I am putting a lot of thought into using cloth diapers whenever possible. This is our first baby and I want to try to keep it as granola as possible with this one. We know that cloth diapers won't be entirely possible in some situations, but I'd like to use them on my baby because I was cloth diapered. My husband is freaking out and says absolutely not because he is not cleaning those diapers.
Does anyone here have any experience with cloth diapers or can anyone recommend a diapering service?
Re: Has anyone discussed cloth diapers vs. regular diapers with their SO?
We got lots of sposies at my shower so I used those until we ran out which was like 3 months and then switched to cloth. There was some trial and error when she was like 8 months old where she was soaking and leaking through them but double stuffing until she was like 18 months solved that. I did all the washing and stuffing so all he had to deal with was changing them occasionally.
We used a mix of Alva's, bum genius, with charcoal bamboo inserts and Twinkie tush.
My husbad is cheap so he was thrilled we did it until just a few months shy of potty training. We were battling yeast almost constantly at that point due to some antibitiotics she was on for an ear infection.
I definitely plan on using them again. Hoping for another girl since most of them are girly and I really don't want to have to buy new ones.
My husband was skeptical at first, but got on board when he saw how much we saved and that we never had to run to the store at midnight for diapers. We used disposables on and off, but mainly for back up.
Ben and Maggie - 4/10/09
Mia - 6/16/11
Surprise! due 2/23/17
I've started building our stash of fitteds/prefolds and wool covers. He's actually really digging using wool because it means buying less baby clothes lol.
As for the cleaning part of it, we're getting a diaper sprayer and have a system in place. Theres going to be messes to clean up regardless, and more blowouts in disposables, hopefully your husband can see that and at least give it a shot. We looked into a diaper service but that felt a bit weird to us as those diapers would be in a rotation of several babies. But truthfully im still wondering if we should use one just for the first few months to ease the transition.
Check out Fluff Love & CD Science on facebook, they're an awesome group to learn from!
Ben and Maggie - 4/10/09
Mia - 6/16/11
Surprise! due 2/23/17
OP, we are considering a CD service. I found it just by googling, but sadly they have yet to call us back. H is going to give it a try and hope they're so shocked to hear from a dad that they call right back. He doesn't mind dealing with the diapers, but is really worried that our high efficiency washing machine won't get them clean enough.
edited for spelling, oops.
As for washing them it was simple. I washed every 2-3 days. First cycle was a regular cycle with a small amount of detergent as a pre wash then a second cycle of a hot/heavy soil wash. Then popped them in the dryer. Done. No fabric softener. And I used Tide.
I think most people get caught up in the "I can only use Cloth diaper safe soap!". Most of the soaps deemed "cloth diaper safe" are mostly just water softeners and have no actual detergent of cleaning agent in them. There are some eco friendly options that work but Tide works best for us. And we also have a front loader HE machine and haven't had any issues with getting them clean......
I am also an all or nothing kind of person so when I committed to cloth I did it full time including night time and vacations and everything. We also had a day home that was very acceptable of them when
i went back to work. This worked well for us.
When you've been married this long, you need a ticker to remind you.
Baby Boy M - 08/01/2013
Expecting Baby Bean February 2017
@Xstatic3333, I think it was just part of my routine, but it isn't required. I actually loved Sun oxygen cleaner, but I can't find it anymore.
Ben and Maggie - 4/10/09
Mia - 6/16/11
Surprise! due 2/23/17
edit: LOL, I meant to type "oooooooh"
these are people with a lot of resources, who tried a number of different (expensive) cloth diapers, and couldn't get it to work.
When you've been married this long, you need a ticker to remind you.
Baby Boy M - 08/01/2013
Expecting Baby Bean February 2017
I've found it doesn't take out stinks (like H gross yard work clothes) like regular detergents.
*my stash is a lot more then most would be because I was purchasing WAHM fitteds that I LOVE lol they are a lot more $$ but you can do it for pretty cheap using prefolds/flats and covers. Even pockets depending on brands can be pretty cheap.
I've chosen covers and prefolds for the majority of my stash. I've purchased 6 Flip covers durring a seconds sale. Next I'll get prefolds in 2 sizes. I might also add another few covers in another brand (I've been told flips won't work until 15lbs...) All in all it will be less the $200 or so. Another $60+ if we completely switch the toddler to cloth pull-ups.