Tell me about cloth diapering....

[peacefulmama]

We've had three of our four kids in cloth and I've pretty much tried everything. My favorite is prefolds and covers for daytime and kissaluvs fitteds under wool for night. We used bumgenius for awhile but once my daughter lost some of her leg chunk we had lots of leaks.

Currently I'm mainly using flip covers with the organic inserts and kissaluvs with wool. I love both! I think it can take some time to figure out what works best for you and your baby.

 

[tpimental]

Love cloth diapering. I agree that the Bum Genius 3.0 are the best, the are pockets. I have tried many different ones. Check out theclothdiaperwhisperer.com blog. It's got so much info. I did not cloth my first but after tons and tons of research I was determined to make it work and the laundry isn't too bad. I have to say though that my husband has always been iffy on them...but since I do all the work he lets me do what I want.

 

[snubie]

We are cloth diapering our little one now. We are using pockets and some all-in-ones. I really like Bum Genius 3.0 one size but LOVE Fuzzibunz one size the best. We are also using some Bum Genius organic cotton all-in-ones which are ok but I don't love them. I am considering buying some Flip covers and inserts for use when out of the house.

 

[Gwendolyn]

We used the Bambino Mio nappies for DS3 untill he was 2,5 year old.
The system was really really easy. We purchased the Birth to Potty set, and because DS7 was really bbig when he was born, we asked if we could swap the newborn nappy covers for one nappy in every other size. And it worked out perfectly fine.

It was almost as easy as disposable nappies, but a way cheaper.

 

[DLtorgo]

I use the Blueberry all in ones with snaps. Snaps last so much longer and my DD can't get them off. I have had to switch to sposies for overnight due to her heavy wetting, but in the day I am still doing fine.

I recommend Kushies flushable liners. You can get them online at Walmart. They are a flushable liner that takes the poop right with them. No rinsing and much more user friendly for me.

 

[Suellen]

Loved the BumGenius!

I had two problems with FULLY CD:

1. DH was unwilling/uninterested
2. Daycare was pretty much unwilling all together and tried to blow us off as state requirements or some such....bs.

I think I would have had a better chance keeping DH on board if the school would have been helpful.

If you are interested I think I could probably dig up a bunch of one size fits all in yellow, green and pink.

 

[JenetixK]

I've used Happy Heiny's since DH was a few weeks old. She's 15 months now and they've held up well. We use pocket diapers and they came with a small insert to start with and a larger one. Now we use both at the same time and have no trouble overnight. I bought a large waterproof bag and line a garbage can with it. I pull the inserts out and throw everything into the bag. When it's time to wash them (every 2 or 3 days), I dump the dipes into the washer. I use only a few drops of detergent. I also use a little vinegar in the rinse and I do the extra rinse cycle. I think they are sooooo adorable and I'm really glad I decided to go with them after LOTS of debating. If you have any specific questions, I'd be glad to help!

 

[MarriedToAPrince]

I cloth diapered my DD from the time she was 6 weeks till about 9 months old out of need. Her skin couldn't handle being in a disposible diaper at that young of an age and she had a red bum from the time she was born till 6 weeks when I moved her to cloth. That being said my favorites and easiest to use were prefolds and goodmama fitteds under Bummis covers. The goodmama fitted one even lasted through her sleeping 14 hours a night. I actually think cloth diapering is so much easier then people think. The only reason we switched was because we have a well and with all those extra washes and the well pump kicking on and off our electric bill became so high that cost wise it was cheaper to put her in disposibles since her skin could handle it.

 

[MarriedToAPrince]

I wanted to add some other brands that I loved!

-bumGenius AIOs
-GAD-Green Acre Designs-These are pocket diapers. Shannon is amazing to work with.
-Thirsties-They made fitteds, covers and AIOs. The fitteds are great for when they are newborns and you are changing so frequently, the covers have leg gussets which are great at holding in breastfeed poo. The AIOs are stuffable so you can change the absorbancy. We used those overnight for a little while as well.
-Bootyful Baby Boutique-This is a store on Hyena Cart and my friend owns it and makes all the diapers. I cannot say enough good things about her fitteds. She went into business right as we stopped cloth diapering but I had to try one of her diapers and OMG I loved it! They are VERY well made and priced so well and just perfect. Her name is Ashley and she is just one of the sweetest people you will ever meet.

