Cloth Diaper Momma's

NewYorkerinAZ

I plan on using cloth diapers and I already bought 2 last week. lol

I'm not pregnant yet but I have some questions.

Can you just tell me about them? How/when you use them if you don't use them all the time?

How you wash them? Do you put them in a giant mesh bag or just throw them all in with no bag?

What do you do when they poop? Do you just wash it like that or do you scrape it into the toilet?

What kind do you use? How many do you have in each size or do you use the one size fits all kind?

Thanks girls...please don't laugh. lol It seems simple but then I think about it and I get nervous. haha

Tayrusso

NewYorkerinAZ:

I plan on using cloth diapers and I already bought 2 last week. lol

I'm not pregnant yet but I have some questions.

Can you just tell me about them? How/when you use them if you don't use them all the time?

How you wash them? Do you put them in a giant mesh bag or just throw them all in with no bag?

What do you do when they poop? Do you just wash it like that or do you scrape it into the toilet?

What kind do you use? How many do you have in each size or do you use the one size fits all kind?

Thanks girls...please don't laugh. lol It seems simple but then I think about it and I get nervous. haha

This is what I'm curious to find out.  Lol.  And I'm years from TTC.  

CandiceNT

NewYorkerinAZ:

I plan on using cloth diapers and I already bought 2 last week. lol

I'm not pregnant yet but I have some questions.

Can you just tell me about them? How/when you use them if you don't use them all the time?

How you wash them? Do you put them in a giant mesh bag or just throw them all in with no bag?

What do you do when they poop? Do you just wash it like that or do you scrape it into the toilet?

What kind do you use? How many do you have in each size or do you use the one size fits all kind?

Thanks girls...please don't laugh. lol It seems simple but then I think about it and I get nervous. haha

 

You are so cute! You are going to make a fabulous momma!    I can't help ya on the cloth diapers, but I think CTri can, I believe she uses them....Me on the other hand...not so green

jware1985

OMG Stac i you! i was thinking all the same questions but to nervous nelly to ask them! and i love that you already bought a couple!

NewYorkerinAZ

Aww, Thanks, Candice!

Jenn...you are funny. Why would you be so nervous nelly? lol Yes, I bought 2 and wish I had bought more. They are SOOO cute! lol

jware1985

OMG it is the number twozies that scare me!!!! i have so many horror imagies in my head of how that can go oh so very wrong! haha but i guess the cloth would be more absorbant then the disposible kind.... hmm

What if the little one gets the Big D then what do you do! hahahaha

CandiceNT

jware1985:

OMG it is the number twozies that scare me!!!! i have so many horror imagies in my head of how that can go oh so very wrong! haha but i guess the cloth would be more absorbant then the disposible kind.... hmm

What if the little one gets the Big D then what do you do! hahahaha

It's really not that bad    And trust me...I have an explosive pooper! lol

jayefay

Totes not pregnant over here - but we will be cloth diapering as well!

Megamuffin

I don't have too much advice, since I haven't actually done it yet. But we do plan to CD. We bought about 15 (I think) of the Bum Genius 3.0 all-in-one CDs. They are known to be a bit bulky on newborns, but the 3.0 comes with a newborn insert (that you use in place of the thicker insert), which is supposed to reduce the bulkiness. Of course, I heard the 3.0s were just discontinued, so you might watch for sales on them. Not sure what the next version will look like, but I think these are completely adorable and they have lots of cute colors. We're going to see how well we like this kind, and then if we need a few more down the road, we'll re-evaluate. We also plan to have some newborn disposables on hand for the first week or so, so we don't get overwhelmed right away trying to figure this out (or in case the diapers are just too big to go over some of his newborn clothes).

From what I've read, most people just throw them in the washer, no mesh bag or anything. Wet diapers can go straight in, and for poopy diapers, you can just scrape of the solid stuff into the toilet. My parents cloth diapered my brother and I, and my mom says you can just sort of dunk it in the toilet to get out whatever you need to get out... sounds kinda gross, but I'd imagine after a couple of times, it doesn't even phase you any more, haha.

