Cloth Diapers Anyone?!

MNOpea · April 2014

Ellebee85 said:
@chickpea912 what do you use for night time diapers? I've yet to find a diaper that doesn't leak for my 2 year old during the night. Though I've only tried Alva Baby's with multiple hemp/bamboo/microfiber combinations, and Thristies with prefolds... I'd love to find a good night time diaper so we can get rid of disposables!

We use kawaii good night heavy wetters stuffed with a flour sack towel and hemp insert. I was also recently given a Kushies AIO that works well for us overnight

steprozz · April 2014

@Ellebee85‌
I have a very heavy nighttime wetter who is 18 months old. we just started CDs with him but I use Softbums Omni system with the staydry pod and the staydry mini pod stacked and then stuff the pocket with a large hemp insert. it's the first time in months he has woken up dry and with dry sheets!

MrsRahl · April 2014

Man, I thought I had it figured out going with bum genius and now you are all bringing up brands I've never heard of and I am panicking!!! What are the brands you all started with to get a solid base? I want to stick with pocket one size diapers...

chickpea912 · April 2014

MrsRahl said:

Man, I thought I had it figured out going with bum genius and now you are all bringing up brands I've never heard of and I am panicking!!! What are the brands you all started with to get a solid base? I want to stick with pocket one size diapers...

My "go to" pocket one-size diapers are Bumgenius and Blueberry Diapers.

I tried a ton of different diapers, including other pockets, and those are just the favorites that emerged. In the end, if you find something that works for your kid, you're good to go. You don't need to try others (unless you want to - and believe me, I know how cloth diapers can be addictive!)

MrsRahl · April 2014

chickpea912 said:

MrsRahl said:

Man, I thought I had it figured out going with bum genius and now you are all bringing up brands I've never heard of and I am panicking!!! What are the brands you all started with to get a solid base? I want to stick with pocket one size diapers...

My "go to" pocket one-size diapers are Bumgenius and Blueberry Diapers.

I tried a ton of different diapers, including other pockets, and those are just the favorites that emerged. In the end, if you find something that works for your kid, you're good to go. You don't need to try others (unless you want to - and believe me, I know how cloth diapers can be addictive!)

Should I be buying anything for the newborn stage, or hope baby is big enough for the one size right off the bat, or just go disposable for a month (which is the last thing I want to do...) Am I dumb for wanting to just do pockets? That just made the most sense to me...

chickpea912 · April 2014

@babywear Looks good to me - I think once you get in the swing of things, you'll get a sense of how it's working for you and probably make some tweaks based upon how you prefer to do things.

chickpea912 · April 2014

MrsRahl said:

chickpea912 said:

MrsRahl said:

Man, I thought I had it figured out going with bum genius and now you are all bringing up brands I've never heard of and I am panicking!!! What are the brands you all started with to get a solid base? I want to stick with pocket one size diapers...

My "go to" pocket one-size diapers are Bumgenius and Blueberry Diapers.

I tried a ton of different diapers, including other pockets, and those are just the favorites that emerged. In the end, if you find something that works for your kid, you're good to go. You don't need to try others (unless you want to - and believe me, I know how cloth diapers can be addictive!)

Should I be buying anything for the newborn stage, or hope baby is big enough for the one size right off the bat, or just go disposable for a month (which is the last thing I want to do...) Am I dumb for wanting to just do pockets? That just made the most sense to me...

I found M didn't fit into the one-size diapers until she got to 10-12 pounds. I'm stocking up on newborn diapers, which I'll sell once we get to one-size. You always have the option of using disposables until baby is big enough as well.

krptcmschfmkr128 said:

Can I use microfiber inserts in a Flip (or similar) cover if I wrap it in a pre-fold/flat? Or should they just stick to being used in pockets?
This question got lost in the shuffle.

You could definitely try it.

