Babies on the Brain
lalala2004
member
Cloth Diapers: AMA
lalala2004
member
Ask whatever questions you have!
I'll be back with some resources.
I'll be back with some resources.
*Siggy Warning*
lalala2004
member
Re: Cloth Diapers: AMA
This is a calculator to show how much they could save you depending on how much per diaper: https://www.groceryalerts.ca/cloth-vs-disposable-diaper-calculator/
(3,000 is probably the max you would save with an inexpensive diaper system and a kid in diapers for 3 years)
I think a friend of ours night be cloth diapering. I don't really know how to approach the subject. I am noob-ier than a noob when it comes to diapers - I have never changed a diaper let alone even looked at a diaper.
Can you maybe give a rundown of what cloth diapering is and why you chose to do it? What you like and don't like?
1. Did you have to convince your H or was he on board from the start?
2. What about poop? I remember my grandma dunking the poopy ones in the toilet before they would go in the wash machine. I just don't know if I can... which also makes me think I am totally unprepared to have a child.
Now I will go look at your links you provided.
TTC December 2016
BFP 2/28/17 // CP 3/1/17
MFI Diagnosis: Aug 2017
BFP 11/1/17 // DS born 6/18
TTC January 2019
BFP 3/21/19 // D&C (MMC) 5/8/19
Poop is is really easy at first. When they are only on breastmilk or formula the poop is totally water soluble. You just throw it all in. When they are on solids you do have to flush the poop. Dipping in the toilet is one method, but they make diaper sprayers that easily connect to your toilet that make it easier. They also make disposable liners that you can use if you're traveling and don't want to mess with it. Then you can just pull out the liner and dump and throw it away or just flush it (unless it's a septic tank).
So newb question - what's the value of using a disposable liner vs a disposable diaper?
Have any CD mommas used daycare? How do they handle it?
What's everyone's favorite that style that they have used?
TTC December 2016
BFP 2/28/17 // CP 3/1/17
MFI Diagnosis: Aug 2017
BFP 11/1/17 // DS born 6/18
TTC January 2019
BFP 3/21/19 // D&C (MMC) 5/8/19
I don't use daycare, but some will do it. It just depends.
My favorite are the Best Bottoms. The covers are one size and they have different size inserts. You can reuse the covers and just replace the inserts, which I like. With all in ones or pocket diapers you have to get a whole new diaper every time. So they also take up more storage space.
So cloth diapering would have some kind of water proof diaper cover with Velcro or snaps paired with some kind of cloth insert. There are a lot of options within that:
All in Ones (AIO) are just what they say. They cover and cloth are all one piece. Just like a regular diaper, but you wash it instead of trash it. Pros: Easy to use Cons: You need more of them and they are generally pricier because they are all in one. They take longer to dry. If you put them in the dryer it can wear out the elastic. They take up more space.
Prefolds or Flats and Covers: This is the traditional method, except the covers have buttons or Velcro instead of being plastic pants. You fold it with some kind of method and pin it in place (they also make plastic snappies so you don't have to use pins) or you can just use them like a pad (more poop leaks possible that way). Pros: this is probably the least expensive method. You can dry the prefolds in the dryer and line dry the covers to preserve the elastic Cons: Definitely a learning curve with the folding. Lots of trial and error to see what works best.
All in 2 Systems: This is where you have a cover with an insert that snaps in. No folding or pinning necessary. Pros: You need less covers and you can dry the inserts separately. Some systems are interchangeable. Cons: They tend to be a little pricier than prefolds and covers, but I personally find that you get what you pay for in quality for both.
Pocket Diapers: A cover with a fleece lining. You stuff inserts or prefolds into the lining. Pros: Easily customizable, they wick away moisture better and keep babies skin drier. Same wash pros as prefolds and AI2s Cons: Stuffing is a pain in the rear. They usually aren't one size.
That's all just my opinion, obviously.
Other considerations:
Some systems are "one size" and grow with your kid. Others have different sizes so you would have to buy more. Most don't fit newborns unless they are big. Some places rent specific newborn diapers or some people just use disposables until theirs fit. Depending on what system you get, the resale value is good. It's not a cheap investment at first. But you save in the long run, and you have it for however many kids you have in the future and then you can get some of that money back by selling. You will generally want enough to last you 2 days as you'll want to wash every few days anyway. That is typically 24 total diapers or 12 covers and 24 inserts if you're doing that method.
