i am 25 weeks pregnant and planning to cloth diaper. but i dont know anything about cloth diapering or what all those different types of diapers do. i would like to know, from mothers or fathers who have cloth diapered, what diapers i should start off with, for a newborn? which diapers are for what? how many should i have? keep in mind i am on a budget. thank you.
2007-09-12 16:10:52 · 8 answers · asked by pilar 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Yes, Mystic is right! There are a lot of people who write stupid stuff like "ewwww, why would you do that?" They're the ones who make a bunch of typos.
For a newborn baby, nothing beats a stack of newborn prefolds http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=89, a Snappi http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=37&products_id=100 and 4-6 Proraps http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=36&products_id=284. Nothing gets through that combination, and Proraps are indestructible. Since I assume that your baby will be born in the winter, so you don't have to be bothered with cute diapers unless you can't resist.
If you're thinking about rash prevention or looks (and we all are), then you might want some printed Bummis SWWs http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=36&products_id=92 , a few BumGenius one-size pockets http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=98&products_id=954 or a homemade wool cover. My mom and MIL have made beautiful woolies for my girls and they just use free patterns from the internet. I also just love Kissaluvs fitted diapers http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=28&products_id=283. They're sooo cute.
You just have to read, read, read until you finally make a decision. I love prefolds and they're cheap, but you may be willing to spend more than me for looks or convenience. There are so few of us out there that we have to start this alone, but you'll figure it out in time. Soon, you'll be a pro and you'll be proud that you're keeping harmful chemicals away from your precious baby.
I'm not sure the other posters have used a cloth diaper in the past ten or twenty years. It's not pins, flats, rubber pants, bleach and toilet dunking anymore! The internet has done wonderful things for cloth.
2007-09-12 17:12:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best for a budget is having like 25 or more prefolds and maybe 5 covers. The easiest is going to be the all in ones. Just FYI because you have about another 15 weeks before the baby comes- A LOT of the cloth diaper websites offer a lay-a-way which is pretty nice. You can get a prefold for about $2 if not less, and a cover for about $10. All in ones are more expensive and can run from $10- $25. If you can knit/ crochet you could make some diaper covers as well. And also- you can get cheap home made diapers off of ebay I have a few and they work just like the expensive ones. I usually do a couple of months cloth a month or so disposible. Cloth can be a PITA for me but I do enjoy using them and the money they save.
2007-09-12 19:05:10 · answer #2 · answered by jose migel 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Good for you! it is about time the people figure out that disposable diapers are bad all around.
I had two in cloth diapers for a few months.
Concern your question about the size...you just fold the diaper in a smaller shape for the baby. You can also double diaper a baby eventually at night. Cloth diapers are also great for burp rags.
You will have to dump out the poop in the toilet. Might even have to rinse it out by hand before washing. Human's have done for many years.
I believe you will save money in the long run with cloth diapers.
Don't use harsh detergents. Buy fragrence free laundry soap.
If you bleach the diapers...I always doubled rinsed them.
If you don't like folding ahead of time, you can keep the diapers in a Laundry bag or something like that.
2007-09-12 16:27:39 · answer #3 · answered by clcalifornia 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its good that you are planning for cloth diapering for your baby. New borns can be on cloth diapers . They need to be changed as often as any other commercial diaper. Its better to have a dozen or more cloth diapers because the newborns keep peeing and pooing a lot atleast for the first 3 months.. Cloth diapers are good for your baby to avoid rashes. Please remember to change as soon as you see your baby is wet..You could also put ur baby on commercial diaper during nights so that for better absorbing properties. It will also help your baby and you to sleep better. You could buy a pack and keep it ready in case you have step out with the baby. Else, at home, cloth diapers are very comfortable for the baby as the skin can breathe..
All the best :)
2007-09-12 16:30:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should join some of the Yahoo groups on cloth diapering, there aren't that many cloth diapering mommas on Answers.
http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=cloth+diaper
2007-09-12 16:19:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
In all actuality- while cloth diapering may seem like the "cheaper" route, the money you are spending on water, soap, bleach..etc, ends up costing you about the same.
If you are just really conscerned with "being green" then, sure, cloth diapering is a good way to go.
Cloth diapers do work well as burp rags (as someone mentioned previously), and also, I have found that there are plastic type coverings to put over your child's cloth diaper to protect YOU from getting inconvienently wet! Best of luck to you!
2007-09-12 16:53:10 · answer #6 · answered by Lauren B 3 · 0⤊ 5⤋
Oh no! Cloth diapering is going to be more than you bargained for! You realize that you will be disposing of the waste ( how?) and then cleaning and disinfecting more diapers than you could ever imagine. Plus keeping wherever you wash them disinfected. Then ofcourse you will have to use diaper pins and I just feel like it is colonial time work! Try a less expensive paper brand like Luvs or even store economical packs! (Try Walmart or BJ's or COSTCO)Diapers of any brand are still going to be peed on and throw out so go for cheap paper diapers and save yourself from the stress and mess!
2007-09-12 17:11:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 6⤋
I used cloth diapers ,because I wanted to save money.I quickly learned that cloth diapers do not save you money. You have to change the diaper right after the baby wets , you can quickly have lots of diapers to clean .(Disposable diapers the baby can wet several times before changing.)When you figure water cost,soap cost and your time cleaning and soaking the diaper in the toilet before you wash it ,your not really saving any money. I recommend using a name brand disposable diaper ,cheap diapers can cause diaper rash. In the long run disposable saves you money and the baby is less likly to get diaper rash.
2007-09-12 16:35:57 · answer #8 · answered by glenda w 4 · 1⤊ 5⤋
i clothed nappied my boy for 12 mths, saves money. all cloths are the same size its just the folding techniques for newborn and then toddlers. midwives can show you how to fold a new born nappy!well done
2007-09-12 16:29:23 · answer #9 · answered by dot 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