Best Cloth Diapers/Diapering tips?

[eyesave08]

DH and I are really considering cloth diapering, at least on the four days/week when baby won't be in daycare. I've been trying to do some research and read reviews of different diapers, but it's hard to make the upfront investment when I don't know if it will work well for us. I did see one website where you could get a cloth diaper sample pack for $10 for a trial period, so we might try that. I know there are at least a few people here to cloth diapered and loved it, so I just wondered if you could offer any advice or suggestions about where/what to buy, care of diapers, and anything else you think we might need to know. Looking at all of the choices, I can't decide whether all-in-ones or one-size would be best, or a combination of both. I do plan to breastfeed for the first year if possible, so not sure if that makes a difference (I read that breast milk poo is water soluble making cleanup easier). TIA for any advice you can offer! I figure now is the best time to make this decision as if all goes well, we'll use these diapers for future children as well.

[Kitter Kat]

Meghan,

We're cloth diapering Reid and DH and I absolutely love it. I'll be back to answer questions for ya later, but I need to run to the grocery store!

[CO3Teacher]

My SIL has a sprayer thing to rinse everything off of the diaper. I've never used it, but I know she loves it.

[MommaBean]

I did it with my second son.
One of the BEST tips I had a momma tell me was to fill up the washing machine in the morning with water for a small load. Throughout the day throw the dirties in, and at night start it up! Then I would just have to hang them up to dry in the morning and be set!!

I absolutely loved the All in ones. Drybees and pockets were my favorites. You can find a ton of info if you check out the mothering website. There are a TON of great deals to be found on ebay!!

Good luck!!!!

[eyesave08]

I did it with my second son.
One of the BEST tips I had a momma tell me was to fill up the washing machine in the morning with water for a small load. Throughout the day throw the dirties in, and at night start it up! Then I would just have to hang them up to dry in the morning and be set!!

I absolutely loved the All in ones. Drybees and pockets were my favorites. You can find a ton of info if you check out the mothering website. There are a TON of great deals to be found on ebay!!

Good luck!!!!

That is a great tip and so simple... and I wouldn't have thought of it. :) Our washer is right next to the family room where I'm sure a lot of the diaper changing will happen, so that would be so convenient. Are you planning to do cloth with this one too?

[EmmaLu]

My SIL has a sprayer thing to rinse everything off of the diaper. I've never used it, but I know she loves it.



What kind of sprayer thing? What does she spray it into, like the toliet or sink or something? DH and I are planning to start working on a baby in April or so, so I will be watching this thread also.

[eyesave08]

I have heard of the sprayers.. I think there are some you can attach somewhere on the toilet fixtures or attach to the shower and then spray the dirty stuff into the toilet to flush. Obviously I haven't done much research on that part, but I did see one of the sprayers on ebay.

[JMac]

I am CD'ing and really enjoy it.

I started with prefolds and covers, this wasn't for us. DD was constantly wet and most people who use these change their kiddos every 1 hour, 2 at max. That is just WAY too much. DH hated it also because she always felt 'wet'.

I have recently bought pockets and LOVE them. I originally ordered some Nubunz dipes that were seconds for $5.50 each ($3.50 without inserts). I since have gone back and ordered some firsts, those are right under $10 each. My faves are the Bum Genious one size. You put them on just like a regular disposable.

A diaper sprayer hooks up to the toilet and you spray the poo off in there. For a breast fed baby you don't have to spray off, it will come off in the washing machine. I don't know about formula fed. I know once you start solids then you have to spray/dunk/whatever. You can buy the stuff to make your own sprayer pretty cheap, but I do plan on buying the Bum Genious sprayer, it has great reviews.

You can buy some used and save a great deal of $$. I also recommend the trials that some places offer, I wish I had known about that when I looked into it.

Also you may check with your daycare, mine use cloth without any issues. They are no different than sposies except you have to put it in a bag vs the trash.

Feel free to PM me with any specific questions.

[MommaBean]

I haven't decided yet. But it is looking like I probably will because I am staying at home full time now. I will have disposables home for every time dh is home ;) .