We mostly chose to do it to save money. I also like that it is less of an environmental impact as well. I will now use cloth pads if I ever get a period again since I'm used to the covers concept. We still use disposables at night because we didn't want to keep trouble shooting leakage issues. They do need to be changed more often than disposable diapers.
We use a big trash can with a PUL wet bag inside it for a diaper bag. You need wet bags to store dirty diapers in on the go as well. They do take up more space in the diaper bag and are bulky on babies when they are little, especially.
I feel like I'm rambling, so I hope that all makes sense. Feel free to ask any specific questions you have after all that!
I'm sure this is easily Google-able, but I feel like your answers just make a lot more sense.
What are the average costs for each "style" of CDing? Bonus points if you can "rank" them on like "ease of use" (trying to figure out the best "bang for my buck").
ETA: Is there one style that is "best", or is it just personal preference based on how much work you want to do? Like do pocket styles have fewer blowouts than AIOs (assuming they're sized properly, etc)?
For Chart Stalking, Click Here!
TTC December 2016
BFP 2/28/17 // CP 3/1/17
MFI Diagnosis: Aug 2017
BFP 11/1/17 // DS born 6/18
TTC January 2019
BFP 3/21/19 // D&C (MMC) 5/8/19
Lowest Cost: Prefolds or flats and covers
Most Convenient: All in 2 (easy to use, less work washing and drying)
Quality: Pocket Diapers (less leaks, more absorbent)
TTC December 2016
BFP 2/28/17 // CP 3/1/17
MFI Diagnosis: Aug 2017
BFP 11/1/17 // DS born 6/18
TTC January 2019
BFP 3/21/19 // D&C (MMC) 5/8/19
@Secretstapler and @CecilB93 Do you guys have anything to add to this thread? I think I saw you both use CDs
TTC December 2016
BFP 2/28/17 // CP 3/1/17
MFI Diagnosis: Aug 2017
BFP 11/1/17 // DS born 6/18
TTC January 2019
BFP 3/21/19 // D&C (MMC) 5/8/19
I'm really curious who else thinks the extra time spent washing and changing cloth diapers is worth it. $3,000 over the course of 3 years really isn't all that much, though I suppose it's relative. There are people who stop for a coffee everyday, or go out to lunch a few times a week, the cost of that is comparable to the cost of disposable diapers.
@lalala2004 - what would you say, percentage wise, your cloth/disposable diaper use is?
For Chart Stalking, Click Here!
Since we just use them at night, we only use 1 disposable for every 8-10 at this point. For a while we tried pockets and flats at night, but we got tired of leaks and didn't want to buy a bunch of different diapers to troubleshoot it.
The only other times we've switched to disposables was when he had diarrhea really bad for a few weeks and when he had a bad rash recently (to keep it drier).
For us it is definitely a waste thing, too. It was crazy seeing how many diapers she threw away when we were going through the ones we were gifted. And the amount lf pads I threw away during my PP bleeding made me want to switch to cloth there as well.
I'm actually not crunchy like at all. It's just when I actually stop and think about it I panic slightly.
TTC December 2016
BFP 2/28/17 // CP 3/1/17
MFI Diagnosis: Aug 2017
BFP 11/1/17 // DS born 6/18
TTC January 2019
BFP 3/21/19 // D&C (MMC) 5/8/19
I washed diapers every 2 days and found it very manageable. DS is in daycare. I think daycares are learning how easy they are and most we toured were fine CDing. We use pocket ones at DC so it was just like changing a disposable diaper except they don't throw them away.
DS is 2.5 and potty trained. I'm not sure if every child that is CD is this easy but potty training was a breeze! Boys are said to be so hard but DS did great.
Between diapers, cloth wipes, wet bags, and sprayer Id say we've spent $400. We're set for a second baby if I get pregnant again. It's so nice!
