Anyone making the leap to CLoth Dipaers?

Chelsea - posted on 04/23/2011

Just took a cloth diaper class at my birth center and so glade i am because now my husband is more comfortable about diapering and is even willing to let us do prefolds before the new baby fits in the one size diapers :) its nice to see him truly on board rather then going along with it to keep from nagging him

Ashley - posted on 03/29/2011

I cloth diaper my son (21 months) and will cloth diaper this next baby too. I haven't made my own, we use mostly BumGenius 3.0's now but will be getting more and will get the newer 4.0's. We still use disposables when we travel and I always make sure we have some for backup in case laundry doesn't get done in time. There was a bit of trial and error with the washing to make sure there wasn't any detergent buildup which causes stinky diapers but once you get your system down it's not too bad. And you save a ton of money!

Martha - posted on 03/14/2011

i love all the positive responses to cloth! its really sooo easy...laura..i think you just need the snappi...ooooooor look up other folds for the prefolds...theres a few and they might work better...with the bunching :) i bought a few snappis and im excited to try them out...i put a prefold and just layed it in a cover to try it out on my toddler and it seemed ok..sometimes the mobility of the kid and or the size of the cover seems to make the difference id guess?? anyways good luck to you all ladies! :)

Laura Zoey - posted on 03/12/2011

I'm going to do cloth all day too, as long as it works out!
I tried my flats with a cover on my son yesterday, worked great! Poop and all ;)
Then I tried a prefolds, but it got all bunched up in the crotch, I think it's cuz I didn't have a snappi, but I saw a few articles say you dine need one if you use a cover. But I gues with a mobile toddler it's going to need to be tighter.
So the flat worked nicely, the cover worked great, the prefold might just need a snappi, or it might have been too small.
But I really want to use them full-time on the baby when she's born, and I am hoping to do some with Eric as well, but idk if I can do it full time with him right away, maybe once things settle out with the baby I'll use more on him to save money.

Chelsea - posted on 03/11/2011

I plan on doing them all the time, out and about and what not, i told my husband once we have our stock we will not buy another disposable again. the only exception im making to that is we plan on driving from michigan to flordia with a baby and toddler in diapers, and staying a week down there, i think im going to take disposables for that just because we need to save room in the car, we are going to buy a pack for the trip and one pack while we are there, i dont want to have to do laundry everyday while im on vacation, we plan on being gone 10days, but other then that even my parents are on board :)

Martha - posted on 03/10/2011

just so you guys all know...you can deal with yeast if you get it without switching to sposies...you just have to do a good job stripping them...it SHOULD NOT be an issue..i am not one to put my opinions out there, lol but....in my opinion its soo easy to cloth out and about...my LO is almost 19 mo and weve been cloth diapering since he was 7 mo...NEVER used sposies out and about and I live in japan ..only to say its not as simple to do things sometimes out and about...you just flip the poop in the toilet or for pee or runny poo just put it in your wetbag..then put it all in the wash with your other diapers when you get home..you dont have to do anything else..not sure why people seem to think its harder...please if you guys have q's let me know....I LOVE MY CLOTH DIAPERS!

Tina - posted on 03/10/2011

i did cloth diapers with my 1st... but only y i was at home any trips to store or dr i use trashable diapers..... but when i add up the cost of washing and the extra cost of keeping cloth diapers clean just didnt pay off.... plus the DR actully told me he didnt like cloth bc they allowed to much they cause to much yeast and the trashable diapers didnt... so after about 3 months i stop using them,,,, and with my 2nd child i havnt had time to even try them.... HONEY DONT think u well have all the time bc being a stay at home mom is really hard... i have 2 kids, my kids r 2years 7months apart... and my son was complettly potty trained 2 ....and still had hands full... more so the hormons.. r alot worst with 2nd child than 1st ... so dont over do urself

