Cloth Diapering 101?

[delqc]

[almostfey]

I didn't have any probs using prefolds or kissaluvs with my dd - other than a few fuzzibunz and the occasional disposable, those were the diapers we used. There was a way of folding the prefold diaper that made a handy little poo pocket - I believe it was called the bikini twist?
_________________

[drayita]

You guys are right, I was just feeling discouraged after talking to some other moms-to-be. My local diaper store has talked me into the kissaluvs and prowraps for the newborn stage, and bum genius after that, and my bf has put his foot down--no prefolds! Men!
_________________
Etsy: www.drayadesigns.etsy.com

[rahime]

What I heard about the kissaluvs is that the size 0 are great, but once the baby's bigger the bigger sizes aren't so hot. All I know is I have a kl contour and a fitted (size 0), and I like them fine. Although she's never had a huge poop in the contour and I don't know how it would go if she did.
I'm using a lot of prefolds but do find them kind of bulky and they sometimes leave red marks from the 'ridges' of folded fabric. Maybe there are better ways of folding them that I don't know...
_________________
Rumors of your wussiness are 100% true.

Knitblog

[juna]

And a shout out for "Bummies" newborn size covers. It's only been a few days, but they're working great, and the little dip in the front is great for keeping the little cord stump exposed and dry.

[rahime]

(I'm going to pm a mod about making this sticky since it seems like several people would like it to be)

I just wanted to update that I am SO GLAD to be CDing... it's been so easy and convenient, none of my fears or anxieties about dropping all the initial money on all the diapers have been borne out.

I also just wanted to talk about brands, since I remember how intimidating it was to try and decide what to buy. I have to say that I now LOVE bumgenius one-sizes - couldn't use them easily when she was tiny, but now they're AWESOME... I did get a little frustrated when I bought a bunch of medium Swaddlebees (since the smalls fit her so well) and she grew out of them incredibly quickly - it seemed like every time I put one on I was having to switch to the next biggest snap setting. (Plus now that she only poos once or twice a day, the Swaddlebees are so trim that they don't hold it in well.) That's when I decided it was worth it to buy the one-sizes and not have to buy all new diapers every few weeks. My plan now is to stick with bumgenius and Fuzzibunz - even though they're sized, I've found that so far the design lets me use them for quite awhile before she'll grow out of one size. And I can use her old prefolds as inserts.

As for my wipe dilemma - now I use our baby washcloths and I cut up one flannel receiving blanket, and I've just been using water. When we're out I bring a bottle of water to use so I'm not trying to go back and forth to a sink in the middle of diapering. I do try and let her air out before re-diapering if we're at home, since most wipe solution has something emolliant in it I figured putting a diaper onto a damp non-emolliantized butt might irritate her. It's working great so far!

When I do occasionally use disposables (like last night... I didn't get the wet diapers out of the washer in time for them to dry - I'm getting sick and just wasn't on top of it) she gets diaper rash right away.
_________________
Rumors of your wussiness are 100% true.

Knitblog

[knits]

[happyhats]

I've been trolling around on a mothering board to buy some second hand diapers. I've also been looking out at my children's consignment shop. Right now all I have are the gerber prefolds and flats-about a dozen of the prefolds and two dozen flats, one the regular and one the three ply. I think I'll pick up another three ply at least before she gets here. I have a pack or two of diaper pins but probably need a few more. I want to have a bit more than average because I do laundry at the laundry mat.

I got a bit of a score the other day while out and about. I went to a Sal's I never visit and lucked out on some cotton diaper covers for only fifty cents a piece. While these are supposed to be more decorative than functional, I think, I'm going to be buying a yard or two of cheap fleece and making some inserts for them. YAY! I'd much prefer cloth covers to vinyl, but I have some of those too.

And I got a diaper pail last week! Preparations are moving along.

I think once she gets a little bigger I'm also going to slowly move into the bumgenius all in ones. I've heard a lot of good things, but the start up cost is higher than I can afford right now and I should be better equipped by the time they'd be the most useful.
_________________
keep it simple

[Aliceinwonderland]

[rahime]

[happyhats]

Thank you, Rahime, it is the pocket ones I want, yeah.
_________________
keep it simple

[delqc]

the clothdiapering community on livejournal has been an amazing source for me, both for info and for used stuff. I've gotten some hemp inserts, wool and thirsties covers, snappis, and some all-in-ones in various sizes etc for way less than what it would cost to buy new.

I've still got my prefolds new since I sort of expect them to be serious workhorses but it's really helped our baby budget to get these other things used. I will probably add afew new things after baby is born, but this way I can afford to try out different styles of covers and diapers and find what works for us before sinking a lot of cash into one style or another...

Just thought I would mention that!
_________________
Tsé qu'la vie est parsemée de p'tites misères
Faut pas t'en faire...

[happyhats]

Unfortunately the livejournal board I found on cloth diapering only accepts members that have an active, older livejournal so I am out of the loop, lol. However, I have a few maybes out there. Worse comes to worse I'll stock up further on the gerbers until time comes to get some bumgenious ones. I've heard that gerber does leak more but since I'll be sahm, I figure if I have diapers I also have time to change more of them for her.
_________________
keep it simple

[rahime]

Have you tried diaperswappers.com? I got a nice variety of brands/kinds to try from there...I think they now have a posting minimum before you can trade but it wouldn;t take long to make it.
_________________
Rumors of your wussiness are 100% true.

Knitblog

[happyhats]

Rahime, I cannot thank you enough! Diaper swappers has some great deals going on now, and it doesn't seem to get the amount of traffic that some other sites get so there's actual chances of pouncing on something without any problems1 Woo hoo! No, you don't need a minimal amount of posts to try to buy, maybe to sell? And while the forum isn't as comprehensive as some, it's a nice place with some fun people and information.
_________________
keep it simple