I did want to say, my friend who used pfs more than I did remarked the other day that she never used a trifolded pf in a cover for the nb stage b/c it didn't hold the ebf poo well at all - so just a heads up for anyone looking for an easy pf solution for the early days - you might have to play with folds and fits.

temursgirl · April 2014

@MrsRahl‌ of course I don't have any experience, but I'm buying different brands of newborn diapers to start with. Then I can see which ones work for us so when we move into one size I'll be better ables to choose. I'm buying brands I'm interested in trying based on reviews (and this thread!). I have Bum Genius, Grovia, Fuzzibunz, Rumparooz, Thirsties, Kissaluvs, and Blueberry. I have no idea if this will work out, but it's what I'm comfortable trying.

chickpea912 · April 2014

krptcmschfmkr128 said:

chickpea912 said:

krptcmschfmkr128 said:

krptcmschfmkr128 said:
Can I use microfiber inserts in a Flip (or similar) cover if I wrap it in a pre-fold/flat? Or should they just stick to being used in pockets?
This question got lost in the shuffle.

You could definitely try it.

I did want to say, my friend who used pfs more than I did remarked the other day that she never used a trifolded pf in a cover for the nb stage b/c it didn't hold the ebf poo well at all - so just a heads up for anyone looking for an easy pf solution for the early days - you might have to play with folds and fits.

Could you ask her how long it was until she was able to successfully pad/tri-fold into a cover?

Until she got to solids in her experience. EBF poo can be pretty runny

tbmadeamistake · April 2014

krptcmschfmkr128 said:

chickpea912 said:

krptcmschfmkr128 said:

chickpea912 said:

krptcmschfmkr128 said:

krptcmschfmkr128 said:
Can I use microfiber inserts in a Flip (or similar) cover if I wrap it in a pre-fold/flat? Or should they just stick to being used in pockets?
This question got lost in the shuffle.

You could definitely try it.

I did want to say, my friend who used pfs more than I did remarked the other day that she never used a trifolded pf in a cover for the nb stage b/c it didn't hold the ebf poo well at all - so just a heads up for anyone looking for an easy pf solution for the early days - you might have to play with folds and fits.

Could you ask her how long it was until she was able to successfully pad/tri-fold into a cover?

Until she got to solids in her experience. EBF poo can be pretty runny

Ok, so it looks like I might need another dozen or so of PFs/flats to "fit" to baby or some cloth fitteds! Thanks.

I'll try to find it when I'm downstairs on a real computer, but there is a way I was shown to fold a prefold so that it creates a pocket of sorts to catch the runny poop of infants. It can be done!

chickpea912 · April 2014

Lilygrace48 said:

I'll try to find it when I'm downstairs on a real computer, but there is a way I was shown to fold a prefold so that it creates a pocket of sorts to catch the runny poop of infants. It can be done!

There are a number of different ways to fold a prefold.

Here is a quick graphic:

One of my friends preferred the jelly roll method:

Another liked the bikini twist - she found it created a nice pocket to hold in runny poo:

I preferred the angel wing fold:

tbmadeamistake · April 2014

@chickpea912‌ thanks! I was thinking of the newspaper fold

BabyCurtiss2014 · April 2014

Hi ladies, I started to consider using cloth diapers and started to read the thread but it's a bit overwhelming w all the info. Could anyone that has experience with CD answer just a few recap questions?

1-When should you start CD?
2-which kind is the best to use ?
3- how many do we need to buy?
4- there are disposable liners that go into these diapers? Which ones to get?
5- anything else we should know?
Thank you SO much :-)

MNOpea · April 2014

1-When should you start CD?
Whenever you want to. Some people choose to take newborn cloth to the hospital, some choose to wait until meconium has passed to start nb cloth, and some wait until baby fits into one size diapers (generally around 12lbs regardless of what the manufacturer claims)
2-which kind is the best to use ?
This is also personal preference. I like pockets because once stuffed they are just as easy as disposable diapers, but I am able to adjust absorption
3- how many do we need to buy?
Generally speaking you will need about 12 a day so it depends how often you want to do laundry (I wouldn't recommend doing laundry any less frequently than every 3rd day)
4- there are disposable liners that go into these diapers? Which ones to get?
There are. I have never used them though so I can't speak to brand.
5- anything else we should know?
There is a lot to know and learn about cloth. I know it's overwhelming but I would suggest trying to go back and read through this thread. There has been a lot of good info in here

BabyCurtiss2014 · April 2014

@MNOpea‌ - thank you! :-)

steprozz · April 2014

krptcmschfmkr128 said:
What is the best way to adjust absorption for hybrid systems? Is it just like pockets where you add inserts as needed?

