@PurpleBrunette I think I've heard something similar.. but tbh I got into cloth for money saving not necessarily for the environment. Would it be great if there is less of an impact? Absolutely. I also love the zero diaper rashes and the zero blow outs.
TinyAlligator born @ 36w, 3lb2oz, IUGR BabyFlamingo due 11/30/16
@TinyAlligator Yes, I'm sorry! I meant really to address the rationale I occasionally hear is that it was "greener". The money issue on the home-front is the only reason I could personally see for going cloth. Alas, my level of laziness far outweighs my desire to save money, lol!
Have a "diaper" raffle at your shower. Guest bring a pack of diapers and each pack they bring gets them a raffle ticket for a prize. It helps a ton in stocking up. You can let people know ahead of time if you have a preference but seriously every baby is different! We started with pampered went to honest company and are now into huggies.
@ShallowSeas I am so glad you started this thread it is really helpful since DH and I had a similar conversation on diapers and cost. I like the many suggestions. @Roxell I agree that it is probably best to do the gift card thing and buy when baby is here. My sister did a similar thing with diapers she was gifted it took a good while to use her own money on diapers.
And just so FTMs know - most stores (BRU, BBB, Walmart) will exchange unopened packs of diapers for the next size, even without a receipt as long as it scans into their system.
While I applaud the concept of cloth diapers - who has time to do all the extra laundry? Holy moly, laundry every other day? I'd need a nanny just for cleaning and laundry.
@Knottie1458416769, regardless of whether you're washing diapers or not, babies end up being A LOT of extra laundry. If yours spits up a lot (pretty normal), then you'll probably be washing clothes at least every other day to avoid the sour milk smell. But...I know cloth diapering isn't for everyone and that's ok too.
I also like cloth diapers because I don't have to plan all that much ahead and try to fit in a mid-week shopping run. If I'm not paying attention and we run out, I'm a load of laundry away from having more diapers. I don't have to run to the store -- we live about 30 minutes away from a reasonably priced grocery store/Costco/Walmart.
LOL the extra laundry. You are having a baby. There will be lots of extra laundry. Cloth or disposable you will still be washing poop off of something at some point. You, blankets, onsies, socks, diaper changing covers.
And so many conversation with your SO will be about the baby's bodily functions you won't even recognize yourself! But babies are the best so that is why we keep on keeping on!
I know there will be extra laundry. I'm resigned to that, lol. I just want to keep all the extra laundry at a minimum and not have to wash any more than absolutely necessary. I don't have to wash diapers by using disposables? SOLD!
I don't know if this is an option for you @shevaCC, (or really others who are planning on disposables but live away from a store since you are a cloth diaper fan) but I'm planning on having Amazon deliver my diapers. I am already a Prime member and have my dog and cat food as well as cat litter delivered on a regular schedule (as well as other things like paper towels and toilet paper, lol!). Just make sure you have plenty delivered, and if you end up with a little bit of a surplus, count it as a bonus or return it.
I use cloth a majority of the time but use Target's brand when needed. They've worked great for us. The only ones I hated were Huggies before we started using cloth. Blowouts daily.
Baby J #2 due 11.12.16 Sydney Elizabeth born 9.24.14
I love Luvs or Target brand but my oldest got a rash with those so he was in Huggies. I also did cloth diapering and I'm toying with the idea of using them this time as well.
A baby at my daycare cloth diapers and he has blow outs and pees through many times compared to the others in disposable diapers and still gets rashes
Are you guys changing him enough? Also sounds like it could also be an improper fit issue. Does the mom know this? Some of the cheaper brands have shitty inserts. I also had a few types where my daughter would just pee through. Also if they aren't washing they're diapers well enough or properly (aka using "cloth diaper safe" detergent when plain old tide will do) there could be rash and absorbency issues
TinyAlligator born @ 36w, 3lb2oz, IUGR BabyFlamingo due 11/30/16
Pampers Swaddlers were amazing for us when ds was born. Very absorbent and no leak issues. As he got older we used Huggies and Luvs as well. I'm planning on starting out with 2 bags of NB, about 300 size 1 and the rest size 2 and 3. It seemed like ds was in 2 and 3 forever.
