Cloth Diapers Anyone?!

chickpea912 · March 2014

elsa1688 said:

@chickpea912‌ I love you! Thanks for all the great advice!! Sorry if this was answered, I didn't see it. I bought some AIO that came with instructions to wash 5 times to prep them. Done. I got some pocket diapers (with inserts) and extra inserts off Zulily. No instructions. Should I prep them the same way?

What are the pockets you purchased? It depends on the material - MOST pockets tend to be man-made fabrics, so one wash and you're ready to go. Most inserts tend to be microfiber or microterry, and that would be a one-wash and you're prepped.

The reason you had to wash the AIOs so many times is they were likely made with cotton (Bumgenius Elementals, maybe?), and you have to wash out the oils to get them to their max absorbency. Manmade fabrics don't have that.

krptcmschfmkr128 said:

@chickpea912 I'm reading over your blog, and i'm somewhat confused with the pockets. Do you "restuff" the covers between changes so you don't need as many covers, or would you toss everything into the wash, and therefore need more covers? I reallllllly want to CD with this one, but I'm so lost as to where to start, and want something that's going to be easy for everyone when I'm at work.

ETA: Also, can you use PFs with the pockets, or just the specific insert? What covers do you use with PFs?

With pocket diapers, you have to wash after each use - there is a pocket that you stuff the insert into, with one piece of fabric against baby's tush. Baby will pee and poop against/into that, so it would be soiled - you can't reuse.

There are system - All-in-twos or hybrids they are called - where you can reuse a diaper cover and swap out the absorbent inner. Something like this: https://www.gro-via.com/hybrid-cloth-diapers.html

You buy the shell and the soakers. In between each use, you could take out the soaker/insert, and if the cover isn't soiled, you can reuse it.

Does that make sense? With the hybrid, the only thing against the baby's tush is the soaker, so you would remove that. With the pocket, the inner part of the diaper is against the baby, so the entire thing has to be washed.

elsa1688 · March 2014

Thanks for the help ladies!

chickpea912 · March 2014

Oh, also forgot the question about PFs - you can definitely use PFs as inserts, both with pockets as well as with a regular cover - just fold it in thirds, lay it down, and go - like this:

MrsRahl · March 2014

Could you use a pocket diaper like a non pocket where you just lay the pre fold in? Also what is the difference between the free time bum genius and the flip and the pocket 4.0? I'm so confused! Lol

chickpea912 · March 2014

MrsRahl said:

Could you use a pocket diaper like a non pocket where you just lay the pre fold in? Also what is the difference between the free time bum genius and the flip and the pocket 4.0? I'm so confused! Lol

@MrsRahl - you could use a pocket diaper like a non-pocket, but I'm not sure why you would. There wouldn't really be anything to help keep the pre-fold in place, and you can just as easily stuff the prefold into the pocket. If you don't want to stuff, I'd look elsewhere.

Bumgenius freetime is an all-in-one diaper - the inserts are sewn into the diaper, so you don't have to worry about stuffing or anything. Supposedly they dry faster than the other all-in-one option from Bumgenius (elementals), and they're made with stay dry material so the baby doesn't feel the wetness they'd feel with a non man-made material (like cotton):

The Bumgenius 4.0 is a pocket - there is a waterproof exterior with a stay-dry inner, with a pocket inbetween. You stuff inserts into the pockets - you can add more or less depending on how much absorbency you need. These are great - if you prestuff them, they're as convenient as a disposable. (You can see the entrance to the pocket to the left of the diaper below)

The Flip system is essentially just a cover - just the waterproof exterior. You have to add the absorbency - either with a pf or some sort of insert you slip into the flaps on the ends. I sometimes use Flip covers as JUST a cover over a fitted diaper.

You must was a Freetime or a pocket diaper inbetween each use. The flip - if there is no mess on the diaper, you can let it air dry and use a few times until you have to wash.

I hope that makes sense - let me know if you have more questions.

