I have lots of questions! So you don’t have to feel obligated to answer every one..
Thanks in advance ❤️❤️❤️
First of course, any tips or tricks? Pros and cons?
Do you use cloth at home and when you go out? Did people discourage you? Do they still? Are other family members willing to work with a cloth diaper when they watch baby?
What kind of detergent do you find works best?
Which type do you prefer (I’m thinking of trying both all in ones and pockets)? What brand do you prefer? How big is your stash (diapers and liners if you don’t use all in ones)? Where do you buy yours?
Re: FTM with lots of cloth diapering questions!!!
It ends up being cheaper than disposable diapers even though you shell out more money in the beginning. I feel like I'm helping the environment. Some will argue that it's a waste of water but a disposable diaper had a bigger water foot print than a cloth diaper that's been used 50 times.
Cons - they are bulky. You will have to find clothing that accomodates larger bums, which isn't difficult and you may just always use a size larger. They take up a lot more space in your diaper bag and you have to carry around the dirty diapers until you get home! But sometimes you have to do that with disposables too.
I use cloth diapers 24 hours a day. We waited about a month to fully get into them. The main reason being we had DS circumsized and you can't use Vaseline with cloth diapers because it affects the absorbency. People totally discouraged me, they were even taking bets on how long I would last; which made me mad. But I don't get any discouragement now; especially since people see how easy it is. I don't give family members the choice to not use the cloth diapers. If they want to take care of DS then they need to get on board and I wasn't met with resistance. My sister in law did cloth so DH's side of the family was used it them already.
I use rockin green detergent, and I was also gifted nelly's but I like the green better because I have hard water and I find it works better. I wash my diapers every 2 days and I don't soak them. You will read that some people do but I don't feel comfortable having a bucket of water sitting out!
I didn't test out all types before committing because my SIL bought me the Bummis kit for my shower since that is what she used. So I use the prefolds with a cover. I like this because you can use the cover more than once (if of course there hasn't been an explosion!) I recently switched to the Bummis duo brite system since DS grew out of the prefolds and it was either buy the bigger prefolds or try something new and so I did and I really like it. It's an all in 2 system like prefolds but they snap in and is already contoured to fit the cover so no folding and they are less bulky. I buy all my diapers online. When I was getting into cloth a bought a couple from a buy and sell site which included pocket diapers and all in ones. I don't like the pocket because I don't like stuffing and then having to u stuff for the laundry. I like the all in ones and if they were more affordable I would probably only use those but they are probably the most expensive type and you only get one use out of them. So I actually use them for overnight because they have more bulk and I don't mind that they are only one use!
I am also a FTM and I had support from my SIL and my cousin who did cloth before me. It is overwhelming trying to figure out what is right but it's worth it. You can actually "rent" a try all kit to see what you like. I'll find the link where I saw it and post it here. Oh and my stash... I used 24 prefolds with about 12 covers; and now I use 16 duobrite inserts with 7 covers. You will need more when they are new since you go through a lot more diapers and as they get older you won't need as many. Depending on what system you choose.
Hopefully I helped and hopefully other people post, I find this board is pretty dead which is unfortunate! Let me know if you need anything else!
I did cloth from birth as a FTM, and was the first of my friends to have a baby. So while they were supportive, they were also curious and skeptical. My mom and sister had used flats and prefolds, so I had some experience with those. I did a ton of blog reading, decided to try a bunch of styles in newborn size before buying a one size stash. A newborn rental program is a cheaper way to do this-though newborn diapers have great resale value. I sold off the ones I didn't like. I kept sposies on hand for back up (I had a bare minimum stash for #1) and to keep in the bottom of the diaper bag (because cloth takes more space), but I used cloth 24/7, and will start from birth again with #2.
I used fitteds, prefolds/covers and aios for newborn. I went with mostly pockets for one size because they were easiest for daycare and DH (once stuffed they are just like a sposie, but they dry a lot faster than aios). I recommend trying a few brands to see what fits best for you. My favourite covers for nb and os are Rumparooz. In fit, adjustability and durability they are miles better than grovia, flip or bummis in my experience. I have 5 different pocket brands I love, no clear winner there. And I used fitteds and wool at night from about 6 months on. Best fitted is Twinkie Tush, and for wool, sloomb, hands down, but they're very expensive, and you can get the job done with cheaper diapers and extra boosters.
Stash size you need a minimum of 18 diapers for a newborn to wash every day. I did it, and don't recommend it I have 32 for baby #2. My original os stash was 22 pockets and 3 night diapers, washing every other day. I've got 47 this time (because I built up my stash with extra pockets for daycare, and enough fitteds for all day use while potty training). I have hard well water with a softener, and I use Nellies detergent. Your perfect detergent and routine will depend on your water and machine. Fluff Love University has excellent resources for starting out.
Sorry this is so long! If you find a local cloth diapering group you'll see that it doesn't take much to get people talking about them
We are starting on AIO and pockets also - this should help our daycare to not get discouraged since they're the most similar to a disposi. We received about 20 Charlie banana hybrids, a few Bum Genius freetimes (my favorites) from our regostry and then we bough about 8 alva baby diapers.
ETA: we will be mixing NB disposi and Cloth in the beginning until she is big enough to fit her AIOs.
Good luck!
I recommend a cloth diaper trial, like kelly's closet. You can try several brands for 30 days, risk free.
We use cloth everywhere, and while my parents are supportive, when they watch my little one she usually comes home with a backwards diaper on (Oh Dad...). But kudos to him for trying!
I have tried several detergents. Getting the right one is really important or your diapers can start repelling/leaking. After trial and error with a bunch of brands, Tide original powder was a huge winner! I've been using it for 18 months, not a single leak problem, and I don't have to strip diapers...ever!
I have never found anyone who doesn't LOVE bumgenius 4.0. I loved them so much I sold my other brands and bought mostly bumgenius 4.0 with snaps (velcro wears out). I also use kawaii goodnight heavy wetters at night with 2 inserts, and they are perfect for overnight. No leaks! I bought 12 new on ebay for $80 and they are fantastic!
I'm sorry I don't have newborn cloth diaper advice as I began when dd was 4 mo old. Good luck to you!
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Me: 39 DH: 41
Met in HS, but lost touch for 12 years after graduation
1st Date: 5/27/06
Engaged: 9/16/13
Married: 6/20/15
BFP: 9/2/15
CVS: 11/3/15 (all good news - thank God!)
EDD: 5/11/16
I wash with tide.
DS2 due 12/12/18
Has anyone done this then switched to the inserts? Also how practical am I thinking I can just use flushable inserts all the time tale cleanup a bit easier?