Calling all CD parents. (papie?) I feel overwhelmed with all the information out there for cloth diapering.
From my research so far, I'm leaning toward pockets with inserts, because it seems like it is cheaper than AIOs but easier than the old fashioned ones w/pins and would be less likely to leak.
A few random questions I have:
1. Should I skip them for the newborn stage, since they grow out of that stage quickly?
2. Does anyone have experience with homemade cloth diapers? I mentioned to my mom that I am looking into it. When I showed her the bumgenius 4.0s she said she thought she and/or my grandma could probably sew some (both are good at sewing, my grandma is excellent).
3. Did anyone start CD and hate it?
4. How much of a PITA is it if you don't have your own washer/dryer? (I have access to a laundry room in my complex, but it isn't my own personal machine)
5. Any other advice, warnings, links to other posts that you already gave your well-thought-out advice, etc?
i was planning on CDing from the beginning and decided not to.
now at 7m i was forced into it because she is allergic to disposables. i keep thinking "why didn't i do this in the beginning?!" CDing is not hard. at all.
we use prefolds & fitteds with covers. they are cheap. L is allergic to synthetics so i can't use most pockets or aios but when i tried a BG 4.0 one time i liked it a lot! there are cheaper options, or ways to get them used.
i only have enough for just barely 2 days, but i would recommend enough for 3. or maybe a week if you have to pay for laundry. CDing isn't always cheaper when you have to pay $2.50 to wash them.
don't buy a ton of one brand & kind because you might hate certain ones.
i wouldn't CD a newborn but once i got my bearings and my kid weighed enough i would. i think there's a lot to adjust to and disposables are just easier for the first month or so.
Post by noodleskooze on May 8, 2014 17:13:07 GMT -5
We're odd, because we CDed him as a newborn, then quit shortly after that. We used AIOs, pockets, and fitteds with covers, but we liked the fitteds with covers the best. That might have changed once he got older and wigglier though.
We used CD from day 1. I do not regret it at all, it's so easy. I suggest getting a few different styles to try and see what works best for you. If you hate one type you can easily sell since they hold great value.
I've used them with and without a washer/dryer. Made no difference since I do lots of laundry anyways. I have enough for 5/6 days but I wash every 3/4. I use mostly pre folds and covers/best bottoms/BG
I loved hook and loop until I encountered my first laundry ball/DD figured out how to undo them. I now only own snaps.
Don't worry about special detergents, just use what works for you. (I use powdered tide)
1. Up to you. I CD'ed from day 1. I used prefolds and covers until they fit into one size diapers. NB size stuff tends to retain resale value better, since it's only used for a little while. I sold my NB stash for almost as much as I bought it new. But I think the majority of CD parents I talk to prefer to use disposables at first.
2. Yes, I had a few mama-made diapers in my stash. You can find patterns online, I believe. I'm not crafty at all, but you're lucky to have people who are! You can get cuter prints that way
3. Not me, obviously. lol. But yeah, on my CD swap group we sometimes have people selling whole stashes at once because they didn't like it. Sometimes it does take a little troubleshooting to perfect your routine, so you have to be a little stubborn about it.
4. I did a 6 month stint with no washer or dryer of my own. I lugged the diaper pail to my bff's house every 3 days. I've never used community machines, but I'd imagine it's similar. It's a PITA.
5. It's really easy to get overwhelmed when you're researching. Too many choices, too many opinions! Once the baby fits in one size, I highly recommend doing a trial package from a cloth diaper store. They'll send you all different types so that you can see how each works on your baby, and you send back the ones you don't like.
We're odd, because we CDed him as a newborn, then quit shortly after that. We used AIOs, pockets, and fitteds with covers, but we liked the fitteds with covers the best. That might have changed once he got older and wigglier though.
Post by CajunShrimp on May 8, 2014 17:22:48 GMT -5
We started CDing with pockets when he was 8 days old, and he hasn't worn disposables since. DS was very long, so they fit him from the beginning. Waist size didn't matter, even though he is super skinny. You can adjust the length and waist.
Velcro is easiest, but they won't last as long. You can replace the velcro if you are handy like that. We have almost all snaps.
We have one homemade off Etsy, but TBH it doesn't absorb as well as the name brand.
We love CDing, and I have no regrets. Super easy, and we have saved so much money. $400 of diapers have lasted 32+ months.
You can do it if you don't have your own machine (we have to use a laundromat at our summer place) but it is a little harder. Those machines don't get as hot as the one at home, and laundry sheet residue can affect the absorbibility of the diapers. You can help that by stripping them - do a wash with a dollop of blue Dawn dish soap, then a few hot washes with no soap.