MrsRahl · March 2014

Thank you! I guess I just thought if you got a pocket and put a pre fold on top it would be able to be reused like you described the flip. Do you ever use the disposable liners for say those first meconium poops so they don't run the diaper before that passes? Or to help plop poop in the toilet? Also lastly is there a sprayer you suggest and I'm thinking can't just a kitchen sprayer attached to your toilet work the same?

chickpea912 · March 2014

@MrsRahl

I wouldn't use a pocket that way - unless the mess didn't make it all the way through the prefold, I have to assume that the inner lining would get soiled.

It's also an expensive way to do that - I'd just get cheaper Flip covers if you aren't planning on using the pockets.

I never used liners period. I didn't start cloth until M was 2 weeks old, so I can't speak to those early days, although recent research has left me thinking the meconium poops don't actually stain at all.

I purchased the Bumgenius sprayer. It's worked fine for nearly four years so far. I don't know the ins and outs of plumbing, so I can't speak to a kitchen sprayer. Blueberry also makes a sprayer called Flo, and I've seen online tutorials of people who DIY.

MNOpea · March 2014

chickpea912 said:

I never used liners period. I didn't start cloth until M was 2 weeks old, so I can't speak to those early days, although recent research has left me thinking the meconium poops don't actually stain at all.

My friend who just cd'ed her newborn said that her meconium did stain but it sunned out after a couple sunnings! Just my 2nd hand "experience" since I was literally just asked her about this!

chickpea912 · March 2014

MNOpea said:

chickpea912 said:

I never used liners period. I didn't start cloth until M was 2 weeks old, so I can't speak to those early days, although recent research has left me thinking the meconium poops don't actually stain at all.

My friend who just cd'ed her newborn said that her meconium did stain but it sunned out after a couple sunnings! Just my 2nd hand "experience" since I was literally just asked her about this!

Yeah, I have no personal experience either, and always assumed it must stain (I think b/c others said it did), but I did find a few people who found the EBF poo stained worse. Considering I'll be in the hospital for minimum 3-4 days, I don't think we'll start cloth until we get home, so it might be a moot point for me.

MNOpea · March 2014

I didn't have any ebf staining with my first but we sprayed our ebf diapers too because DH felt weird about not spraying them (and he offered to spray them so whatever lol) We will probably spray this time too since we will already be spraying DS1's diapers

kjohnson1002 · March 2014

Hi ladies...i am getting ready to wash the diapers so they are ready to go. What kind of detergent did you use? I've heard some people say they use Tide original powder, but the list I found has that as a no-no..so what do you use?

MNOpea · March 2014

kjohnson1002 said:

Hi ladies...i am getting ready to wash the diapers so they are ready to go. What kind of detergent did you use? I've heard some people say they use Tide original powder, but the list I found has that as a no-no..so what do you use?

I personally use Charlies, but it has pretty mixed reviews by people (as do most detergents..), however, we have had good luck with it.

kjohnson1002 · March 2014

MNOpea said:

kjohnson1002 said:

Hi ladies...i am getting ready to wash the diapers so they are ready to go. What kind of detergent did you use? I've heard some people say they use Tide original powder, but the list I found has that as a no-no..so what do you use?

I personally use Charlies, but it has pretty mixed reviews by people (as do most detergents..), however, we have had good luck with it.

Others have mentioned Charlies as well. I have a Whole FOods near where I work and could pick it up there.

katekat8721 · March 2014

kjohnson1002 said:

Hi ladies...i am getting ready to wash the diapers so they are ready to go. What kind of detergent did you use? I've heard some people say they use Tide original powder, but the list I found has that as a no-no..so what do you use?

My dipes say Charlies, Rockin Green, Tide Powder (they say it's a no no but real moms use it and love it so I don't know), and anything Free and Clear. We use ALL Free and Clear.

kjohnson1002 · March 2014

Thanks @katekat8721. I just went out and bought the Original Tide but then read something that said no go..so then I thought I did the wrong thing.

katekat8721 · March 2014

@kjohnson1002 here are the sites I've been obsessively researching

https://www.jilliansdrawers.com/newtocloth/washingcloth
https://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/washing-diapers.html
https://www.cottonbabies.com/clothdiapers.php

chickpea912 · March 2014

Here is my article on prepping, storing, and washing diapers.

I have used Tide Original Powder with my cloth diapers. I also tried Rockin' Green - I found Tide cleaned them much better.