Tina - posted on 03/10/2011

i did cloth diapers with my 1st... but only y i was at home any trips to store or dr i use trashable diapers..... but when i add up the cost of washing and the extra cost of keeping cloth diapers clean just didnt pay off.... plus the DR actully told me he didnt like cloth bc they allowed to much they cause to much yeast and the trashable diapers didnt... so after about 3 months i stop using them,,,, and with my 2nd child i havnt had time to even try them.... HONEY DONT think u well have all the time bc being a stay at home mom is really hard... i have 2 kids, my kids r 2years 7months apart... and my son was complettly potty trained 2 ....and still had hands full... more so the hormons.. r alot worst with 2nd child than 1st ... so dont over do urself

Chelsea - posted on 02/26/2011

we are waiting till our taxes come back, then we are going online to by snap pliers, snaps button elastic and to Jo anns for the pul and fleece so i can start making the diapers ill need for the girls, we are making Ones size 6-35 pounds all in one/ pocket diapers is the pattern im using at a cost of around $5-8 for each diaper , it takes me about 2 hours to make each diaper but i think once i get in the groove it will be closer to 1/2 hour for each.

from what i read i need about 36 diapers for the new baby to wash every other day and we only go through a pack of 36 disposables a week for our 2 year old so i think 50 will be enough

Laura Zoey - posted on 02/25/2011

Oh I bought tweedle bugs newborn size diaper covers. I got the 'seconds' that were only $5 each!
Next I'm ordering the tweedle bugs one size diaper covers, they run $8.95 each! Might buy some snappis, but not essential since I have covers...

Laura Zoey - posted on 02/25/2011

I got my newborn sized diaper covers in the mail today! They are too cute and along with the prefolds I have I think I'm set for the first month or so until Fia fits into the one size covers. My prefolds are a bit big, size medium I guess, but I can fold them down to fit into the covers and not have to buy small sized ones as well.
I also learned to fold flats and I actually could see myself using flats with the covers as well! Old fashioned diapering isn't as awful as my mom said it was....

Jamie - posted on 02/25/2011

We're starting them too! Our son will be 2 next week, and then LO due beginning of may. I ordered a bunch of kawaii diapers, they had awesome reviews and were really inexpensive compared to other brands. So we'll see! I should get them by next Thursday, and then we'll be testing them out on my son! they are one size that fit from 8-35 lbs so i can use them on both boys! So excited, because like you I am now a sahm, and need to save where I can. plus they have such cute patterns!

Martha - posted on 02/10/2011

HUBBYS if they are taught may not be so against it...just so you guys know..my hubby was surprised with it when he got back from deployment...HE LOVES IT..he loves that we save money...he has even volunteered to do laundry if i need it for aaron when im in the hospital with micah...pockets/all in ones..are both easy for men! :) esp when they wont be doing it allll day..its easy to pick up on...

Martha - posted on 02/10/2011

hey laura...PERSONALLY i have not cloth diapered a newborn..i didnt start till aaron was 7 mo..my chunker was 21 lbs..about..by 4 mo..so i am only doing prefolds/covers for the first few months and then switching to the majority of my stash which is pockets..i love happy heinys...for covers i will be using size 1...they only have 1 and 2...THIRSTIES...they are a reliable and well known company...ive talked to a lot of my friends who did cloth earlier than i did and they said i should be fine with what i have...5 covers...unless they get poop all over it...YOU USE THE ONE ALL DAY! and if they do get something on it you can technically wipe it off and leave it to dry ...so i have more than enough...you need a couple SNAPPIES...they replace pins..a lot safer and easier...not too expensive considering you need like 2-3? a few bucks each..KELLYSCLOSET.COM...i love them...they answer q's and have great customer service and always have deals/promos...oo and i have bought 24 OSOCOZY size one prefolds..they are indian cotton...more absorbant than burp rag type...they will work, you just might find they dont hold the way chinese/indian prefolds do...any more q's..please email me :) id luv to help...I LOVE IT! martha.lacombe@gmail.com..and that goes for anyone else! any q's direct them to my email..a bit easier i think..:)

Laura Zoey - posted on 02/08/2011

Hey Martha, I'm doing prefolds and covers for Fierna, and I'm planning on using one size covers mostly, but I'm thinking I'll need some size small covers to start off with, how many small covers do you think I'll need for the first month or so until she can fit the one size covers?

