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Re: Product Spotlight: Diapering
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LO arrived 11/9/2018! We have a baby!
--------------------------------
Me: 33 | DH: 41
Married: March 2016
TTC #1/IUD out January 2017
PCOS dx January 2018
Medicated cycle 2.5mg Letrozole CD3-7 February 2018
BFP 3/10/2018!
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Individual (e.g., lifestyle) factors that might influence your choice: We're pretty hippie, so I was definitely interested in cloth diapers for environmental reasons, plus we live off grid and don't have trash pick up, and the thought of taking garbage cans full of dirty diapers to the dump in the back of my SUV in the middle of the summer was super disgusting. We're also on a budget, so saving money on diapers was a big plus, and were planning on having more kids, so would be able to use our diaper stash for future kids. We wound up cloth diapering full time - I have never purchased a single disposable, and haven't used one since the first days home from the hospital, even when traveling. He's 2 now, and potty trained except for nights/naps, and we have almost everything we'll need for this baby.
*I will say that I don't think I I could have done it without a good washer and dryer*
Favorite diaper type/brand (cloth, disposable, etc.): Thirsties AIO and pockets, Blueberries AIO and Green Mountain Diapers Cloth-eez Workhorse fitteds and prefolds with Thirsties covers
Link/picture:
Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): the AIOs and pockets are expensive upfront, but you use em forever!
What you like and don't like about it: You wouldn't want to CD if you were squeamish about poop (but you could say the same about being a parent in general). It does take some time to wash and dry diapers, which can be a challenge. I liked how they looked, I liked saving money, I liked how they worked.
Is there a diaper type/brand you don't have but are considering? Why?: Nah, just going to get more of the same.
Is there a diaper type/brand you've tried that you absolutely hate? Why?: I initially bought 5 or 6 different brands and then bought more of the ones I liked best. I didn't really like any except for Cloth-Eez Workhorse, Thirsties and Blueberry. I still have them, but only use them if I have to..I can go check brands later and edit.
Additional thoughts on diapers?: I loved cloth diapering and am happy to answer questions/talk more about it!
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
Started dating: 10/2010 ;; Married 10/2017
Started TTC: 10/2019
BFP: 12/20/19 ;; MC: 12/24/19
BFP: 3/5/20 ;; EDD: 11/11/20
@hedgepig How did you find CD with a newborn?
Also, what's a good number of diapers to have on hand to start?
For any of the Mamas that are planning on disposables as I didn't get into cloth diapering:
@mimser Honestly, putting in a cloth diaper doesn't really take any more time or trouble for me than a disposable, and when they're newborn (if they're exclusively BF) you don't even have to spray out the poop. It's water soluble and just washes out. For me it was surprisingly easy. I'd say I had about 20 diapers in my newborn stash, of varying types. It also depends on how often you wash. Back then I washed every other day, so I almost never used all of them.
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
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
--------------------------------
LO arrived 11/9/2018! We have a baby!
--------------------------------
Me: 33 | DH: 41
Married: March 2016
TTC #1/IUD out January 2017
PCOS dx January 2018
Medicated cycle 2.5mg Letrozole CD3-7 February 2018
BFP 3/10/2018!
-------------------------------
S+TMs:
ETA: I also liked that they were either AIO, or for the pocket diapers the inserts agitated out on their own in the washer. Also, the fabric and design were easy to spray off the poop into the toilet. Some of the other brands had fabric types that made it really hard to spray them clean, or designs that tended to hide poop. The Cloth-eez Workhorse fitteds are super soft and all around absorbent - we love them for night time diapers because they really soak up the pee, and are less likely to leak than other types. I will also say that I am always reading about people with newborn "blowouts" with poop up the back of the shirt, and I never experienced even one of those with cloth diapers. Every once and a while we got a pee leak, but almost never any poop spill over, and that was almost always user error (grandma or dad, usually).
Also, re: daycare - DS never went to real daycare, but was with my mom or MIL most days after I went back to work. They did fine with the AIOs and pockets. I gave them a wet bag and they'd just put all diapers, including poop, in there and I would spray them when I got home. In this way, I don't see how they'd be any different than disposables for most daycare providers.
Lastly, I would add that cloth wipes are super easy and work great and are a total no brainer if you are already washing diapers. My favorite are the OsoCozy cloth wipes.
I like snaps and velcro, but usually opt for velcro as it makes it just a little easier to get a good fit on a squirmy kid. All of my velcro has held up just fine over many washes, and for me the PUL on the covers gave out before the velcro did.
