Cloth Diaper Moms

mamabutt · November 2014

I'm really interested in cloth diapering LO, but am pretty overwhelmed at all of the options out there. I think I'm mostly intimidated by how much it costs to get started. Any cheap, yet good cloth diapers out there? I've been looking on walmart.com but I don't recognize most of the brands and some don't have any reviews. I'm getting frustrated lol Tips & advice are much needed here

WanderingA · November 2014

A lot of moms swear by Alva cloth diapers. Super cheap and they come in a bunch of cute prints. I switched from pocket diapers to a hybrid system after about 2 months and I like it so much better. I use the Flip system and it's super easy. You have shells and inserts. The inserts sit inside the shells so when they are dirty you just have to wash the inserts instead of the whole thing. I have about 5 shells and 20 inserts but will need more for the newborn stage.

I bought all of mine new. It was a big investment (about $175) BUT considering the amount of money I'm saving not buying disposables that's nothing. I would recommend looking on Facebook for local cloth diapering groups if you don't want new, most areas have them and people resell their diapers.

LeepingLiz · November 2014

I went with the kawaii pocket diapers (heavy wetters and pure and naturals) with velcro tabs. Its easier for the daycare and while I adore bum genius I am having a hard time forking over the money.

mandamoochie · November 2014

@wanderingA got me on the Flips too. I've tried a whole bunch of different inserts and found the ones that work best for us. That's kinda the beauty of it, there are so many options. We have 7 covers and I'd say probably 20 cloth insert.They also even make disposable inserts for the Flips system. They are significantly cheaper than actual disposable diapers and are good for when you're travelling or you are going to have a guaranteed stinky mess you don't feel like cleaning.

There are a bunch of different "trial" systems to get your hands on them and actually see the difference in products - that's how I got started. I used this one: https://www.jilliansdrawers.com/products/clothdiapers/tryclothfor10/newborntryclothdiapersfor10

Good Luck

psychobutthead · November 2014

WanderingA said:
A lot of moms swear by Alva cloth diapers. Super cheap and they come in a bunch of cute prints. I switched from pocket diapers to a hybrid system after about 2 months and I like it so much better. I use the Flip system and it's super easy. You have shells and inserts. The inserts sit inside the shells so when they are dirty you just have to wash the inserts instead of the whole thing. I have about 5 shells and 20 inserts but will need more for the newborn stage.

I bought all of mine new. It was a big investment (about $175) BUT considering the amount of money I'm saving not buying disposables that's nothing. I would recommend looking on Facebook for local cloth diapering groups if you don't want new, most areas have them and people resell their diapers.

yeah the pruce you oay for cloth is what you pay for two months of sposies.

fostersstudio · November 2014

I decided I'm just going to go with prefolds and buy a few covers. It's a little cheaper and less overwhelming that way in my opinion. Prefolds also seem simpler and easier to customize for each individual baby. I have no experience though, so I really don't know what is easier, but that's the decision I made after however many hours of research.

mamabutt · November 2014

You guys are awesome lol I thought about going with prefolds and using covers over them, but wasn't sure about how that works. Any one have any experience with those?

mali3 · November 2014

I mostly do prefolds with covers. My preference of covers are imagine and rumparooz. I do not care for AIO diapers because they're too bulky and don't absorb enough for my kids. If I don't do a prefold I do Charcoal insert with thirsties hemp doubler in a cover. I am working on a newborn stash and I have a full one size stash.

I got some Alva and don't like them at all so I won't be buying more. Few bucks more for imagine and rumparooz is worth it!

psychobutthead · November 2014

I think for specific questions about experience with a particular kind of cloth diaper you ladies should ask the cloth diapering board. Those ladies really seem to know their stuff and would be more helpful answering questions.

mamabutt · November 2014

I had no idea there was a cloth diapering board @psychobutthead! I'll definitely be checking that out. Thank you for your help ladies

nauticalmama · November 2014

Cloth diaper board is very helpful. Lots of info there, a great FAQs page and the ladies there can answer any question you have. They also have a swap thread where you can but used diapers. I got half of my newborn stash on there.

I'm a FTM so no experience yet but I bought a varied stash for newborn. I got flats, fitteds, prefolds, pockets and AIOs. That way I can get an idea of what I'll like for our one size stash. I've heard Black Friday is a great day to buy diapers. Good luck!

Dani_Love · November 2014

I loved my sun baby and alva stash. I used pockets with inserts

AnotherSun · November 2014

I do flats and prefolds with Thirsties covers. Our water is really hard and the less bulky they are, the easier they are to wash. Thirsties also just came out with some adorable ocean theme covers that I am trying hard to talk DH into letting me buy

acpruchnik · November 2014

If you're crafty, there's several things on Pinterest with patterns for them. I've been fortunate enough that a friend has given me any of the "boyish" ones that have come with the ones she's ordered for her daughter and I'm going to attempt to make some of my own (translate: my mum will be attempting any of them with buttons and I'll try to make the easy ones). I've found some really good prices for sets of them on Amazon, too, which is where my friend orders hers from.

MapleMomma · November 2014

I'm a ftm also but planning to cloth diaper. I have 12 fuzzibunz with extra inserts that I got used. I'm also ordering 12 hybrid grovia diapers. For the newborn stage I'll use 12 grovia newborn all in ones.

Its a huge up front cost, but best for us in the long run !