The last time around I spent 100 flat and it lasted us for the 7 months that I CD. (We moved cross country at 9 months and had to stop because we didn't have a permanent house for 5 weeks)

[HanksMom]

I did it for a little over a year with my little guy. He was probably 6 months when i started - and I stopped because it got to be too much. I had a hard time keeping up with all the laundry, and i felt like i was constantly washing diapers. I used a TON of water - prerinse, wash, and rinse until all the soap was gone - it was like washing 2 extra loads a day water & time wise - even though I washed every other day. Once he was eating real foods, i had a really hard time getting stains out, dealing with odor etc. My dh is an environmental scientist and he is more concerned about our water supply than the landfills right now so it was a min win for both of us when we decide to stop. I know some people used HE washing machines with success but I honestly cant imagine how.. you really need that agitation to get them really clean. So keep that in mind too.

If you do want to give it a try though there is a great diapering group on babycenter. com that is always extremely helpful.

[Fourboys]

I CD'd with all 4 boys. I ended up with one system. I bought Motherease One Size diapers that snapped. I then just bought cheapie plastic pants over them. personally I didnt really like the all in ones- the plastic pants were easier, cheaper, and gkept things in if there WAS a blowout.

I would throw the diapers in a pail dirty and all. then when ready tow ash I would throw them in the wash and rinse well in cold water. then I would wash in hot. I washed every 2-3 days with 1 kid every 2 days with 2 kids.

I even resold many of my diapers when I was done for a pretty good price.

[Kitter Kat]

We mainly use prefolds with Thirsties covers. We have several pocket diapers, several different brands, but I actually find they leak and I have to change them a lot sooner than I do prefolds. They definitely have their place though so I like to keep them around. I keep the diaper bag stocked with an extra cover and a couple fitted diapers so I don't have to mess with prefolds and snappis while we're out, and I don't have to worry about leaks.

I'd say get a good assortment of things and just find out what you like and what works best on him. Then really stock up once you know what you prefer. Definitely buy used (seconds) if you can. Especially with newborns the diapers are hardly used before they're outgrown so you can get them practically new for cheap. I also buy covers and fitteds at thirstiesoutlet.com for about the same price as I find them used.

You're right about the breast fed baby poop, you don't have to do anything special with those diapers. Once baby starts on cereal and jarred food the poop thickens up and you need a system in place to get as much poo off the diapers as possible before you wash them. Lots of people like the sprayers but we were afraid Ethan would think it was a fun toy and soak our bathroom, so I picked a big old rubber spatula from the kitchen and we use that to scrape the poo into the toilet. We just store it with the toilet brush. Now that Reid's eating mainly solid finger foods the poops aren't an issue anymore, we can shake the diaper over the toilet.

[bellaboodaisy]

I used cloth dipes with DD & loved them. My favs were the BumGenius one size. I love how they are just like a disposable diaper.

I didn't use the sprayer on them because she was breastfed. Once she started eating more solids I was able to dump the contents of the diaper right into the toilet.

[eyesave08]

I have been reading a lot of reviews, doing research, etc, and while I will probably get a few different kinds, I am really impressed with the Softbums All-in-2 dipes. They look great (very cute!), are very trim, appear to be very easy to use and I am not sure I've read one bad review of them (most people rave). Anyone tried these? There are a couple of youtube reviews if you are interested. :) At first glance, they look kind of pricey but since the covers dry quickly and can be reused unless soiled, I think they would be comparable or a little cheaper than other top brands and could be used for the full diapering period. I'm getting excited! Can you tell? LOL.

[Kitter Kat]

I haven't heard of Softbums. Cloth diapering can be very addicting so watch out! LOL

[JMac]

I haven't heard of Softbums. Cloth diapering can be very addicting so watch out! LOL

Girl you ain't kidding!!

[Kitter Kat]

I know I'd be way worse if I had a girl. Luckily there aren't quite as many cute boy diapers so I've been pretty good so far. :D

[JMac]

I ordered a purple daisy fuzzi bunz, I can't wait for it to get here. Its her first print dipe!

