Cloth Diapers.

Staciefacie · February 2014

I want to cloth diaper my second baby and I have no clue what I'm supposed to be looking for or what is the best brand. I do know that I want to use them because we need to be able to save as much money as possible since we are a one income household right now. I don't want the most expensive or the fanciest. Any advice you could give me would be great. Plus if there is any website that offers used or lightly wore cloth diapers/inserts.

dawn3513 · February 2014

We cloth diapered my daughter. I used flip covers and various inserts. Check out coops on Facebook as well as cloth diaper swaps. There are always great deals to be had.

femail · February 2014

I want to try cloth diapers, but with my luck; I'll hate it.

AlisonPDX · February 2014

I don't have anything helpful to add but I'm glad you posted this! We'd definitely like to try cloth diapering.

bayhunter6 · February 2014

My favorites are by Bumgenius. We use the 4.0 pockets for daytime, the freetime all in ones if we need more absorbency, like naps, and flips with organic nighttime inserts overnight. I tried dozens of different diapers and then got rid if everything but the Bumgenius ones.

AggieBeth06 · February 2014

There's a lot of good info in the FAQs on the CD board.

We CD'ed DS and loved it. Nighttime was a challenge for us and we switched to pull ups once we started PTing.

My favorite pocket was Rumparooz because if the inner gusset.

In my observations, it seems like favorite diapers are kind of a personal preference and individual fit thing.

Biggest like: cost

Biggest dislike: battling nighttime ammonia and stink

Biggest piece of advice: It's overwhelming and there will be people who think you're nuts. You might even think you're nuts sometimes. If you realize it's trial and error and decide to have a positive attitude about trying, that will go far.

The cheapest options are flats and prefolds with covers, but they are a little more intimidating (they ended up being my favorite aside from Rumparooz).

Also you might want to think about your childcare options and do some research before putting down money. Some centers do not want CDs in their establishment. There's a lot of people opposed to them out there due to licensing concerns.

lisamahrt · February 2014

I agree with bayhunter6. Bumgenius are my favorite. Cotton Babies is a great place to get them. Free shipping is a plus. But they have a blog to update cloth diapering moms, you can call with questions it is a great company. I probably spent about 350 dollar in the beginning. I have 5 Bum genius(BG) elements (I use for nighttime) BG 5 freetimes and 5 - 4.0 i use during the day. 4.0 if you take the insert out are great swim diapers! I also have the flips with 3 different type of inserts. I really loved the flips the first 6 month while exclusively breastfeeding and you go threw so many more diapers. I don't really use them at this moment. I wash the diapers every other day.

When i travel I do use disposables. I hope this is a good starting point. Try to find a store that sells cloth diapers, usually they will do a free cloth diaper 101 class.

megsandjohn · February 2014

I cloth diapered my first til he was potty trained and my second till she was 9 months and I got overwhelmed with keeping up with the laundry since we moved and everything was chaos!
I wish I had held onto them but this baby was a surprise!
My favorite was bumGenious elementals because you don't have to worry about a cover or insert or anything. I got a great deal on some used ones. Check Craigslist, Kijiji and there is also diaperswappers.com
Don't be afraid to buy used! It may seem kinda gross, but you can wash them thoroughly and it's all good! And then you can even sell them when you're done or if you find out it's not for you.
We just used a big waterproof bag (wet bag) and cloth wipes and dumped it all in the laundry with a natural detergent every 2-3 days, depending how many you have. The washing routine can get complicated when you research the "proper way" but it doesn't have to be. I just did a rinse and then a hot wash, and threw in the dryer or sometimes on the line if I had time. If they started to get stinky I would do a few hot washes with vinegar.
Don't be afraid to try different kinds as it will help you find what you like and what fits your baby best before you commit to a whole stash in one brand. Try not to get caught up in the temptation to collect cute prints and just go with whatever deals you can find. Set a limit like that you only want to spend $10 per diaper (just an example!) and try to even go under your goal. Since you have lots of time, you can take your time looking for deals and avoid the temptation to spend a lot on new, expensive ones. Just my two cents

good luck!

AggieBeth06 · February 2014

DiaperSwappers is a good place to BST (buy/sale/trade). Ask lots of questions and ask for pictures. I had some people on there whose definition of EUC (excellent used condition) and mine were VASTLY different.

Staciefacie · February 2014

Thanks for advice ladies. I appreciate it. It's actually help a lot.

manateeliz · February 2014

I love cloth diapering my son, it has been one of my favorite things. I have a bunch of brands in my stash, but by far my favorite are bumgenius 4.0 pockets. When he was itty bitty, I used prefolds (green mountain diapers) and covers (thirties duo wrap). I'm always happy to talk cloth diapers if you have questions

crystal8503 · February 2014

I highly recommend prefolds and covers during the newborn phase because you change diapers constantly. We use one size pocket Alva's and Sunbabys with bamboo and charcoal bamboo inserts. We have some Thirsty Fitteds and covers that were mostly used for nighttime and long car rides. He is a heavy wetter and I haven't found a good solution for us at night. For that reason, he is in sposies at night for the time being.

JJsMum · February 2014

I love cloth diapering! I've done/ am doing it with both boys and fully intend to keep going. I've tried a bunch of different kinds, but my favourites are Bumgenious (4.0 and Freetime), Kawaii Baby, and Rumparooz (pockets and covers w/cotton). My only problem with rumparooz, is that it seems like my boys out grow them quickly. DS#2 is almost out of the Rumparooz at 22lbs. They just don't have the rise that he needs now. I do love the double gusset they have, and are mostly what I used in the NB stage. DS#1 wore the 4.0s until just recently (thank goodness he finally potty trained!) so they've got some good life to them, and DS#2 was in the Freetimes (love the all-in-one) and just got the 4.0s.

