It looks like there are a few of us considering using cloth diapers. For those of you who have used them before, what brand/type did you love or hate? How many was "enough" to have? Other must-haves associated with CD? Whatever else you have to share, lay it on us!
Re: Cloth Diaper advice
I’m happy to answer any other questions you have
Me (33). DH (37). DD (2.2012). MCs x4. After 4 years & 7 months, due 4.2018!
I've bought my stash already, 21 diapers in total, no newborns, just planning to wait until he's 8lbs (if he takes after me and DH he will be at birth haha).
So I have Bum Genius Freetimes which are an all in one and should fit from 8-35lbs. I've used the pocket diapers as well (my friends have a mixed stash) and did not like them!
I'm planning to get the large size PlanetWise wetbags. Like the ones that
@Mattel was describing, they hang on a door handle easily and contain all the smells!
As far as laundry, Lucies List had a great chart for CD safe laundry detergent and I found a great collapsible drying rack at TJ Maxx.
They certainly take a little more effort compared to disposables, but can really help if your child has allergies our sensitivities to any diapers out there!
For the newborn stage, we used prefolds and covers. I have considered investing in some larger ones for this baby because they were my absolute favorite before. We used Green Mountain Diapers for our prefolds.
Once baby got bigger, we used Kawaii pockets and Best Bottoms /w the snap inserts. I used kawaii because a friend used them and told me about their black Friday sale, five bucks a diaper. We were happy with both and we sent them to daycare as well. We have three smaller travel wet bags and two large ones for our diaper bin. We also had a diaper sprayer and used country save detergent. All in all, it was a really positive experience aside from the extra laundry.
I exclusively used pocket diapers and my favorite brand was Bum Genius. I could never get a good fit with Fuzzibunz. Kawaii were good too, and a lot cheaper, but I found they leaked a little more often than BG. You need about 18-20 to wash them every other day. My "system" was a trash can with a lid and a liner from BG. When he started solids I also got a sprayer for the toilet to spray out the poo before putting in the trash can/diaper pail--it was a total life-saver. When I was ready to wash I'd take the whole liner bag with all the diapers in it and dump it into the wash altogether. I used Rockin' Green detergent and sun-dried and didn't have any issues with odor and only minor staining.
Oh, and when we were out of the house we used Flips, which are an outer shell like a pocket diaper but with no pocket--the pad just lays inside the shell so that when you're out in public you don't have as much bulk to carry around in your diaper bag.
EBF, BLW, BW, CD, Waterbirth, Calm Birth, Homebirth, FC, GI Awareness, Informed Choice
DD 5y
DS 3y Generation Intact
Step DD 5y
Step DD 3y
Me (33). DH (37). DD (2.2012). MCs x4. After 4 years & 7 months, due 4.2018!
I think if you are a SAHM they are easy peasy. I found it WAY more difficult to do while working. I'm not planning on using them much for this baby because I just don't have the time or the energy to add more laundry to my life. But someone with the time and desire, they are worth it. I saved a ton of money using them.
I use fitteds I sewed myself and Thirsties Duos covers. I have 20 of the smaller size fitteds (I made the fitteds to match the Duos, so it's essentially a smaller "one size" and a larger "one size") and it's sort of enough. I wash about every day and a half. I originally planned to wash every other day, but it wasn't really enough for that. I have six covers to go with them, and that is enough.
I do not have a big wet bag for the diapers. I registered for it, didn't get it, and was too cheap to buy it myself. I have a large trash bag lying on the bathroom floor and I stick them in there. I just twist the open end so it's sort of shut and there's no smell. I do have two small wet bags (free gifts with purchase) for out and about, and I'd say those are necessary.
If you don't know anything about types, I'd watch Jaimee Gleisner's Cloth diapering 101 video series on YouTube. Super informative!
The RR was great for when he was smaller (maybe 9-18# and 24-28") and was a favorite while they fit. The double gussets were great for holding in the breastmilk poops. He did grow out of the height wise before the BB/BG/Alva.
BumGenius fit him all along (still do at 21# and 30"). I was always able to get a good fit on him with them. No complaints.
I tried to "spoiler" the photos, but it wasn't working. Sorry.
