4Real Forums: more cloth diaper questions

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Topic: more cloth diaper questions

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Barbara C.
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Posted: Dec 17 2007 at 11:15am \| IP Logged

I know there have been many threads about cloth diapers. I've tried to read through most of them. I have some more specific questions, though.

I am considering using cloth diapers part-time (at home during the day) with my third baby in order to save some money. I've been doing some research and have pretty much decided that I want to use Chinese prefolds with Bummi Whisper Pants.

I am thinking that I will need about 2 dozen NB diapers, 3 dozen regular diapers, 6 small covers, and 8 medium covers to get me through the first two and half to three years. My babies usually hit 15 lbs by age 3 months.

Here are my questions:
Does this seem about the right amount for someone who only plans to use them for about 12 hours a day and only wants to wash diapers every 3 days?

For those of you who have used Bummi Whisper covers, did you prefer the velcro or the snaps?

And if anyone has purchased these products recently, where did you get the best deal (on-line or in-store)?

Thanks for any help.

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Barbara
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mathmama
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Posted: Dec 17 2007 at 11:37am \| IP Logged

I would say at least 3dz NB. With my first I had 3dz and still had to wash every other day. Infants need to be changed more often. And I would get 2 more small covers as well.

Beth

vmalott
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Posted: Dec 17 2007 at 11:44am \| IP Logged

First, I think you may want to start off just ordering for Newborn/small size, rather than make a large investment for all different sizes right off the bat. I'm guessing you will be using disposables at night? So, 2 doz. for washing every 3 days sounds about right. Also, disposables during the early meconium days might make things easier on you, laundry-wise.

I like the Bummis covers. Make sure the velcro has a fold-over tab (can't remember if Bummis has this or not) so the velcro doesn't get caught up on other diapers/covers in the wash. Snaps obviously avoid this problem, but velcro is quicker with a wiggler during a change.

I've been looking recently, and I found some nice bulk prices for pre-folds and contours at Barefoot Baby. I hope others will contribute to this thread, esp. as I'm now 36 weeks and really need to decide on this diapering thing as well.

Valerie

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Valerie
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CrunchyMom
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Posted: Dec 17 2007 at 12:30pm \| IP Logged

vmalott wrote:

First, I think you may want to start off just ordering for Newborn/small size, rather than make a large investment for all different sizes right off the bat.

This was my thought. You will be able to see how you like the covers you get, etc... and if you want to try something different. I started out with velcro and found out I hated it and have all snap covers now, but different people like different things. I'm just glad I'm not stuck using velcro forever since I switched to snaps for the larger sizes. Also, you can see what kind of a routine you get into re how often you'll wash, etc... Which will help determine how many you want to get of the bigger size.

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SusanJ
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Posted: Dec 17 2007 at 1:01pm \| IP Logged

Just to echo everyone else . . . I would start out just buying the newborn stuff to see what you like. I think you are on the right track, though. We've tried a lot of different cloth diapers and have finally settled on prefolds and bummis. We have the snaps on the bigger covers so that the kids can't remove the diapers themselves.

I would get 3 doz. newborn prefolds. Newborns--especially with cloth diapers--go through a lot of diapers. Plus they make great burp cloths. Unless you are a on super-tight budget, I dont' think you'll regret having more. I also had eight small covers and found that to be about right. I only need 4-6 on older babies but those covers need to be washed with every poop of a breastfed baby and you'll want to air them in between changes of wet diapers.

have fun!

Susan

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Barbara C.
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Posted: Dec 17 2007 at 3:16pm \| IP Logged

I was thinking that I would probably use disposable for the first few weeks while we get into our nursing groove. Just latching mouth A to breast B can be stressful enough those first few weeks without adding a new diapering technique. That should also get us past the meconium days as well.

I am tempted to go ahead and get 1 dozen medium size and 1 snap and 1 velcro cover in medium. My two-year-old is three pounds shy of 30 lbs, so I was thinking about using her as a guinea pig (and maybe start saving a little bit of money).

For anyone who has used both cloth and disposable, how accurate are the cloth weight ranges? I've noticed with disposable that mine are usually ready for the next size up about two pounds before the upper weight limit of their current size.

I'll check out Barefoot Baby, too.

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Barbara
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Kristie 4
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Posted: Dec 17 2007 at 11:12pm \| IP Logged

The newborn prefolds make good doubles for nighttime diapers for older ones.

I would get two or three covers and make sure you like them before ordering more. Different covers fit differently on each little baby. You don't want any pinched thighs!

Definitely go with the disposables until you are done with the meconium (unless you have a great mom like mine who scrubbed my cloth ones till they were clean....in a wash basin no less!).

The chinese prefolds are awesome though...they were my favourites by far in my assorted collection.

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vmalott
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Posted: Dec 18 2007 at 7:53am \| IP Logged

Barbara C. wrote:

I'll check out Barefoot Baby, too.

After reading some of those archived threads, I came across another website that has much better prices for prefolds: Cotton Babies. They offer a really reasonable "try it kit" with a half dozen prefolds and two Bummis Super Whisper Wraps. I think this is where I will order from, starting out with two try it kits.

Oh, and I now remember the wrap I really liked when I did a short stint of cloth diapering with #4, the Prorap Classic. I liked the big cloth-covered velcro tabs. Still, Bummis is really great for adjusting to be good and snug around the waist, which is necessary if you use prefolds without a fastener. I didn't like the Bumkins cover because of the square tabs...they tended to rub against baby's belly.

Valerie

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Valerie
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KerryK
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Posted: Dec 18 2007 at 12:28pm \| IP Logged

I ordered mine from Cotton Babies - they were great to order from, I was very happy with them. I use bummi whisper wraps, and I prefer the velcro to the snaps, I find the velcro easier to tighten. I know a lot of people do love the prowraps, though!

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Barbara C.
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Posted: Dec 18 2007 at 4:11pm \| IP Logged

Cotton Babies is the cheapest I've seen for the diapers themselves, other than a few deals on e-Bay. The covers were the same price as the the other site I was looking at. But I love how you can get free shipping if you spend $75 or more. Shipping can make such a big difference.

Thanks for all the help.

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Barbara
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