Me: 38 l DH: 41 Gavin - 8/27/10 *TW* Gabriel - 2nd tri loss 5/17/16 Trisomy 18 & 21 Hope - 2nd tri loss 12/7/16 complications from pneumonia
@TinyAlligator yes we change the baby's diapers all the time. The diapers were hand me downs to the mom from another mom. It could be that they aren't properly washed and the padding seems thin
@TinyAlligator yes we change the baby's diapers all the time. The diapers were hand me downs to the mom from another mom. It could be that they aren't properly washed and the padding seems thin
edit: she makes her own detergent
Yup. That would def be the culprit
TinyAlligator born @ 36w, 3lb2oz, IUGR BabyFlamingo due 11/30/16
I mostly used Huggies, but I really was not brand loyal in regards to diapers. Most of the time I bought whatever was on coupon at Costco (they are essentially the same diaper with either Mickey or Pooh designs). They typically run between $0.16-0.18 per diaper on special, but I do think they have raised their prices since our diapering days (hallelujah for Potty Training!!!!).
I've gotten great deals on the step-down Huggies with Amazon Mom, but I don't prefer those as much as the Huggies from Costco.
I actually really liked the Honest diapers, but at $0.30+ a pop, it started to feel like my baby was pooping on money!
Seventh Generation and Natures Best (the yellow package with the round logo, I may have the name slightly off) were my least favorite and we had the most leaks with those. They are both also quite expensive.
Luvs are surprisingly absorbent, especially considering how thin each diaper is! I didn't like the smell though, although I did buy them if we were buying some at Target in between Costco trips.
FWIW I never felt like we spent a ton of money on diapers, and I was also never crazy about finding the best deal, although I did try to stick to buying a few months worth when I found them for $0.16 or less each.
Wipes are also a personal decision, but I love Huggies and hate the Costco wipes (Pampers are also terrible), but within my group of mom friends the Costco vs. Huggies decision is split 50/50 - yes, we've compared, we're a super exciting bunch!
@TinyAlligator@shevaCC Out of curiosity what diaper methods did you use for overnight? I see you both use disposables overnight. Maybe I don't have as heavy as a wetter as you, but I do GMD fitted with a trifold prefold and a wool diaper cover and never ever had a problem. Btw I just discovered wool a few months ago and wish I had done it from the beginning for overnight.
We generally use target, pampers, or the bru brand Diapers. For wipes we use target, pampers, or Amazon elements. Both DH & I don't like the Huggies wipes, we feel like they don't wipe as well (but other friends swear by it.) We've had bad luck with Huggies diapers (lots of leaks) and luvs leave a gap when full on my kids, which doesn't inspire confidence.
We 50/50 cloth diapered with my first two, but after baby #3 I just don't have the time for extra laundry. If you're interested try it, the prints are cute, and there are some advantages, but its not the most amazing thing ever. But I liked knowing we would never run out of Diapers, we always had a cloth back up.
@TinyAlligator@shevaCC Out of curiosity what diaper methods did you use for overnight? I see you both use disposables overnight. Maybe I don't have as heavy as a wetter as you, but I do GMD fitted with a trifold prefold and a wool diaper cover and never ever had a problem. Btw I just discovered wool a few months ago and wish I had done it from the beginning for overnight.
Tbh... my kid is such a good sleeper I didn't want to mess with her nights. She was in disposable for a good 3+ months because even nb cloth were too big. At that point we started using nb and prefolds/fitteds. I didn't want her waking up because she felt wet soooo I was chicken to go to cloth. We did go a few weeks where I ran out of disposable and forgot to go buy some more and I loaded that thing up. I had a charcoal bamboo aio from happy flutes stuffed with a preload that worked great. But I only ordered one from the co-op. And she kept waking up early, but that could have been a leap (idk I don't really follow those). Anyways we buy like one box and it lasts us 3 months. And we use it when we go to disney so I don't have as much bulk in my book bag.