[rosefall]

JMac, I'm jealous. Fuzzi Bunz never has any good boy prints. Get this, DS grew out of his smalls when he was less than 6 months old because his thighs got too chunky, but he fits into them again!

I haven't tried Softbums, but a friend from college uses them and adores them. She tries to convert everyone to them.

I started with BumGenius 3.0s and Fuzzi Bunz. Then I started using prefolds more, then I started making fitteds... so I have a little of everything and I love it all. :) I did try lots of brands of one size pockets, though and ended up selling all except the BGs.

I tried the MotherEase One Size several times in DS's first six months, but it always seemed way too bulky too me so I sold it.

I tried the laundry recommendation above for a little while, but always got annoyed when I wanted to do other laundry and there were dirty diapers in the washer so I abandoned it. I usually put a load in (every 2-3 days) at dinner time, run a quick cold wash with water, then I run a extra heavy warm/cold with detergent and leave the lid up so they can soak for a few hours. I either remember to put the lid down after I put DS to bed, or I forget and they soak overnight. :)

I think the biggest drawback of AIOs is the dry time, the ones I have (and never use) take two dry cycles to get dry, and it's a flap soaker rather than all sewn in.

Pockets you have to stuff every time, but they dry a lot faster, and since the absorbent part is in a pocket, you can use more absorbent things like microfiber that can't be against the skin.

I've never tried AI2s, but they might be the best of both worlds. Are Softbums an one-size, or do you have to buy each size?

[eyesave08]

I've never tried AI2s, but they might be the best of both worlds. Are Softbums an one-size, or do you have to buy each size?

The biggest rave about the Softbums is that they have a unique sizing mechanism that makes them truly one-size (from 6-35 lbs). The leg elastic can be adjusted with a little toggle (think of the toggles used to tighten a hood on a Columbia-type jacket) that fits inside the diaper. This is really hard to describe but there is a youtube video if you search Softbums that gives a demonstration of the sizing. So you can custom fit both the leg elastic and the waist of the diaper, all without snaps or extra bulk. They are one of the least bulky one-size diapers you can get, and most people say this is without sacrificing absorption. The inserts are snap in, so you just unsnap and replace the insert (no stuffing). If the outer cover hasn't been soiled, you can reuse it with a new insert. Most people said they got two uses out of the cover before needing to wash or air-dry it. Therefore, you need less covers than inserts, and generally will have less laundry than with an all-in-one. You can get inserts in microfiber or bamboo, and many reviews recommended bamboo for superior absorption and less chance of stink. :) After everything I read, and I've been reading a lot, I decided to go ahead and order some. Of course it will be awhile before I use them, but I'll be sure to let everyone know how they work for us.

[Kitter Kat]

I bought a bamboo fitted diaper because I'd read how wonderful bamboo is supposed to be. I didn't think it worked any better than my prefolds, but took twice as long to dry. I ended up selling it on craigslist.

[Book~Worm]

I use prefolds which aren't too bad. It is a bit of a struggle to get them on and fastened correctly. I found these Snapeez thingys on ebay that work awesome so I don't have to worry about pins. My wonderful mother also made me some diapers out of flannel and I love them!! We just used a regular disposable diaper to come up with the correct shape. We looked up sewing directions on the web. I love them, because they are so soft and comfortable for my little guy. They close with velcro so I don't have to worry about pins either. Then I just throw on a pair of rubber pants and we're good to go. I keep a pail by the changing table and just throw the soiled diapers in it, and probably do laundry every 2 or 3 days. First I rinse in cold, then wash on hot. I found these diaper liners on the web, they look a bit like a dryer sheet. You just lay them inside the diaper and they catch the poop. Then I don't have to mess with the scraping and toilet fun. These go in the Diaper Genie that I keep for disposable diapers. I do use disposable diapers for night time. It's just not worth it to me to have my baby wake up because he's wet.

[Jaiden's Mommy]

I'm loving this thread. I think if I can ever DH on board with helping out with laundry more often it will be a good thing. As of now I do ALL of the laundry. It would be nice to come home and see that he has put clothes away at least. We have a couple more years maybe until we go for another baby but I'm keeping an eye on these sort of threads!