New to cloth diapers

Ashley - posted on 01/04/2009

I used to get myself worked up in a fit from reading too many cloth diapering websites to try and get all the information I could. I recommend just getting started with a few different brands until you figure out what you like. Just ease your way into it, it's easier than you think!

Amanda - posted on 01/04/2009

Thank you for explaing that in enough detail that I can understand and actually explain again to someone else later, (like my husband) :) I appreciate all the help, and I am sure I will have another question or so later. Thank you for the help!

Ashley - posted on 01/04/2009

In the world of ready-to-go diapers (the kind you essentially just put on your baby with snaps or velcro--no folding or pins or snappis or covers needed) there are all-in-ones (AIOs) and pocket diapers. An AIO has a waterproof layer on the outside, an absorbent layer, and a layer that touches baby's skin. A pocket diaper usually consists of just the outer waterproof layer and the inside layer (frequently polyester fleece, which wicks moisture away from baby's skin) sewn together with a separate absorbent layer that you insert through an opening in the back. With the separate absorbent layer, the diapers wash better and dry faster, plus you can add more than one insert at a time if you need extra absorbency.
I personally haven't used more than one insert at a time, since my daughter is only 12 pounds and super skinny--more than one insert and her little legs would be doing the splits! But for bigger babies at naptime or nighttime, I've heard it can be a big help.

I've also heard of "all-in-twos", which (as far as I can tell) are the same concept as a pocket diaper, except you snap the absorbent layer into the shell. This way baby wets the absorbent layer, you throw it in the laundry and you snap another absorbent layer in--reusing the shell a few times before you have to launder it.

I personally reuse the pocket diapers at least three times before I wash the outside, as long as she's only wet the diaper. Since the fleece wicks all the pee away, I pull the insert out, let the shell dry until the next diaper change and use a different diaper in the meantime. My baby only has poopy diapers about every 48 hours, and that's usually the point at which I just wash the entire load of diapers.

Amanda - posted on 01/04/2009

By the way, Thank you to all of you who are responding, I am really appreciating all the help.

Amanda - posted on 01/04/2009

Ok would some one please explain what a pocket diaper is to me please. Sorry I keep looking at all the things everyone is posting and still am not sure what one is.

Michelle - posted on 01/03/2009

These mamas here had some great suggestions! Hope your little one is doing well! I am also guessing that you had meant you are allergic to disposable diapers. I would also recommend something like an All in one or Pocket for grandma to use. If you have any other questions, I'd be glad to help to. I have a CD store and Free Shipping for the week on all Cloth Diapers : http://www.rgnaturalbabies.com

Ashley - posted on 01/01/2009

I just found clothdiaperclearance.com the other night and bought a few diapers (haute pockets & fuzzi bunz). I haven't gotten them yet to see if the "second" quality diapers are really much different, and these are both brands I haven't used before, but all the diapers on here are so cheap I had to pass the site along.

Amanda - posted on 12/31/2008

www.kellyscloset.com has a few differnt types of cloth diapers. I use Happy heinys on my 2 little ones and wish i had them for my oldest.

Nellie - posted on 12/30/2008

I love the Tiny Tush Elite diapers. My husband thinks they are easy to use and change too. He likes them better than disposable. They are pocket diapers...and they are one-size. No diaper covers. They come with a newborn and regular insert. So you only buy them once from 7-35 pounds, you save lots of money that way! They wash up great and use snaps so they last a long time. You could just get one and see how they work for you. I have them at my store, www.nellsnaturalbaby.com. I personally like them better than Bumgenius, just because they have snaps not velcro (they will last longer that way). If you want, here is a coupon code to use at my site for 10% off: BONUS10

If you have any questions let me know and I'll help you!

Kelsie - posted on 12/30/2008

have you tried organic cloth diapers? i like Goodmama diapers, (thegoodmama.com) they're a fitted and one size fits all, so you won't need to buy different sizes. also, they're thick enough that you don't really need a diaper cover on them, makes it a bit easier.

Ashley - posted on 12/29/2008

There is a FANTASTIC store a friend of mine found in Lee's Summit called Happy Bottomus. (They have a site, happybottomus.com--I live all the way in Shawnee so I've only gotten over there once.) I spent more than an hour in there examining every diaper---they carry a wide range. So far I've tried BumGenius 3.0 one size, prefolds with a bummis superbrite wrap, and a sized Swaddlebees pocket diaper. The last is the least bulky (since it isn't a "one-size") but I bought the only one they had in stock, ha. Check some online sites for diaper reviews, then head into the store to see them yourself.

Corinne - posted on 12/29/2008

I use Coolababy pocket diapers (off ebay). We've tried lots of different diapers but like these the best.

Suzanne - posted on 12/29/2008

I'm assuming you mean that she is allergic to disposable diapers. My daughter (20 months) has the same issue. It turned out to be latex allergy in our case, which is a big deal. Anyway, we had to find an all-cotton diaper, with latex-free elastic or completely covered elastic. We found Blue Penguin diapers and LOVE them!! We use the all-in-one, but have also used the fitteds and covers. She is in daycare and they have had no problems with the AIOs - we just send a wet bag and they send diapers home. Good luck!! Oh, Blue Penguin can be found on the web at bluepenguin.biz

Kelli - posted on 12/29/2008

They have all different types on ebay...I'm in Australia, so don't know if you'd get them overseas but I use PeaPods, they are GREAT. It's all in 1, So no need for a seperate pilcher and every1 I know that has tried/uses them has had no problem with their baby getting nappy rash. And you can just have them all made (the lining already inserted) to make it easy on th carer.
Hope you find 1 that your bub isn't allergic to..

Michelle - posted on 12/29/2008

For grandma, an all-in-one would probably be easiest. Try thanksmama.com for some good all-in-ones.