fuzzi buns/other cloth diaperers please weigh in!

[Juliet25]

I'm new to cloth diapering. Actually, the baby hasn't been born yet (I'm 37w, 3 days), but here's what I've amassed so far:

**3 newborn Bummi covers and 12 chinese pre-folds (I'm hoping the covers can be reused a few times before washing)
**1 small fuzzi bunz to sample
**2 small AIO from WAHM on eBay (around $5-8 each)
**15 Bum Genuis 3.0

I hope the BG work out well. I bought a few small disposables for the early weeks as I remember my DD going thru diapers like mad at first.

I think I've spent about $400 so far. It's a lot of money to put out at first, but my DD didn't potty train until she was close to 4. If this next one is as stubborn, that $400 will be a drop in the bucket. Keep in mind that cloth diapers in good shape do have some resale vale.

(If you're interested in the Bum Genuis brand, check out Diapers.com. They're $17.95 each. I bought 3, got free shipping, and found a code for $10 off my order (plus no sales tax). It should be fairly easy to find a code with a google search).

 

[emh1129]

OK OK You have all sold me on trying the Fuzzi bun now do I order the large or small?

They have small, medium, large, and petite toddler.
Small is 7-18 lbs. Medium is 15-30 lbs (we used these the longest). Large is 25-45+ lbs. Petite toddler is 20-30 lbs.
http://www.fuzzibunz.com/size_chart.php

Large never fit my daughter, even at 2 yrs old because of her tall/thin build, so petite fit her better.
We love Fuzzi Bunz. Really soft on baby, easy to wash, tons of options in terms of inserts, and the colors are really pretty!
I've also heard good things about Bum Genius, as a pp mentioned, but I don't have personal experience with those.

 

[tonilea]

OK OK You have all sold me on trying the Fuzzi bun now do I order the large or small?

Thanks so much by the way. I have been tossing this around for some time and this was like a final sign tonight! I went to Kellyscloset and I can start this for under $500. I love the reselling idea too! Hopefully they will be here before I run out of me disposable diapers!

Another question. What do you guys use as a diaper pail?

Thomas never really got into larges.... I started buying some at about 11 months, then he started walking and slimmed down to mediums again.

Size medium is the best buy in diapers IMO.

 

[tonilea]

How old is an older baby? Mine is 6 weeks old and I'm considering going to cloth diapers after we go through all our disposables. I have about 300 size 1's left.

How many diapers can you fit in a load? We have to pay $3 a load to wash, so I want to figure out if this would be cost effective or not.

Also, if I started this would I be rocking the boat for the baby (Would she adapt to a different dipe?)? She's only had disposables so far and I'm disgusted at how many we have gone through in 6 short weeks...

I guess I would consider an "older baby" to be where they aren't constantly peeing. lol

I could fit all of my diapers in a single load, but I have an extra large capacity machine.

I don't think you would have a problem switching to cloth. Lots of people have had to because their children are actually allergic to disposables.

 

[monami7]

OK I actually just bought 4 different types of diapers. I boughts a Bum genius, two other one size fits alls, and a coule fuzzi buns. I figured that since the girls are shapped so differently I would need a variety to try out. I really need to make a commitment and if I only bought 1 type and I hated it on 1 of them it would not work. Wish me luck. That was a lot of money!
I also got 2 wet bags and some hemp liners and extra doublers.
Now what to use as a diaper pail! I uess the garbage isn't gonna cut it anymore! LOL

 

[tonilea]

Now what to use as a diaper pail! I uess the garbage isn't gonna cut it anymore! LOL

I always used a plastic lidded trash can from Wal-Mart. I used it as a "dry" pail. I just washed it out with hot soapy water and some tea tree oil after I put the diapers in the washing machine.

 

[bumbershoot]

How many diapers can you fit in a load? We have to pay $3 a load to wash, so I want to figure out if this would be cost effective or not.

Also, if I started this would I be rocking the boat for the baby (Would she adapt to a different dipe?)? She's only had disposables so far and I'm disgusted at how many we have gone through in 6 short weeks...

I used to do between 24 and 36 in one load in a full sized washer.

The one thing you might think about is a diaper service. I doubt you'd get fuzzibunz, but you wouldn't have to wash them either! My mom loved her diaper service when she was without a washer. But they don't have them everywhere anymore. And actually I opted to not use one because they use bleach, and I'm allergic to bleach.