Many of the cloth diaper resources (which I link to my in article) have Tide down as a no no, but a number of cloth diaper makers (I forget which one - they are mentioned in the link I included to It's the Cloth that Counts) actually recommend Tide.

So I say Tide, but your individual experience may vary (ie different water, etc)

https://thefrumkinfamily.blogspot.com/2014/03/diaper-care-prepping-storing-and-washing.html

chickpea912 · March 2014

The concern with many of the commercial detergents are things like brighteners and fabric softeners - theoretically, these could adhere to the manmade fabrics in diapers. However, in the three-ish years that I used Tide powder, I never had any issues. No build up, no repelling, none of the things that they warn you about. In fact, I've never had to strip my diapers (aside from when we've had a yeast rash due to toxic antibiotic poo), so my experience has led me to believe that Tide works for us. Which is awesome b/c I don't have to buy extra detergent just for my cloth.

arekeweg · March 2014

For anyone thinking of using a tall kitchen trash can (I used an 11 gallon) for your cloth diaper "pail," making your own liners is really simple. I made two of them today in probably an hour or so. I followed this tutorial https://www.runs-with-spatulas.com/2013/01/crafty-fridays-diy-diaper-pail-liner.html.

Sorry the picture is so big...I'm too lazy to deal with resizing it right now...

chickpea912 · March 2014

arekeweg said:

For anyone thinking of using a tall kitchen trash can (I used an 11 gallon) for your cloth diaper "pail," making your own liners is really simple. I made two of them today in probably an hour or so. I followed this tutorial https://www.runs-with-spatulas.com/2013/01/crafty-fridays-diy-diaper-pail-liner.html.

Sorry the picture is so big...I'm too lazy to deal with resizing it right now...

I wish I were handy and crafty - great job!

MrsRahl · March 2014

This may sound like a really dumb question but if you are not squirting diapers off for bf poop, how do you keep the poop from getting all over the other diapers as you throw them in the can? Those who use pocket diapers do you use a separate can for inserts?

MrsRahl · March 2014

Also when cloth diapering when out say at an amusement park or restaurant, how do you get the runny poop off you can't plop or fold in poop so it doesn't get everywhere? I feel like people would be repulsed by me rinsing them in the bathroom sink. Also where do you put baby while doing this is public? Like before they can walk but too big for carrier? I'm such a newb...

chickpea912 · March 2014

MrsRahl said:

This may sound like a really dumb question but if you are not squirting diapers off for bf poop, how do you keep the poop from getting all over the other diapers as you throw them in the can? Those who use pocket diapers do you use a separate can for inserts?

It doesn't matter if you get mess on other diapers - they're all going into the same wash, right?

If I'm out and about, and we're not at ploppable poop, I just fold the diaper up carefully - sometimes wrap it up and either snap or velcro closed, and then deal with it when I get home.

Baby is usually back in stroller or the carrier if I'm dealing with it while out and about, but I'd never put poop in a sink. Human waste should only go in the toilet (this is why you should plop poop in the toilet even if using disposables) - the waste goes to a treatment facility. I'm not sure if sink water goes the same place or not, but frankly, I'd never wash a diaper in someone else's sink.

MNOpea · March 2014

Ditto Chickpea about just folding the poopy diaper up and sticking it in the wetbag, I have never had an issue doing it this way..NB EBF poop is pretty runny/but sticky so it kind of soaks into the diaper and isn't going to just fall out if that makes sense...

kjohnson1002 · March 2014

Thanks so much @katekat8721‌! I have more reading to do. @chickpea912‌ thank you for the information as well. You all are so informative!

arekeweg · March 2014

I also made cloth wipes this weekend. These are two-sided (flannel and terrycloth). I sewed up 24 but have enough cut to complete 40 later on.

MNOpea · March 2014

ugabamafans said:
Has anyone had experience with a reluctant spouse? I really want to CD, but DH is saying an emphatic "hell no." He doesn't want poop all in our washing machine (and doesn't care about my argument that DS has had accidents before and we still washed his clothes and survived).

