cloth diapers

[twinyoga]

I'm strongly considering using cloth diapers and using a diaper cleaning service.

Anyone familiar with cloth diapers and all the options that are out there? I just started doing research and it was a little overwhelming!

[HolyGuacamole]

I bought cloth diapers and washed them myself, both 15 years ago for my daughter, and 3 years ago for my son.
If you can afford them, I would suggest you get some Fuzzi Bunz or other all in one diapers for when you are out and about.
For me, prefolds were fine for at home, and they allow lots of good air circulation for your little one.
I used some Fuzzi Buns and some prefolds (with pins!) - but I'm old school. :D
I also had an array of different kinds of diapers and covers, but it was mostly Fuzzi Bunz and prefolds.

But you're right, there are gobs of options. You can't REALLY mess up if you just do a little research and go with your gut. Just don't buy a TON of something unless you are sure it's what you want and it's going to work for you.
Maybe buy a few different kinds and see what you like, and take it from there.

There are tons of cloth diapering forums and exchanges on the internet, too. Those would be good places to ask around.

I can't really speak to having a service these days, I don't know what they offer. I used one when my daughter was first born, 'cause I needed time to recover from her birth and I was a single mom, but at that time, they just dropped a pile of prefolds off at your door and picked up your soiled diapers. They might do more than that now, or offer a variety of different diapers, I dunno.

I think you will love using cloth diapers. I know I did.

[MelanieM]

I've used cloth with both my kids and plan to use it with the new bean as well.

I've never used a service - we launder our own at home. I do know people that use a service and it's a pretty easy way to diaper. Simply place soiled diapers in a pail and trade them in for clean ones however often you've made the arrangement to do so. (Personally, I use far too many diapers to deal with a weekly service. It's much more convenient for me to wash my own.)

Cloth is very easy and convenient, and you can go with anything from the simple flat that's folded and pinned and topped with a waterproof cover, to elaborate all in one systems that are as easy to use as disposables! Diaper services typically use prefolds, which are basic rectangles that you pin or 'snappi' together, and plastic covers.

Do you have specific questions? I'm happy to answer as best I can!

[LotsaRaw]

Good choice! My sister had a service in Santa Cruz last year (maybe still does - I'll check)

Check craigslist too! (services and supplies)

[MelanieM]

About the fleece AIOs and pocket diapers... there are a lot of products out there these days made with fleece. Personally, I am weirded out about the idea of putting fleece (or any other synthetic fiber) next to baby's skin. But one of my reasons for using cloth is the impact of the chemicals in disposables on the body, and this feels like the same thing to me. Perhaps not a concern for everyone. I'd love to see test data about this and cloth... not sure if it exists though. (And it likely doesn't matter - test can be skewed to say anything, I suppose!)

[contessa20]

I cloth diapered my son and washed them myself too. I would do it again in a heartbeat (this is, if I wanted more children :D) It truly is so easy and is far better for them and for the environment.

I mostly stuck with Chinese Prefolds, doublers and wool covers but I did have a few all-in-ones for when we were out of the house.

[eachpeachpearplum]

Hi!

I would also like to suggest the Tushies brand of compostable non-synthetic, gel-free disposable diaper I used with both kids. They are made from cotton & wood pulp!

Even if you go with cloth - which I fully support - It's nice to have a disposable option in emergencies.

I have always bought them by the case through the mail and the were delevered every 4-6weeks. However I think they are now available in shops.

I actaully have three leftover cases and I would be happy to send you a diaper so you can see what it's like. I swear by them! It's just simply a great product.

http://tushies.com/

Tushies Diapers are:
· Gel-Free
· Latex-Free
· Perfume-Free
· Dye-Free
· TBT-Free
· GMO-Free
· Chlorine-Free Woodpulp
· Do Not Contain Recycled Materials

EPPP

[chocoholic]

I've also had good luck with bummies and bum geniuses - super easy to use and fit well

[spicyfull]

Cloth Diapers here......

[jacsam]

It's been a long time since diapers have been in my house and I just thought everyone used disposable now-a-days.....wow....thanks everyone for being so good to the enviroment. I'm impressed!

[twinyoga]

Thanks for these wonderful and encouraging responses. I've decided to go cloth.

There's a site I found that offers a Newborn/Infant package. There are chinese prefolded, a variety of covers, and a variety of all-in-one's for when that is more convenient.