I also bought a few of these wet bags that are supposed to be really good for storing the dirty diapers until it's time to wash (they're also washable themselves, to keep them from smelling). We have a big one that holds like 18 or so and has a handle, so it hangs from the door of the nursery. Then we have two smaller ones (one holds just 1-2, for when you go out to the mall or dinner or whatever and need to change the diaper) and another that holds maybe 6-8 (which we'll use for when he goes to daycare). Again, I obviously haven't used them yet, but they get great reviews in terms of not leaking or smelling. 

Hope that helps! I can update you once I start using them and let you  know how it goes.

jware1985

CandiceNT:

jware1985:

OMG it is the number twozies that scare me!!!! i have so many horror imagies in my head of how that can go oh so very wrong! haha but i guess the cloth would be more absorbant then the disposible kind.... hmm

What if the little one gets the Big D then what do you do! hahahaha

It's really not that bad    And trust me...I have an explosive pooper! lol

LOL that is what i am afraid of...

kristie2422

on using cloth diapers and I already bought 2 last week. lol I'm not pregnant yet but I have some questions. Can you just tell me about them? How/when you use them if you don't use them all the time? My mom uses them on DS when she watches him which is M-F. I don't because he only goes through 3 sposies per day and on the weekends it's just easier because we are usually on the go! How you wash them? Do you put them in a giant mesh bag or just throw them all in with no bag? I'm going to get a bag, but right now my mom just puts them in a big bucket, like they did when we were little. Then she just washes them in hot water and regular detergent (any of the dye & frangrance free detergents). I know they make special detergent, but since the regular has worked so well I haven't bought her the other stuff. What do you do when they poop? Do you just wash it like that or do you scrape it into the toilet? With breastfed poop you don't have to rinse it, you can just put it straight in a bag and then wash. However, if the diaper is super poopy my mom will let it hang out in the toilet for awhile. When LO starts solids then the poop becomes more solid and then it will need to be disposed of down the toilet. They make a diaper sprayer that attaches to your toilet that makes it easier to rinse off the diaper, but we just rinse it off ourselves. Yes, we wash our hands afterwards! With hot water and soap! What kind do you use? How many do you have in each size or do you use the one size fits all kind? We bought 2 packages of Gerber prefolds, which is 24 diapers, but we have yet to open the second package. I also have a couple AIOs (all in ones - no additional diaper is needed unless you want to add an insert) and we use a snappi (best invention every) and then we have a few different covers. Most of them are thirsties. I haven't done a one size, but are currently using Mediums and then will buy larges when he gets bigger. I also have some inserts and will put one of the those in the diaper for extra absorption. I know at jilliansdrawers you can do a trial package and then pay for whatever you want. Also if you go to Wildflower in Scottsdale they can help you out with what you need! Thanks girls...please don't laugh. lol It seems simple but then I think about it and I get nervous. haha

Tayrusso

Megamuffin:

I also bought a few of these wet bags that are supposed to be really good for storing the dirty diapers until it's time to wash (they're also washable themselves, to keep them from smelling). We have a big one that holds like 18 or so and has a handle, so it hangs from the door of the nursery. Then we have two smaller ones (one holds just 1-2, for when you go out to the mall or dinner or whatever and need to change the diaper) and another that holds maybe 6-8 (which we'll use for when he goes to daycare). Again, I obviously haven't used them yet, but they get great reviews in terms of not leaking or smelling. 