I love shopping local, and you should do fine if you are in a bigger metro area/have a cloth diaper boutique, but there weren't any in my area. If you end up shopping online, or just for browsing/comparing, I highly recommend Green Mountain Diapers. I have been super happy with them, and they're a small family owned business. They have tons of info and pictures, including lots of "pictures on a real baby", which can be really helpful!
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
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
I will say that it's much easier this time around because we have a parent home and have a washer and dryer; we were coin-op with my son, and it suuuuucked. Also my daughter pees like a racehorse now that she's a toddler, so it we're not on top of it, she gets pretty damp sometimes. Not a downside for me personally, but I'm sure it'd annoy someone, lol.
For those doing disposables, buy a small bag first to test them. My first peed right through LUVS, so I had a huge box of useless diapers. Huggies, Pampers, and Target brand were wins for us.
When you wash your AIO's do you line dry? Or toss them in the dryer? Do they take forever to dry out? (never used AIOs but considering getting a few to try out). With DD we have primarily pockets and then a few covers that I'll just pad fold a flat around and insert. I never got the hang of any other folds. I've never loved the prefolds I have, I'll use them, but maybe they're just the wrong size. I just feel like they're so bulky if I try to fold them, but too big to use as an inset in the pockets. Ugh...
--------------------------------
LO arrived 11/9/2018! We have a baby!
--------------------------------
Me: 33 | DH: 41
Married: March 2016
TTC #1/IUD out January 2017
PCOS dx January 2018
Medicated cycle 2.5mg Letrozole CD3-7 February 2018
BFP 3/10/2018!
-------------------------------
I am pretty sure there are also options out there for preemies/tiny babies, which you might look in to, since the twins may be small? Or start with disposables until they are bigger? I like that GMD has lots of pictures of diapers on real babies, including a fitted on a baby as small as 5 lbs, so it is possible! They also have good guidance on sizing in general.
As for AIOs - we now have a mixture of AIOs, pockets and fitteds w/ covers and I like all of them! I mostly have pockets and AIOs so I could send them with him to grandma's house for daycare and have it be super easy for them. They take a while to dry, but not excessively long. I always dry them in the dryer because I don't like the way they'd be stiff when I line dried them (and they took forever unless it was super hot out). I do like to hang them out in the sun for the sun bleaching sometimes though! It's pretty magical on the poop stains. I haven't had to throw away any of my AIOS because the PUL has degraded (yet), but I have worn out a set of covers, and some wet bags because I dried them in the dryer. I do try to hang the covers and bags, but sometimes that was just more the I could handle.
Sorry about the novel! I hope it helps! Feel free to ask more questions!
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
OMG those pictures are giving me all the feels 😍😭😍😭
--------------------------------
LO arrived 11/9/2018! We have a baby!
--------------------------------
Me: 33 | DH: 41
Married: March 2016
TTC #1/IUD out January 2017
PCOS dx January 2018
Medicated cycle 2.5mg Letrozole CD3-7 February 2018
BFP 3/10/2018!
-------------------------------
I second using Green Mountain Diapers (GMD) fitted workhorses for the newborn stage. DS was 6lb 10oz and fit in them for a while. We paired them with velcro thirsties double gusset covers for ease. We did get a few newborn AIO but he outpeed them before he outgrew them so I won't get anymore.
Most of my stash was 2nd hand from FB groups, I have a mix of Charlie Bananas pockets, Bumgenius AIO and pockets, Applecheeks pockets and Mama koala pockets.
Charlie Bananas have an adjustable elastic for the leg opening and were the first OS that fit.
Bumgenius have the PUL at belly level which has been a lifesaver for our tummy sleeper. The AIOs he's just starting to need an extra insert for absorbancy.
Mama Koala are very similar to BG but without the belly panel - I just wanted the Starry Night print haha
Applecheeks werwere highly recommended, especially for/by Canadians as they're made there but we couldn't get a good fit and had leaks.
Daytime inserts we used 1, then 2 microfiber inserts no problem until recently. I've started adding a cotton doubler or hemp if we're going longer between changes.
For nighttime we use BG pocket with 2 thirsties hemp wrapped in a flour sack towel topped with a small microfiber insert. He's a big fluffbutt. It took a long while to work up to all that and honestly once he stopped nursing MOTN we had way less issues.
For cleaning, Fluff Love University was my starting point (website and Facebook) - they're a little on the rigid side (people either love or hate them) but I haven't had any issues. Green Mountain Diapers also have wash routines.