@BabyCurtiss2014‌ the Flips diapers and I think Grovia are the two with disposable inserts that I know of.

we have been using GroVia and best bottom AI2s for day and Softbums at night and I just stack inserts. I love the Softbums staydry pods, they come in 2 sizes and are super absorbent.

@BabyCurtiss2014‌ we use the Bummis biodegradable flushable liners and they are pretty soft and contain the mess pretty well. people seem to have mixed reviews on all the flushable liners and they're pretty cheap so I would suggest trying a few until you find the one you like

chickpea912 · April 2014

MNOpea said:

1-When should you start CD? Whenever you want to. Some people choose to take newborn cloth to the hospital, some choose to wait until meconium has passed to start nb cloth, and some wait until baby fits into one size diapers (generally around 12lbs regardless of what the manufacturer claims) 2-which kind is the best to use ? This is also personal preference. I like pockets because once stuffed they are just as easy as disposable diapers, but I am able to adjust absorption 3- how many do we need to buy? Generally speaking you will need about 12 a day so it depends how often you want to do laundry (I wouldn't recommend doing laundry any less frequently than every 3rd day) 4- there are disposable liners that go into these diapers? Which ones to get? There are. I have never used them though so I can't speak to brand. 5- anything else we should know? There is a lot to know and learn about cloth. I know it's overwhelming but I would suggest trying to go back and read through this thread. There has been a lot of good info in here

^wss

temursgirl · April 2014

The pediatrician suggested that we should also have newborn disposables on hand in case (she said some babies might be too small for cloth initially, and we're planning to use pocket diapers or aios). What do you all think? If I do get some, do you have any recommendations for environmentally responsible and better for baby choices?

chickpea912 · April 2014

Temurlang1 said:

The pediatrician suggested that we should also have newborn disposables on hand in case (she said some babies might be too small for cloth initially, and we're planning to use pocket diapers or aios). What do you all think? If I do get some, do you have any recommendations for environmentally responsible and better for baby choices?

@Temurlang1 I'm not sure why your pedi would say that - most newborn cloth goes down to 5 or 6 pounds, so if you have newborn cloth diapers, you should be covered. Most one-size diapers don't start to fit until 10-12 pounds, so she would be correct there.

Anyways, there are a number of options for friendlier paper diapers. I know there are some that are compostable, some from brands like Seventh Generation that purport to be better (I have no idea if they are or not). The only paper diapers we ever purchased and used were the Huggies Pure & Natural (I think they're still around), other than what the hospital gave us (we took a couple of packages from the hospital to last us until we started cloth at 2 weeks). I'm not sure what I'm planning on doing this time - I want to start cloth in the hospital, but knowing I'll be there for at least 3-4 days, I'm not sure it's a fight (with DH) I want to deal with.

temursgirl · April 2014

@chickpea912‌ thanks! I didn't bring up diapers at all. She had a list of things she feels you really need to have on hand ahead of time and mentioned the diapers, so maybe she was thinking in terms of one size. I actually have mostly newborn CDs because I want to try out different brands before going to one size, and they say they fit 5-6 pound babies. I should have asked for more clarification, but I had other higher priority questions and that one slipped through the cracks.

chickpea912 · April 2014

Temurlang1 said:

@chickpea912‌ thanks! I didn't bring up diapers at all. She had a list of things she feels you really need to have on hand ahead of time and mentioned the diapers, so maybe she was thinking in terms of one size. I actually have mostly newborn CDs because I want to try out different brands before going to one size, and they say they fit 5-6 pound babies. I should have asked for more clarification, but I had other higher priority questions and that one slipped through the cracks.

@Temurlang1 I don't know about your pedi, but I have found that at least with M's pedi, whom I adore, I do most of the educating in terms of cloth. I got such a kick out of surprising her with whichever different cute diaper M was wearing at each appointment, but I definitely knew more than she did. Which is fine. I'd rather her know more about my child's health than her poop catchers

If you have mostly nb, I'm sure you'll be just fine. You can always take home some of the paper diapers they make available in the hospital, just to help out if you feel you need to ease into it, but if you have nb diapers, you shouldn't NEED to use paper beyond however much you want to use them.

chickpea912 · April 2014

CAMag said:
Storing/using reusable wipes... Do you just run to the sink and wet one before changing the diapers?