Did you ever do PIPs of the finished nursery?  I wanna seeeeeeee!  Lol, but seriously.

elyselowe

I wish I could CD. I could never get DH on board with it. 

kristie2422

kristie2422:

on using cloth diapers and I already bought 2 last week. lol I'm not pregnant yet but I have some questions. Can you just tell me about them? How/when you use them if you don't use them all the time? My mom uses them on DS when she watches him which is M-F. I don't because he only goes through 3 sposies per day and on the weekends it's just easier because we are usually on the go! How you wash them? Do you put them in a giant mesh bag or just throw them all in with no bag? I'm going to get a bag, but right now my mom just puts them in a big bucket, like they did when we were little. Then she just washes them in hot water and regular detergent (any of the dye & frangrance free detergents). I know they make special detergent, but since the regular has worked so well I haven't bought her the other stuff. What do you do when they poop? Do you just wash it like that or do you scrape it into the toilet? With breastfed poop you don't have to rinse it, you can just put it straight in a bag and then wash. However, if the diaper is super poopy my mom will let it hang out in the toilet for awhile. When LO starts solids then the poop becomes more solid and then it will need to be disposed of down the toilet. They make a diaper sprayer that attaches to your toilet that makes it easier to rinse off the diaper, but we just rinse it off ourselves. Yes, we wash our hands afterwards! With hot water and soap! What kind do you use? How many do you have in each size or do you use the one size fits all kind? We bought 2 packages of Gerber prefolds, which is 24 diapers, but we have yet to open the second package. I also have a couple AIOs (all in ones - no additional diaper is needed unless you want to add an insert) and we use a snappi (best invention every) and then we have a few different covers. Most of them are thirsties. I haven't done a one size, but are currently using Mediums and then will buy larges when he gets bigger. I also have some inserts and will put one of the those in the diaper for extra absorption. I know at jilliansdrawers you can do a trial package and then pay for whatever you want. Also if you go to Wildflower in Scottsdale they can help you out with what you need! Thanks girls...please don't laugh. lol It seems simple but then I think about it and I get nervous. haha

it doesn't quote properly at work. sorry! This is probably super hard to read so I can just e-mail it to you!

NewYorkerinAZ

Thanks, Kristie!!!

I always forget about WildFlower in Scottsdale. I hope I get to go there soon. lol

Megamuffin

Tayrusso:

Megamuffin:

I also bought a few of these wet bags that are supposed to be really good for storing the dirty diapers until it's time to wash (they're also washable themselves, to keep them from smelling). We have a big one that holds like 18 or so and has a handle, so it hangs from the door of the nursery. Then we have two smaller ones (one holds just 1-2, for when you go out to the mall or dinner or whatever and need to change the diaper) and another that holds maybe 6-8 (which we'll use for when he goes to daycare). Again, I obviously haven't used them yet, but they get great reviews in terms of not leaking or smelling. 

Did you ever do PIPs of the finished nursery?  I wanna seeeeeeee!  Lol, but seriously.

You know, I don't think I've taken any recently. Oops! It's not completely done (still need to buy a few things for the walls), but it's like 80 percent there. I'll take a few pics this week for your viewing pleasure. 

Tayrusso

Tayrusso:

Megamuffin:

Did you ever do PIPs of the finished nursery?  I wanna seeeeeeee!  Lol, but seriously.

You know, I don't think I've taken any recently. Oops! It's not completely done (still need to buy a few things for the walls), but it's like 80 percent there. I'll take a few pics this week for your viewing pleasure. 

Lolz, woohoooo!  Have you looked at Ikea's kiddo dept.?  I was there over the weekend and they have some really cute stuff.

Megamuffin

Tayrusso:

Tayrusso:

Megamuffin:

Did you ever do PIPs of the finished nursery?  I wanna seeeeeeee!  Lol, but seriously.

You know, I don't think I've taken any recently. Oops! It's not completely done (still need to buy a few things for the walls), but it's like 80 percent there. I'll take a few pics this week for your viewing pleasure. 

Lolz, woohoooo!  Have you looked at Ikea's kiddo dept.?  I was there over the weekend and they have some really cute stuff.

Nope, haven't looked there, although we have been meaning to. I love me some Ikea, but I can only take about 45 minutes in there before I start to feel overwhelmed (and like I'm stuck in a maze that I might never escape from). So I have to be in the right state of mind before I enter, haha. I admit that the totally cheap (and cute) pasta bowls they have are worth the effort, though.

