Cloth Diapers

shellyamf · August 2015

Am and anyone else who uses them - share your knowledge please? I'm really wishing I had used them with Lily. I felt overwhelmed by all the options. With baby #2 I really want to give them a go.

What do you use? How do you clean them?

I know I can't use regular diaper ointments on them. Would investing in a diaper sprayer be a good idea? I'm wanting to make a list.

shellyamf · August 2015

Oh and I have nothing purchased yet. A friend says she will sell me her unused cloth diapers but I can't remember what kind they are.

Penguin129 · August 2015

I have smarti pants diapers and thirties. The smarti pants are one size fits all and the thristies are sized. I was given my diaper stash by H's cousin when she had to stop cloth diapering.

I use a dry pail (just a hamper with vents) and put wet diapers in it as soon as I take them off. I empty the poopy diapers in the toilet and rinse them out in it as well. I then flush the toilet and let the diaper go in to get the rest off. I wring out the diaper as much as I can and then put it in the pail. I've managed this long without a diaper sprayer, but if you can afford one I would get it.

I wash the cloth diapers every 3 days or so and only use them when I am at home. I've had some issues with leaks in public and really despise the idea taking care of a poopy cloth diaper in public. I use free and clear liquid detergent and have to strip the diapers every couple of months (using a 1/2 cup of bleach and 1 tbsp of dawn). Tide powder did work the best, but it is more expensive. You can dry the diapers on a clothesline outside or in the dryer.

To store the diapers I bought an over the door shoe holder and put the diapers in there.

If Abby gets a rash I switch to disposables until it is gone, that way I don't have to worry about CD safe ointments. I know there are many, but I think they are harder to find in my small town. I have some CD pins on my pinterest board that might help you out too. I'll try and add some links for you later.

Penguin129 · August 2015

Also, I never even attempted to use CD's at night. Abby is a really heavy wetter at night ([partly because I let her have a sippy cup of water over night) and leaks through disposables every now and then so I didn't want to take the chance.

Am12712 · August 2015

It's kind of hit and miss when it comes to finding diapers that work best for you. I suggest buying a variety of pre-loved (cheaper) and seeing what brand you like best. Or there are some companies that have diaper trials, they send you a variety of brands so you can see what you like and then when your done send them back and they give you a store credit.

I use mostly pockets with Caden. I have Bum Genius, Ella Bella Bum, and Little Butt diaper brands. I also use hybrid diapers. I have Binky D and Annabums. Those are both WAHM brands. A little pricey but I like to support WAHMs when I can.

For Emerson I plan on doing prefolds and covers for the most part. It's the easiest (and cheapest) cloth route to go. My covers are all Thirties Duo Wraps. However once Caden is potty trained Emerson will get all his diapers.

I wash using tide, I've used other brands and ended up with stink. I add Calgon to each wash because we have hard water. I just keep a trash can with no lid in the laundry room. Pee diapers go straight into the bucket. I swish poop diapers in the toilet until I've gotten rid of as much as possible, then throw them in the bucket. I dont have a diaper sprayer bucket plan to get one with Emerson. I highly suggest just getting one from the get go. Although breastfed poop is water soluble so no need to rinse BF poop diapers.

I strip my diapers only as needed so maybe every 6 months or so. I use calgon, borax, and washing soda. Soak in a bathtub full of hot water and let sit over night then throw em in the wash. I also a rebel and always dry my diapers in the dryer.

The start can totally be overwhelming. I highly suggest doing a Google search to see if you can find a cloth diaper 101 class. I wish I had know about those when I started. It would have been so much easier.

There's tons more I can talk about but baby is calling.

ImperiumWife · August 2015

I want to do this as well. We don't have a trash service (recycling is our friend. For the one grocery bag a week or so we make, I take to my ILs) so I really need to not use disposables.

shellyamf · August 2015

Awesome. Thank you ladies. I know I will have more questions.

Megan, I plan to use disposables when out and about for longer than an hour or two or traveling. Lily is also a heavy night time wetter. Another reason I never converted to cloth after I had her. I my never occurred to me to just do cloth during the day.

Penguin129 · August 2015

shellyamf said:

Awesome. Thank you ladies. I know I will have more questions. Megan, I plan to use disposables when out and about for longer than an hour or two or traveling. Lily is also a heavy night time wetter. Another reason I never converted to cloth after I had her. I my never occurred to me to just do cloth during the day.

I think it is really the best of both worlds. I'm glad I could help.

Penguin129 · August 2015

We have pocket diapers and all in ones. In the pockets that I have there are two holes so the insert comes out on its own in the washer, I don't have to take it out. It is a really nice feature. Also all in ones takes longer to dry than pockets.

Am12712 · August 2015

I forgot to touch on the diaper rash creams... we still use them when we cloth. I have cut pieces of microfleece that I use as a barrier between the cream and the cloth diaper. I haven't had any issues.

As far as night time goes, I haven't experienced anymore leaks with cloth than I do disposables. Caden has been in disposables since Emerson was born and we end up with at least 2 to 3 leaks a week. Keeping your night time diaper leak free really just depends on what inserts you use. If you really want to go bullet proof for leaks at night.... use a wool cover. They work amazingly and you can make them yourself dirt cheap from a wool sweater you get form the thrift store. I made a cashmere cover for 10 bucks.

Once the current packs of disposables are done both kids will be in cloth... I hate spending so much on disposables, even the "cheap" brand.

shellyamf · December 2015

I'm bumping this thread. Now that I'm just weeks away, I'm trying to get everything organized. My friend gave me some of her diaper stash. I need to see what brand they are but they seem huge for a new born. And she gave me some inserts with them.

I wanted to find this thread so I could get the other supplies. Looks like I need to invest in a hamper to hold the diapers and possibly more diapers. How many is a good number to have on hand? Also on the Tide detergent - powder over liquid? I currently use free and clear liquid Tide on our regular clothes. I don't mind buying something different for the diapers.

ImperiumWife · December 2015

I've seen that between 24-36 is a good number to have in the long run, but I know Am is going to give you a better idea on this. I've registered for a hamper and a sprayer, but that's me.

Also, those of you that use them, do you have a second choice besides tide? That is the one laundry I am not supposed to use, because I have a septic system, and it can ruin the system.

shellyamf · December 2015

Ok I counted and my friend gave me 15 diapers. I know that's probably about a days worth. They are brand Happy Flute. I want to buy about 10 more but not sure what brand to buy. I've been trying to look for used but it's so overwhelming.

I started an Amazon list for a trash can, liner, ect. I'm wanting to place my Amazon order this weekend so I can hopefully have it shortly after Christmas but before baby gets here.

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