If she is like Eric, he was 8lbs at birth 10lbs at 1 month and 14lbs by two months so idk but she could be a big one like him! Or she could be more normal sized, and I just don't want to buy more or less then I need!

Martha - posted on 02/07/2011

I LOVE MY CLOTH DIAPERS...i use the modern happy heiny ones..they are pockets...i LOVE THEM...im doing prefolds with new baby and the thirsties duo size one diapers for waterproofing part...once Micah..ie new baby grows into the happy heinys..ie about a month or so .we will see what works better for us..i love kellyscloset.com...it answers a lot of q's..has great sales, etc..so many myths are still circulating on cloth and its changed so much...even the simple aspect of snappies versus pins..if ANYONE has q's id love to help..ive been cloth diapering my first born since he was about 7 mos and hes now about 17 1/2 mo...so i have lots of answers...PLEASE ASK its so great for the environment and the baby...and its fun...i love my diapers..not many people can say that about disposables...good luck to anyone choosing this route..its FUN :)

Renee - posted on 01/26/2011

I always at-least put the cover loosely on it, but now with little ones running around I will have to make the extra effort to really SEAL it. I liked to use baking soda and water. Then I was able to dump the whole bucket and content into the wash and the baking soda helps with stains. I have also done the dry bucket (with and with out baking soda), which is easier to get down my basement stairs. I think I liked the wet better. There are so many diffrent options taht it can be hard but it takes trial and error to find what works. But having a starting point and options are also key! I will be experimenting a lot this time also. Like I want to hang them out side, as the sun does an amazing job at disinfecting things and bleaching them white. But I can since I am due in may where last time I was in Sept. Here in New England, that usually means it gets to cold, and a ton less light!

Chelsea - posted on 01/26/2011

for your wet bucket did you seal the bucket when there diapers in it, also i see some people put water or solution in there buckets to keep the smell down what do you suggest

Renee - posted on 01/25/2011

Oh and don't forget cloth wipes. I did not think about that one until it was to late! But washing disposable wipes with covers with velcro makes mess in the velcro that needs to be picked out with tooth picks. Not a big deal, but an unnecessary step.

Renee - posted on 01/25/2011

Laura, I read that you are in a situation that you would have to use a laundry room, simular to a laundry mat. There are A LOT of people that do it, and I thought it was amazing how much info is out there on how to do it. You might benifit by spending some time searching that, becuase I know I have come across many step by steps on how it can be done, and how much for each item you need (ie prefolds, covers, AIO). I know would reuse covers until they were wet or soiled, and II have washed covers in the sink and let air dry overnight as I did not have enough to do a load. In your case it might be a good idea to get extra prefolds so you can have a really large load. And prefolds are the cheaper part of the diaper system.

Renee - posted on 01/25/2011

Oh and just to let you girls know, I had to end using cloth diapers when my EXTREMELY active son would not lay down to get diaper changes. I am sure if you are using AIO it is easy, like a disposable, but pre-folds need to be done with a child who will sit for an extra minute. Just a heads up with what happened with us. And laundering was EASY with a wet pail that I made out of an old detergent bucket which was just a 5 gallon bucket with a lid. :-) You can really stay simple and have great success. And the more simple you allow your self to be (think back to our grandmothers time!) the more cost effect. :-) Good luck ladies. Ask any and all questions. I am not an expert, but I certainly learned a lot and want everyone to know they are not alone, even if friends and family are un-supportive.

Renee - posted on 01/25/2011

I used Thirstie diaper covers with Indian Diaper Service Quality Pre-folds. They were the bleached ones. I did not like the unbleached ones as they were did not absorb as well for us. For the All in ones I used Bum Genius and was not impressed. Sizing was difficult to get perfect (which matters tremendously!!!) and even with the liners often left everything wet. But EACH baby is different! My son is a VERY heavy wetter (which I would never know if I just used disposables). Even with disposable diapers it takes time to figure out which diaper works best for each kid!

