Cloth Diapers

lalala2004 · December 2017

Any other STMs+ cloth diaper? Share what system you use and why you like it!

Any FTMs considering cloth diapering? Ask any questions you have!

Here is an AMA I did for Babies on the Brain a few months ago do I can avoid repeating myself too much

https://forums.thebump.com/discussion/comment/90148421#Comment_90148421

matryoshkadoll · December 2017

We cloth diaper our babies. My first I COd until she potty trained. My next 2 just until they started eating solids. I would probably continue until potty training but DH hasn't wanted to do it and so I get a little lazy once the poos get difficult with solid food. EBF so my washer can handle the BF poos. We also potty train early, starting around 1.5 and at least fully Day trained by 2.

I have a great stash, AIOs to flats. I would recommend a pack of prefolds and a few covers to anyone starting out and buying new. I added some really nice AIOs from shopping second hand and most of them are like new. Mine all need to be stripped and prepped for new baby as they are like 5 years old.

For the first six months I actually find it easier to use cloth because it's more convenient for me to just do a load of laundry than go shopping, take out trash, etc. I also hate the chemical smell of disposables.

Also biggest plus is in my three babies I have never had a diaper blowout.

vinerie · December 2017

I cloth diaper DS. I never learned all the fancy terms, but basically our system is what (I think) is called a pre-fold (or maybe a flat?) and then an outer shell. I will use cloth with this one, too.

The reason I do cloth is mostly because it aligns with my conservation goals in general. An unexpected perk is you do not get blowouts with cloth. Second perk is that there is no chemical-ey diaper smell. I think if you use disposables you are probably used to this smell, but it hits me every time I put him in a disposable. Third perk is you can choose really adorable outer shells, which is the best and most fun part, imo!

Full disclosure: I use a diaper cleaning service that drops off clean diapers each week and picks up the dirties. I have no idea how people keep up with the laundry. I bow down to those people!

matryoshkadoll · December 2017

@vinerie we posted at the same time lol! See people, it's true-- no blowouts and disposables smell worse than cloth!

starandrainbow · December 2017

I seriously considered CD with my first, but decided against it after I couldn’t find a good laundering service. IMO the only way to save money with it is to clean them yourself.

At first I started with Honest Company disposables but after some drama with them and once I discovered Parasol, I’ve never looked back. They have no chemical smell and in fact you may be able to smell a wet diaper quicker, but who wants their baby sitting in a wet diaper? This time around, I’ll start with Parasol right away. And it gets delivered monthly so I don’t even think about it.

I think it’s great if you can be environmentally conscious, but if you find it overwhelming save yourself the worry. It is so easy to get fixated on the little things. I found it too overwhelming and decided to focus on other things.

jlo629 · December 2017

We CD with my DD who is now potty trained. I loved it! I gave my husband the pick of a few types of diapers that I had researched and narrowed it down to because he is home more days with her and also does all our laundry. We went with BumGenius Freetimes. We try to be as green as possible as a family and I could not bring myself to use disposables. Also we never had a single diaper rash! We did use liners once she was on solids to make them easier to clean but got the biodegradable liners. I plan to use my same set of diapers for this one too. If you are considering it I really suggest you give it a try. My parents were very skeptical of CD and they are our PT daycare and they ended up loving it and told everyone about how easy it was! The AIOs make it as simple as changing a disposable so they cost a bit more upfront but overall we have spent $450 on our entire stash and we have a larger stash than we would need and we diapered her for 2 years 3 months and can use them again on future kiddos!

AugBaby23 · December 2017

I cloth diaper my first (almost ready for potty training, but waiting until after the holidays and the molars he's getting in that are making him super crabby right now). Overall I have loved it (one of the best things being no blow outs). I would recommend the Facebook group Fluff Love and CD Science and their website (https://www.fluffloveuniversity.com) to anyone just starting out. I wish I had known about it before I started, but they helped me figure out what worked best for us and for washing the diapers.

hfooter · December 2017

We cloth diaper! Both boys have been through them. Ones potty trained and so only one will be in them with baby #3 comes. Not too excited about two in diapers but oh well!

we have the bum genius one size 4.0s. Which I think they have 5.0s now? But anyway, I like pockets because you can stuff them as much as you’d like. And they work form like 8-35lbs which is awesome.