Tayrusso

Megamuffin:

Nope, haven't looked there, although we have been meaning to. I love me some Ikea, but I can only take about 45 minutes in there before I start to feel overwhelmed (and like I'm stuck in a maze that I might never escape from). So I have to be in the right state of mind before I enter, haha. I admit that the totally cheap (and cute) pasta bowls they have are worth the effort, though.

I'll be completely honest...I looked at all the baby food bowls, plates, utensils, etc. and almost bought them for you.  Then I realized that might be weird.  Lol.

b15chik

NewYorkerinAZ:

I plan on using cloth diapers and I already bought 2 last week. lol

I'm not pregnant yet but I have some questions.

Can you just tell me about them? How/when you use them if you don't use them all the time? do you have any idea what kind of cd's you want? you have a TON of possibilities. i'd recommend you reading up somewhere like here http://www.diaperjungle.com/cloth-diaper-terminology.html and figuring out what you want first. there are certain materials that hang onto smells and are really difficult to get rid of, like microfiber. my whole stash was microfiber inserts with stay dry tops (to protect baby's skin) but i recently sold almost all of them off and got cotton prefolds because i was sick of the "mf stinkies", as it's called.

How you wash them? Do you put them in a giant mesh bag or just throw them all in with no bag? i use a mesh bag for my covers, just to reduce wear on them. i hand wash those when i can. you normally just throw them all into the wash. how you wash some stuff depends on what you buy. your wash routine is normally a cold rinse with no detergent, hot wash with detergent, and then a double rinse. the detergent you use depends on your washing machine, and what kind of water you have. personally i haven't had good experiences with the "cd" detergents, and use the tide original powder. powder washes and rinses easier than liquid, so i'd recommend using powder.

What do you do when they poop? Do you just wash it like that or do you scrape it into the toilet? if it's ebf poop, you can pretty much not mess with it and throw it into your diaper pail like that. once they start eating solids, you'll have to get rid of most of the poo before washing. currently i just dunk it into the toilet (poop and toilets no longer bother me) but you can get a diaper sprayer from ebay for like $20 that attaches to your toilet, and then you spray off the poo, and put it into your diaper pail or wetbag

What kind do you use? How many do you have in each size or do you use the one size fits all kind? what kind you use depends on what you're looking for. i'm not a fan of buying sized diapers. the diapers i use are a one size fits all cover, and then an insert inside it or a prefold. the "one size" diapers/covers don't normally work until about 10lbs or so. so for the next baby i will buy a small stash of nb diapers to get me through that month or 2 stage, and then sell them.  for buying, figure a diaper change every 2-3 hours (you can't go as long between changes using cloth unless you really stuff the diaper for extra absorbency). so probably 6-10 diaper changes each day depending on your kid and how much they poop/pee. currently i have 24 prefolds for my covers, so i can do laundry every 3 days.

Thanks girls...please don't laugh. lol It seems simple but then I think about it and I get nervous. haha

if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask me i love talking about diapers

Megamuffin

Tayrusso:

Megamuffin:

Nope, haven't looked there, although we have been meaning to. I love me some Ikea, but I can only take about 45 minutes in there before I start to feel overwhelmed (and like I'm stuck in a maze that I might never escape from). So I have to be in the right state of mind before I enter, haha. I admit that the totally cheap (and cute) pasta bowls they have are worth the effort, though.

I'll be completely honest...I looked at all the baby food bowls, plates, utensils, etc. and almost bought them for you.  Then I realized that might be weird.  Lol.

Aw, you're too cute! That's not weird to me at all. I'm way into cute bowls and stuff. I think I get it from my mom, who is the same way and is forever buying me random cute bowls and plates.

jebuell

I almost have enough cloth diapers to diaper a child from birth to potty training.  Yup, I'm *that* person!  Though in my defense I got a lot for free (to review on my blog, from friends, from Craigslist, etc.) and bought the rest for super cheap at sales and from a friend who was selling her stash off for $5/diaper!  I figure I'll either use them someday or sell them off if I ever need money fast. 