DS had a sensitive bottom and we had to use a mix or extra strength desitin, cornstarch, and liquid antacid to clear it up and just used Viva paper towels as liners. Zinc products are ok but will leave a white stain, petroleum products will repel and so are a no go without liners (unless you use natural fibers and hot water cycles, I think, dont quote me).
I use a 13 gallon gal garbage can with lid and pail liner to keep dog and kid out of it. A separate smaller wet bag for the poop diapers once on solids. I put a small garbage can with the bottom cut out in the toilet and use a sprayer and designated poop spatula on wash days (usually twice a week). With gloves it's not too bad.
Daycare is fine with CD. I just make sure everything is assembled and ready to go. I take a clean wet bag for each day as they can't leave dirty diapers there overnight. We did have more leaks early on but it was just a learning curve for them
@lurvleybunchococonuts DS was a big baby, but had always been on the slim side, and he stayed in those NB fitteds for sooo long! They were a great investment!
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
I can't wait to CD those itty bitty booties!!!!
--------------------------------
LO arrived 11/9/2018! We have a baby!
--------------------------------
Me: 33 | DH: 41
Married: March 2016
TTC #1/IUD out January 2017
PCOS dx January 2018
Medicated cycle 2.5mg Letrozole CD3-7 February 2018
BFP 3/10/2018!
-------------------------------
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
--------------------------------
LO arrived 11/9/2018! We have a baby!
--------------------------------
Me: 33 | DH: 41
Married: March 2016
TTC #1/IUD out January 2017
PCOS dx January 2018
Medicated cycle 2.5mg Letrozole CD3-7 February 2018
BFP 3/10/2018!
-------------------------------
The Bumgenius I got 2nd hand could definitely use the elastics replaced but we managed to keep the legs tight enough to prevent leaks. It's on my to do list before October... 😬
@lurvleybunchococonuts I've had pretty good luck buying most of mine 2nd hand. A few duds here and there that will be play/swim diapers but it's been worth it. Plus I enjoy scouring fb groups and bst for good deals
Out of all of them looks like only the size 2 Thirsties have shot elastic, but might be still useable for my massive 18mo. Majority of the inserts look like they were purchased brand new and never even prepped! These itty bitty size diapers are making me 😍😭😍😭 I cannot wait to diaper tiny little butts ❤❤
1 Thirsties aio (size NB)
1 Nicki's aio (size NB)
3 Nicki's cover (size NB)
1 Imagine cover (size NB)
2 Thirsties cover (size xsmall)
1 Thirsties cover (size small)
1 Thirsties cover (size medium)
9 Thirsties cover (size 1)
2 Thirsties pockets (size 1)
13 Fuzzibunz pockets (size small)
2 no name pocket (one size fits all)
1 Bumgenius pocket (one size fits all
3 Imagine cover (one size fits all)
2 Thirsties cover (one 2)
1 Best Bottoms cover (one size fits all)
And for inserts:
3 Thirsties duo
5 Thirsties hemp
6 Babykick contoured hemp/cotton (size small)
13 no name microfiber
6 Bumgenius microfiber
12 no name WAHM cotton/fleece(?)
12 Nicki's prefolds (size small)
9 no name prefolds (size small)
1 Thirsties hemp/cotton prefold
Total cost: $145
Complete stash shot below! Lower photo NB/Thirsties size 1 (right box AIOs left box covers with prefolds). Top left photo one size fits all that currently fit DD. Top right photo larger than NBs but too small for DD.
--------------------------------
LO arrived 11/9/2018! We have a baby!
--------------------------------
Me: 33 | DH: 41
Married: March 2016
TTC #1/IUD out January 2017
PCOS dx January 2018
Medicated cycle 2.5mg Letrozole CD3-7 February 2018
BFP 3/10/2018!
-------------------------------
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
@Hedgepig my mom is on the look out for clotheez workhorses for me 🙌 (she has a cousin who has a 2nd hand baby store so 🤞🤞🤞)
@scatteringashes again, from what I was reading the other day bamboo is more delicate than cotton or hemp. So be careful about what detergents you use to wash bamboo and they recommend line drying cause dryer heat may cause damage.
--------------------------------
LO arrived 11/9/2018! We have a baby!
--------------------------------
Me: 33 | DH: 41
Married: March 2016
TTC #1/IUD out January 2017
PCOS dx January 2018
Medicated cycle 2.5mg Letrozole CD3-7 February 2018
BFP 3/10/2018!
-------------------------------