FTM - Cloth diaper questions

ldawngirl781 · August 2017

DH and I would both love to use cloth diapers and I just started doing some research. I am now discovering that there are so many options in terms of what type of cloth diaper you buy (traditional flat, prefolded, fitted, all-in-ones, etc.). If you used cloth diapers, any tips or suggestions on what to look for? I want something easy enough, so I'm guessing flat is out, but I'm not sure on the other options!

mpp06 · August 2017

I don't know much about them, but I bought some Mama Koala ones and Baby Alva and love them! I guess they're all in one? It's a diaper with an insert. Anyway, rinse and wash and you're done. We had just started right when I found out I was pregnant and then have taken a break with morning sickness but are fixing to start again! I really love all the patterns and the fact I'm not going to be buying diapers all the time! And that it's better for the environment.

smorzandoj · August 2017

I cloth diapered some with both of my boys. At night we used disposable bc no combination of anything was going to make it through the night otherwise. Also we usually used disposables when we were out all day just bc it's easier.

All in ones are not the ones you have to stuff. Look at bumgenius AIO for an example of them.

Ive used basically all types. With newborns - 6 months I mostly used profiles with covers. I had a few bumgenius I would use as well. The world of cloth diapers has expanded great inthe last 6 years though so I'm not sure about all of the brands.

Washing is best with a top loader...my front loader he washer sucked.

the_other_mother · August 2017

I do about 50/50 cloth and disposable. We use pocket diapers. I bought an entire stash of Kawaii brand barely used on a buy sell trade FB page. I also had a few AIOs in newborn size that we used first. I absolutely loved those. I wish I had more. The washing is NBD. I've never had a problem with smells. We have front loaders and I use Rockin' Green detergent.

mbirdie · August 2017

We've used Applecheeks since DD was born. We used to use disposables at night because she was flooding her diapers at night but she doesn't anymore. I don't find cloth diapers any more difficult than disposables, we just throw the dirtys in a wet bag when we're out and into a pail at home. If you look into Applecheeks and are interested in them there is a wonderful community group on Facebook called Peace Love Applecheeks. They sort of have a cult following, haha, but it's great when you need a fit check or help with leaks!

TattoosandLace · August 2017

We used Alva Baby AIO for DD1&DD2.

katefb17 · August 2017

We cloth diapered our daughter until she was about 18 months-- then she started at a new daycare where they didn't quite understand how cloth worked

But we looooved cloth for those 18 months! Our daughter seemed to prefer them, too. She has very sensitive skin, and would get frequent rashes with disposables when she was an infant.

We used prefolds when she was tiny and not as wiggly during changes, and those worked great. We fastened them with a "snappy". Easy to use, easy to clean (especially before she started solids!). We just tossed them in their own load of wash, and never had any problems with smell or staining.

When she started at her first daycare, we switched to a pocket style (Bum Genius 4.0) and a snap-in style (Best Bottom), mostly at the request of the daycare (to make it as similar to a disposable diapers as possible during changes). We *really* preferred the snap-ins for durability. Both the velcro closures and the elastic around the legs on the Bum Genius fell apart really quickly, even though we had the recommended number in rotation.

When I was trying to figure out the whole cloth diaper thing, I found a ton of really helpful videos on YouTube, as well

Aeml1985 · August 2017

We exclusively cloth diaper, have been for 2.5 years.

We used prefolds and covers for the first 2-3 months then moved on to pockets (shells you stuff with inserts). At night we use bamboo fitteds with a covers.

until they start solids you don't have to rinse

MrsJ2410 · August 2017

FTM- So I had planned to do prefolds with covers until LO is big enough for OS and then switch to pockets. Glad to hear others did prefolds at first too! I also joined the fluff love FB groups and got a ton of info but it was a little overwhelming at first. I figure if I CD during the day and do disposables at night or when we are traveling it will still make a difference in terms of waste and finances. I'm getting a lot of side eye and negative comments already from family and friends but I am trying to not care.

mpp06 · August 2017

@MrsJ2410 I'm not certain bc I've not personally done it yet, but the Mama Koala I use that are pockets (which I just learned thanks to this helpful thread!) can be used on newborns! I asked another mom in the fb group and she said she's used them since day one on her baby and she's never leaked. Just thought I'd let you know incase you want to try and not have to buy anything extra! In going to try and see how it works.

madie008 · August 2017

We use cloth and love it. Can't wait to have 2 in cloth!
We mostly use apple cheeks, with a prefold or apple cheeks insert tri folded. Super easy! Even my hubby says so. We recently started using fitted diapers at night and I love them.
Dont worry about what other people how to say, just give it a go! The best part is you can buy a selection of diapers and then over time decided which ones you like the best, buy more of those and sell the rest.
But ya. We love it. Don't be afraid to ask any questions!

rainafire77 · August 2017

Good lord cloth diapers have come a long way since my DD was born 15 years ago! We're considering going cloth during the day and using disposables at night and while traveling. Still researching but it looks like Bum Genius are the clear favorites. The only problem seems to be compression leakage with both the inserts and all in ones. Do any of you find that to be true?

