Looking into switching to cloth diapers

tinamariebb · 09-12-2007, 02:35 PM

I only have a 300 sposies left, and quite honestly, I wish I would have researched cloth better sooner. Ithink a few ladies here do cloth... is it really as intimidating as it seems? I feel like such an idiot, I read and read and only seem to get more confused. I don't know where to start!
I joined diaperswappers.com and there are so many different types of dipes! I don't want to spend a ton because I don't have a ton, but I want to get enough and want to make this work.
I'm sure I will get hooked on it once I learn the ins and outs...

Koloe · 09-12-2007, 04:53 PM

I use cloth diapers. The only time I don't use cloth is when I'm traveling over night - especially if it's more than 1 night.

I basically use 3 kinds of cloth diapers:

Prefolds: http://www.softclothbunz.com/Chinese...ers_p_0-5.html

I use Snappies vs diaper pins to keep them on. Soooooo much easier and you don't have to worry about sticking yourself or the baby: http://www.softclothbunz.com/Snappi-...ner_p_0-9.html

I pretty much just use these at home. More prone to leaking with runny poop than other kinds, but a good cover will keep that contained. But this is the cheapest way to cloth diaper.

Fitted diapers: All kinds available. The ones I have my sister made and the outside is made of knit fabric. We have noticed that this kind of fabric wears out quickly. The diaper still works, but it looks ratty. But the ones my DS made me fit new born to toddler. So 1 diaper for 2 different sized kids. But you can expect to pay $8-$15 PER diaper. Unless you can sew and make then yourself.

Pocket diapers (When stuffed about as easy as disposables for others like babysitters to use. These are what I send to daycare every day.)

I have one of these. http://nickisdiapers.com/catalog.php?category=91 My sister made me a bunch similar to these, but with snaps instead of velcro on top.

This is what I use for diaper covers: http://www.softclothbunz.com/Bummis-...ap_p_0-33.html
Some places sell them with cute fabric but it costs a bit more.

I have 1 of these - but discovered it was a bit tight on my toddler - would have been nice to begin with as would have worked for small and medium covers. http://www.wildflowerdiapers.com/cat...category%3D146

I've ordered from this place: http://www.kellyscloset.com/ I've ordered from others, just can find their sites right now.

Check out Mothering Magazine to get a lot more opinions on cloth diapers:
http://www.mothering.com/articles/ne...-of-cloth.html

My sister makes and sells cloth diapering accessories http://hyenacart.com/ClothTreasures/ - such as wet bags (to put dirty diapers in while away from home) and cloth wipes - which I like MUCH better than disposable wipes, softer on the skin IMO.

This is a website to check out for more information, including links and reviews of websites that sell cloth diapers: http://www.diaperpin.com/home.asp

Pros: 1) In 2 years I've spent a littl about $150 on disposables and about $300 - $400 on cloth diapers. Most people using disposables full time will have spent in the thousands of dollars by this point. 2) My daughter gets fewer rashes in them than disposables.

Cons: 1) I have to rinse the poopy diapers out in the toilet - YUCK!

Though with 100% breastfed babies you don't have too - not until they start eating a lot of solids. 2) It's hard to get desitin out of them.

I have a high efficiency washing machine - but the heavy duty cycle doesn't work anymore. :( If it did - I would run them through the wash just 2 times. What I normall do now days is through the dirty diapers in the washing machine on cold/cold, slow final spin, add detergent and wash. Then without taking them out I put them on a HOT wash and some times add viniger to the rinse cycle - when you would add softner, thanfully my machine does that for me, this is to help with an odder problem I had been having. After that I do 1 more wash on warm/cold and a fast rinse. If there was not much for poppy diapers, I some times just skip the last wash. I'll air dry the pockets and covers most of the time and put the rest in the drier. Though if I had a cloths line I would air dry all of it more often and then toss in the dry briefly to fluff. I'll throw the covers in the drier when I'm in a hurry. With a newborn I washed about every other day - now I wash about 2x a week.

A lot of places sell starter packs, that let you try out different kinds of diapers to find ones you like. You tend to save money this way too.

I'm rambling so I'll quit now - if you have a specific question let me know.