WHAT IS ALL THIS STUFF?!

Amber - posted on 10/16/2009

Flat folds don't have the extra absorbency in the middle like the pre folds do.

Jenny - posted on 10/15/2009

I used prefolds and bummis wraps and pants for a while, but my first son was prone to diaper rash, so we quickly had to find another solution cause the prefolds let him stay wet. We loved snappis. My hubby wasn't afraid to use them, and we found that they worked very well. We never used the wraps with just a folded diaper, we always used the snappis, and we actually liked the bummis super whisper pants better cause they didn't dig into our son's tummy as much. We switched to fuzzi bunz so that we could work on his rash problems, and now he only gets a rash once or twice a month instead of every other day. (we have to use disposables on those days, cause the creams that work for his rash aren't able to be used on cloth diapers, but oh well). HOpe that helps. Oh, and I can't say anything about wool cause I never used it. You have to take special care of the wool covers, from what I understand, and I never could get comfy with the idea of having just a bit of wool between me and the nasties in the diapers. :)

Cari - posted on 10/12/2009

I am not into wool- it's too expensive and I don't like the look. I used prefolds and covers and I have used a snappi! The options are endless! have fun!

Cari

Erica - posted on 10/06/2009

Personally, I like snappies better than pinning prefolds. I'm not a fan of prefolds in general, but they're cheap. I could never really get them to work with a velcro cover of any kind, so snappies were kind of a must. Actually, I found snappies work great with longies and shorties. There are also tons of patterns for knit and crochet covers, longies, and shorties if you're the crafty sort. If not, there's tons of etsy stores that sell them. I'm going to be making some for my newbie soon.

The big thing is to find something that works for you. Try everything you can and decide from there. Personally, I hate prefolds of all kinds. I really loved my Kisaluvs. I know some people who swear by Fuzzy Buns. I have a friend who swears by her prefolds and snappis. I know some people who use nothing but AIOs. It's really a matter of what you like.

Kimberly - posted on 10/06/2009

Here is a link to my blog where I just today decided to blog about wool covers, since I had so many friends and others asking about them. http://secretmommy.blogspot.com/ There are pictures of some of the soakers I've made connected to the most recent entry, and then if you click on my "cloth diapers" tracking tab, you'll get all the posts I've written, which includes another one or two that features pics of wool soakers and longies. The post I wrote today also includes several links for the sewing patterns I've found online that I like. I wish I knew how to knit or crochet, because I see such VERY cool soakers that people have made, but I've also been having TONS of fun sewing and adding appliques and such. Have fun! I find it so addicting that I'm thinking I might have to open an Etsy shop to sell off some of the soakers I've made. My boys won't possibly ever be able to use all I'm making! :D

Melanie - posted on 10/06/2009

Quoting Kimberly:

Wool soakers are the BEST, in my opinion. They generally need to be handwashed, which some people don't like, however I felt my sweaters before I make the soaker (cover) so then I feel pretty safe washing them in my machine on the gentlest cycle with a lanolin soap. Then I lay them out on towels to dry. Here's a link I found online with a description of what wool soakers are and how they work. http://www.thewahmmall.com/index.php?mai... Feel free to message me or friend me on Facebook if you want to chat more about any kind of cloth diapers and wool especially. Until a few months ago, I was a pocket diaper and prefold with pul cover type of gal, but ever since I discovered wool covers (and how much fun it is to make them...) I'm hooked! :) I have lots of pics of the ones I've made in my "sewing projects" album in my Facebook profile, but I'd also be happy to post them here if anyone wants to see.

I would love to see your pics of these! Please post them! My sister knits, and wants to make some for me, but I only sew. SO, a sewing pattern is such a cool idea. Thanks!

Joanna - posted on 10/06/2009

Quoting Kimberly:

Prefolds are just the regular old-fashioned kind of diapers that our moms used on us and that many of our generation use as burp rags. Just your typical standard "cloth diaper." They are called "prefold" because they are prefolded and then stitched in place to be thicker (and more absorbent) in the middle. I didn't know this, either, when I first started cloth diapering. But I was using them! I just didn't know they were called that. :)

ohhhhhhh

I thought they were called flat folds...oops!