We actually use newborn disposables for the first few months till the kids chunk up. Takes them a bit as my kids need to weigh around 14lbs to fit them.

meeks2020 · December 2017

We CD our last child and primarily used Flips with a prefold insert. Towards the end of our CD days I discovered I like blueberry and Nicki's so much more and want to go that route this time. We did use a cpuple of thirsty cpvers in the very beginning until he got big enough for Flips. I do recommend them to start out with for a newborn.
I use CD bc I don't want to worry about having to run to the store for diapers or wipes. I never have to worry about getting out in the freezing cold or other weather and I having to lug a baby (and now 2 children) to the back of the store and through everything. Basically I cd bc of laziness and it doesn't smell as bad as disposables.

aj1327 · December 2017

I don’t cloth diaper with my first, we use honest brand, but I want to with this one. Thanks for starting this thread. I’ll be researching the suggestions!

melprop · December 2017

I CD’ed my S (now 7yo). I have a few kinds of CD, but my faves are Kawaii pockets from theluvyourbabyco.com. They’re inexpensive for CD’s and work like disposables, but they’re cloth. If we CD this baby (depends on my job situation and whether a daycare would work with cloth), I’m going to buy more Kawaii pockets.

derbysquirrel · December 2017

Thank you for this thread. I absolutely intend to cloth diaper, and cloth wipe at least during the day, and while at home. I already feel more confident in that decision.

jaztastic · December 2017

Loved CDin LO #1. Will continue with this one. We use BG pockets, and disposable liners instead of having to deal with all the spraying.

Secretstapler · December 2017

I responded during the discussion on Babies on the Brain, but I'll respond here, too.

We use pocket diapers with disposable liners. We do occasionally have to spray, but it's not bad. DS was really skinny, so we used disposables for the first six weeks until he was big enough for the cloth. We added a second hemp insert for overnight pretty early on. We started doubling inserts for daytime around 15-18 months. We just switch to disposables when we travel. We do a load of diapers every other day.

junabugtunabug · December 2017

I did cloth with my first, and since I couldn't bring myself to sell them, I still have about 60+ diapers.
I have a bunch of glow bugs, BG, and WAHM ones. I can't wait to strip them and prep, I'm weird.

Danelle+Miguel · December 2017

We use rumparooz shell with prefolds. This brand worked for our skinnier framed lo. I liked the prefolds because I didn't have to pull an insert out. And no blowouts! When we were using diapers for the first weeks we had blow out so all the time.

junabugtunabug · December 2017

@Danelle+Miguel Yassss, love that there are no blowouts!

I use the soft viva paper towels as liners once they start eating solids and it's a life saver. If I want reuseables, I go to the fleece receiving blankets from the dollar store and cut them to size. (Just remembered this randomly right now)

westphilly · December 2017

We CD and love it. Also do all cloth wipes. DS goes to daycare full time and they’re on board. I recommend AIO or pockets to anyone who will have multiple caregivers. They work just like disposables: just put the dirty in a wet bag rather than the trash. Our fav are the BG freetime and the Thirsties AIOs.
We started out with disposable liners (after solids; EbF poo was easy!). For awhile we were dumping them in a special sealed trash bin. But that got smelly and then we had a house fly outbreak that I swore was from that. We tried flushing them but clogged our old plumbing. So we ditched the liners all together and just spray. I thought it would be worse than it is, but I really don’t mind it. And it’s the cheapest option!
I find washing and drying diapers easier than shopping for disposables and taking out the trash.
We built our supply slowly. We did a newborn rental that had a mix of types and from there we bought more and more. Also I registered for and got a lot as shower gifts so that was a great base for our supply. After that we picked up second hand sales or giveaways as I found good deals.
Our only other issue was nighttime heavy wetting. Around 18 months he started waking up soaked through and wet on husband pjs. We got the ecoable heavy wetter nightine fitted with a shell. It’s been perfect and he’s dry every morning now!
Oh, one more note on newborns. A newborn rental is great because you need newborn size for 4-8 weeks depending on your baby’s build. After that we switched to the adjustable one size diaper style that he’s worn from 2 months old until he is potty trained sometime this year. So either disposables or a rental or prefolds for the first few weeks.

coffeecocktailsandcake · December 2017

I cloth diaper/cloth wipe with my son and will cloth diaper with my next. I already have a full newborn stash set aside that I've been stashing since my miscarriage. I tried out a few brands and went with Blueberry. They are a premium cloth diaper but very very nice and loved by anyone who tries them out. They have a few features that other diapers don't have. If you're interested in them just ask.

