We made our CDs. All in 2s, no pocket. Liners snap in. I have 24 covers and a million liners. We shopped and researched styles and really liked the Grovia diapers so we straight up copied them.
We used PUL, lined with polyester athletic mesh. The liners are unbleached french terry, with a soft minky layer. We had made a complete NB sized set but it didn't work out well. Freddie's legs were too skinny, and he leaked every time. Plus we only did a flannel top on the liners and it had no wicking se he was upset at how wet he was every time he'd pee.
My liners were amazing, no leaks, fit well, etc. but they took FOREVER to dry. 2, sometimes 3 rounds in our gas dryer. When he started daycare we decided to try a different style of liner I'd seen, it's one long layer folded over that flares out under his bum. It's great, but some of the daycare workers don't tuck it in place properly so if it sticks out he'll leak. I never have this problem at home.
This was the basic shape for our NB diapers, though like I said se did AI2s, PUL shell and flannel/french terry liners. (These were shaped like maxi pads sized to fit). baabaababy.us/2011/11/free-newborn-pattern/
I can't find the pattern we used for process instructions, but I can look another time if you're interested. It was long and very good.
My mum bought a CAM table mount snap press. It's been a life saver. My dad did most of the snapping (he had the time), I did the cutting and sewing some of the new liners, my mum did most of the rest of the sewing. I helped out with prototyping and then I;d leave her to sew on her own. (She lives OOT so I'd see her again and pick up my stash)
In October many of the online fabric shops do inventory, I found many were closed, but a couple had big clear outs. I got my PUL for <$6 a metre. I had actually budgeted for ~$9 so I was pleased with my purchase.
I would say I spent well under $200 for 6 wet bags, 24 one size covers, about 60 liners, 28 NB covers, 40+ NB liners and I still have a giant stash of diapering fabric.
We made our CDs. All in 2s, no pocket. Liners snap in. I have 24 covers and a million liners. We shopped and researched styles and really liked the Grovia diapers so we straight up copied them.
We used PUL, lined with polyester athletic mesh. The liners are unbleached french terry, with a soft minky layer. We had made a complete NB sized set but it didn't work out well. Freddie's legs were too skinny, and he leaked every time. Plus we only did a flannel top on the liners and it had no wicking se he was upset at how wet he was every time he'd pee.
My liners were amazing, no leaks, fit well, etc. but they took FOREVER to dry. 2, sometimes 3 rounds in our gas dryer. When he started daycare we decided to try a different style of liner I'd seen, it's one long layer folded over that flares out under his bum. It's great, but some of the daycare workers don't tuck it in place properly so if it sticks out he'll leak. I never have this problem at home.
This was the basic shape for our NB diapers, though like I said se did AI2s, PUL shell and flannel/french terry liners. (These were shaped like maxi pads sized to fit). baabaababy.us/2011/11/free-newborn-pattern/
I can't find the pattern we used for process instructions, but I can look another time if you're interested. It was long and very good.
My mum bought a CAM table mount snap press. It's been a life saver. My dad did most of the snapping (he had the time), I did the cutting and sewing some of the new liners, my mum did most of the rest of the sewing. I helped out with prototyping and then I;d leave her to sew on her own. (She lives OOT so I'd see her again and pick up my stash)
In October many of the online fabric shops do inventory, I found many were closed, but a couple had big clear outs. I got my PUL for <$6 a metre. I had actually budgeted for ~$9 so I was pleased with my purchase.
I would say I spent well under $200 for 6 wet bags, 24 one size covers, about 60 liners, 28 NB covers, 40+ NB liners and I still have a giant stash of diapering fabric.
I did. Their snaps are a different size than the ones that fit out press so I can't mix the pieces, but really I never use my covers more than once before washing. We made more than enough to go 3 days at this point before doing wash.
Getting to use our CDs again is on the pro side of my pros/cons list for having a 2nd kid. I was so sad to pack them away. I'm weird, I know.
DH was neutral/on board if I was game since I was the one home for the first year, and when we would travel and use disposables he ended up stating how much he missed the CDs. He hadn't wanted to do cloth wipes, but faced with a pile of disposable ones that had to go somewhere he quickly decided cloth were easier to just stuff in the dirty diaper after all. We had a million of the cheap/thin baby face cloths and just used those and water.
We used Kawaii pockets full time from about 2 months on. Until then we had a small stash of NB size and some prefolds that we didn't like. And a few packs of disposables from showers. We tried a few brands, and I was so happy the cheapest worked best, and I sold the others. They're held up well, and we had a mix of snaps and Velcro. I sent Velcro to his home daycare, and he never undid them! I sent a bag of them at the start of the week and a small wet bag for each day that came home each night. We had a large hanging Planet Wise bags for his room.
We ended up using fitteds overnight from about 10 months+ with hemp added since he peed infrequently, but tons when he did.
During BFing/formula, the wash is so easy as everything is water-soluble. I did cool rinse, hot cycle with Tide powder, cool rinse (I think? It's only been 10 months and I forgot! Maybe the opposite?) Pockets dry faster than AIOs. The sun is also your best friend for any stains. I washed every 2-3 days. Never any issues with stink or need to strip using Tide vs what the CD board on TB seemed to struggle with when using special detergents. Once we started solids I used flushable rice paper liners and if need be just some TP to wipe any poop off. Zero interest or need for a sprayer.