I also liked using wool over my fitteds. Wool is extremely breathable. You can find tons of beautiful items on Hyena Cart.

You have to be careful with what you use for diaper rash cream and such and I have found Northern Essence to be the best one ever. My DD is allergic to so much and the only lotions and oils I can use are also made by them. I do recommend trying the Tea Tree Oil free diaper rash cream first because the one with it irritated my DD.

For a diaper pail I used a 13 gallon garbage can with a lid from Target. Cheap and simple. Then in the bottom I put a citrus disk from Northern Essence. It helps with the smell. Then for a liner I love Wahmies liners. They have tons of different patterns and such.

For wash some people are very picked about what they use. I found plain old Tide to work the best. Most cloth diaper places don't recommend it but I never had an issue. Just watch because on newborns it can cause skin irritation. In that case I would recommend All Free & Clear.

Hope this helps. It sounds so overwhelming when you start looking into but truly it is not. You can a schedule down for washing and you find it is truly very simple. Have fun!!!

 

[sjs314]

I guess I am really out of touch not having any grandbabies yet but when I saw this thread I had to read it. I used cloth diapers back in the day with my first DS, who is now 40 yrs old.... only two types pre folded and birdseye, I think that was what they were called, the ones you had to fold yourself and old style rubber pants, Pampers were just coming onto the market back then. By time I had my second DS disposable diapers were all anyone used, I was in love no more accidently flushing a diaper down the toliet, no more having to wash , hang out and fold loads of diapers.No more pricking my finger with diaper pins while diapering the baby, yep I was in heaven

 

[taitai]

I guess I am really out of touch not having any grandbabies yet but when I saw this thread I had to read it. I used cloth diapers back in the day with my first DS, who is now 40 yrs old.... only two types pre folded and birdseye, I think that was what they were called, the ones you had to fold yourself and old style rubber pants, Pampers were just coming onto the market back then. By time I had my second DS disposable diapers were all anyone used, I was in love no more accidently flushing a diaper down the toliet, no more having to wash , hang out and fold loads of diapers.No more pricking my finger with diaper pins while diapering the baby, yep I was in heaven

Yes, so much has changed since you diapered. There are a million options out there now for cloth. It isn't just prefolds and flats (birdseye). Pins are gone, too. People now use something called a Snappi to keep the diaper in place. There are also snaps and velcro (aplix). Gorgeous colors and prints and all sorts of great fabrics...cotton, bamboo, wool.

In addition, there has been a great deal of learning since disposables were introduced. We now know that not only are they very expensive in relation to cloth but they are so harmful to our kids and the environment. The process of making disposables not only wastes a tremendous amount of natural resources but it leaves behind some nasty stuff as well. Most disposable diapers contain dioxin which is a byproduct of the bleaching process (to make those pampers so white). Dioxin is banned in pretty much every country but the US and is one of the most carcinogenic elements around. Who wants that next to a newborns skin? Also, the gel used to make disposables so absorbent has been linked to toxic shock syndrome. The same stuff that used to be in tampons. So, we don't use it anymore but it is okay for our kids?

Check out a few of the cloth diapering sites mentioned. You will see how far they have come....just in time for your grandbabies!

 

[WDWorBUST]

You guys are such a wealth of information. There is so much to take in and look at. It's a good thing I'm not due until November

I think the hardest thing is I'd like to be all prepared before baby's arrival and it doesn't look like that would really work since I'll need to try a few types to see what works for me and baby best.

 

[sjs314]

Yes, so much has changed since you diapered. There are a million options out there now for cloth. It isn't just prefolds and flats (birdseye). Pins are gone, too. People now use something called a Snappi to keep the diaper in place. There are also snaps and velcro (aplix). Gorgeous colors and prints and all sorts of great fabrics...cotton, bamboo, wool.

