Some Ins and Outs...

Okay, in my previous post I discussed the different types of cloth diapers. I want you to know that there are FAR more options than I discussed but these are the ones I've used and have worked for me. I'll try and see if some of my Cloth Diapering friends will write a review of the ones they use for me to put on my blog.

There are a few things to keep in mind with cloth diapering. They can be addicting. No, seriously, they can. I know that it sounds batty but it's so true! The pretty prints, finding the right ones, the pretty prints, new ones coming out, pretty prints, I think you get the idea. They're pretty.

You cannot use regular diaper cream with them. Something in them, i believe mineral oil, causes them to not be absorbant and actually repel the fluid. You can use coconut oil and cloth diaper safe creams. You can google them but the one i've been using is CJs Butter.

This is my "must-have" list. Note that all of these aren't necessary but just make things easier.
Below are the wetbags, they wouldn't go in the other spot.

1.  2 "wetbags"- you'll want a large one for long trips and a smaller one for short trips. It's also nice to have them extra when the other is dirty or in the wash. I have a Planetwise wet-dry bag. This one has a pocket for the dry, clean diapers and a wet PUL lined inner piece for the wet/dirty ones. These are also great for swimsuits! Just don't put the swimsuit in at the same time as a dirty diaper...yuck.     
2. Trash can with a lid and a pail liner. A pail liner is similar to a wetbag but just lines the pail. I like the planet wise pail liner because of the elastic around the top. It's nice to have two but it isn't necessary. you want a can with a lid to keep the stinky in.
3. If you're choosing the prefolds with covers you'll want some "snappis". Snappis replace the diaper pins and to me seem easier to use. 
4. You'll want to have about 24 or so diapers when they're a newborn and a few less as they get older because you wont have quite as many diaper changes when they're older. You don't want to be washing diapers every day, it's best to wash every other day. it makes the diapers last longer.
5. If you want to save more money, use cloth wipes and a wipe solution. A simple solution in a spray bottle is tea tree oil (just a couple drops), baby shampoo and baby oil. I prefer cloth wipes at home because they're so much better at getting the poop off. I made my own out of receiving blankets.
6. Cloth diaper safe laundry detergent. You can go as common as All Free and Clear Small and Mighty or have to order it like Charlies or Rockin' Green. Sometimes you can find those in cloth diaper stores if they're close to you.
7. Fleece or silk liners. These are nice for poopy diapers but I dont have enough to use with every diaper so i only use it on occassion. They're nice for the times where you're given "normal" diaper cream because you can use them as a barrier.
8. disposable diaper liners- I don't have any of these but they're flushable!

Snappi on a prefold

To wash-

• Cold rinse
• Hot wash with soap and a cold rinse
• another cold rinse to get all the soap out

To strip- (you only do this if they're repelling or stinky)

• Cold rinse
• hot wash with blue dawn dish soap
• cold rinse

Cheap or Environmental friendly......Or both?

Throughout my pregnancy I was researching...and researching.....and researching...and...well, you get the idea. I researched everything from foods that were safe to eat while pregnant to exercises you can do while pregnant to what clothes run the truest to size. FYI none of the clothes are true to size in my opinion. That's not the point of this post though.

 As mothers we tend to research everything. We want to give our children the best possible start to life. We also generally try to find the most practical and affordable things for our family, or at least ways to spend money on more fun things and still give our babies exactly what they need. We knew going into parenthood that babies are by nature expensive. Parents buy food, clothing, toys, books, etc. One of the most expensive items that i've found outside of food is diapers. Diapers are insanely expensive to me for what they are. Poop catchers. We did a lot of thinking and had thought about cloth diapering but decided against it for the time being because we were planning on going home to visit and didn't want to be putting poop in other people's washers...silly now that we think about it.

 When mike was away at training starting early August, we took the plunge. We used up the rest of the disposables that we had and made the commitment to cloth diapering. It IS a commitment and one that is well worth it. Rosalie hasn't worn a disposable diaper since August 9th and darn it, I'm pretty excited about it!

 There are SO many ways to cloth diaper, they aren't your grandma's style anymore! They have fun prints, diapers that go from birth to potty training, nifty little things that replace diaper pins, the list goes on. We've used several types so far and are still working out which ones we like best. I feel like they all have their time and place, though.

 We started with prefolds and covers. This is one of the cheapest ways to go. You can go from birth to potty training for around $100 if you shop around. My favorite covers right now are Flip or Thirsties Duo Wraps. They're both about $13 each. Flip come in "one-size" meaning they can be worn starting at around 8lb and go to 35 I believe. The thirsties come "sized" and come in sizes one and two. Size one goes up to around 15lb and then size two goes to 35-40 or so. (all numbers are guesses right now, I'm too sleepy to look them up ;D) Prefolds come in three sizes: Infant, Premium and Toddler. You can usually find them for between $1 (used from a diaper service and good quality) and up to $10 for hemp, organic or bamboo. I use the one dollar ones. You'll need 4 covers or so I would say. You don't change the cover with every diaper change unless it's soiled by poop. You can wipe off the pee with a baby wipe or rinse it and let it dry. THese are nice as well because they aren't bulky like other diapers. These are also very quick to dry. You can use a "snappi", diaper pins or trifold a prefold with a snug cover.


(Top left is the flip onesize cover, top right is the econobums one size cover and the bottom is a thirsties size 1)

 


Pocket diapers are nice as well. They dry quickly because they have an "insert" that is usually microfiber, hemp or bamboo that can be taken out. These need to be changed with every diaper change, they aren't reusable like covers. They come in sized and one size. The sized are generally the most bulky diaper I've found but the most versatile since they go from birth to potty training and a better bang for your buck. There are TONS of different brands! Tons and tons and tons. There are WAHM (work at home mom), commercial, chinese made, etc. I have used Fuzzibunz, Bumgenius, Justsimplybaby and I have some Alvababy on the way.


  Fuzzibunz- These are one of the trimmest i've used. They're one size but they don't snap down like the others. They're adjustable in the legs and waste with elastic. They're a bit spendy as most pocket diapers are but they seem to be working well for us right now. I've only had these a week or so but we haven't had a leak even with wearing it for 12+ hours at nighttime. I double stuff with two inserts to keep them absorbant enough for night time, I do this with all my pocket diapers.

Bumgenius- many people LOVE bumgenius. I do like some of their products but the pockets aren't that much better than the cheaper ones i have though they do have some super cute prints in the artist series. With these you snap down the rise to adjust to the baby's size. They're about $20 or so a piece though i've seen them cheaper

 



  JustSimplyBaby These diapers are relatively inexpensive at around $12 a diaper. They also have some that are a minky outside as opposed to the traditional PUL. Personally, i have found that the minky leaks a lot more than the PUL. I'm not quite sure why except maybe the wetness is wicking more to the minky. I do like these diapers though for the price and they have really good sales and ship free to military.

  Alvababy- they appear to be JUST like the JSB but I haven't gotten them yet so i'll have to do an update when I do.


There are also All-in-One diapers. These do not require a pocket and come in different sizes, they aren't usually all one size. They DO have some that are but you have to look for

them. I know that Bumgenius has them but I  tried them out to know how good they are. I have a sized ones from bumgenius and I LOVE them. They're more spendy though and if you're cloth diapering for budgetary reasons this isn't the way to go. I happened to get mine off the Cloth Diaper Swap board on BabyCenter. LOVE that board! Seriously, check it out! These are fantastic, i just wish they were cheaper.

 I'm sure i'm missing some type but I'll fill in more if i do :) See next post for the "how-to"!