Like you @lalala2004 and @MrsMiller8588 I woke up a couple years and freaked out about the sheer amount of resources we use and waste we generate on a daily basis. The husband and I have changed so many habits since then for the better, but we haven't quite kicked the "we're out of what? Let's Amazon it" impulse. Working on it.
We use pocket diapers. I don't really remember why we picked them, I think we liked the simplicity of them. Actually, I think it's one of the few decisions that my husband took charge of and I just followed his lead. I suggested cloth diapers, but then he did all the research.
We like the pocket diapers overall. Once they're assembled, they're really easy, so babysitters and daycare don't have to learn anything complex. Our daycare is totally fine with them (although I think they think we're a little weird). We just send a big wetbag, and they toss them in there instead of the trash.
Our diapers are adjustable, so they're supposed to fit like 8 to 35 lbs. We used disposables until 6 weeks because DS was really long and skinny at birth, so we waited for him to get a little bigger. He's still in them now at 25 lbs. They're as tall as they get, but we have at least 2 more sets of snaps at the waist that we can size up with.
Our diapers were really cheap, like $7 a diaper, which included both the pocket and a microfiber insert. We registered for them, so we were gifted 36 of them, I think. We also got reuseable wipes and a diaper sprayer as gifts.
We use diaper liners all the time. They look like dryer sheets. We find that we rarely have to spray the poop off when we use the liners, and that's by far the worst part of the process (for us, anyway). Our daycare also loves to use diaper cream, so it helps with that (although not completely). We get 200 liners for $10. We don't actually flush the liners because our sewer system is pretty old and clogs easily.
We also have a trashcan with a wetbag in it. We have one with a lid and a foot pedal, and we rarely notice a smell, usually just lingering from a recent change. We do a load of diapers every other night. We have two wet bags, so we always wash the wet bag with the diapers. We usually hang the pockets on a rack to dry and dry the inserts in the dryer.
We use two inserts for overnight, a regular microfiber and a hemp/bamboo one. We have had an overnight leak maybe once. We just bought a set of zorb inserts that we're doubling with in the daytime, too. DS has started peeing a whole lot at once, so we needed more absorbancy.
We use our cloth diapers when we drive to my parents' house for the weekend, but for longer trips or flights, we just use disposables. We also had to use disposables for a few weeks when DS got a bad yeast rash. We had to bleach all of the diapers to kill the yeast, then wait until we were certain that the rash was completely gone.
I think we have to change him more often with cloth diapers than disposables. But otherwise, we love them. They are super cute, and they don't gross me out the way disposables do. I don't mind doing the extra laundry (although I did just discover that we forgot last night's diapers in the washer).
DS is only 20 months, so we haven't tried potty training yet.
I know this is long, but I feel like I missed something. Let me know if you have any questions!
Of course, when our grandparents had kids cloth was the only choice and if you could afford it you used a diaper laundry service. My grandma had twins in cloth and when her washer broke she had to wash them in the bathtub! If she could do that, I have it easy!
For Chart Stalking, Click Here!
We can actually do laundry every 3rd day since he doesn't go through them as quickly now. I think we could handle 2 in diapers with our stash, but if we have a girl next I'll probably buy a few girly covers for funsies.
I originally wanted to CD to save money. *potential TW?* Our son was super unexpected. Like we wanted to wait another 3-4 years before trying. We weren't financially ready for a baby, and it was terrifying. *end TW* And if done right, you can save. I ended up going crazy and buying more than necessary, and if we have a girl next I'll get more, haha. I'd say cheapest way is covers and prefolds/flower sack towels. I originally got Flip covers and Osocozy prefolds, LOVE them!! I did also get some pockets and a couple AIOs to try. I honestly like most of what we have, my son doesn't seem to "favor" any brand/style over another as far as what works. It is suggested to get a few of each style in a couple different brands so you can find what works best for you.
There's a few CD specific BST pages on Facebook, and even an auction group where auctions start at $1. I've gotten a decent amount of used diapers from there. If you know how to sew/replace elastics, you've got even more options for getting used diapers.
As far as washing, I'm not a good person to ask. I've got something figured out for us, but I couldn't consult someone else. Fluff Love University is a good resource!
What sucks for us is we could only do it part time (daycare wouldn't cloth), and now we've been in disposables for a good 3-4 months now. If I can get more wetbags made then our new daycare will do cloth!!
