[MommyBeth]

My name is Amy, my current DD is in sposie and getting close to training. So I'm not likely to change her to CDs but I want to ask a few question for the next time around. Because of some things that have occurred to me in the past year. I can no longer use hormonal birth control and we only use pull-out for birth control. Ohhh and I've been a major lurker, for several reasons. All the fluffy butts are majorly cute!!

I want to CD because I've had to switch to a lot of natural based products this year. I want to CD because while its more money upfront its still cheaper in the long run especially if I learn to make my own diapers. I would also want to use cloth wipes and make those. We are not opposed to sposies or sposie wipes, but looking to drastically offset the cost of diapers. The CD's would be saved and kept until we knew forsure we were done having kids. Since permanent forms of BC are not for us this could potentially really add up. Also fluffy butts are really really cute!!

Did you have to convince DH/family? I think DH would be easy to get on board. DD had some nasty diaper explosions on us. Dh is into the green cars and electricity stuff. It probably wouldn't take much to convince him. Family I'm not all that concerned with, as its my child my choice, but would like their support.

Would you have a sprayer from the start? I would only be able to wash every 1-2. maybe 2-3 days. How would you "store" dirty diapers? What would you get to go out and about for short trips, day trips, and a longer trip for going in a diaper bag or suitcase? Any trips that I couldn't do my normal laundry routine I would be doing sposies, or partially sposies. How/what would you send as diapers at daycare? How would have have them store "dirty" diapers for you to bring home?

How hard is it to find a wash routine? What about using free & clear detergents and natural laundry products? How do you prep new diapers? Which natural fibers work best? What diaper materials are the easiest to use and take care of?

What diapers would you put in a diaper bag? How many diapers would you take with you for a day trip?

What would you recommend starting with for someone who is interested in making their own diapers? How many of diapers would you have in a stash for a hoping to be EBF newborn? Would you CD from birth or wait a few days or weeks? Would you get a whole stash by birth or just a few to try so you can see what you like and what works for you?

I want as many details as you ladies can explain to me. I'm willing to answer any questions you ladies might have. Can I ask more questions?? How soon would you start trying to make diapers if you wanted to make quite a bit of your stash, but didn't have a lot of time to devote to sewing?

[lovemylittlemiss]

Welcome! I'm Hillary and I'm also relatively new to cloth. DD is just about 4 months old and we've been cd'ing since she was around 1 month.

We don't have a sprayer--yet. DD is EBF and imo a sprayer isn't completely necessary at this point because their poop is water soluble. We do put in diaper liners in which gets most of the poop anyway. I think I would like to get a sprayer in the future though. We use the dry pail method...we have a pail right next to the changing table and we just toss the dipes and inserts in there. My DH throws the diapers in the wash about every other day and I take them out and hang them to dry. We've been using a sensitive detergent and so far it's been working out pretty well. Our fitted dipes (made out of cotton) and our flats (made out of muslin) were washed 2-3 times before we used them to ensure maximum absorbance. However, we only washed our pockets (made out of micro fleece) once. For short day trips I just bring 2 diapers, our wet bag and a travel disposable wipes package.

We waited till she was around 1 month old because we had enough free pampers to last till then that we wanted to get rid of Next time I'd like to start cloth from the beginning though. In the beginning we only had 20 fitteds and several flats (idk how many exactly b/c we also use them as burp cloths) I heard pre folds are great for tiny babies though...some of the other kinds of diapers might not fit right away unless they are specifically made for newborns, so that's why some people wait.

HTH!

[shen7]

Hi Amy!

Would you have a sprayer from the start?
No, not if you breastfeed. EBF poo is very runny and completely water soluble, you just run a prewash to rinse it off before your main wash.

How would you "store" dirty diapers?
I use a hanging wet bag. You can also use a pail liner in a plastic kitchen trash can. It's nice to use washable liners or bags because you just push it inside out as you dump the dipes in the washer, throw it in and wash with the diapers!

What would you get to go out and about for short trips, day trips, and a longer trip for going in a diaper bag or suitcase?
Diapers, wipes, wet bag for dirties. More diapers/wipes and a bigger wetbag for longer trips. The only difference from sposies is the wet bag so you can take them home!

How/what would you send as diapers at daycare? How would have have them store "dirty" diapers for you to bring home?
No experience, but I believe you just bring a supply of clean diapers and a wet bag for dirties every morning, then bring the bag of dirties home at night. Some daycares have requirements re types, like some only change pockets or AIOs and can't do separate cover systems, but some can.

How hard is it to find a wash routine?
Easy, unless you have very hard water, an HE washer, and hard to clean diapers.

What about using free & clear detergents and natural laundry products?
I'm gonna be honest, many "natural" detergents don't work as well. Free & clear of dyes and perfumes is not the issue, the main issue is enzymes, builders/surfactants, and when/if you need it, strong oxidizing (disinfecting) power. I currently use Tide F&G or 7th Generation unscented detergent and unscented regular bleach. But when I had an EBF baby and softer water, I used natural detergent and vinegar and had no problems. I also love Bac-Out, which is a natural enzyme product that works amazingly well on poop and pee.