Nvywife · November 2014

I have fitteds, prefolds, and flats for the new born stage with three different brands of covers. Not sure if this baby will be a bean pole or a chunky monkey. I have also picked up enough one size diapers ( pockets, flips, and all in ones) to stop buying them. However they are so cute I can't help myself... I must buy all the diapers. If you register on amazon they send you a completion coupon. I will be picking up more that way as well. I think it's like a 10% off. Amazon also does this free 3 months mom prime thing as well where you get free shipping. Oh and watch for Black Friday deals posted to the cloth diaper forum, those are some great ladies over there. They also post when ever sites put out second quality items which are deeply discounted.

mamabutt · November 2014

The FAQ section of the cloth diapering board is ahhh-mazing! They have a link to a youtube channel that is all about cloth diapering and the pros and cons of each type of, well, everything! I feel like I just entered this amazing new world that I know nothing about haha You guys helped so much, and I will for sure be on the lookout for those awesome black friday deals

tropicbreeze · November 2014

Cloth diapering board is very helpful. I am a FTM but I have been building up my stash since late September. I buy a diaper or two here and there when I have the extra cash. I also have been buying a variety because I have heard that different diapers/ different brands fit better than others depending on how your baby is growing at the moment.
If you look on Facebook for specific brands, you can find B/S/T for a decent price. I have found a few great deals for lalabye babies on there.
I could talk fluff all day.

ConstanceGoodspeed · November 2014

I highly recommend the Jilliansdrawers trial.

I had Thirsties flats/prefolds for when he was really little, and now use BumGenius pockets. AIOs are too bulky and he had gaps by his legs which led to leaking.

jaztastic · November 2014

I'm a FTM who plans to cloth. A few friends/coworkers have let me try ( and by try I mean see/feel/ get comfortable with) some of theirs. I felt most comfortable with BumGenius 4.0 with snaps. I also plan to use disposable liners. They are on my registries, and I'm hoping some wonderful gift giver makes an investment towards some startup. But if not I plan to start buying a small stash every couple weeks starting in Dec, and pray on everything Dolce likes this brand too.

Beth.1212 · November 2014

I third the Jillian's Drawers diaper trial. It was a great way to try out a bunch of types (prefold, fitted, AIO, pocket).

What I did with my first was do the trial and also buy a few to supplement and let me try different things (snap vs. velcro closure, cotton vs. synthetic, different brands, etc.). I sold the ones that I didn't like on DiaperSwappers and bought more of the ones that I did like. I'm really glad that I did that instead of trying to create my stash before LO was born. I was a bit surprised at what I ended up liking - it seems like a lot of people love prefolds and covers, especially for a newborn, and prefer snap closures and natural fabrics. If I had made a stash based on others' preferences, I would have ended up with a lot of diapers I didn't really like.

My personal preferences? I really prefer velcro to snaps, my LO's skin is sensitive so the synthetics were better (since they kept his bottom dry) and also I disliked how long cotton took to dry, I didn't really like the AIOs because of the lack of flexibility in the absorbency, and I didn't like the prefolds or the fitteds or the flips. Also, after some trial and error I found only one CD friendly diaper ointment that kept rash away from my LO's bottom (Grandma El's) and it caused repelling in some brands of diaper - I ended up getting rid of all of my Kawaii diapers despite liking them overall because they weren't compatible with the ointment. I now have a stash of mostly BG pockets and a couple of Blueberry pockets.

StephanieLBerg · November 2014

www.mewbaby.com has bumgenuis style diapers for between $6 - $9 per diaper. I would suggest getting the ones with snaps rather than velcro as the snaps will hold up to rough wear and tear and multiple washings.

nhamic · November 2014

Love all the CD chat! I'm registered for a bit of everything and we'll see what we get and then I'll hopefully do a better job of finishing my stash. I've been having issues with the newborn sizes and finding diapers that are actually for their tiny bums. It can be so overwhelming at times since there is so much. The cloth diaper board ladies are great too! My mom thinks I'm insane for wanting to CD but we just feel best about it!

Nvywife · November 2014

My mother completely turned her nose up at me when I said we would be cloth diapering. Mind you I live in California and she is in Michigan I don't think she will be changing too many. @nhamic‌

nhamic · November 2014

Yeah, we both live in Phoenix and she will be helping out with our LO a lot when I start working again. I'm hoping that some AIOs will appease her or I might just get a small stash of Honest Co. diapers for when she or my stepdad are taking care of Everley. I just really cringe at the thought of 2 years of my baby's disposable diapers sitting in a landfill. I've gotten almost all of her nursery stuff and clothes second hand, we eat 50% out of our garden, raise chickens for eggs, use solar power, etc. Disposables just don't fit in here.

mamabutt · November 2014

My MIL is also flat out refusing to use cloth diapers, which is fine. I already planned on it being a part time kind of thing anyway. Korbin will be cloth diapered mostly at home and I'm totally okay with MIL using disposals on him when she takes care of him. I'm just looking to cut my diapering costs down.

DH isn't crazy about the idea either because he thinks it's going to be gross and, he won't admit it, but I know he's intimidated by them because he had no experience with them.

I think I'm going to get the trial pack that @Beth.1212 was talking about, so we can get an idea of what works best for DH and I, as well as practice on SS's stuffed animals lol

Ace226 · November 2014

I haven't used them yet, but I like the idea of the flip diapers. If you have 6 or so of the diaper covers and stock up on inserts (24 or so) then you're good, versus buying 24 of the shells which are so much more expensive. They're one-size, so until the baby fits them we have newborn size disposables so we can get used to one thing at a time. Plus, I heard meconium can be a pain to get out of cloth;)

I have a set of half flips and half bumgenius pocket diapers. I was able to get brand new ones for half off, figured I'd try out both as a FTM. I hear pocket ones are more babysitter/daycare friendly, fwiw.

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