My advice is actually a little different than what most others advise. Most people suggest starting out with prefolds and covers to get a feel of what you like. I suggest the opposite. Buy a few different brands of all in ones. Try them out on your baby once they reach 12 pounds. If you think you can handle cloth diapering and want to find a cheaper route, THEN try pockets and flats/covers. I started with covers and inserts with my newborn and gave up almost immediately because it wasn't working well AT ALL. Then I tried my sisters Blueberry all in ones and was sold hands down on the brand and have been using them exclusively since. I've tried a few other brands here and there and each time I just turn around and sell them off because they're not for me. I like all in ones because of the ease. I hated stuffing pockets. My baby was colicky and screamed bloody murder through every diaper change, theres no way in hell I had time for a prefold and cover. Let alone once he started kicking and rolling.

Advantages - environmentally friendly, made in the USA, no rashes, no leaks, no blowouts, can use overnight, ebf stains come out super easily with sunning

Disadvantages - I won't break even until baby #2 uses them (but can sell almost all of them for a decent price when we're done, which means I'll spend even less), two extra loads of laundry a week, spraying poop once they start solids kind of sucks (but its made up for by having zero blowouts in carseats/strollers/sofa, etc!)

If you look out for sales you can get the brand you love at at least a 30% discount too.

neeraja_k · April 2018

I'm resurrecting this thread. I'd really like to cloth diaper and I'd like to get a head-start on acquiring a stash before it's born. Given how expensive the up-front cost seems to be, I figure it'll take me a while to do that.

Some of the ladies gave brand suggestions and whatnot, but I don't recognize half the names in this thread honestly.

For those who cloth diaper: what brands do you recommend and why? I've been looking around at Bum Genius, Thirsties, etc but as a FTM with no one in my immediate support circle to ask for advice, I'm slightly overwhelmed over the different brands' options and types. And because of the price compared to disposables, I don't want to feel like I'm wasting my money on a variety of brands/types if possible.

kburg15 · April 2018

I used BumGenius AIOs and we really liked them! We only did it from like 1 month (when he fit in them) until 6 months when he started eating solids. I’ll definitely do that again, but hopefully not get lazy at 6 months. We bought a handheld sprayer, but never used it. It just seemed overwhelming.

melissaf22 · April 2018

I used bumgenius aio’s and pockets from 1 month until she was 3 years old, before those I used prefolds and covers since the bg diapers didn’t fit until around 10lbs. I plan on doing the same with this baby but I might have to replace some of the elastics

brzvice · April 2018

I briefly looked into it when someone posted a link for some Blueberry? brand bundle sales because y'all know me and sales but.....
Confused GIF

Then someone mentioned knowing washer information, water type, stripping..
Im Out Bye Bye GIF

lalala2004 · April 2018

We mostly used Best Bottoms, which are an insert and cover system. We have some assorted pocket diapers because he was flooding the Best Bottlms, but he’s flooding those, too! Given, this mostly seems to happen when he’s with someone other than me. I think I just make sure to change him more often.

ETA: The BestBottoms have a slimmer fit, are easier to wash dry and prepare, and don’t leak poop ever! That’s why I chose them. They aren’t the cheapest ones, and some people prefer All in Ones or Pockets for other reasons. There is a lot of info out there, so I would read reviews and try to consider what’s important to you.

hezzer78 · April 2018

@neeraja_k FTM here too, but I'm going to cloth diaper. I have bought a few diapers in a variety of brands - because what works for one kid may not work for mine. I think some of it is just experimenting until you find what works for your kid, your family, and your laundry schedule. I got a handful of prefolds and covers, some AIOs, and some AI2's. Over half of what i have so far is used - I suggest looking on your FB marketplace for good deals or joining a BST group. (Although I found better deals on my local FB marketplace).