I think the phobia I have to get over is washing out the poop and then all of the laundering. I'm not the most domestic person when it comes to laundry! Any advice on this would be great.

I think I'll pass on the diaper service. It's convenient, but all of the chemicals and washing treatments bother my husband and myself. Again, any thoughts on this is helpful, too.

[slvoss2009]

:)My 15 month old daughter is in cloth and we love it! I launder my own and feel really good about it. I know what her diapers are being washed in.
I understand your concern about cleaning saturated diapers. I use a dry pail too. Meaning I don't have diapers soaking in a pail of water. It is a hazard and gross! I have a diaper sprayer that attaches to the toilet and I spray the diapers off in the toilet and then squeeze all the water out and put them in a pail that has a cloth liner in it. Then I just grab the bag and dump the diapers and the bag in and that is that! The diapers are now prerinsed and ready for a good washing. I have only used natural soaps on them and occasionally I will add vinigar to the wash. I have used charlies soap - works well but I don't suggest using it some children have recieved chemical burns and are scarred for life on it. I now use country save and it works great. I do a cold rinse, hot wash, with an extra rinse. I wash ever other day because I don't want diapers sitting around. Especially if you use hemp, hemp is awesome but can get smelly.

I would suggest a variety of diapers for your stash. Some chinese prefolds and wraps, some pocket diapers, some fitted with some wool covers for night time diapering and maybe some all in ones. I personally like have a variety. My favorites change from week to week and sometimes it is nice to switch it up. Some of my diapers have snaps some have velcro. I have used prefolds but only with snappi's. The nice thing is buying prefolds for your newborn you can use later in your pocket diaper as an insert.

In my stash for fitteds I have crickets, babykicks, thristies and kissaluvs, for Pockets I have Bumgenius 3.0 one size, rumparooz onesize, wahmies onesize, happy heiny one size and fuzzibunz medium size I have 12 chinese prefolds and for covers I have thirsties, prowraps, and a variety of wool covers for knight time diapering. I also have a good stash of doublers, which you need once the babe gets older and for at night. I have used the snappi's with the prefolds but if you have a good cover you don't need to use snappi's. I also use cloth wipes - awesome and save you lots of money! I bought some from a women on diaperswappers.com - a place you can buy and sell cloth diapers. If you go to cafe mom they have groups dedicated to cloth diapers and nursing. You can get some good info from them too.

As I said my faves change from week to week....

some great sites to check out are: www.abbylane.com, kellyscloset.com, cottonbabies.com and diaperpin.com. Cricketts sells some very affordable hemp fitteds and she also sells some great wraps to go with them. You will gather a wealth of info. and if you sign up for abblyslane newsletter she sends out weekly diaper chatter that addresses a lot of questions.

I have a blast with my stash and my daughter loves her fluffy butt!

I hope this helps!

Stacey

[Thick]

I highly recommend fuzzi bunz--i have tried so many kinds and these are the ones im keeping in storage for my grandkids--they do not leak, they are easy to clean and dry fast. You slide a prefold (thick absorbant square) into a fleece pocket. They are easy enough for a grandparent or a babysitter to deal with. They snap shut in many different configurations and the large size fit my babies 3 months (maybe before) through weaning--so they can fit a thick thighed baby or a thin one.

I've used several different cleaning systems but I've always washed them myself. I just ahem..dump the chunks in the potty and wash them with the rest of the hot water clothes. When I have a newborn, I collect the poopy ones in a 5 gallon lidded bucket, then wash them with the baby clothes (which are often poopy too).

http://www.thanksmama.com/PhotoDetails.asp?ShowDESC=N&ProductCode=moe-001

[IamLoved]

I used cloth diapers with one of my children and laundered them myself. I don't know what kind they are, they came from a company in Canada and they have snaps that make them fit newborn through toddler. They are really neat. I actually am trying to sell them, so if anyone is interested please let me know.

[MelanieM]

Alisha, they sound like Mother-ease diapers? We used those for a while with our first and I thought they were very convenient and fit well.

[firefaery]

You may be talking about Motherease one size. They are fabulous. I like them alot and used their Sandy's as well. GREAT diapers.

