new to cloth diapers... how many diapers do i need?

Vanessa - posted on 08/03/2012

I cloth diapered all 3 of my kids and I used 20 per I currently have 1 child in cds and 20 is more then enough. Also 3-4 days will likely cause staining and some bad smelling diapers. I wash mine every other day and have spares leftover.. 20 would be fine if you were doing the diapers every other day they recommend only washing 15-24 per load I think and they need to run through twice so with too many diapers it would be a lot of laundry too. prefolds are very bulky also so be prepared to buy clothing that is a size up for your kids I tried them with my 1st 2 but my kids had to wear track suits/dresses etc so I bought pocket diapers which I love.. prefolds are great at night though as they are so thick they absorb a lot =P

Tabatha - posted on 07/19/2012

It's cheaper that way.

Tabatha - posted on 07/19/2012

Use a disposable liner. My daughter has a bad rash and I can only use Aquaphor and I just stick disposable/flushable liner.

Stephanie - posted on 07/18/2012

The vaseline that you're supposed to keep on the wound will wreck the diapers. That's why if a baby boy is freshly circ'd you don't want to use cloth.

Tabatha - posted on 07/17/2012

Oh, and I wouldn't want my diapers to sit with urine or poop on it for 3-4 days, because you can have some ammonia problems and poop can sit and stain your diaper. Not good if you're thinking about selling them later.

Tabatha - posted on 07/17/2012

They have CD for newborns that have a snap to snap down for the umbilical cord and I would think a cloth diaper would be more comfortable when he is freshly circ'ed. I know when my daughter has a rash or an open wound, she hats the plasticy feel of a disposable.

Lydia - posted on 07/05/2012

Thanks Kaitlin. I totally planned to use disposable ones for the first 2 weeks because of the umbilical cord and the circumcision (and maybe also until I am up and running ;-))! so funny you mention that.

Stephanie - posted on 07/05/2012

Sounds like you have plenty of diapers! I have 2 dozen mediums (which I use on my 6 month old now) and 2 dozen smalls for back up, which I usually don't need. At night, though, I use a small diaper folded inside a medium so I don't have to do a middle of the night change. I also use doublers (aka soakers). They are great, I have 4 dozen of these, which is actually too many for me. I wash every day or every other day. I would suggest keeping the diaper pail near the washer and not in the bedroom, especially if you'll only wash once or twice a week.
I have 6 Bummis covers, and they are great. I think Thirsties are very similar to these. Also, I love the wet bags they make, for the diaper pail and the diaper bag. I don't wash the covers with the diapers, I put them in with the regular laundry and then let them air dry. You could get away with 3-4, but you might need to wash them a few times during the week. Newborn poop is liquid-y and gets on the covers a lot.
I also recommend The Potty Pail, it is a life saver!

Kaitlin - posted on 07/05/2012

That sounds fine. I used cloth on my two boys and will on this one too- prefolds and covers, just like you. :D I had less prefolds and washed every other day or so.
If you can find a few more covers or can make them, they are addicting and SO cute, so you can definitely get another few and you'll still get use out of them. CDing newborns is great because they go through so many diapers a day. The only thing I would suggest is to avoid CDing for the first week or so, until 1) the umbilical cord is healed and 2)if you're having a boy, his circ is healed, if you decide to do that. Cloth is great, but the disposables will keep those two parts dry and less irritated. Good luck and have fun!