our overnight diaper. We always stuck an extra insert in to be on the safe side but never any leaks. I wouldn't pay more than $20 on a used one.

BethRN1987 · November 2013

dancer7889 said:
Thanks for all the replies. I was only thinking about doing the trial for a non-committal aspect for DH, so if they don't work out for us one reason or another, we aren't out the money. But id prefer to forgo the trial and gradually stock up til march to reduce the sticker shock.

I've done a bit of research, but think I need to get DH more in on it so he can tell me which ones he thinks he'll like.

One more question- where do you buy used cloth diapers? That seems like a good way to go to get an initial stock started and try out different kinds, but no one around me cloth diapers. (They usually look at me like I have ten eyes!) so Locally I don't think I'll have much luck.

I get any used from Facebook groups for cloth diapers. I actually just got. 23 AIO for 50 dollars. But I like buying mine new since I plan on using for two to three kids

ellajune2012 · November 2013

@Nickiechan I am mesmerized by the cuteness and all the colors of your diapers. I want them all! I can see it now, I'm going to need someone to restrain me from spending a fortune on this stuff.

pattipants · November 2013

@Nickiechan do you use your two hanging Planet wise wetbags in lieu of a diaper pail with insert? I think I'm getting a PW Medium bag for daycare, but I'm trying to figure out what will work well in the nursery to keep odor under control.

pattipants · November 2013

I'm also wondering what you all have experienced with daycare. Do they tend to prefer pockets over flats/covers? Or are they fine either way? We're looking at a daycare center that told us they will CD for us, but they don't currently have any other CD kids.

pepperedmoth · November 2013

@bunnyfungo I'm definitely thinking of trying flats.

What's a "trial"? I'm hiring a diaper service for at least the first eight weeks. Is that what you mean? The one I'm going with (only choice in my area) only supplies organic prefolds. They're $200 for the two months and I decided that it was worth it, even if I pay them AND buy a stash.

My idea is that the service will keep me from stressing out about the wash during the first eight weeks while I figure everything ELSE out, especially how many diapers I'll even want in a stash, what sort of fasteners and covers I like, etc.

Then when I know what I like and how I like to do it (maybe I hate prefolds and want fitteds after all, or something) I will shell out for my own stash. Or just keep paying the service. $25/week is pretty comparable to disposables, I think.

I do think I'll be into flats, though, since they're so cheap, easy to wash/dry, and versatile. I just really don't know anything at this point since I'm a FTM. My own mom cloth diapered and used prefolds, but doesn't remember much more than that!

Nickiechan · November 2013

pattipants said:

@Nickiechan do you use your two hanging Planet wise wetbags in lieu of a diaper pail with insert? I think I'm getting a PW Medium bag for daycare, but I'm trying to figure out what will work well in the nursery to keep odor under control.

We have this style... and use it for daycare and it does keep the stink in. We send 6 of our pocket diapers in and they don't take the inserts out, just take the diaper off and in the wetbag it goes. I take care of the inserts when I get home (or when I wash them).

https://planetwiseinc.com/Planet_Wise_Hanging_WetDry_Bag_44_cat.html

Nickiechan · November 2013

ellajune2012 said:

@Nickiechan I am mesmerized by the cuteness and all the colors of your diapers. I want them all! I can see it now, I'm going to need someone to restrain me from spending a fortune on this stuff.

I need some PINK in there since we are having a girl... but yes, that photo is very satisfying. :P

aLsMay24 · November 2013

@pattipants All daycares are different and some won't allow them at all. It seemed all the ones we talked to were fine with it as long as they were a 1 step system, stuffed pocket or AIO/AI2..

ProudMommy030614 · November 2013

Third time mom first time CD I just jumped in and have been getting a few different kinds to see what works for us

jessher · November 2013

I have 11 bum Genius AIOs and plan on doing some pre folds with Best Bottoms or Soft Bums covers as well as inserts. The Soft Bums and Best Bottoms seem to actually fit newborns so I think it will be cheaper in the long run.
So, I guess that means I will be doing Hybrid/AI2s, pre folds, and some AIOs.

VineyardMel · November 2013

No trial here, either. I knew I wanted pockets for DH, nanny, etc so I started with BG4.0s on sale. I tried Fuzzibunz but sold them--they just didn't fit DD well and the pocket is more narrow than I like. I tried Freetimes and loved them before she started solids, but I don't like spraying off solid poop from them (the way the inserts flop around) so I rarely use them (though I will with #2). I also tried Velcro and that's a disaster--she loves to take them off. Luckily I only got a few. In total I have BG4.0s, a few Kawaiis and a good number of Alvas--they're just so inexpensive.

DD is a heavy wetter so along the way I also switched to bamboo inserts--I can use two and they're the same thickness of the MF insert. I use three for overnight. The only other issue we had was when I used a diaper cream that I thought was CD safe that really isn't (Grandma El's). So now I use fleece liners when I use cream just to be extra safe. I also highly recommend a SprayPal and diaper sprayer for when they start solids.

We love CDing more than either of us expected. I'm considering flats and covers for NB this time--last time we waited a couple of months to start.

Kristen61607 · November 2013

bunnyfungo said:

I wonder if I comment on enough of these threads if I can get someone else to try flats lol. I love love love my flats. They were like 25 cents each and there's no need to worry about sizes. I actually enjoy folding them too. I call it diaper origami! And with the snappi it's just as easy as any other diaper IMO. Come to the dark side!!!

I was really into receiving blanket flats for a while! I got SOOOO many flipping receiving blankets from my showers so I was glad when I found a way to re purpose them!!!

See! So cute!

pepperedmoth · November 2013

Has anyone tried coconut oil for cloth diapering in lieu of "real" diaper creams? I am thinking of starting out like that.

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Kristen61607 · November 2013

pepperedmoth said:

Has anyone tried coconut oil for cloth diapering in lieu of "real" diaper creams? I am thinking of starting out like that.

Yes I only use coconut oil if they get irritated (usually from having the runs or being sick...they've never gotten a "real" rash from CD's)

jennbaylor12 · November 2013

I was leaning towards CD, today decided to go for it!! Found this this evening...

https://m.zulily.com/event/55839?pos=2&section=top&tab=last-day

craftiemommie · November 2013

jennbaylor12 said:
I was leaning towards CD, today decided to go for it!! Found this this evening...

https://m.zulily.com/event/55839?pos=2&section=top&tab=last-day

Awesome deal! Just ordered 4 and some liners

thanks for the tip, I look at Zulilly all the time but never order

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