So I don't have a kid but a lot of my friends CD so I'll answer it based on what I do know about their experience...

 

How/when you use them if you don't use them all the time? My friend Ash said it's easiest if you use them all the time and don't even have disposables in the house.  'Sposies are faster and a bit easier so it's tempting to use them all the time if they're there.

How you wash them? Do you put them in a giant mesh bag or just throw them all in with no bag? Just throw them in!  I believe you are to do a pre-wash and then the main wash, then another short wash.  But I'm not sure on that.  I know most of my friend's opt to hang dry theirs.

What do you do when they poop? Do you just wash it like that or do you scrape it into the toilet? I believe usually you can just shake the diaper into the toilet and it comes out.  If it's not solid you can use a diaper sprayer or just dunk it in the toilet to clean if off.  And if you keep your toilet clean, this shouldn't be gross!  Oh!  Breastfed poop is water soluable so you can just toss that in as long as you only breastfeed (no solids or formula).

What kind do you use? How many do you have in each size or do you use the one size fits all kind?  My personal stash is a miss-match of different types and brands.  I love one-size fitted diapers (like Good Mama, BuBuBeBe, etc.) with cute covers because... well... they're cuter!  But all in ones and pockets tend to be cheaper and easier, just not as cute.   

Btw, I am having at least two cloth diaper giveaways on my blog next month.   Want me to give you guys a heads up when I'm hosting them?

 

b15chik

oh, and to be honest...it's very hard to actually save money cloth diapering once you get addicted if you don't have a strict budget each month. there are so many new things coming out all the time, and sooo much cute stuff it's really hard. to be honest, i didn't start to save the environment or anything. i didn't even really do it to necessarily save money on diapers. we were using target brand diapers which are my favorite, and were 13.50 for a box of 80-100 depending on the size which isn't expensive at all. the problem here is some months we have extra money, and some we don't. so it's just easier to know that i don't have to buy diapers at all any given month, since i already have some, know what i mean? it will help a ton when #2 comes. and it helps also that pretty much all of my diapers are one size, so they can share them and i won't have to buy a bunch of separate crap.

NewYorkerinAZ

jebuell:

I almost have enough cloth diapers to diaper a child from birth to potty training.  Yup, I'm *that* person!  Though in my defense I got a lot for free (to review on my blog, from friends, from Craigslist, etc.) and bought the rest for super cheap at sales and from a friend who was selling her stash off for $5/diaper!  I figure I'll either use them someday or sell them off if I ever need money fast. 

So I don't have a kid but a lot of my friends CD so I'll answer it based on what I do know about their experience...

 

How/when you use them if you don't use them all the time? My friend Ash said it's easiest if you use them all the time and don't even have disposables in the house.  'Sposies are faster and a bit easier so it's tempting to use them all the time if they're there.

How you wash them? Do you put them in a giant mesh bag or just throw them all in with no bag? Just throw them in!  I believe you are to do a pre-wash and then the main wash, then another short wash.  But I'm not sure on that.  I know most of my friend's opt to hang dry theirs.

What do you do when they poop? Do you just wash it like that or do you scrape it into the toilet? I believe usually you can just shake the diaper into the toilet and it comes out.  If it's not solid you can use a diaper sprayer or just dunk it in the toilet to clean if off.  And if you keep your toilet clean, this shouldn't be gross!  Oh!  Breastfed poop is water soluable so you can just toss that in as long as you only breastfeed (no solids or formula).

What kind do you use? How many do you have in each size or do you use the one size fits all kind?  My personal stash is a miss-match of different types and brands.  I love one-size fitted diapers (like Good Mama, BuBuBeBe, etc.) with cute covers because... well... they're cuter!  But all in ones and pockets tend to be cheaper and easier, just not as cute.   

Btw, I am having at least two cloth diaper giveaways on my blog next month.   Want me to give you guys a heads up when I'm hosting them?

 

Thanks and I'd love to know about your giveaway!! THANKS!