Kimberly - posted on 10/06/2009

Prefolds are just the regular old-fashioned kind of diapers that our moms used on us and that many of our generation use as burp rags. Just your typical standard "cloth diaper." They are called "prefold" because they are prefolded and then stitched in place to be thicker (and more absorbent) in the middle. I didn't know this, either, when I first started cloth diapering. But I was using them! I just didn't know they were called that. :)

Kimberly - posted on 10/06/2009

Wool soakers are the BEST, in my opinion. They generally need to be handwashed, which some people don't like, however I felt my sweaters before I make the soaker (cover) so then I feel pretty safe washing them in my machine on the gentlest cycle with a lanolin soap. Then I lay them out on towels to dry. Here's a link I found online with a description of what wool soakers are and how they work. http://www.cookiepants.com/clothdiaperre... (not my website.) I think they're called soakers because wool doesn't actually form a barrier against wetness like the plastic (pul) type covers, but rather wool absorbs moisture on the inside layer (next to the diaper) and until it gets EXTREMELY saturated doesn't leak through to the outside. If you have even rudimentary sewing skills, this pattern is TERRIFIC for making these kind of wool diaper covers out of old sweaters or wool you purchase by the yard. http://www.thewahmmall.com/index.php?mai... Feel free to message me or friend me on Facebook if you want to chat more about any kind of cloth diapers and wool especially. Until a few months ago, I was a pocket diaper and prefold with pul cover type of gal, but ever since I discovered wool covers (and how much fun it is to make them...) I'm hooked! :) I have lots of pics of the ones I've made in my "sewing projects" album in my Facebook profile, but I'd also be happy to post them here if anyone wants to see.

Joanna - posted on 10/06/2009

Quoting Tricia:

Yikes! I empathize with your confusion. I love my snappi, but feel free to try it and decide for yourself.

Here's what you should remember: there is no perfect system; just find a system that works for your family. That said, my advice on how to do that is to pick a general system (prefolds and covers, fitteds and covers, pocket diapers, AIOs, or a combination) and try a few brands. Buy what you need split between 2 or 3 brands, decide if you like it, and then invest in more of your favorite. Cloth diapers have good resale value, so if you buy AIOs and don't like them, you can re-sell on craiglist, diaperswappers, or ebay. Don't overwhelm yourself.

I do prefolds and covers. So just bought 2 dozen prefolds and 4 different covers. When my LO outgrew his smallest covers, I bought the bigger size of my favorite brand.

What is a prefold? 

I've looked on ebay for resale cloth diapers, but they do not have much.  diaperswappers is a better option? I've never heard of it, and I don't want to lose my money, if that makes sense.

Joanna - posted on 10/06/2009

Quoting Bethany:

I have used Terry Squares with a great fold, and poly fleece liner (bought material from material shop and cut up into rectangles) I use Fluffies Polyfleece covers, and also Cuty polyfleece covers, these open with velcro, whereas Fluffies look like fluffy undies. I use Snappies as I can't even get pins through the nappy. I have been using the same snappy for 8 mths.

I love my Snappi, and so does my fiancee (Alexandra's daddy). He refused to use FF before, as he was afraid he would pierce her skin. :D

Joanna - posted on 10/06/2009

Quoting Kimberly:

I also never loved Snappis. I'm a diaper pin gal myself. Call me old-fashioned. :) My son figured out how to reach down (we let him just wear a prefold with no cover when he's around the house) and undo the Snappi and he snagged his finger skin a few times. Ouchie! I used Bummis diaper covers for a while, and liked them, though I used to pin my prefold on first to get better coverage. When I just layed the prefold folded into thirds inside the cover, if he pooed it would get on the cover plus the cover material was not super soft and I didn't like it against his skin. You can use the covers either way. The problem I encountered when my son reached about 10 months is that he figured out how to undo velcro and I would find him after naps or even during playtime running around naked. If I hadn't caught him quick enough, I'd then have to go find the puddle to clean up. I'm all about pull-on covers (I make my own wool soakers out of old sweaters) or pul covers with snaps. He doesn't seem to know yet how to undo those. :) There are a TON of fun cd options out there. Have fun if you decide to try more stuff! :)

LOL! I probably shouldn't laugh at that, but it's funny.... once Alexandra reaches that age, I will revoke my laughter. ;) (she is 2 months at this time!)