I have three kids and none of them have ever seen a disposable diaper. My youngest is just about ready to be out. I have laundered them myself and it was totally fine! The cost difference is also amazing. I think the projections were something like $2000 per kid for the duration of diapers (assuming you don't EC ;)) for sposies. For three kids I would be looking at $6000! I would have to say I probably spent about $850 in diapers and diapering supplies (bags, cloth wipes, covers etc.) and that covered all three. Yes, there was time and energy involved in laundering....but not several thousand dollars worth!

I also did several brands....that wasn't as cheap as it could have been. I have many fuzzibunz, bumgenius, sugarpeas etc. Going chinese prefold I could have done it for less than half the cost.

Good luck! I highly encourge it! Nothing feels better to a baby's bum than cloth.

[MelanieM]

Yeah, we went with Chinese prefolds and wool covers the last time and I'd say my whole diapering stash cost a couple hundred dollars. (And that's with 3 dz diapers.) But I thought we were done with babies and gave them all away, so I'm back to scratch again. LoL!

As for cloth wipes... no need to buy them. That's what we do with old t-shirts around here! Easy and free.

Also, we never dealt with toddler poop in diapers as we combined our diapering with elimination communication. My daughter was completely out of diapers at 2 yrs, but consistently dry 6 mos before that, and her last bowel movement in a diaper was at 11 mos! My son was completely out of diapers at 20 mos. So lovely!

[firefaery]

Well hello there gorgeous woman! Nice to see you here! I was hoping I could rope you back in to discuss the EC thing! :p It truly is a very cool way to go!

[MelanieM]

I love cross-posting with one of my favourite people! LOL!

Yes... EC made the whole potty situation so wonderful for us, all the way around. We'll definitely do that with this new bean as well. And it's funny... even now I will get the thought at times that one of my kids might need to pee and go suggest it to them, and they're 3.5 and 6! It's amazing what it can do for your connection.

[IamLoved]

They might be MotherEase, I actually got them from my friend who bought them and then didn't want to use them afterall, so I really dont know for sure.

Now I just have to ask, what is EC?

[MelanieM]

EC is elimination communication. In a nut shell, you pay attention to baby's signs and put them over a potty or bowl to eliminate, rather than having them soil themselves in a diaper. You can start as early as newborn, though I didn't learn of it until my daughter was 4 mos and we didn't really start with my son until he was 2 mos.

Google elimination communication or natural infant hygiene for lots of info on this practice!

[IamLoved]

Ok, no I have heard of this, just didn't get the abbreviations.

Thanks!

[pixie_333]

i'm glad to hear people still use cloth diapers! that's what my mom used on me.

just a heads up on disposable. it's extremely rare it happens.. but beware if a child has a cut/opened wound around the diaper area. if the gel inside the diaper leaks... it can create a blood clot.

and for anyone enviromently conscious.... of my familuarity...trust me if you only knew the amount of waste diaper factories have and also the fact do not donate..it goes straight in the trash and can not be recycled........ it really should be banned. nevertheless all the polution, chemicals, loss of trees and SUBSTANTIAL animal testing it involves in.. plus more money to support animal testing in other areas... list goes on.

[Zaphirah]

I had my twins in diapers, then soon added another precious son, so I had 3 in cloth for over a year. I have tried them all. The ONLY ones I would ever use again are prefolds with pins and rubber pants. They are economical, easy to store, and certainly the *only* way to go in my book. I laundered them at home and hung them in the sun to dry.

[oceanluv]

there are disposable diaper liners available. they are made from some type of paper that is biodegradable and flushable. I used them for my grandson, and you just shake them into the toilet, along with the poopie. I bought them on line from tiny bird organics, or something that sounds like that.

[Zaphirah]

oh yeah. I forgot to leave my favorite advice....PLEASE don't pay good $$ for diapers. They are CRAP CATCHERS, for pete's sake. Your baby doesn't care how cool he/she looks. Buy cheap, by lots, and use them for cleaning later. I think I spent about $250 on gerber prefolds with cheapo rubber pants and (gasp!) pins!!! (lol) for all 3 boys which equals a total of 9+ years in diapers.

[circle]

when i was little i had some cloth diapers. i didn't use them to poop in, but they were like toys for me. i called them "trapito," which means little rag in spanish, and I loved to play with them. i loved to put my face in them after they came out of the laundry. i love trapito and i wish i knew where he was now. I miss him. =(

[firefaery]

AWWWWWWWWW! You're making me want to send you my stash! :p That's adorable!