Laura Zoey - posted on 01/25/2011

Hey Renee, which type of diaper covers did you use with the prefolds? I'm hoping to find a nice cheap brand that will hold it all in! I found one brand for ten dollars a cover...

Renee - posted on 01/25/2011

I am fascinated by this topic as I did cloth diapers with my son and am ready to do it again with this one. I liked my cloth diapers better then disposable, though it does take a lot of experimenting and trial and error. How I see it though, my son spit up so much I had to change his outfit all the time anyway, so I was not doing much extra work. I had both the All in one diapers and the pre-fold. I found for my heavy wetter son, All in ones were AWEFUL! I always preferred the pre-folds. I did all the work myself, as my husband can not stand any body fluid what so ever. But he certainly likes the cost savings and being green, especially this time around as we don't have to buy much! We also live in an area that has no services as an option or stores that sell anything. I always felt like I was battling an uphill battle as people are not or ever supportive. This could be because they want to make themselves feel better as they wanted to try, but talk themselves out of it and regret it. And remember, if you choose to use cloth, you don't ALWAYS have to only use cloth. There is no rule that you have to use them exclusively. When out at places your long periods of time, that you dont want to carry dirty diapers around (ie Zoo, Mall) ect, or times when you need more aborsobance (long car rides), you can use disposable. Every cloth diaper you use, you save!

Chelsea - posted on 01/12/2011

if you want to use them as "prefolds" you will need either diaper pins or a snappi, i have no clue how they work because im doing the new style, and if you look on ETSY alot of people sell homemade cloth diaper covers for pretty cheap

Chelsea - posted on 01/12/2011

laura the type you are talking about, i had a hudge stock to and i used them as burp clothes for my daughter when she was littler, those are what im using inside my All in one diapers, If you look up modern cloth diapers you will see what i mean, If you have a sewing machine it cost me 26 dollars for the cloth to make 8 water proof all in one diapers. I use PUL on the outside, either fleece or suede on the inside and buy elastic and velcro and you got the "prefolds" burp clothes that go in the middle, i use desposable diapers as a pattern.

Laura Zoey - posted on 01/11/2011

Ok so I've been thinking more about this and I realized that all the burp cloths I have stocked up are actualy cloth diapers!
Well I know I'll need diaper covers, but I'm starting to think I might give this a try.
Idk what style of cloth diapers I have, they are rectangles, and in the center lengthwise it is thicker cloth.
So it looks like three long rectangles, one thicker in the middle.
Anyone know what style it is? And how do I make these work in a diaper cover?
Any recommendations for diaper covers? I'm thinking cheap cheap cheap cuz I'm really not able to spend a lot right now.

Chelsea - posted on 01/05/2011

I def. understand where your coming from, i own my home and we have HE washers and dryers on our first floor, It will come to somewhere around 4 cents a diaper to fully wash and dry them. im worry about the fact that it takes more work but i finaly convinced my husband only because we plan on making them ourselves and doing All in one diapers so for my husband he wont have more work just put it on like a regualar diaper and when you take it pff throw it in the wet bag, im the one who does laundry and folds and will assemble diapers ahead of time. We are looking for anyway to save a little money in the long run because we plan on my making the switch from working part time to staying at home. I'm also learning to make reusable breast pads and plan on breastfeeding again, hopefully the full 12 months this time cause we did formula from 8 months to 15 with my daughter and its expensive.

Laura Zoey - posted on 01/04/2011

I want to, I looked into it a lot, but I'm sad to say I am not realistically willing to do the launcher as often as I would need to to use cloth. We also pay for each load in our apt building so I wouldn't want to do any less then a full load and I don't thi it would be often enough for the cloth diapers.
*sigh* I do feel bad tho, the cost for one, and the waste for another but I just don't see it working well for me, for now at least. Maybe if we get a house this summer with laundry units...

Jennifer - posted on 01/04/2011

I love the idea of cloth diapering..however my hubby does not. And with all our traveling among other things, I'm afraid it'd be too hard on us. However, I found this awesome blog about a year ago and she went from disposables to cloth diapering and has had an amazing experience so far. She gives great tips and all that..check it out.
http://babymakingmachine.blogspot.com/