thucks · August 2017

We CD with my Twin DD and I'm planning to do it again with the baby on the way. We LOVE Justsimplybabay diapers. They are pocket diapers with a double gasket around the legs to help prevent any leaking. I do prefer to use the charcoal inserts for heavy wetter's. We also used disposables for night on one of the twins cause she was a super heavy wetter at night. And when we traveled we used disposables, our family members were pretty umm eh about us putting dirty diapers in their washing machine. We use a spray hose on the toilet to wash any poop out of them then toss into a wet bag for laundry later. Mostly we use tide free and Rockin Green soap. I love the smell of Rockin green. Oh yeah I try to hang dry outside as much as possible.

lovesclimbing · August 2017

*June lurker*

I recommend watching Cloth Diapering 101 by Jamiee Gleisner on YouTube. It says part 1 of 7 but don't get overwhelmed because they're all super short. It's a great overview.

I use Thirsties Duo covers and fitteds I sewed myself. I love them! I've heard before that cloth diapers contain blowouts better, and I'm seeing that for myself. We're on vacation using disposables. In 1.5 weeks, I've had a blowout almost every other day! In about 8 weeks of using cloth, I had one, and that was because I fastened it too loose. And I've had way bigger poops in cloth than some of these ones that blew out. I am majorly regretting my decision to not bring cloth on this trip.

I chose to use fitteds and covers because they are one of the cheaper options. The money saving aspect is the whole reason I chose to use cloth. Also, I liked that they will last longer than all in ones or pockets (again, contributing to the cost savings) because the covers are not getting washed and thus worn out as often.

ldawngirl781 · August 2017

katefb17 said:

When I was trying to figure out the whole cloth diaper thing, I found a ton of really helpful videos on YouTube, as well

YouTube videos - that's a great idea!

ldawngirl781 · August 2017

Thanks all for the tips and suggestions!

katefb17 · August 2017

@MrsJ2410 I got a ton of flak from my mom when we decided to CD. She even offered to go buy us a case of disposables (thinking that we were just being cheap, I guess?). After she came to help out when my DD was born, though, she became a total convert to CD. I think she the picture she had in her head of what it would be like was stuck in the 1980s

alice0218 · August 2017

Thank you for starting this thread and for everyone who has shared their experience! Taking notes! DH and I both said we don't want to cloth diaper because it sounds so hard and messy and gross, but now after reading this (and I'll go check out some of the resources you guys mentioned), it sounds like it may not be that bad and we know it's supposed to be better financially and environmentally. Reconsidering our decision...

Honestly, I think a lot of decisions I've been making are just because we are FTParents and just don't know enough about the options. Like honestly, I'm curious about midwife and different birth options, but since I don't really know anything, we are just going ObGyn/hospital route because it seems most straightforward and conventional. Maybe for the next baby...

sabriel1 · August 2017

@alice0218 I can totally relate to you when I was a first time mom. I am planning a home birth this time but the first time around I couldn't have dreamed of doing anything other than hospital birth with an ob. The more kids I've had the more knowledgeable and confident in my decisions I become so I get what you are saying

farmrose · August 2017

We use cotton prefolds & flats(Green mountain diapers) and covers (blueberry, thirsties and a few rumparooz ) and some wool, hemp doublets, and/or fitteds at nighttime. From birth to potty learning with DD1 and going on 18 months with the DD2. There's a little learning curve at the beginning learning to fold, but you pick it up fast changing 10+ times a day. They are one of the cheaper options, they are more forgiving in getting the right fit imo, and they are easy to wash. We tried bum genius pockets with dd1 and they didn't work for us at all. The fit was just off. That's one thing you won't really know until your baby is here. Every style/brand fits a little different. I'd recommend buying a variety to try on your baby before investing in 20-30 diapers in all one style/brand. You don't have to commit to one style or brand.

MrsJ2410 · August 2017

@katefb17 yeah my mom was like "grandma did it and had a diaper service blah blah so much work" and I was like "a lot has changed in 60 years.."

@farmrose I am so much more drawn to prefolds/covers, they seems more straightforward and easier to care for. I just assume that since SO many people use the pockets and AIOs there must be some other benefit that I am not seeing. IDK I want to try everything and see what works, I am trying not to get to attached to anything ( CD and otherwise) because every baby is different and planning isn't going to change that.

GoogleMD · August 2017

We exclusively cloth diaper. We use primarily rumparooz, though we have tried several. I like that the rumparooz have double gussets and I think the prints are cuter than some other popular brands. We also have a few bumgenius.
We use pockets, and the ecoposh fitteds with bamboo inserts at night.
bumgenius are popular but I have not been impressed. The eleastics are already starting to relax even though I purchased brand new and they are used lightly in comparison to our rumparooz many of which were used.

i would avoid aio they are convient, but my son now out owes them within 1.5hrs.

I would reccomend buying used. There are several bst groups on FB, you can get them much cheaper.