We wonder if the huge investment of Cloth Diapering is worth it for us at this point.
We are not rich. And after 2 adoptions in 2 years we are a little strapped! We are into the environmental issues and we love the idea.

Looks like you've already taken the plunge, yay!

I was going to say that yes, it will be worth it.

Did you order a petite toddler FuzziBunz? I loved that size, and only discovered it after I ordered a dozen Larges. Wished I would have bought them all PT size, b/c that fit my stringbean better than the larges ever did.

Even though you're starting off small and it seems like a lot of $$ for so few dipes, I think it's a good idea. You have two and they have different body shapes, so it's good to check them out first. Then you can start to expand.

 

[AQW]

I used disposables with my first child and cloth with my second - I would never use disposables again. Cloth is sooooooo much better.

We started cloth diapering DD when she was 4mo - she was a tiny little smidget and we put her in mediums (which were huge on her, but they still worked). She wore those same mediums until she was 27 months. That's almost two years' worth out of the same stash of medium dipes - huge savings.

She's now a month shy of 3yo and not at all interested in the potty (my stubborn little princess!). Her stash is considerably streamlined in larges and now consists almost entirely of bumGenius one-size pockets and AIOs.

I love cloth diapering. There are very few circumstances in which I would recommend against it.

 

[Lisa_M]

At 6 weeks-old, my DD was already in a size Medium Fuzzi Bunz. That is plenty old to start using cloth IMHO. Your baby won't know the difference, I promise! I am not sure about the cost of washing, though. We do a rinse cycle and then a hot wash, which is how many people wash their diapers. Would that cost you extra at a coin-op laundry? Could you hang the diapers to dry on a drying rack instead of putting them in a coin-op dryer? Maybe you could save some there. I honestly don't know if I'd switch to cloth if I had to use a laundromat, though. I think it could be really inconvenient to have to go to the laundromat 3 times a week, KWIM?

Good point about line drying, my cost would be $1.50/load then. We have laundry in the basement of our building, so I wouldn't have to go anywhere. We have a hot wash, but our washers are sophisticated enough for an extra rinse cycle. There is a big basin sink down there I could rinse by hand in.

If we do this is will be part time only as I don't think daycares will let us do CD's there.

How did you guys know what kind to buy? Anyone have any experience with the one size diapers? Do they fit well?

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

Lilly weighs about 25 pounds and is skinny, Rory is about 26 pounds and is a little chunk, Yes she weighs more than her sister who is older! I was thinking I should get large fuxxibuns, I am thinking of ordering 24 to start. I may just take the plunge. Do you think that a large is too big though?

Yes, I think that large is going to bag around the legs and leak. Why not order one medium and one large from somewhere that gives you free shipping on pocket diapers (cottonbabies, nickisdiapers, etc.), and then try them on your kids for size before you place a big order?

 

[Lisa_M]

Oh one other thing...with Fuzzibunz, bumgenius and mothersease do you need covers for them?

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

Good point about line drying, my cost would be $1.50/load then. We have laundry in the basement of our building, so I wouldn't have to go anywhere. We have a hot wash, but our washers are sophisticated enough for an extra rinse cycle. There is a big basin sink down there I could rinse by hand in.

If we do this is will be part time only as I don't think daycares will let us do CD's there.

How did you guys know what kind to buy? Anyone have any experience with the one size diapers? Do they fit well?

We didn't have good luck with the one-size diapers (BumGenius was the kind we tried), but others here have had better luck. I think it depends on how your baby is built.

I'm not sure about drying hemp inserts on a drying rack, but you could certainly dry the pocket diapers themselves that way. In your situation, maybe you could use prefolds (which would dry on a drying rack), and covers instead of pocket diapers and hemp inserts (which take a long time to air dry)? That would be a cheaper route as well.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

Oh one other thing...with Fuzzibunz, bumgenius and mothersease do you need covers for them?

I don't know about motherease, but you do not need covers with FB or BG. They are considered "pocket" diapers, so they essentially are the cover.

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

She's now a month shy of 3yo and not at all interested in the potty (my stubborn little princess!). Her stash is considerably streamlined in larges and now consists almost entirely of bumGenius one-size pockets and AIOs.