NewYorkerinAZ

b15chik:

oh, and to be honest...it's very hard to actually save money cloth diapering once you get addicted if you don't have a strict budget each month. there are so many new things coming out all the time, and sooo much cute stuff it's really hard. to be honest, i didn't start to save the environment or anything. i didn't even really do it to necessarily save money on diapers. we were using target brand diapers which are my favorite, and were 13.50 for a box of 80-100 depending on the size which isn't expensive at all. the problem here is some months we have extra money, and some we don't. so it's just easier to know that i don't have to buy diapers at all any given month, since i already have some, know what i mean? it will help a ton when #2 comes. and it helps also that pretty much all of my diapers are one size, so they can share them and i won't have to buy a bunch of separate crap.

Thanks for all that! I'm sure I'll have more questions.

I'm not only doing it for money (not my 1st priority with CD) but for the environment, A LOT better for baby, WAY cuter, reusable for 2nd or 3rd baby, and I heard CD babies tend to be potty trained faster. lol

b15chik

NewYorkerinAZ:

b15chik:

oh, and to be honest...it's very hard to actually save money cloth diapering once you get addicted if you don't have a strict budget each month. there are so many new things coming out all the time, and sooo much cute stuff it's really hard. to be honest, i didn't start to save the environment or anything. i didn't even really do it to necessarily save money on diapers. we were using target brand diapers which are my favorite, and were 13.50 for a box of 80-100 depending on the size which isn't expensive at all. the problem here is some months we have extra money, and some we don't. so it's just easier to know that i don't have to buy diapers at all any given month, since i already have some, know what i mean? it will help a ton when #2 comes. and it helps also that pretty much all of my diapers are one size, so they can share them and i won't have to buy a bunch of separate crap.

Thanks for all that! I'm sure I'll have more questions.

I'm not only doing it for money (not my 1st priority with CD) but for the environment, A LOT better for baby, WAY cuter, reusable for 2nd or 3rd baby, and I heard CD babies tend to be potty trained faster. lol

yeah, there are a lot of benefits. just wanted to be honest i didn't do it to save the world or anything lol. but i do feel good i'm not filling up the landfills with diapers anymore. it is a lot of work and effort...but i don't mind doing cd laundry at all. it gives me pleasure to put them in all crapped on and come out all nice and clean. regular laundry sits in the dryer forever, but i love cd laundry!

Megamuffin

NewYorkerinAZ:

b15chik:

oh, and to be honest...it's very hard to actually save money cloth diapering once you get addicted if you don't have a strict budget each month. there are so many new things coming out all the time, and sooo much cute stuff it's really hard. to be honest, i didn't start to save the environment or anything. i didn't even really do it to necessarily save money on diapers. we were using target brand diapers which are my favorite, and were 13.50 for a box of 80-100 depending on the size which isn't expensive at all. the problem here is some months we have extra money, and some we don't. so it's just easier to know that i don't have to buy diapers at all any given month, since i already have some, know what i mean? it will help a ton when #2 comes. and it helps also that pretty much all of my diapers are one size, so they can share them and i won't have to buy a bunch of separate crap.

Thanks for all that! I'm sure I'll have more questions.

I'm not only doing it for money (not my 1st priority with CD) but for the environment, A LOT better for baby, WAY cuter, reusable for 2nd or 3rd baby, and I heard CD babies tend to be potty trained faster. lol

Ooooooh, I hadn't heard that last part! Excellent. 

timark99

I know I'm a little late joining the game.  DH and I are planning on CD'ing the little one when they arrive, but we're probably going to use a service in the beginning which they deliver prefolds and then probably stick with prefolds and covers. (I'm looking into getting the Thirsties Duo Wraps)  I've been lurking on the eco-friendly family board on the bump and those ladies have tons of rec's for how to care/ brands to use etc.  I'm excited to hear that the CD'd kiddos potty train faster, I don't want any preschoolers still needing diapers (I've seen 4 year olds with them and I'm just too lazy to be changing diapers forever, if you can string a sentence together to ask for candy, toy, etc....time for sitting on the pot).