How do you prep new diapers?
Wash and dry on hot several times (not with diapers in current use) to remove most of the oils.

Which natural fibers work best?
COTTON is king. It is the easiest to get clean and very durable. People love bamboo too, and hemp, for overnight or heavy wetters, but these are always blended with cotton.

What diaper materials are the easiest to use and take care of?
100% Natural fibers. No polyester in the backing. No microfiber, no synthetics. Anything with few layers in fabric in each separate piece, no elastic, no PUL, no nylon. Keeping the elastic/PUL containing cover or pocket piece separate allows you to deep clean the absorbent piece without wearing out the more delicate piece.
Easy to use is a matter of opinion. Whatever you like and use frequently will become easy to you. AIOs and prestuffed pockets or presnapped AI2s are the easiest for uninitiated people to get on, folded and pinned flats or prefolds are the hardest, but they are the cheapest and easiest to clean as well.

What diapers would you put in a diaper bag? How many diapers would you take with you for a day trip?
Depends on the age of the baby. I am an overpacker so I would take like 10 for an all day trip. I usually just take a few but keep emergency backups in the car.

What would you recommend starting with for someone who is interested in making their own diapers?
I will let some of our experienced diaper makers answer that one!!!

How many of diapers would you have in a stash for a hoping to be EBF newborn?
36 at least

Would you CD from birth or wait a few days or weeks?
I started on day 5 or so with M. I was letting hospital nurses, DH and grandparents do all the changing at first and we had a bunch of free sposies. Next time I would like to start as soon as we are home from the hospital.

Would you get a whole stash by birth or just a few to try so you can see what you like and what works for you?
I got a whole stash of prefolds and covers before birth and it worked great for me! I had already practiced prefolds on my friend's newborn so I knew they worked well for me.

How soon would you start trying to make diapers if you wanted to make quite a bit of your stash, but didn't have a lot of time to devote to sewing?
ASAP

[bethysfirst1]

Did you have to convince DH/family? Yes, but DH is fine as long as he can use Velcro pocket diapers. He hated prefolds. My friends/family say, "how do you like cding?" and when I say that I like it, they respond with.. Well, we'll see.. My thought is "they'll see what exactly?" I'm still waiting to find out what "they'll see" hehe

Would you have a sprayer from the start? I have a sprayer but don't use it yet.dd is 2months old and formula fed. Poo just washes right out. No problems!

How would you "store" dirty diapers? I had a wet bag, but it was so cheap after one wash the PUL started stripping away. Now i just use a trash bag in a tall kitchen trash pail. I change the trash bag when it gets stinky.

What would you get to go out and about for short trips, day trips, and a longer trip for going in a diaper bag or suitcase? Any trips that I couldn't do my normal laundry routine I would be doing sposies, or partially sposies. ---I agree. If I did not hav access to a washer and I was going away for an extended period of time (week or two) I'd use sposies.

How/what would you send as diapers at daycare? How would have have them store "dirty" diapers for you to bring home? I haven't sent Kate to daycare yet

How hard is it to find a wash routine? It was hard for me bc I have an he front loader and a daughter with very sensitive skin.

What about using free & clear detergents and natural laundry products? I was making my own detergent, but i think the borax or oxiclean was irritating her. Now i like country save, but recently dropps are working well for me.

How do you prep new diapers? Wash wash wash! Boil prefolds and inserts with a tsp of blue dawn for 20 min. Then wash once.
Pockets and covers just wash once.
Aio diapers need to be washed 3-5 times for increased absorbancy. Cannot be boiled.

Which natural fibers work best? Cotton is best.

What diaper materials are the easiest to use and take care of? Cotton prefolds are easiest by far.

What diapers would you put in a diaper bag? I put pockets right now bc dd has been getting rashes from prefolds. But im hoping to go back to prefolds soon and covers.

How many diapers would you take with you for a day trip? At least 1 for every 2 hours.

What would you recommend starting with for someone who is interested in making their own diapers? N/a

How many of diapers would you have in a stash for a hoping to be EBF newborn? At least 25-30 or else you'll need to wash more often. Dd would need to be changed some days 12-15 times!

Would you CD from birth or wait a few days or weeks? I started right when we got home from the hospital

Would you get a whole stash by birth or just a few to try so you can see what you like and what works for you? I got a lot of different types. I definitely had an over supply. I've sold on diaperswappers and Craigslist the ones I don't like.

The only other comment I have is about rash creams. Many ladies have a favorite, but just like detergents, you cannot use certain rash creams on CDs. Right now I'm using earth mama angel baby. But bc of dd sensitive skin, we tried ca baby, grandma els, and coconut oil before we found one that worked.

[MommyBeth]

Dh is on board. I'm interested in some pockets and AIO's, but probably would like to use more fitteds, flats, prefolds, and use covers and soakers. Natural fibers are important. I've had to go in search of a replacement for just about every care product I use since having DD!!