I really like the Bummis I'm using right now.  I use them as covers though, like you did.  I'm afraid my daughter will explode all over them otherwise! LOL I have to ask though, what is a wool soaker???? obviously it's made from wool, but do they leak? do i put a cover on top?

Tricia - posted on 10/06/2009

Yikes! I empathize with your confusion. I love my snappi, but feel free to try it and decide for yourself.

Here's what you should remember: there is no perfect system; just find a system that works for your family. That said, my advice on how to do that is to pick a general system (prefolds and covers, fitteds and covers, pocket diapers, AIOs, or a combination) and try a few brands. Buy what you need split between 2 or 3 brands, decide if you like it, and then invest in more of your favorite. Cloth diapers have good resale value, so if you buy AIOs and don't like them, you can re-sell on craiglist, diaperswappers, or ebay. Don't overwhelm yourself.

I do prefolds and covers. So just bought 2 dozen prefolds and 4 different covers. When my LO outgrew his smallest covers, I bought the bigger size of my favorite brand.

Bethany - posted on 10/05/2009

I have used Terry Squares with a great fold, and poly fleece liner (bought material from material shop and cut up into rectangles) I use Fluffies Polyfleece covers, and also Cuty polyfleece covers, these open with velcro, whereas Fluffies look like fluffy undies. I use Snappies as I can't even get pins through the nappy. I have been using the same snappy for 8 mths.

Kimberly - posted on 10/05/2009

I also never loved Snappis. I'm a diaper pin gal myself. Call me old-fashioned. :) My son figured out how to reach down (we let him just wear a prefold with no cover when he's around the house) and undo the Snappi and he snagged his finger skin a few times. Ouchie! I used Bummis diaper covers for a while, and liked them, though I used to pin my prefold on first to get better coverage. When I just layed the prefold folded into thirds inside the cover, if he pooed it would get on the cover plus the cover material was not super soft and I didn't like it against his skin. You can use the covers either way. The problem I encountered when my son reached about 10 months is that he figured out how to undo velcro and I would find him after naps or even during playtime running around naked. If I hadn't caught him quick enough, I'd then have to go find the puddle to clean up. I'm all about pull-on covers (I make my own wool soakers out of old sweaters) or pul covers with snaps. He doesn't seem to know yet how to undo those. :) There are a TON of fun cd options out there. Have fun if you decide to try more stuff! :)

Joanna - posted on 09/30/2009

Thanks you 2!

I've been using AIO and FF, and I've been having success. :)

Andrea - posted on 09/30/2009

I used bummis for a while. Yes, you just lay the prefold inside and velcro the cover on your baby. You don't need snappis or anything. I ended up getting rid of my bummis and prefolds because I didn't know how to use them and my daughter eventually developed a reoccurring rash. If you already have a bunch of bummis use them, if not I HIGHLY recommend finding some one-size diaper covers. They will save you money because you won't have to buy new covers everytime your babe grows. Gerber prefolds are trash for diapers. Anything other than gerber will probably be fine in your dipes. You can get creative with what you use if you want to save money. There are a lot of nice options out there though. There is the flip system which has a staydry liner sewn right on the insert, you can use hemp, bamboo, different types of cotton, whatever! I also highly recommend using stay dry liners in your dipes, this is the big reason why my daughter kept getting rashes with the prefolds and fitteds. You can just buy a yard of suedecloth (it works the best, I've tried microfleece and cotton velour but they don't work as good) and cut it into rectangles. This will work just as good as pocket diapers without all the cost. The wool things are covers too. You can go to vilate's site to learn all about them as well as other dipes. www.niftynappy.com I hope this helps you out a little bit. Keep reading all the other conversations and posts, too. There is a wealth of information in this community! Glad to see another mama come around to the world of CDing.

Jen - posted on 09/30/2009

I empathize with the confused tone in your post, that was me when I was researching all this stuff! Personally, I didn't like snappies, seemed dangerous and I couldn't get them to hold everything together. We didn't use Bummis so I can't help you further, just wanted to chime in and lend a little bit of reasurrance that you really will get it all figured out (hopefully before they head off to college). ;-) Best wishes.