Newbie - Stash?

SaltandVinegar · September 2014

So I am a FTM and am considering cloth diapering (I am totally for it but DH is a little hesitant). If we decide to go this route, would you recommend getting a bunch of different kinds to start a stash? How many? Or just get one kind? Or just get a few to see how it works and if it something that we would continue with? Also, along these lines, I unfortunately will have to return to work at some point and LO will have to go to daycare. Do most daycares accept cloth diapers or would we have to purchase disposables for that? If that's the case would you still consider using cloth?

CLLDLL · September 2014

Are you planning on CD'ing during the NB phase? Around here we generally recommend prefolds or flats under NB covers for the first 3-8 weeks until their legs chunk up enough to fit one-size (OS) diapers. Prefolds and flats do have a bit of a learning curve, but they are so customizable that with just a day or two of practice you can get a great fit to hold in that runny NB poo. NB pockets/AIOs are generally harder to get a good fit with; they are also known for running out of absorbency before baby outgrows them. If you don't like all the folding of prefolds/flats fitteds with covers are also a good option. Green Mountain Diapers/Cloth-eez workhorse fitteds and Kissaluvs size 0 are both really great coices.

After the NB stage, I definitely recommend trying a variety. Maybe pick what type of diaper you think you'll like - so pockets or AIOs or AI2s and get a couple each of three or four brands. Try them out as LO starts fitting them, but before they outgrow NB diapers. Then sell what you don't like and buy more of what you do. But I will say that I have may 10 different brands/types of diaper, and they have all been my favorite at different ages/stages. So I really like a variety. The one downfall of that is it can be overwhelming for DHs/grandmas/etc. who aren't on board with CD'ing.

As far as DC it probably depends most on how popular CD'ing is in your area. It's not very popular where I live. I interviewed like 6 daycares before DS2 was born. 4 of them said they'd consider trying it. 1 said it was illegal (not true). And one said they'd ask corporate, but they weren't too keen on the idea. In the end, the place we chose was willing to use pockets, AIOs, or AI2s, but with AI2s they wanted a new cover with each change. It's worked out fine. We send mostly aplix/velcro/h&L pockets to keep things as much like sposies as possible. Right before he started solids and was at his heaviest wetting, we sent two blue diapers that were double stuffed for naps. Oh and I recommnend getting at least 3 medium wetbags if you'll work/DC full time. that way you can wash EOD and not worry about your wetbags getting dry in time for DC the next day.

ETA: For numbers, in the NB stage you'll want 36 changes (so 36 prefolds and 8 covers or 36 AIOs/pockets) to wash EOD. After baby grows and stops pooing all the time, you can get by with 18-24 changes to wash EOD. You'll want two pail liners and a pail or two large hanging wetbags. (one to use while you're washing the other) Also 2-3 snappis if you do prefolds/flats, CD safe diaper cream and/or coconut oil, and some sort of CD safe detergent.