New Baby - and I want to Cloth DIaper

Jocelyn - posted on 07/12/2009

oh there are also a few websites that offer "trial packs" where they include one diaper from each brand (at a bit of a discount) so you can try a bunch before you settle on one (or two) brands.

Jocelyn - posted on 07/12/2009

i used kushies the first time around, and i wasn't that impressed. they worked fine, but compared to other cloth diapers i felt that they got too wet (didn't wick away anything, and my son would be soaked all the way from the front to the back). this time around i am using fuzzybunz (one size pocket diaper) and a new diaper brand called grobaby (they are also a one size, but you snap the insert in, and then when it's dirty you just snap in a new one without having to change the shell) the grobabys are pretty pricey (for the entire set, which included a shell, and two liners) but you only need a few shells and then you can just buy more liners, and they don't even have to be grobaby liners if you don't want them.
i used disposables for the first month with my son, and will use them for the first month with the future baby (due in oct).
for short trips i would keep my son in a cloth diaper, but if we have errands to run or would be gone for an hour or more, i would just stick him in a disposable.
if you want to be doing the laundry every second day (as opposed to every single day) i would start out with about 18-24 diapers for the first couple of months.
and remember, they may be pricey at first, but they will save you money and then you can sell them when you are done!

Vilate - posted on 07/12/2009

Shaina,

I have a webpage that I set up to help out folks like you new to CDing that has tons of informations about the types of diapers and covers and a list of detergents that are enzyme free! have a look and see if it helps you out k?

http://www.niftynappybyvilate.weebly.com

Let me know if you have any other questions i can help ansewer. k?

Amy - posted on 07/11/2009

I think what Shanda posted is an awesome idea. If you end up going with kissaluvs then the next size up will fit for quite a while. If you end up using fitteds and covers I found that you only need about 3 covers. If one gets poopy you have 2 others and they can be easily washed by hand and they dry pretty fast.



I just started to use kushies all-in-ones they are a great price when you buy packs of 5 and I am really happy with mine. http://www.kushiesonline.com/Kushies-Dia...



I would also reccomend using cloth wipes, you can just wash them with your diapers I have about 40 of them and it's more than enough..

Shanda - posted on 07/11/2009

Here's another option for the newborn period-- Sunshine Diapers offers a newborn diaper "rental"-- you pay $220 upfront and then when you return the diapers get a $120 credit. http://www.sunshinediapers.com/WebStore/...

Megan - posted on 07/11/2009

I recommended using a one size pocket diaper and getting a few prefolds and snappis for the first couple weeks. You will "get the most bang for your buck" with this system. I use Happy Heiny's and I love them... but i just ordered cheeky one size pocket diapers because they intrigue me... plus i love supporting small businesses. I suggest you get at least 24 diapers - that is about $425-$450 in must pockets. That way you will have enough to last a couple days at a time before you have to do laundry. If you are skiddish you can spend about $100 and get a sample package from one of the diaper stores. then see what works best for your baby (just wait two-three weeks before you order so you baby has a little time to grow in to a style). Or you can just jump in and order a bunch - like I did. I got lucky and have been very happy with my choice. All I care about is that my pockets... or any cloth diapers are far superior to disposables!

Sonya - posted on 07/10/2009

I totally agree with Shanda!

Shanda - posted on 07/10/2009

For a brand new baby I say fitteds are the best thing to use. With my DS I used Kissaluvs size 0 and Thirsties XS fitteds, with Thirsties XS wraps (covers), and I don't recall EVER having a leak with those. Prefolds are good too, but there is a bit of a learning curve. The fitteds do a great job of holding the poop in. Personally, I found that pockets and AIOs just don't fit newborns very well until they chunk up a bit-- their legs are just too skinny at first.





Now that my DS is older I do still use Thirsties fitteds & wraps, and I also like pockets-- my favorites are BumGenius (one-size), Fuzzi Bunz, and Knickernappies.

Sandy - posted on 07/10/2009

I bought prefolds with snappis first because the costs were low and once I decided I could handle the cloth diapering business I bought a bumgenius, happy heiny and fuzzi bunz one size diapers and tried all three and once I decided which one I liked I bought more diapers.