You can spray ebf poop too, that's what we did. My dh was hesitant because he thought our only option was prefolds and pins. I borrowed a pocket diaper from a friend to show him/let him touch/play with it etc and that helped convince him. Then I showed him the possible money savings and he was sold.

chickpea912 · March 2014

ugabamafans said:

MNOpea said:

Has anyone had experience with a reluctant spouse? I really want to CD, but DH is saying an emphatic "hell no." He doesn't want poop all in our washing machine (and doesn't care about my argument that DS has had accidents before and we still washed his clothes and survived).
You can spray ebf poop too, that's what we did. My dh was hesitant because he thought our only option was prefolds and pins. I borrowed a pocket diaper from a friend to show him/let him touch/play with it etc and that helped convince him. Then I showed him the possible money savings and he was sold.

He's seen my nephews AIOs and knows the money saving aspect. He doesn't want to deal with poop in any way other than simply wrapping up the diaper and throwing it in the trash can

Maybe I could either borrow or buy one or two and show him?

I have to run to an appointment, so I can't do the research now, but I feel like I've seen articles in the past that would help with his argument.

You should show him on a package of disposable diapers where it says to dispose of the poop in the toilet and NOT in the trash. It is technically illegal to throw away human waste. Or at least it used to be - at the very least, last time I looked (which was a long time ago), there is writing on the package of paper diapers that says you shouldn't just throw it away. I highly doubt anyone has been arrested for it, but you could let him know he's not doing the right thing

I'll look for more help when I get back later this afternoon.

Ellebee85 · March 2014

I have a question for you, @chickpea912. I use Alva Baby diapers (I know, I'm always so embarrassed to tell CD pros about this because I feel like they are shunned upon! They have really worked well for us since DD was 4 month old when we started! She's 2 now!)

Anyway... I was thinking about trying out some prefolds with Thirsties covers, and I actually saw that you said you could stuff pocket diapers with prefolds. I'm pretty sure I read all of the entries in this thread, so I'm sorry if you've been asked this, but do you have a favorite prefold brand that you like? I know that you gave a lot of brands for pocket diapers, but I don't know if you had a preference for prefolds specifically.

temursgirl · April 2014

@ugabamafans‌ DH was not into the idea when I first mentioned it. His reasons were: 1) dealing with poop other than throwing away the whole diaper; 2) more laundry; 3) he thought you have to pin them on like way back when. My response: 1) you're supposed to flush poop anyway, even with disposables (his friend who just had a baby mentioned this, very helpful); 2) I do almost all the laundry; 3) I showed him pictures. Then I bought some newborn-sized on sale that are pink with peacocks on them. DH is a sucker for pink and peacocks and now thinks they are the best idea ever.

chickpea912 · April 2014

@Ellebee85 I've never used Alvas, but I know people who love them. No worries - it's awesome that you're using cloth over paper diapers, and if they work for you, then great!

I typically recommend two different kinds of prefolds. Green Mountain Diapers (GMDs) - they have different sizes for different size babies, although if you're going to use for inserts, you probably don't need the "right size." https://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/cloth-eez-prefold-diapers.html

I also like these - BabyKicks Hemparoos - hemp is a super thirsty material, so it tends to be super absorbent. They aren't as soft as other pfs, but they're great for overnight or a heavy wetter: https://www.abbyslane.com/BabyKicks-Hemparoo-Fleece-Prefolds-Individual_p_110.html

steprozz · April 2014

ok I absolutely love the idea of cloth diapering. I hate the idea of so much laundry. so here's my question for the pros.

we are about to have two in diapers. DS1 will be 19 months old when DS2 is born and I know he is nowhere near ready for PLing. would it be totally ridiculous to get some one size AIOs for DS1 at this stage to try and save money on disposables? has anyone made the switch to cloth diapers at this stage? I just feel like it would be easier to CD him since he has mostly ploppable poop and doesn't need to be changed as much as a newborn does. thanks for any advice!

chickpea912 · April 2014

I would probably go with one-size pocket diapers for DS1 - you may need to play with the absorbency a bit given his age (this would mean adding more inserts, potentially). I think, in general, AIOs can be more of a hassle than not. But you're right - it would be an easy transition for him, especially since he's not being changed as often.