DS has never had a poop explosion that you hear about with disposies (you know, where the poop is all up their back). He has had pee leaks if he isn't changed in time, but I think poop has only escaped the diaper twice, and it was very minor. I think that is the best reason to use them.
DS has had very few diaper rashes, another benefit. You do have to be careful of any creams/lotions you use.
I would be happy to answer any other questions you have if I can.
Post by CajunShrimp on May 8, 2014 17:25:21 GMT -5
Oh, and we use Tide Free and Clear detergent, but I hear Tide powder works great as well. I do a presoak (we have a HE washer), then a hot wash with an extra rinse. I throw in his clothes during the wash cycle and do them at the same time.
Post by CajunShrimp on May 8, 2014 17:28:11 GMT -5
Oh, I have more. We store the diapers in a large wetbag in a regular plastic trash can. Buy a three so you have one with the dirties, one to put in while you are washing them, and a spare. I would also get 2 small wetbags for your diaper bag when you are out and about.
Post by CajunShrimp on May 8, 2014 17:30:04 GMT -5
Zulily has them from time to time. I think I bought some from ecomom as well? There is also a CD store by us. They had a class all about CDing that we went to, and they gave us a coupon for use that day.
We're odd, because we CDed him as a newborn, then quit shortly after that. We used AIOs, pockets, and fitteds with covers, but we liked the fitteds with covers the best. That might have changed once he got older and wigglier though.
Why did you decide to quit?
We moved into a house with an HE washer (top loader) and couldn't get them clean
Don't be scared of snaps! I thought velcro would be so much easier and more adjustable, but I never had a problem with fit with the snaps and they last so. much. longer.
Plus, both of mine learned to undo velcro ridiculously early. There's not much that sucks more than your kid learning how to take their own diaper off. lol.
Zulily has them from time to time. I think I bought some from ecomom as well? There is also a CD store by us. They had a class all about CDing that we went to, and they gave us a coupon for use that day.
Oh man, I would love to attend a class on this. It's hard to really get at what is going on from reading online. I'll have to look for one around here.
We moved into a house with an HE washer (top loader) and couldn't get them clean
Bummer
Thanks for answering.
I'm a little worried because the washers I have access to don't have many options for rinse cycles, so I'm wondering if we'd be able to get them cleaned properly.
Zulily has them from time to time. I think I bought some from ecomom as well? There is also a CD store by us. They had a class all about CDing that we went to, and they gave us a coupon for use that day.
Oh man, I would love to attend a class on this. It's hard to really get at what is going on from reading online. I'll have to look for one around here.
Oh man, I would love to attend a class on this. It's hard to really get at what is going on from reading online. I'll have to look for one around here.
Can anyone recommend where they purchased their CDs? Is there a good online place from which to order these?
I obviously haven't used this yet, but I found it in my research. Lets you get a 'trial package' of different types of cds (like a poster above mentioned) and then send back the ones you don't like. www.diaperlab.com/visit/experiment.php
Can anyone recommend where they purchased their CDs? Is there a good online place from which to order these?
I obviously haven't used this yet, but I found it in my research. Lets you get a 'trial package' of different types of cds (like a poster above mentioned) and then send back the ones you don't like. www.diaperlab.com/visit/experiment.php
That is where we went! They had a great intro class and they are super helpful.
Post by rupertpenny on May 8, 2014 17:38:17 GMT -5
Personally I would not attempt to CD in anything less than an ideal laundry situation. I did it when I had my own washer and dryer and it was NBD, but I knew I didn't even want to try after we moved because we wouldn't have a dryer. I don't think I'd attempt it with shared laundry.
Another question: Is there anything you recommend I send to the woman who will be watching my baby that can hold the dirty diapers until I pick them up later that day?
Can anyone recommend where they purchased their CDs? Is there a good online place from which to order these?
I obviously haven't used this yet, but I found it in my research. Lets you get a 'trial package' of different types of cds (like a poster above mentioned) and then send back the ones you don't like. www.diaperlab.com/visit/experiment.php
Thanks! I would love to play around with a few. Being the oldest of many cousins I've been changing diapers since my early tweens but I've never had experience with CDs before.
Another question: Is there anything you recommend I send to the woman who will be watching my baby that can hold the dirty diapers until I pick them up later that day?
Use a wetbag like Cajun mentioned above. They have small ones (for a diaper bag) or bigger ones for longer term storage between washes.