Amanda - posted on 06/23/2009

I was having the same pproblem as you when I was pregnant, its amazing how many products are out there. In my community, there is a woman that has a cloth diaper business out of her home. She holds a cloth diaper 101 class where you can see all the products and answer a survey that helps her recommend the products that are best for you. I would suggest, if you can, to find a store so you can see and feel each type of diaper. I ended up going with a mix of prefolds and one-size pocket diapers which I am very happy with. Good luck!

Jan - posted on 06/23/2009

honestly I was in the same boat as you and none of my friends were into it at the time either so I did some research of local baby shos and found a couple who did diaper trials...you 'rent' a kit from them for a couple of weeks with one or two of each kind they offer and try them out to see which one works best for you and your baby. They come with full instructions on care and use and then when you're all through the test run you can go and buy your favourites. Now that I've started I have a hooked a few of my friends and both sisters on CDing too! I DEFINITELY reccommend doing the trial though as every baby is different and we all have different preferences on how much or little effort we are willing to put in with them. Of the 6-7 people I got to try them we ALL chose different favourites for our little monkeys... Also, where are you located? I did a lot of research when I started so I may be able to send you a link to somewhere in your area.

Jodie - posted on 06/22/2009

You should try looking at www.cottonbabies.com and clicking on the link for "Cloth Diapering 101". They make the BumGenius brand. There's a lot of good information on there that might help you decide, and you can even call them and talk to one of the representatives...they're always very polite and if they don't know the answer for some reason, they'll ask someone who does!

For my two cents :), I have used Chinese prefolds with covers, all-in-one and one-size (Fuzzi Bunz, BumGenius, Happy Heinies, and Tiny Tush) and I would have to say my favorite is the One-size for absorbency (they last all night with my heavy wetters, all I have to do is add an extra insert/doubler, and they wick the moisture away=no rash). I usually use the prefolds during the day on my 2 year old and the one-size microfleece on my 7 month old, then I use the microfleece on both girls at night. I have pros and cons for each type of diaper just based on my preferences...I would recommend you try a few different kinds to see what you like best. There's so many choices, and it all comes with experience! Good luck and feel free to send me a message also if you have questions or anything!

Ebony - posted on 06/22/2009

I recommend a one size pocket diaper. I used terry prefolds and found them more work and a bit frustrating.
The one size diaper means that you don't have to buy them in each size! less cost. they just use snaps to make them bigger and smaller.
The pocket diaper is good because they dry more quickly. the inserts come out and can be hung seperately so that they dry much faster. it also means that you can adjust the level of absorbency but putting more or less inserts in the nappy which is great especially for over night.
I started with 24 and was washing every 2-3 days. i now have 30 and was every 4th day as my bub is 6 months and not wetting as often.
We use a Wet bag, which is a waterproof pouch with a zip to store wet/dirty nappies when we are out and about.
I love the modern cloth nappies as they are by far the easiest to launder. There is no soaking... you just dry pail them and then chuck them in the washing machine.
I must admit if we are going away for more then 2 day i generally just use disposables while we are not at home. Its just coz I'm lazy really.
I have a few different brands. The baby kanga's are by far my favorites. They are slim, rarely leak and are really nice quality. I also really like green kids and Haute pockets.
Hope this helps and is not too confusing. I had the same problem i.e. getting overwhelmed and confuse LOL. if i can help in any other way please msg me and i am happy answer any more questions

Julie - posted on 06/21/2009

If you are planning on useing cloth right from day 1 I suggest useing prefolds for the first month or so..just because you can easily make them fit. Then if you are wanting to swich to something easy and convient then maybe a pocket diaper or all in one. I use pocket dipes (Fuzzi bunz and Bum Genius) and am very satisified with them. It's nice not to have to hassle with a diaper cover. How many you will need varies on how often you want to launder them. A NB baby needs changing a little more, but generally you change every 2 hrs (except over night)I have 2 in diapers and I have 49 diapers and wash every 3rd day. When we are out and about we just take along a wet bag in our diaper bag, store wet/dirty diapers in it until we get home then deal with them.

Gemma - posted on 06/21/2009

i use terry nappies and i travel alot up the country. my mam suggested using terrys i dont know if there available in america or if there called terries there. but if im only travling for one day i still use them put them in a nappy bag and just wash when i get back but if im going away for a few days i just use disposable unless i know for definate theres a washing machine she wears disposables at night at first cause they where a bit big and the poo would run out the sides but now she just wets ther great for overe night too! hope that helps!