Edit- I just saw you do a trifold gmd. Yea I tried that with just a cover once overnight and the preload was drenched. Maybe I do have a heavy wetter.
TinyAlligator born @ 36w, 3lb2oz, IUGR BabyFlamingo due 11/30/16
Have a "diaper" raffle at your shower. Guest bring a pack of diapers and each pack they bring gets them a raffle ticket for a prize. It helps a ton in stocking up. You can let people know ahead of time if you have a preference but seriously every baby is different! We started with pampered went to honest company and are now into huggies.
Caution with this - look into some of the other boards re: baby showers, but in some communities these are considered poor etiquette. Not in all - I've gone to some showers that have dines this before and haven't minded, but some people start clutching pearls with stuff like this!
@jstinkz, I rarely had issues with DD but DS seemed to wake up soaked nightly no matter what I tried. And we bedshare, so I was usually covered in pee too. That didn't have to happen much to become old. He also has sensitive skin and would get rashes a lot more when in cloth overnight.
I typically use a GMD prefold trifolded in a BumGenius cover. I've tried 2 prefolds which always worked for DD, though no wool. Now it's no longer an issue -- since he's night weaned (and my supply is nearly gone anyway) he doesn't pee that much overnight. I do hope to figure out the rash thing, though.
@shevaCC - have your tried Bum Bum Balm by Dimpleskins Naturals? It's a cloth-safe diaper rash cream. I get diaper rash from disposable pads (yay for sensitive skin) so I used to use it before I switched to cloth/DivaCup. I still have some that I put on any time I have irritation on sensitive areas.
We started with Pamper swaddlers for my little boy and have stuck with Pampers for day to day but do Huggies overnight. There's a bit of experimenting you'll do. Every diaper fits a little differently, and it depends on your baby.
if you want to start stocking up, I highly suggest buying gift cards, or taping the receipts to the diaper boxes, so you can easily return of necessary.
Ordering through Amazon mom also gets us good discounts on diapers.
@m6agua I personally wasnt a fan of coconut oil. I REALLY wanted to love it since i used it for everything. Alas, good old fashioned petroleum jelly works better.
We did Pampers Swaddlers delivery to the door using Amazon Prime. Didn't have to worry about couponing and pricing/convenience were pretty spot on for us. Diapers and Wipes just showed up at my door. Plan on doing that again for LO#2. We did try other cheaper brands like Luvs and a few store brand - but they always gave my daughter a rash. So we just stayed with Pampers.
@shevaCC - have your tried Bum Bum Balm by Dimpleskins Naturals? It's a cloth-safe diaper rash cream. I get diaper rash from disposable pads (yay for sensitive skin) so I used to use it before I switched to cloth/DivaCup. I still have some that I put on any time I have irritation on sensitive areas.
Not yet, thanks for the suggestion @comealongponds! I used Earth Mama Angel Baby bottom balm until I sent it to daycare and now have nothing at home. Also I my divacup, at least as much as anyone can love a blood catcher.
We use Honest with my son and will with the new one too. I love them and have had really good luck with them. I also think they have the best wipes, other brands seems so slimy and wet to me.
We use Honest with my son and will with the new one too. I love them and have had really good luck with them. I also think they have the best wipes, other brands seems so slimy and wet to me.
Used pampers to start since they have the wetness indicator then switched to luvs around size 2. Plan to again this time. We tried huggies once and we had a blow out every time she pooped! Also know several kids who have gotten chemical burns from huggies.. love pampers wipes, they are thicker and clean better than most other wipes. Also their rewards program is an added bonus. I get a christmas present for DD each year through the grow on rewards.
