I am thinking about cloth diapers for our 2nd child. I really don't know where to start to look for products.

Question

I've read about diapers that you fold, liners, velco (no pins) and on and on. Some of the packages I've seen in the stores seem so expensive and if you need to but them as they grow, is it worth it? I wouldn't be making them just buying and if you have any suggestions, ideas of where to look to get the best value -- I saw one post that said you can get one size that fits newborn through toddler but I can't find where to look.

So, if you can't tell, I'm pretty clueless on the subject!! Thank!

Answer 1

If you can get a diaper service, that's great. But it's not that big a deal to launder your own, either. I'm including some URLs (see sources section below) that will help you get the most basic information. The first 2 articles were published in _Mothering Magazine_; the last 2 are on the sites of companies that sell cloth diapers. Web companies are the best places to buy cloth diapers--whatever you do, *don't* buy the "Toys R Us" ones; they are almost completely non-absorbent!!

Answer 2

I am cloth diapering my 8 mos old full time after using disposables for my other 3 kids and let me tell you what a difference! I went on ebay and just bought the cheapest diapers to start with. I have only spent about $75 for the last 8 mos and have about 20 prefolds (burp cloths) make sure they are DSQ and about 10 diaper covers. I like the bummis, you can use that same cover all day and just change the prefolds. I wash them every couple of days or so and always have fresh dipes on hand. You should just start with a simple system and then you can figure out what works for you. Email me if you have any questions :)

Answer 3

First things first, (Don't listen to everyone's off the cuff comments about oh don't do cloth), or (Cloth diapers are hard work). Cloth diapering is super easy, super economical, it's convenient, and is way better for a baby's bottom.

I have always diapered my 3 kids in regular cloth diapers with safety pins, rubber pants, and diaper liners. I can whip through a complete diaper change in about a minute and a half, and the laundering of cloth diapers, no problem.

Too many people have way too many negative comments about cloth diapers, and most of those comments come from people with little to no experience using cloth diapers at all. Remember that.

I would do lots of internet research and talk with other mothers that used cloth diapers for their kids. It's the best way to learn. There's lots to choose from, and something for everyone.

Answer 4

The lowdown on Cd'ing... it's easy, it's economical, it's better for your baby's bum.

Basic types: prefolds, which are the type you see in Target and wherever, cheapest kind. They require a fastener and a cover of some sort, as they will leak. This is the kind that most diaper services provide.

Fitteds: a step up from prefolds, these are contoured to fit your baby, and are made of absorbant materials such as hemp, cotton, flannel, etc. Unlike a prefold, they fasten with snaps or Aplix (like Velcro). They also require a cover, as they will leak.

Pocket diapers: These are diapers that need a "stuffin." They are fastened with either Aplix or snaps, have an attached PUL covering (so no other cover is needed) and depending on how much absorbancy you need, you stuff them with a liner of mircofiber, hemp, etc. They layer closest to baby's body actually wicks away messes, so your baby will stay SO much cleaner than in a disposable. Some popular brands are FuzziBunz, Happy Heinys, and Mother's Touch.

AIO (all in ones)... these are most like disposies, in that you put 'em on and take 'em off, no stuffins, no covers. They have built in absorbant insert and attached PUL cover, and fasten with snaps or Aplix. These are the easiest but the most expensive. Brands include Cutebabyshoes and Bummis.

Washing: You need no special diaper pail. WE use a diaper champ, but any diaper pail with a lid will work. On wash day, just soak in cold, then wash in HOT with a cold rinse using about 1/4 to 1/8 the amount of detergent you would normally use. You can line dry if there is any discoloration, easy as pie. No wet pails, no extra fuss.

There are TONS of great internet sources, but I suggest looking at Diaperpin before you decide to buy, it gives much more detail about the different systems. Also, most cd online stores are operated by WAHMS who are more than happy to give you individualized advice depending on your needs.

Good luck and happy cd'ing!

Answer 5

Ive seen them at babies r us for a pretty good price and you get a good size pack. Im not planning on using them but I thought that the price was so good that I may buy a pack or two and use as burp clothes and that type of thing. There are a lot of companies that will pick up diapers and leave a new supply of them and wash the old diapers for you....I would check yellow pages maybe for something like that if you are interested

Answer 6

We use cloth diapers with our 4 month old, and we love it. We do have a diaper service, but I would continue to do it even without the service if I had to.

If you breakdown the cost of buying disposables for 2 or 3 years, even with the initial expense of the prefolds (that is what goes inside, close to the baby's skin) and the wraps (velcro or snap wraps to keep the wetness inside) it is still cheaper to use cloth. That's what finally sold my husband on cloth diapers, we would be saving money! Even with a service, and including using more water for wash, etc. it is still less expensive than buying disposable.

A few of the reasons I like cloth are:

- less chemicals and fragrances against babies skin. when we do use disposables, even the natural unbleached ones have a gel that absorbes wetness. Sometimes you will find beads of gel stuck on babies genitals. yuck!

- better for their skin (unbleached vs. paper)

- cloth diapered babies tend to potty train earlier. Cloth diapers don't move the wetness away from the baby's bottom, so they feel the wetness and don't like it. I believe it is an average of 6 months earlier for cloth diapered kids.

- better for the environment

- They're cute!

Here are a few articles with resources and advice for you. Have fun!

http://www.mothering.com/articles/new_baby/diapers/joy-of-cloth.html
http://www.mothering.com/articles/new_baby/diapers/crazy-for-cloth.html

Answer 7

Pay attention to Ellie's answer. She touched on all the points that I was going to mention.

Definitely cheaper, and no chemicals against babies skin. One thing not mentioned is that disposables are very hot to wear all the time. With cloth you still have to put plastic pants or a wrap or something over them to keep wetness is, but when at home you can leave that off and let baby lay around or play on a surface that is easy to clean, that way the baby can "air out" thus minimizing any rashes unlike with disposables.

Good luck and congratulations.

Answer 8

UGh...to be honest with you they are toooo much trouble..our parents used to use them because they didnt have a choice..usually what happens is that you buy all these cloth diapers and then wind up using them for rags because the disposable kind are sooo much easier..you have another child to contend with now and dont need to be worrying about cleaning diapers.

Answer 9

If you are going to use cloth diapers, I would suggest a diaper service. that is the best way to go with the cloth ones

Answer 10

look into attatchment parenting groups. They are big on cloth diapering and have a line on all the best products and meathods