The thing about CD though, is that it's a lot of personal preference. I tried several brands that my friends really liked, that just didn't work for us. The CD board has some great resources, or feel free to PM with more questions if you'd like. I've gone through a lot of different cloth options (no wool though) and am more than willing to help others!

Mrs. Kata Potata · February 2014

I'll add that there are some trial programs out there with different kinds of cloth diapers so you can see what works best for you. I think everyone will have different favorites based on what they like, what family members and daycare will/won't use (if that is a factor), as well as what fits your individual baby well because they aren't all built the same! (Chunky thighs vs. skinny legs, long vs. short rise)

ETA: There are different options to fit different budgets as well. I agree with what someone said above, that you can CD very inexpensively with prefolds, but some people love or don't mind using prefolds and others don't like them at all.

DiannaVB · February 2014

I have to agree with the everyone that favorite brand is mostly a personal preference. Check out the cloth diapering board here and diaper swappers.

Our absolute favorite are blueberry simplex (both OS and newborn). Also, I'm pleased that I bought a full newborn stash. They are just waiting for #2 to come along now.

BeanNut · February 2014

I also like Bumgenius 4.0. They are more expensive than pre-folds but are almost as simple and easy as a disposable and will save you money over time. If you want to try a few different kinds, you could register for one or two of several different types.

Staciefacie · February 2014

I breastfed my first and plan to with my second. She turned into a little sumo wrestler. This is her at 4 months

Sorry. If the pic is huge. I'm not sure how to resize it. But anyways. Which diaps are good for chunksters.

lisamahrt · February 2014

The great thing about breastfeeding and cloth diapers you can put them straight in the washer! .

GromMom · February 2014

I have grovia diapers that I got on sale, I think they do a seconds saleat least twice a year. I think I paid 12 per diaper versus something like 20. I've been happy with them but to be honest doing diaper only loads was not cheaper than buying a huge box of diapersat Costco because our water is expensive! I do ec with my son so he poops in the toilet and dh washes the diapers with the regular wash. If he has an accident, which is rare, dh will hose the diaper off outside and do a diaper only load. I have snaps which work great but I have to say in the beginning when I had pregnancy carpal tunnel, I did not love doing snaps.

kcroano · February 2014

lisamahrt said:

The great thing about breastfeeding and cloth diapers you can put them straight in the washer! .

If you can put your breasts in the washer, you need to see a doctor.

Justabean3 · February 2014

They have these today on Zulily

https://www.zulily.com/e/mg-baby-73568.html?pos=16&section=baby-maternity&sPos=1&tab=new-today&ns=ns_004468861|1392140674813

But I really need some lessons. I have wanted to cloth diaper both times but get so overwhelmed.

LaDyBostonRN · February 2014

FTM. I'm intrigued ...

What do you do with the poop when they go? Just plop it into the toilet? How do you clean the cloth diaper enough before you put it the washer or do you hand wash? Has this saved anyone a considerable amount of $? With my new job, DH and I will be looking for as many ways to cut corners as possible, plus it does seem gentler on skin.

DiannaVB · February 2014

Be careful about diapers on Zulily. Those look like rebranded Alvas which sell for about $6 each.

Pre-solids both BF and FF poop can go in the washer. Both are water soluble. We use a diaper sprayer if the poop doesn't just plop off the diaper.

Our water bill went up about $5 a month. I couldn't see an electric difference. When we switched from a toddler tub to the big tub the water bill went up $20.

Justabean3 · February 2014

DiannaVB said:
Be careful about diapers on Zulily. Those look like rebranded Alvas which sell for about $6 each.

Pre-solids both BF and FF poop can go in the washer. Both are water soluble. We use a diaper sprayer if the poop doesn't just plop off the diaper.

Our water bill went up about $5 a month. I couldn't see an electric difference. When we switched from a toddler tub to the big tub the water bill went up $20.

Good info. I was just cruising there for something else and saw them.

Staciefacie · February 2014

For anyone looking to try cloth diapers my SIL have me this website to go to. Nickisdiapers.com they have a good newborn sampler.

MollyC20 · February 2014

WOO HOO welcome to the CD world!!! We use Fuzzibunz one size pockets (LOVE them). they're kind of pricey, but they're one size so they fit my 21 month old since she's was born. Here are a couple websites:

www.fuzzibunzstore.com
www.kellyscloset.com

www.diapersswappers (this has used ones on there also I believe for resale)

I am also on a cloth diaper support group on facebook so let me know if you're interested! they are VERY helpful answering any questions. I have only used Fuzzibunz, so i don't know all of the other less expensive options, but there are some!

MollyC20 · February 2014

@ladybostonrn there are a couple different options with baby poops:

if you're exclusively breastfeeding the poop is water soluble so it can be thrown right into the wash!

if you're not EBF or once your baby starts solids, you can

1. get reusable diaper liners (go in between baby and diaper) to catch the poop, then you just kind of plop it in the toilet,

2. you can buy biodegradable diaper liners (same concept, but you just flush them)

3. get a diaper sprayer (I have this) -- it goes on your toilet, and you just put the diaper over the toilet and spray the poop off! piece of cake! I use the liners only when traveling overnight

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