That or you can keep a spray bottle nearby.

tbmadeamistake · April 2014

chickpea912 said:

Storing/using reusable wipes... Do you just run to the sink and wet one before changing the diapers?
That or you can keep a spray bottle nearby.

I was also told you can take any disposable wipe container, fold the reusable ones to fit in it, and fill it up with your solution/water. Instant wet wipes!

chickpea912 · April 2014

Lilygrace48 said:

chickpea912 said:

Storing/using reusable wipes... Do you just run to the sink and wet one before changing the diapers?
That or you can keep a spray bottle nearby.

I was also told you can take any disposable wipe container, fold the reusable ones to fit in it, and fill it up with your solution/water. Instant wet wipes!

I was thinking this as well, I just don't remember how much people put in so that you don't end up with any sort of mold issue. I remember reading somewhere, too, how to fold your cloth wipes so they can sort of pop up like disposable wipes do. That might be too much work for me, though

temursgirl · April 2014

@chickpea912‌ since this pedi is brand new I don't really know what level diaper knowledge she has (and anyway I'm more concerned with her opinions on vaccines and such), and actually I don't even know how common CD is in my area. But it sounds like disposables are not essential

chickpea912 · April 2014

CAMag said:

@chickpea912‌ & @Lilygrace48‌ -- thanks! Spray bottle sounds convenient and hygienic. Just plan h2o, right?

@CAMag Yep, or you can get fancy. I'm sure if you google cloth wipe solution, you'll find different recipes. I only ever used water, though.

MrsRahl · April 2014

Has anyone bought any cloth diapers used? Is it worth the money beings they already have some miles on them? My husband is disgusted at the thought, but I'm thinking about the money we could save. Is it really safe/hygienic to use used cloth diapers?

temursgirl · April 2014

@MrsRahl I haven't because: 1) My H also has a major problem with it (although I would do it anyway and not mention it) and 2) I prefer to buy used things in person, i.e. CL from my area rather than ebay, so I can make sure I'm getting what I expect, and I haven't actually found any good deals. Like people are asking almost the same price as I would pay new. I've found sales here and there online.

I don't see any reason not to, though. If they are in good condition you should be able to just wash them in hot water. As with any used item, I would want to see the condition first.

MrsRahl · April 2014

also, are gDiapers any good? I hear wonderful and horrible things about them. What kind of system are they exactly?

MrsRahl · April 2014

Temurlang1 said:

@MrsRahl I haven't because: 1) My H also has a major problem with it (although I would do it anyway and not mention it) and 2) I prefer to buy used things in person, i.e. CL from my area rather than ebay, so I can make sure I'm getting what I expect, and I haven't actually found any good deals. Like people are asking almost the same price as I would pay new. I've found sales here and there online.

I don't see any reason not to, though. If they are in good condition you should be able to just wash them in hot water. As with any used item, I would want to see the condition first.

Yeah, where I would buy is off craigslist, so I could see them once I got there, but I would have a hard time saying no once I was there because I'm just that kind of person :-/ lol. But you're right, people resell for not much more than a dollar or 2 new, so I'm like WTH?!

tbmadeamistake · April 2014

@MrsRahl‌ , I did, but off a family friend. The cloth diaper place that I go to has a gently used section, and I would buy those. Randoms on Craigslist I'm not so sure of.

katekat8721 · April 2014

@MrsRahl - I bought some used but in this area there's a lot of CDers who are on crack when it comes to pricing their used items. For instance, you can get PFs on GMD for like $2.25 each with flat $5 shipping... here people are selling their 3 year old used PFs for $2 each. Cray cray! So I ended up buying more stuff new than I thought I would.

dragonfly711 · April 2014

So bummed. I so want to use cloth diapers but hubby is against it.

He believes it will not be cheaper because of having to do extra laundry during the week. More water, ware and tear on washing machine and if it breaks we don't have the extra cash to get a new one.

This is the only thing we have disagrees with. I'm so bummed. So want to use them.

