[A*LOT*OF*HOPE]

So I am very interested in cloth diapers!!! I have no idea where to start, or really how they work!! Does a cloth diaper need a cover?? Please help!! The seem expensive so I wanted to start stocking up!!! Cost wise how much will it save you each month??? Do you recommend them??? Anyone not like them?? What is a good website to order from??? Are there different kinds?? How many of each size do I need????

[ScottishBrit]

I like the Idea but just can't get over having to wash them with "our" clothes...I know Im weird. Maybe If I had an extra washing machine, haha....Im kinda glad I dont have cloth cause Cambria poops ALL the time, just about every diapar!!!

[greeneyes]

Hey, Morgan! You should definitely post this over on the CD board and be sure to check out all of our stickies and subforums including Cloth Diapering 101 and Reviews and Recommendations.

[Kristen_at_the_lake]

Does a cloth diaper need a cover? For the most part, yes, if you buy All-In-One's then no

Cost wise how much will it save you each month? I don't really know, because I didn't buy disposables

Do you recommend them? Yes

What is a good website to order from? I ordered mine from toastybaby.com, mtdiaperstore.com, and jilliansdrawers.com
toastybaby has a pretty good description of a layette (starter kit) to help you get started.

Are there different kinds? There are many different kinds--prefolds, flats, fitteds, pocket, AIO, AI2s, and other stuff

How many of each size do I need? We have 24 infant and just ordered 24 regular (for 15-30 lbs)

**
I looked into a lot of websites and did a lot of research before I ordered our diapers. We started with the basic infant package from mtdiaperstore--it came with 24 infant size prefolds, 4 small covers, and a 2 pack of Snappis (no more pins). This has worked out excellent for us. We also ordered 2 pocket diapers and 2 fitteds. Honestly, I hardly ever use these ones. You'll also want at least one wet bag.


There is also a great board on here for Cloth Diapering...it's very helpful.

[Adriana's Mommy]

I like the Idea but just can't get over having to wash them with "our" clothes...I know Im weird.[/b]

I'm the same way.. I would have to use the Sanitary option on my washer machine and then do an extra rinse.. That's about 2 hours of straight washing for one load.. lol Then I would set the Sanitary option on my dryer and Sanitize it to death.. lol

[Kristen_at_the_lake]

I like the Idea but just can't get over having to wash them with "our" clothes...I know Im weird. Maybe If I had an extra washing machine, haha....Im kinda glad I dont have cloth cause Cambria poops ALL the time, just about every diapar!!! [/b]

I wash our diapers in a separate load all the time. They never get washed with our clothes, or even Leo's clothes. We also rinse the poo out of every diaper before it ever goes into the wet bag.

[A*LOT*OF*HOPE]

What is better fitted or prefold??

[Kristen_at_the_lake]

I prefer using the prefolds. The fitteds work just fine, but you still have to use a cover with them.

[greeneyes]

What is better fitted or prefold??[/b]

I've found that fitteds are better at poo containment (especially if you plan on breastfeeding as EBF poo is very runny). Prefolds are more economical because they are CHEAP so you can buy quite a few of them for very little.

[A*LOT*OF*HOPE]

So with a prefold you use a cover and a fitted you do or don't??? I just youtubed it and watched a video on how to fold them!! Which fold works the best??
What would I need then to start out?? Say I was going to go out tomorrow and buy everything I needed for the first 6 months(don't worry I won't....yet) what would I need??? I blame Katie for all of this, how dare she send me the cutest little cloth diaper I have ever seen for my SS gift!!!

[greeneyes]

So with a prefold you use a cover and a fitted you do or don't??? I just youtubed it and watched a video on how to fold them!! Which fold works the best??[/b]

You will need to use a cover on any flat, prefold, contoured, or fitted diaper. Pockets, all in ones (AIOs), and all in twos (AI2s) do not need covers. Most people find that the bikini twist or newspaper folds work the best, but that's something you'll have to decide once your baby is here and you've had some practice. Some folds work better on certain baby body types than others while some mamas prefer one fold over another.

[~Jess~]

I prefer all-in-ones. Sign up for promotional emails at cottonbabies & the swaddlebees outlet & you can often get blueberries & BGs for around $10 each. Since you're not pregnant yet, you have time to wait around for the best deals.

[A*LOT*OF*HOPE]

Thanks Jess, thats a great idea!!!! I was talking to DH about it last night and he said because they are so expensive I should start looking into buying some in the near future, just the basics though!! DH was so excited about the idea of cloth diapers, he read about it with me, and even watched videos on youtube last night!! It was very cute!!!

[ShannonMVT]

You can also use one size diapers (I think you can get them as all-in-ones or pockets) and they grow with your baby so you can use them longer. The only thing is they don't work really well for the newborn stage, so you have to wait till they are a bit bigger to use those. Otherwise you will need a diaper stash of each size. Like newborn, small, medium, large.

Also even though I just want to go buy all my diapers right now! I've heard lots of moms on the CD board warn against buying too many of one diaper until you know what is going to fit your baby best. One mom may swear by Bumgenious but another mom may have that just not work for her little one, because it will fit different depending on your baby's build.

I think I will buy a newborn stash of prefolds and fitteds (plus covers) and then buy a few different types of other diapers (maybe some pockets) and see which of them I end up liking the best once baby gets here.

[Resi]

I LOVE cloth diapers. I started using them at around 3-4 weeks old. The disposable diapers stink so bad and the cloth diaper don't smell at all once they are in a hamper with liner and lid. I do mostly pre-fold with covers. I also have 2 AIO's and 6 pocket diapers. I love the prefolds because they are cheap. I love the pocket and all in one diapers because they are quick and easy.

This is what I started with and it cost me around $300 total:

36 pre-fold diapers
3 AIOs or Pocket Diapers
8 Small diaper covers
12 Micro Fiber inserts for night time (keeps diaper dry feeling to baby)
Mini Shower (to rinse poop diapers but I don't use it much)
Small Tote Bag (for outings)
X-Large Tote Bag (for diaper pail liner)

I have bought a few more one size pocket diapers from Bum Genius and a one size AIO diaper that I still need to try. I wash diapers every 2-3 days. It's very simple and isn't a big deal. My washer and dryer comes out very clean. There are no issues with washing our clothing in the same washer and dryer.