melprop · April 2018

For anyone new to it, check the Green Mountain Diapers website and look at the info under the resources menu. Cloth diapering doesnt have to be expensive. There is a section for people new to cloth diapers that explains the types of CD’s and examples of each, plus a ton of other info.

livinthesunnylife · April 2018

@melprop I PM'd you a question about the GM Diapers, can you check your inbox?

rocknrrollmom · April 2018

@neeraja_k we cloth diaper DD and she's almost two. I could not wrap my head around the whole cloth diaper system until I saw it in action. My best friend was changing her LO's diaper and I got to see how it all worked with the diaper and putting it together and spraying it off and everything. I also youtube'd so I could see the difference between the styles of cloth diapers. I'm totally a visual learner, so this really helped me personally. You can rent or buy a trial set that has different types of cloth diapers to try out on baby before you invest in a whole set.

Here's what I did- for newborn I got prefolds, which are the old school looking cloth diapers. These also work super well as burp rags and drool catchers. You'll fold this (there's a few different ways so YouTube was my friend) and secure it on baby with a snap. Then I covered this with a Thirsties cover. The prefold insert will be changed every diaper change and the cover only when it gets too dirty. This system can be used from newborn to potty training but most people switch to a different style around 10 pounds or so that can absorb more.

A friend of mine gifted me a few different Alva baby cloth diapers, which are covers that you stuff with inserts. You wash the whole thing every diaper change and then stuff then with the insert before you put it on baby. You can add more than one insert to increase absorbency. Alva ones are on Amazon and might be the cheapest you can find. A lot of people don't have success with them and experience leaks. I am lucky that the cheapie worked so well for us and they're still holding up for this baby. You could always buy one or two on Amazon and see if they work for you before investing in a whole set.

Soooo, Hope this is helpful!

neeraja_k · April 2018

@rocknrrollmom Thank you, that is very helpful! That does help me to "visualize" what is going on. I'm a visual and hands-on learner too, I always have been whether it's cooking, fixing something, or I guess now cloth diapering. I had no idea what a "prefold" was, I just figured it was a pre-folded strip of fabric that lines the crotch of a cover, like the reusable menstrual cloth menstrual pads, but no real clue how it all went together.

And those Alva are so much more affordable than the other brands I've looked at, so I'll give them a shot and see how I like them. Thank you for the recommendation!

sml72978 · April 2018

I love the website Nickisdiapers.com they have a great selection and I personally love using their covers and prefolds. They have packages with different ones you can try as well as their own brand with all different style diapers. I used them with my last baby and plan to use them again. They will be having a nice sale soon (earth day week sales) so I would check them out then! With my last I stocked up slowly during pregnancy so I had what I needed and didn’t have to spend the money all at once.

homequiltingmama · April 2018

My original stash was bum genius that we got as 'seconds' (new, but with a defect from manufactoring). I replaced the leg elastic btwn baby 1 and baby 2. With baby 2, I added some sunbaby, but they were size 1 (there were only 2 sizes) but eventually she outgrew those. We weren't sure we would have another baby, so I sold those while they still were in good shape.

Some of my BGs got damaged in the dryer bc I got lazy with DD2 (we moved and I didn't come up with a great way to lay them out to dry, so I threw them in the dryer...but I didn't always remember to get them out quickly and now some of the pul is cracked, oops).

I'm adding to my stash now with GlowBugs which are similar to my BGs but have more snap options - my first purchase arrived today!! I bought them from a bst site, but I might get some new ones too from their website. Since my youngest has been out of diapers for a year, I'm ready to cloth diaper again!

mapleandbacon · April 2018

We use blueberry all in ones and love them! They are some of the more expensive ones but you can wait for sales and get them close to half off. The quality is there. A lot of people use Alva, some successfullu, some not. They're referred to as China Cheapies by cloth diaperers. Just be careful with what you're buying and what the waterproof PUL is treated with. There are many good brands that are manufactured in the USA and will come with warranties for a year.

Don't be intimidated with the wash routine/stripping! Most importantly is to identify enough quality soap and ri so with enough clean water, that's it! IF you start to have issues then you look at water hardness, which really is much easier than it sounds.

Definitely recommend buying one of a few different brands/styles to try before you decide on a system and commit your money there. Earth day sales are coming up too.

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