Aeml1985 · August 2017

My mom thought forsure we would fail, but she's become a convert and tells all the pregnant girls at work

smorzandoj · August 2017

Fuzzibunz has a new diaper coming out. Anyone gonna try it on a current babe? I need to hear all about it!

Starynightsky24 · August 2017

This my 3rd- but I'm considering cloth this go around. I guess I've delt with poo enough that it doesn't gross me out haha. Anyway---- for those who do this often, how was the smell from the diaper pail? Be honest- this LO and all his stuff will likely be in our room for a while so I don't want it stinky.

mbirdie · August 2017

@Starynightsky24 I've only had an issue with smell a couple of times when it's been hot in the house and I've fallen behind on diaper laundry. A lot of people like an open wet bag because apparently the airflow helps the smell? But I am all about a closed diaper pail, we use the Dekor one. I usually do laundry every 3 days and don't have an issue. When there is a smell it's definitely more the pee that I smell since I usually dump/rinse the pool diapers right away. BF only poops don't need to be rinsed first but I never found them getting smelly in the pail.

Starynightsky24 · August 2017

Thank you @mbirdie!

What about the diaper liners for poop? Has anyone tried those? Thoughts?

madie008 · August 2017

@Starynightsky24 I use disposable liners for the babysitter. It's great cos you can just quickly toss the liner in the toilet and be done with it.
I use fleece liners at home, the poop just slides right off and it is MUCH easier is rinse just the liner vs the whole diaper.

rainafire77 · August 2017

So with pockets do you stuff the liner or put it inside the diaper?

smorzandoj · August 2017

rainafire77 said:

So with pockets do you stuff the liner or put it inside the diaper?

Stuff. But I guess you could do either. Hmmm.

mbirdie · August 2017

@Starynightsky24 once we started with solids I started using the biodegradable liners. They say flushable but you really shouldn't flush them as lots of people have trouble with them clogging their plumbing. Diapers to the dayhome get liners and she just throws them out. At home we mostly just dump the poop in the toilet and then rinse of the diapers before they go in the pail.

@rainafire77 it's easy to get confused between liners and inserts. We use pockets and I always stuff the inserts but you fold them and lay them on top and use the diaper as an All In 2 system. Liners are used to catch poop so they get laid on top.

rainafire77 · August 2017

@mbirdie OMG thank you! I am determined to cloth diaper but looking at all the options and the terminology has me like

mbirdie · August 2017

@rainafire77 haha, that was totally me! I watched a lot of YouTube videos. I ended up just picking one brand and going with it even though most people reccomend that you try a bunch of different styles to find out what works best for your kid. Luckily the brand we chose works really well for us, unfortunately I've become a bit obsessed.

Aeml1985 · August 2017

You don't have to stuff your pockets as long as you aren't using microfiber (different than microfleece). Microfiber can't go right against baby's skin.

The nice thing about doing it that way is that you might not need a new shell each time.

mpp06 · September 2017

What do you ladies use for the diapers after they've been rinsed? I rinse mine in the tub and spray with vinegar and water and hang them to dry but by the end of the day they smell. Are the wet pails that much better? We are teetering on stopping and I just can't make up my mind. I love the idea but my husband thinks it will just be too much with 6 kids, 2 of which in diapers and trying to keep up with the diapers. I read somewhere that people didn't have to wash eveeyday but if I go more than a day that whole bathroom smells like pee.

GoogleMD · September 2017

@mpp06 vinager is really hard on your diapers.

I wash 1-2x a week. I keep everything in a tall laundry basket lined with a wet bag/liner. There are holes in the basket so it allows some air circulation. Pee diapers go straight into the bag, pops I rinse in the toilet. I have no smell issues.

mpp06 · September 2017

Thanks @GoogleMD! I guess it's just bc they are out in the open the smell is there. And thanks for the heads up on the vinegar. Do you use anything in the wash. I thought the vinegar would remove any smell that may be there so I've been using it as a rinse aid as well.

GoogleMD · September 2017

I do a prewash on my normal setting, cold water, with gain line 2 and 1/2cup borax or calgon.
2nd wash is my deep clean wash, cold water line 5 gain and ½ cup borax or calgon

Aeml1985 · September 2017

@mpp06 you absolutely don't need vinegar, it isn't helping anything. I store dirty diapers in an open hanging wet bag. I only rinse off poop (2.5yr old) and not pee diapers, we wash every 3rd day.

Check your water hardness level with ph strips and if you have hard water use borax or Calgon in the main wash.

We use tide powder in our HE front load, only for the main wash. The first quick wash is just basically a really good rinse and spin to get most of the pee/poop out.

mpp06 · September 2017

O my goodness! I can't imagine not having smell, that's amazing! Maybe I'll try again with these helpful tips! I was so disappointed when nothing I tried worked. Thanks so much ladies!

rainafire77 · December 2017

Since this topic came up again, I remembered this thread. There's a lot of cool CD info on here. Preggo brain must have made me forget this had already been a discussion on here.

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