Have tries looking for research that breaks it down to show it is cheaper but can't find much.

steprozz · April 2014

@dragonfly711‌ I personally love Softbums so I'm a little partial to their diapers but this puts a lot of the aspects of cloth diapering into perspective and helped me convince DH (he wasn't really that against it but it helped push him over the edge)

https://www.softbums.com/assets/Reusable-Diaper-Information-Booklet.pdf

dragonfly711 · April 2014

stephross88 said:
@dragonfly711‌ I personally love Softbums so I'm a little partial to their diapers but this puts a lot of the aspects of cloth diapering into perspective and helped me convince DH (he wasn't really that against it but it helped push him over the edge)

https://www.softbums.com/assets/Reusable-Diaper-Information-Booklet.pdf

@stephross88

Thanks so much. Hubby is not 100% against. He just thinks no one factors in the washing and wear and tear of dryer. I sent the link to him to see jets he says. Here is hoping. Lol. Thank again.

temursgirl · April 2014

@dragonfly711‌ according to everyone, babies increase your laundry, even without CDs. If your H has real concerns about your washer or dryer wearing out, you might want to start planning for that. Baby Bargains also says that CDs washed at home are the cheapest diapering option. ETA: it is especially true if you're planning in having more kids, since you can reuse the same diapers.

dragonfly711 · April 2014

Temurlang1 said:

@dragonfly711‌ according to everyone, babies increase your laundry, even without CDs. If your H has real concerns about your washer or dryer wearing out, you might want to start planning for that. Baby Bargains also says that CDs washed at home are the cheapest diapering option. ETA: it is especially true if you're planning in having more kids, since you can reuse the same diapers.

Temurlang1 yeah I know, he is a PITA sometimes, he is awesome but some things. Washer and dryer are ok right now it could go anytime just like anyone else's lol. We dont do much laundry a week anyway. I do 1-2 loads maybe and he does one small load of his own. I know people who to tons of laundry. Plus he says that septic is going to get full faster ect. He usually researches everything but I dont think he has on this one. I am still working on him but I might not win and right now I gosh forbid the washer does go I just cant afford one right now.

temursgirl · April 2014

@dragonfly711‌ I don't think cloth v. disposable will have an impact on the septic tank. We have one too so I've done some research. Diapers, inserts, and wipes labeled "flushable" should not be flushed into a septic tank. You are supposed to scrape/rinse the poop into the toilet with both CDs and disposables, so the poop is going to the septic tank either way. I would assume that adding a person to your household will cause the tank to fill faster. ETA: tag.

dragonfly711 · April 2014

Temurlang1 said:

@dragonfly711‌ I don't think cloth v. disposable will have an impact on the septic tank. We have one too so I've done some research. Diapers, inserts, and wipes labeled "flushable" should not be flushed into a septic tank. You are supposed to scrape/rinse the poop into the toilet with both CDs and disposables, so the poop is going to the septic tank either way. I would assume that adding a person to your household will cause the tank to fill faster. ETA: tag.

Temurlang1 yeah I dont know, I keep trying to tell him but he can be stubborn. I do not feel it is going to be that bad. I am still working on him but sometimes I just cant reason with him. lol

chickpea912 · April 2014

I buy many diapers used. No biggie. On the other side, you can sell the diapers once you are done. I actually made a PROFIT on M's newborn diapers - yes, I MADE money by having my kid pee and poop for the first couple of months.

My water bill went up $5 a month, and that includes all baby laundry, not just the 3 loads of diapers I did a week. Not a legit argument - it tends to be an argument used to pretend that cloth costs WAY more that all of the costs that go into paper diapers.

I'm sure I posted a cost breakdown somewhere since this has been brought up in the past. If I get to a computer later I'll see if I can find it.

ETA: That was an easy Google search. Here you go - take your pick:

https://www.jackbenatural.com/categories/CLOTH-DIAPERS-101/Cloth-vs-Disposable-Cost-Analysis/

https://www.clothordisposablediapers.com/ (this is slightly more conservative - still cheaper)

https://financedad.com/cloth-diapers-or-disposable-cost-benefit-analysis/

https://diaperdecisions.com/pages/cost_of_cloth_diapers.php

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Cloth Diapers Anyone?!

Re: Cloth Diapers Anyone?!

Married DH 7/30/11

CSC arrived 5/7/12

CHC arrived 6/2/14

Married DH 7/30/11

CSC arrived 5/7/12

CHC arrived 6/2/14

Married DH 7/30/11

CSC arrived 5/7/12

CHC arrived 6/2/14

Married DH 7/30/11

CSC arrived 5/7/12

CHC arrived 6/2/14

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