I maintain that I hate doing laundry, but I love doing diaper laundry. Maybe I'm just weird.

steprozz · April 2014

@chickpea912‌ awesome. I'm going to look into pockets since I've only really looked at AIOs thinking they would be easiest. he's definitely a super soaker at night he almost always wakes up soaked through with wet sheets so extra absorbency using extra inserts would be fabulous. thanks!

chickpea912 · April 2014

stephross88 said:

@chickpea912‌ awesome. I'm going to look into pockets since I've only really looked at AIOs thinking they would be easiest. he's definitely a super soaker at night he almost always wakes up soaked through with wet sheets so extra absorbency using extra inserts would be fabulous. thanks!

@stephross88 If he's a heavy wetter, I'd suggest pairing microfiber with hemp. For hemp, I'd go with one of these two:

https://www.abbyslane.com/-Babykicks-Joey-Bunz-Premium-Inserts_p_302.html

https://www.abbyslane.com/SuperDo-2G-Inserts_p_311.html

When you stuff the pocket, you stack the two inserts together - the microfiber (the one that usually comes with the diaper) on top of the hemp insert - the microfiber goes inside the pocket so that it is the layer closer to baby's tush. This is because microfiber is a quick absorber but doesn't hold a ton, so it'll be the first thin that asborbs the pee, and then the hemp, which is a great absorber but takes more time, has more time to absorb more pee.

I hope that makes sense

Ellebee85 · April 2014

chickpea912 said:
@Ellebee85 I've never used Alvas, but I know people who love them. No worries - it's awesome that you're using cloth over paper diapers, and if they work for you, then great!

I typically recommend two different kinds of prefolds. Green Mountain Diapers (GMDs) - they have different sizes for different size babies, although if you're going to use for inserts, you probably don't need the "right size." https://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/cloth-eez-prefold-diapers.html

I also like these - BabyKicks Hemparoos - hemp is a super thirsty material, so it tends to be super absorbent. They aren't as soft as other pfs, but they're great for overnight or a heavy wetter: https://www.abbyslane.com/BabyKicks-Hemparoo-Fleece-Prefolds-Individual_p_110.html

Thanks so much!! I'll be checking out those links now! I like the idea of hemp since we use one micro fiber + one hemp insert in the Alva's and it seems to do the trick.

Laurelyn2012 · April 2014

I feel like this may be a silly question but with the pocket diapers, how do you remove the insert? Does it just come out in the wash or do you have to pull it out before hand?

chickpea912 · April 2014

Laurelyn2012 said:

I feel like this may be a silly question but with the pocket diapers, how do you remove the insert? Does it just come out in the wash or do you have to pull it out before hand?

I've never tried to just throw it in the wash and see if it agitates out on its own. It might, I have no idea, but I know the Blueberry Basix (and the Simplex, I think?) say that their all-in-one does agitate out if you stuff it into their pocket, so maybe that would hold true for others. I think it would depend on how easy it is for the insert to make its way out (depending on the construction of the individual diaper.

Basically I either pull it out or I just try to shake it out into the pail so I have separate pieces of diaper deconstructed.

tbmadeamistake · April 2014

My diaper registry is done!! I'm so excited. I also love that I have a store within driving distance should I need anything extra right away or have any questions.

Advice that I got during the workshop I went to:

Always separate the pocket diapers. If they don't agitate out, they'll agitate deeper in and you'll have to stick your hand in a still half-dirty diaper to separate, then rewash. Gross.

Buy a newborn stash, then wait to see what shape your baby is before buying bigger sizes, because different styles/brands will fit different shaped babies, just like we all have a store/brand of pants that fits our own body type best.

I can't wait to start this, and if it goes well with Charlie, when we buy his next size up stuff, I might just get some for C as I'll be home and she'll be potty learning by then.

chickpea912 · April 2014

Yay, @Lilygrace48!!

I just bought a TON of nb diapers tonight. I keep telling myself that the resale value is GREAT and I'll get most of my money back, but it was a pretty penny

Want a personalized experience?

Cloth Diapers Anyone?!

Re: Cloth Diapers Anyone?!

Married DH 7/30/11

CSC arrived 5/7/12

CHC arrived 6/2/14

Choose Another Board

Search Boards