In addition, there has been a great deal of learning since disposables were introduced. We now know that not only are they very expensive in relation to cloth but they are so harmful to our kids and the environment. The process of making disposables not only wastes a tremendous amount of natural resources but it leaves behind some nasty stuff as well. Most disposable diapers contain dioxin which is a byproduct of the bleaching process (to make those pampers so white). Dioxin is banned in pretty much every country but the US and is one of the most carcinogenic elements around. Who wants that next to a newborns skin? Also, the gel used to make disposables so absorbent has been linked to toxic shock syndrome. The same stuff that used to be in tampons. So, we don't use it anymore but it is okay for our kids?

Check out a few of the cloth diapering sites mentioned. You will see how far they have come....just in time for your grandbabies!

WOW I honestly had no idea cloth diapers had come so far and no more diaper pins, boy my DH would hate that, the pins and possibly sticking the baby was his excuse not to ever change a diaper in his life

 

[mommylovesdisney]

I admit I didn't read through entire thread so sorry for repeats:
good resources:
Diaperpin.com (reviews,etc)
diaperswappers.com (I 've been on there for a few years)
greenmountaindiapers.com (i think)

I started with ds, when he was almost 2 and nothing, I mean nothing disposible would prevent leaks!!! I started with a couple pockets, and some fitteds, his preference was bella bottoms one size fitted ("mommy, I want the soft diaper")
he was potty trained just after turning 2. I think that the cloth had a lot to do with that!

with dd, who is 2 now, I tried everything, seriously everything!! My favorite combination is a prefold or flat diaper, in a thirsties cover or in a wool soaker (basically like wool underwear that goes over a cloth diaper. you lanolize the wool to make it water resisitant).
My favorite pfs are panda tushies bamboo! they clean up amazingly well, dry fast and they are not super expensive for a nice diaper. I have sewn my own inserts from bamboo fabric that I bought online for extra absorbancy. I never really got the hang of pins, so I use snappies. I always kept a few pockets, "easy cloth diapers" on hand for DH


Since we are on the disney boards, I do have to say I never brought cloth to disney. I would have had to pack an extra suitcase, and I don't know that I would trust the w/d there to do a good and gentle job on my dipes!


Good luck, but watch out, it can be addicting!

 

[gwtw428]

Thanks for the info! I am due in July with my 2nd baby. I am super excited about using cloth diapers. I hated running to store when I ran out of diapers and spending a fortune on disposable! I am also happy to be green!
I think I am going with BumGenius 3.0...looks to be the best from what I am reading on other sites etc...

 

[gwtw428]

How many diapers will I need for 1 baby? Looking at 24 pak of bum genius...is that too many? I remember 1st baby would use like 10-12 a day in the begining...

 

[patchchild]

24 good diapers would be a great stash. In the beginning, you'll do diapers about every other day, later one you'll be able to go about 3 days.

Bum Genius are my absolute favorite! Daycare used them no problem, DH liked them, and they were easy to keep clean.

 

[gwtw428]

Thanks! Is there a difference between the bum genius boys diapers? I want to order now (due in July) and dont know what we are having...I was going to order the regular ones...

 

[taitai]

bumGenius does not make a "boy diaper." I don't think anyone makes a diaper by gender. bumGenius does have "boy colors" like Twilight or Moonbeam. If you don't know what gender you are going to have you might want to skip the blues and pinks and go with the great greens (Grasshopper and Ribbit) or Clementine or Butternut. Here is a link to all the colors.

Have fun with your stash!

http://www.cottontailbaby.com/category_130/BumGenius-One-Size.htm

 

[Juliet25]

I also like BumGenuis. I cloth diaper about half the time. I have another baby on the way, and I plan to cloth diaper more with him or her. It's so easy when they're exclusively breastfed--just throw the diaper in the washer, no rinsing required.

When DD was younger, I really liked the FuzziBunz. The snaps just seemed to give her a better fit. However, now that she gives me about 2 seconds to change a diaper, I much prefer the velcro.

BumGenius has a new system called Flip which is really economical. You get a cover that can be re-used throughout the day with new inserts. These are one-size as well. I have one that I've been testing on DD. I'm happy so far and think these would be great for newborns. The issue, again, with DD is that they have snap closures that take too long to change on an active toddler. These would be perfect for a newborn and won't cost much at all.