N is 7 months old and I have become a cloth diapering nut. If you want use them in the newborn stage, I'd suggest a rental. If you'd rather buy your own, I've heard from my CD friends that covers and prefolds are the way to go. We didn't actually use them when he was really small and pretty much waited until he fit into the BG one sizes, so I'm not much help there.
I'd suggest getting a few of each kind before committing. At the moment, I use BG 4.0s, Freetimes, and Flips, as well as Applecheeks and Best Bottoms. I've made all the inserts myself using bamboo fleece, bamboo baby loop terry, bamboo velour, hemp/cotton and hemp/bamboo blends, and Zorb. It's not difficult, and this way I get to try all kinds of material combinations. I'm saving the 4.0 inserts for when I sell them. Someone recommended snaps for resale value- I highly agree with this advice. Aplix just doesn't last.
I do wash twice a week, but I have enough covers and inserts to last about the entire week.
I use cloth wipes and a spray bottle with wipe solution in it, which I spray right on his butt. I made the wipes with flannel and bamboo baby loop terry and velour, and I've "invented" a design I'm thinking about selling on Etsy if/when I can get CPSIA certified.
I am so happy we started doing this and I'd love to provide any help I can with regard to making your own! I got a KAM snap press which has been awesome, and my husband just bought a serger for me for my Mother's Day gift.
Diapers make me giddy. I am seriously sitting here with a big smile on my face.
help...
ETA I highly recommend NaturesFabrics.com for diaper making fabrics, and I get my Zorb on Amazon (LOVE Zorb, it's awesome).
mdana - what kind of a design aside from 'square' would one need for wipes? What feature does yours have?
I put a pocket on the corner for sticking a finger in for extra messy jobs. I'm sure some would find it useless but I've found it useful on plenty of occasions. I make mine 8x6 and fold them up like disposable wipes to put in my OXO wipes container, and they pop up nicely.
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.
I've been using Tide F&C to wash all our clothes but ran out of powdered special soap for my cloth diapers. We also have an HE. Can you share how much detergent you use? Has it made a difference in the wear and tear of the diapers?
OP- I started cloth diapering my twins only AIOS when they were 6 months old. I use disposables ( Honest brand because other brands left red marks)when we go out and at night though. I get leaks out of the leg holes, but thats because my boys are skinny. No diaper that I have tried has not leaked-disposable or cloth
I like Tot Bot diapers and Bum Genius. No rashes with the cloth.
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.
I've been using Tide F&C to wash all our clothes but ran out of powdered special soap for my cloth diapers. We also have an HE. Can you share how much detergent you use? Has it made a difference in the wear and tear of the diapers?
OP- I started cloth diapering my twins only AIOS when they were 6 months old. I use disposables ( Honest brand because other brands left red marks)when we go out and at night though. I get leaks out of the leg holes, but thats because my boys are skinny. No diaper that I have tried has not leaked-disposable or cloth
I like Tot Bot diapers and Bum Genius. No rashes with the cloth.
I use about 1/4 of what they say to use, so not much. As for wear and tear, we have been using most of our diapers for almost 33 months (although we have been potty training for a few months so they don't get used as much as they used to) and they are still in great shape. We probably have 35 diapers, and only 2 are not useable anymore. Neither had anything to do with detergent - one was a BG whose velcro fell apart, and one was a Blueberry that feel apart at the seams after a few months. I think it was defective.
@cajunshrimp whats 1/4 of what they say to use? Like how much of the cap? The 1st line? Tell me like I'm an idiot. Cause I am when it comes to this
Haha, not more than 1/2 an inch in the cup. I kind of eyeball all it - just a quick pour in the cap, sometimes more if it is a really big load. So well below the 1st line, if that makes sense.
1. Should I skip them for the newborn stage, since they grow out of that stage quickly? We used them right away. I was afraid we would get used to the convenience and wimp out when we had to switch. I loved the NB ones so tiny and cute! We only used them 3 months, but ours have shared now through 3 other babies.
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). Sorry I don't, but if you can have them work that would be SO cool!! I am sure there are some patterns out there you can get?
We use alva baby diapers. They are cheap and have been awesome for us. I don't know if that would be cheaper than DIY. I know some people that have not liked them.
3. Did anyone start CD and hate it? Love 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) I sometimes have to psych myself up for it which would be even harder if it wasn't like... 5 feet away! But, that said I have a bff with twins and she CD's and washes all hers in a shared w/d with no problem.
5. Any other advice, warnings, links to other posts that you already gave your well-thought-out advice, etc?
For a little while he was leaking despite having extra thick inserts. We used disana wool pants. I don't know how these work but they magically hold the pee. Hopefully someone else can explain the miracle of wool better. www.caterpillarbaby.com/disana-wool-cover.html
We got planet wise wetbags to hold dirty diapers in our diaper bag. In retrospect I think any sort of zipping waterproof bag would have been fine, didn't need to spend the $ there.
For a diaper pail we just have a step-opening garbage pail.