Baby #1: Aug. 2016
Baby #2: April 1st, 2018
Also, ditto others who mentioned using an extra insert overnight. DS slept 14+ hours at night and no way one insert would get him through. I ended up using the inserts from the CDs I had and didn't like (FB mainly) as my second insert, but if you buy all one brand you may want to buy 3-4 extra inserts for this.
Me (33). DH (37). DD (2.2012). MCs x4. After 4 years & 7 months, due 4.2018!
We use the cloth while at home, but if we go out, we use a disposable. This way we don't have to worry about a wet bag and carrying around a dirty diaper.
We did try a few different types, but ended up liking the pocket diapers the best. Honestly, I went on Amazon and found some that came in multiple packs to start my stash. I wasn't too concerned with brand. It was all too overwhelming for me! I also bought charcoal and bamboo inserts that are extra absorbent.
Did you used cloth wipes too? If so, what kind? Did you keep them in a wet solution, or use them dry?
Did you find you needed a bigger diaper bag? I'm planning on making my own, and wondering if I need to look for a bigger pattern?
Any recommendations for wet bags that were truly waterproof? Especially for traveling/out and about.
Started Dating: 2003 Married: 2013
Started TTC August 2016
BFP: 2/1/17 MC: 2/8/17
BFP: 3/8/17 MMC: 5/1/17
BFP: 7/23/17 EDD: 4/5/18
BFP: 2/27/20
Baby #1: Aug. 2016
Baby #2: April 1st, 2018
https://www.nickisdiapers.com/planet-wise-wet-dry-bags.html
https://www.nickisdiapers.com/planet-wise-lite-hanging-wet-bags.html
eta links
I loved the Planet Wise small wet bag to carry around in the diaper bag. I never had an issue with leaks or smell.
I traded in my medium-sized diaper bag for the biggest I could find. The diapers do take up a bit more room than disposables would (not so bad if you use something like Flips while out of the house), but I also just found I always wanted to bring a zillion things with me.
My favorite wetbags were from Ragababe -
all sizes.
I did use use cloth wipes, also flannel. I made them myself with a server. Super easy. I just kept a bottle of water with a little wipe solution mixed in and wet them as I went. It’s so easy to do the wipes right with diaper laundry.
Me (33). DH (37). DD (2.2012). MCs x4. After 4 years & 7 months, due 4.2018!
Why did you like it?
Me (33). DH (37). DD (2.2012). MCs x4. After 4 years & 7 months, due 4.2018!
Me (33). DH (37). DD (2.2012). MCs x4. After 4 years & 7 months, due 4.2018!
EBF, BLW, BW, CD, Waterbirth, Calm Birth, Homebirth, FC, GI Awareness, Informed Choice
DD 5y
DS 3y Generation Intact
Step DD 5y
Step DD 3y
We do mostly dry with a spray bottle of plain warm water. I tried a wipe warmer but it was a hassle.
We used a bigger diaper bag but i'm a heavy packer. At one point tho I would bring a few clean in a wet/dry sseparate bag and thats it. Loved my planetwise, but i also buy through diaper coops and havent really had any problems!
EBF, BLW, BW, CD, Waterbirth, Calm Birth, Homebirth, FC, GI Awareness, Informed Choice
DD 5y
DS 3y Generation Intact
Step DD 5y
Step DD 3y
Baby #1: Aug. 2016
Baby #2: April 1st, 2018
Me (33). DH (37). DD (2.2012). MCs x4. After 4 years & 7 months, due 4.2018!
Also second planet wise wet bags rock!!! If you can be commited I think CD is awesome. Just be prepared to adjust your routine or what you're using if something comes up. Oh and get stuff to specifically wash/deodarize your washer because you may need it.
Me (33). DH (37). DD (2.2012). MCs x4. After 4 years & 7 months, due 4.2018!
Baby #1: Aug. 2016
Baby #2: April 1st, 2018
Baby #1: Aug. 2016
Baby #2: April 1st, 2018
I personally love Bumgenius diapers and flips. Obviously I can't say what these will be like, but from previous experience with Cottonbabies products, I would trust this.
So far they don't have many cute prints, but I'm sure they will come out with more.
they also offer a 15 day trial so don’t order until baby is here! https://www.nickisdiapers.com/15-day-wash.html