Engaged 10/2/1202 BFP (a lil quicker than expected) 12/7/2012 Married to my best friend 12/24/2012 Beautiful baby girl arrived 8/15/2013 BFP #2 3/13/2016
Re: Diaper Discussion
@Roxell I agree that it is probably best to do the gift card thing and buy when baby is here. My sister did a similar thing with diapers she was gifted it took a good while to use her own money on diapers.
The feedback is awesome!
Me: 28
DH:
29
#1 DS: 11/24/2016
#2 EDD: 11/15/2017
LOL the extra laundry. You are having a baby. There will be lots of extra laundry. Cloth or disposable you will still be washing poop off of something at some point. You, blankets, onsies, socks, diaper changing covers.
And so many conversation with your SO will be about the baby's bodily functions you won't even recognize yourself! But babies are the best so that is why we keep on keeping on!
I don't know if this is an option for you @shevaCC, (or really others who are planning on disposables but live away from a store since you are a cloth diaper fan) but I'm planning on having Amazon deliver my diapers. I am already a Prime member and have my dog and cat food as well as cat litter delivered on a regular schedule (as well as other things like paper towels and toilet paper, lol!). Just make sure you have plenty delivered, and if you end up with a little bit of a surplus, count it as a bonus or return it.
Sydney Elizabeth born 9.24.14
Gavin - 8/27/10
*TW*
Gabriel - 2nd tri loss 5/17/16 Trisomy 18 & 21
Hope - 2nd tri loss 12/7/16 complications from pneumonia
edit: she makes her own detergent
I've gotten great deals on the step-down Huggies with Amazon Mom, but I don't prefer those as much as the Huggies from Costco.
I actually really liked the Honest diapers, but at $0.30+ a pop, it started to feel like my baby was pooping on money!
Seventh Generation and Natures Best (the yellow package with the round logo, I may have the name slightly off) were my least favorite and we had the most leaks with those. They are both also quite expensive.
Luvs are surprisingly absorbent, especially considering how thin each diaper is! I didn't like the smell though, although I did buy them if we were buying some at Target in between Costco trips.
FWIW I never felt like we spent a ton of money on diapers, and I was also never crazy about finding the best deal, although I did try to stick to buying a few months worth when I found them for $0.16 or less each.
Wipes are also a personal decision, but I love Huggies and hate the Costco wipes (Pampers are also terrible), but within my group of mom friends the Costco vs. Huggies decision is split 50/50 - yes, we've compared, we're a super exciting bunch!
We 50/50 cloth diapered with my first two, but after baby #3 I just don't have the time for extra laundry. If you're interested try it, the prints are cute, and there are some advantages, but its not the most amazing thing ever. But I liked knowing we would never run out of Diapers, we always had a cloth back up.
Edit- I just saw you do a trifold gmd. Yea I tried that with just a cover once overnight and the preload was drenched. Maybe I do have a heavy wetter.
Regardless of brand, look into Amazon Mom and subscribe and save.
I typically use a GMD prefold trifolded in a BumGenius cover. I've tried 2 prefolds which always worked for DD, though no wool. Now it's no longer an issue -- since he's night weaned (and my supply is nearly gone anyway) he doesn't pee that much overnight. I do hope to figure out the rash thing, though.
if you want to start stocking up, I highly suggest buying gift cards, or taping the receipts to the diaper boxes, so you can easily return of necessary.
Ordering through Amazon mom also gets us good discounts on diapers.
- BFP: 3/10/16 — Baby Girl born 11/20/16
TTC#2 April 2019We did try other cheaper brands like Luvs and a few store brand - but they always gave my daughter a rash. So we just stayed with Pampers.
3/6/16 BFP
EDD: 11/14/16
Engaged 10/2/1202
BFP (a lil quicker than expected) 12/7/2012
Married to my best friend 12/24/2012
Beautiful baby girl arrived 8/15/2013
BFP #2 3/13/2016