This makes me feel better...at least I won't be the only parent w/a 3 y.o. in cloth diapers Seriously, I thought that c/ding was supposed to help them to train earlier, and I thought that girls were easier to train! HA! I haven't found either to be true.

 

[Ariel8676]

My DD Brynn was 2 in November and is now 30 pounds..she is potty trained now, but she was in Large Fuzzibuns and Large GAD's (my FAVORITE).
A good tip..you can go to the automotive section of a store (ie Target, Walmart) and get the inexpensive microfiber towels, i used them to wrap around the inserts to make it even more absorbant, and it doesn't add much extra bulk.
With any Pocket diaper, make sure you dry them on hot every so often to Seal the PUL on the outside of the diaper and make sure it is totally waterproof.
The GAD diapers are great and they are very trim..we could wear jeans with these..lol check them out too.. http://greenacredesigns.com/
http://www.diaperswappers.com/ click on forums up top and you can find a TON of info..and you can sell whatever doesn't work for you!!

Here are some helpful links on washing and all...
http://www.diaperjungle.com/washing-cloth-diapers.html
http://www.diaperpin.com/howto.asp

 

[monami7]

Thats what I did. Kellys was the best it was really good prices and free shipping. i can even return the Fuzzy bums and the bum genius if I don't Love them in 30 days! The reast I think I have to sell on Diaper swappers, but I do want to try a few. I have a feeling with my girls that we are going to end up with 2 different diapers all together!

Thanks so much for this thread! It really is what made my mind up!
Heidi

 

[tonilea]

We didn't have good luck with the one-size diapers (BumGenius was the kind we tried), but others here have had better luck. I think it depends on how your baby is built.

I'm not sure about drying hemp inserts on a drying rack, but you could certainly dry the pocket diapers themselves that way. In your situation, maybe you could use prefolds (which would dry on a drying rack), and covers instead of pocket diapers and hemp inserts (which take a long time to air dry)? That would be a cheaper route as well.

I used prefolds to stuff the pocket diapers. I just tri-folded them. I have line dried hemp inserts, but they do tend to be rather stiff. I don't know how your dryers work, but at the laundro-mat you could do like 15 min. for a quarter - that would be enough to work the stiffness out after you air dried them.

 

[monami7]

I LOVE KELLY'S CLOSET!

Our Diapers came yesterday!!!
The girls look so cute running around in them. We got all pocket diapers.
Here are my reviews

Fuzzy buns
works good, No leaks. Fit both girls well. The snaps are a little weird at first but not bad. Very thin looking on. Easy to deal with. I ordered 9 more of these.

Kanga baby

I like the front pocket. It seems a bit more secure. The rise in front is a little lower. No leaks here either! Very cute! The snaps were very confusing at first but once we figured it out were easy. I ordered 3 more.

Bum Genius

We love the Velcro! These are easy to stuff and to get on and off! They are low rise in back but they fit the girls. They fit Rory better. She has a little Bum and chunky legs. They were a little tight on her legs but they are easier to adjust. No leaks here either. I ordered 6 more.

Tiny Tush

We LOVE these
These also had no leaks. However Kelly's only had butter, red and black so we only ordered 3 more. We will order more pink when they come in. These seemed to have the most coverage. They were great on Lilly's teeny tiny legs and were easiest to get on. Not flimsy at all. A little thick. But they could hold a flood I think!

I did order 2 Thirsties as well. I am sure we will need more diapers eventually but this is what I am starting with. I am so happy I did this. The goal of the experiment was to find a brand I liked for each girl. Well I liked them all. So I got a few of each!

What I did learn is that I did not order enough! I Love them and so do the girls. They are so happy in them. We all love the soft cosy feel of the cloth diapers! I dread that I have to put them in disposables while I wash the CD's until the new diapers get here and we have enough to get by!

I want to say thanks again for all the help!
Heidi

 

[tonilea]

I am so glad you liked them. I loved cloth diapering.

 

[jcwishes]

Just want to chime in. I used cloth diapers with my DD's and I loved them. I don't know what it is about it. It seemed so much nicer than disposables. I love the clean dipes out of the dryer. When my 1st was in dipes we did not even have the internet! I used nikki brand covers and prefolds. They seem to have come a long way since. Good Luck!