Tips: we luckily haven't had any issues with rashes (in general), but coconut oil works great! If that doesn't work, I know that there is a specific type of Bordeauxs Butt Paste that is CD safe.
If you can invest in a sprayer, do! We haven't yet, but I want to soon (once we get into cloth again). I did the dunk and swish method, and it does work fine. I like to let the poopy diaper sit out till the end of the day if it's a loose/runny one. Letting it harden a little helps. If it's solid I dump it right away. We never used liners, so no advice there.
Do NOT use Rocking Green soap!! I haven't, but everyone says it's really bad for the diapers.
For overnights, I know a girl who I made some fleece covers for and she says they work great!! They're a cheap alternative to wool, and there's no lanolizing! But, I've heard wool is pretty much bullet proof, haha. We use Happy Flute Heavy Wetters and never have any issues.
If anyone does want a sewing pattern, let me know and I can tell you the one I use!
Im sure I've forgotten something...lol.
DS2 due 12/12/18
I know it's been a month, but I thought I'd chime in to give another perspective.
We cloth diaper using fitteds I sewed myself and Thirsties Duos covers. The fitteds are modeled after the Duos covers, so they are two adjustable sizes. The fitteds are a cotton outer and microfleece inner with two layers of hemp fleece and two layers of heavy bamboo fleece in between.
A PP had a good explainer of the different types, but if you want a visual, I recommend Cloth Diapering 101 by Jaime Gleisner on youTube. It's a great overview and she shows you how all the types are put on. It's seven parts but don't be scared because they're all super short. Most people recommend buying a couple of each type to figure out what you like. I'm that one weird person who didn't do that.
Fitteds or prefolds or flats and covers aren't just the cheapest because they cost less. They also will last longer. Covers can be wiped or hung to dry and reused, so they don't need to be washed after every use. So the waterproofing isn't being worn out as fast. The entire diaper has to be washed with pockets and AIOs.
There is no "best" cloth diaper. It's all what works for you.
I have 21 fitteds and six covers in each of the two sizes. It's not really enough to do every-other-day washing. I do every 1.5 days. It doesn't take really any extra time to do the wash. I change my daughter on our extra-long counter in the bathroom. A trash bag (I was too cheap to buy a big wet bag) sits on the bathroom flower and I throw the diapers in there. She's exclusively breast fed, so no spraying needed. Then, I just take the bag, turn it upside down into the washer (no additional handling needed!), run a warm rinse cycle with no soap followed by a hot regular cycle with Tide powder, and then put them in the dryer. It takes maybe three minutes every 1.5 days. It's nothing. Once she starts eating solids, I'll start spraying them into the toilet. Handling it is really not that bad at all. You'll be handling messy underwear when they're potty training.
My daughter is a heavy wetter. At night, I put her in a fitted with a Gerber prefold (I was given a few), over the top and then a cover over that and she stays dry. Same for naps. She sleeps 8-10 hours at night.
We used disposables for the first week or so after she was born. We use disposables on trips. We also use disposables occasionally while out and about. The fact is, disposables hold way more pee than cloth. If I can't change her quite as often for whatever reason, I'll use disposables. If I'm using cloth out and about, I carry a small wet bag in my diaper bag and stick it in there. No noticeable smell.
Although disposables hold pee better, they can't hold a candle to cloth when it comes to poop. I have had two blowouts in cloth, both due to me putting them on wrong (too loose). On our two-week vacay in disposables, she averaged a blowout every other day. I had to hold her carefully - not under her butt so there was more space for the poop to go. I majorly regretted not bringing cloth that trip. And I've tried several brands - Walmart store brand, Fred Meyer/Kroger store brand and Pampers. Pampers do a bit better but not much. Next time I have to get a pack of disposables, I'll try Huggies.
Smells - there is none that's noticeable. I keep the bag shut in the bathroom.
ETA: whoa, that's long!
Personally, I think disposables smell way worse than cloth! Once that absorbent polymer in disposables gets wet, it smells horrid. I never notice a smell when my daughter is wearing a soaked cloth diaper.
DS2 due 12/12/18