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lovebeingamom
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| Posted: July 29 2010 at 12:48pm | IP Logged
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Does anyone use cloth diapers any more????
I looked into using cloth diapers when DD (now 3.5 yo) was born, but decided to go with convenience instead. I again looked into cloth diapers when DS was born (now 1.5 yo) and again decided to go with convenience.
Here I am revisiting the thought of cloth diapers while PG with DC # 3. I understand I would have definitely gotten my moneys worth out of the cloth diapers had I originally gone that route. However there is always a good time to start reducing, reusing, and recycling!!!!!
This now brings me to my questions. What brand do you use? How do they work?
For example, I was looking into these two brands that would get me from NB to PT (not bad, in theory).
http://www.amazon.com/Fuzzi-Bunz-Diaper-Package-Color/dp/B00 2N69PJG/ref=sr_1_48?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=1280424134&s r=1-48
http://www.amazon.com/bumGenius-3-0-One-Size-Cloth-Diapers/d p/B002AQG0QK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=12804251 18&sr=8-2
Both cloth diapers are one-size. However, the bumGenius 3.0 is really highly recommended (read reviews) over the FuzziBunz.
Also, alot of the reviewers commented on the use of cloth diaper liners - what are these and why are they used? Are they really needed???
http://www.amazon.com/Bumkins-Flushable-Diaper-Liner-White/d p/B002T5Q01C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=baby-products&qid=12804249 30&sr=8-1
Any advice or suggestions???? Thanks ladies, I look forward to reading all your insights on the topic!
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mom2mpr
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| Posted: July 29 2010 at 1:31pm | IP Logged
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I don't use cloth now, my kids are too old 
But I loved them when they were little.
With ds I used the kind you fold, pin and have plastic pants-ugh! He got stabbed a few times, and me many more. I still loved doing it though.
Then I found Bummi's diaper wraps and LOVED them. Just folded diapers in thirds, place inside, maybe fold down the front if he was really little, stack in the diaper drawer and use just like disposable--well, until you have to wash them, but....
With dd I used the few Bummi's I had from ds and invested in 3-4 wraps in each size (I had to buy the next size up 2 or 3 times)and used the old cloth diapers. I found the Bummis were really good at fitting the kids for a long time. Sometimes we had 2 sizes out for a while--bonus extra covers! I also purchased a few used diaper service diapers--those were SWEET!! Really absorbent,soft and amazingly stain free. I had no idea why they were getting rid of them.
I only bought a few covers because I learned if they are just damp you can let them dry and they are fine to use a few more times. I could get through a day or two and then wash covers. Diapers were done once or twice a week.
I think the liners are like a dryer sheet that allow the wetness through but you can then toss the solids, and liner?, in a toilet. I found them a pain.
FYI, when you use cloth your kids will be in bigger clothes due to the size of their diaper. I think clothes are made for the thin disposable now. When they potty train it is quite cool, they wear the same clothes for what seems like a whole year
I did at some point in my kids' lives, use a disposable at night, and usually when traveling away from home. But I loved my cloth diaper days.
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Mackfam
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| Posted: July 29 2010 at 1:45pm | IP Logged
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Hi lovebeingamom!
I moved your question to Mothering where most of the other cloth diaper threads were. 
And...we've talked about this a lot here! Here's what I could find on a quick search of "cloth diapers" here.
Hope that's a help for your afternoon reading!
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Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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mamasue
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| Posted: July 29 2010 at 4:14pm | IP Logged
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I CD my one year old. First time out of 6 kids and I wish I started when my first was a baby. I started with her when she was about 8 months so I do not have much advise for newborns and little babies, but here is what I know:
The disposable liners are like a dryer sheet. You lay them in the diaper and lift it out and flush it in the toilet. I know some people who wash them in the washer if it's only been peed on. I don't use hem much because it's hard to predict when my dd is going to have a bm and they are a little rough and I prefer the cloth diiaper against her skin. Also, I have a hard time leaving her on the changing table to throw it in the toilet because she is a quick little girl but you kind of need to get it in the toilet asap. Those liners are absolutely not needed. Some people use diaper sprayers hooked up to their toilets to get any poop off. I but take it to the toilet after my dd is safely on the floor and push any solid poop off into the toilet. You don't have to scrub it clean and exclusively breastfed baby poop is water soluble so you don't even have to mess with it, just throw it in the diaper pail.
I have boh BG and FB one size so I will come back later to give my opinion on both of them
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mamasue
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| Posted: July 30 2010 at 12:00am | IP Logged
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I must add to my previous post that I use toilet paper to push the bm into the toilet... The way i wrote it made me sound like I use my hands. I've also heard of people who use a toilet-designated spatula to scrape it off. Would work great but I'm not sure where to store it?
Anyway, my review:
Pockets:
both are pocket diapers that have a pocket in the back and come with microfiber inserts
BG: has a flap to ensure that the insert does not slip out. Very easy to stuff the insert. Comes with 2 inserts- 1large with snaps so it can be used as 3 different sizes plus 1 newborn size which also comes in handy to use with the other inserts for heavy wetters or night time. The inserts also have tags to make it easier to match when stuffing. Really love that!
FB: does not have a flap which is actually not a huge deal because the elastic in the back usually won't let the insert come out. But the insert is a little annoying to stuff. The pocket seems a little narrower
and is a different fabric so the insert does not slide in like with other pockets. It doesn't take more than an extra couple seconds to stuff so it's not a huge deal but when I am stuffing diapers I do find myself saving the hardest (FB) for last. Comes with 2 inserts- 1 large and 1 newborn, no tags on them
size adjustment:
BG: 3 rows of snaps in the front for 3 different sizes. Easy to do, I actually leave them snapped so when they come out of the dryer they are the right size. It's pretty easy to snap them, and with BG. You van barely see the fold from the diaper being snapped down. But you definitely know it's there
FB: elastic in the leg seams which you adjust at the top and bottom. It
gives a very good fit. I was really surprised when I received them- I thought they were a sized diaper because they did not have any
snaps.
Materials:
both have microfiber inserts which can get stinky, but I have not had many problems
BG: stay dry suedecloth against your baby. Very soft
FB: stay dry microfleece againts your baby. Also soft but I prefer the suedecloth
closing systems:
BG: the old 3.0s have hook and loop (Velcro) even when you secure to the laundry tabs every time you wash they still wear out over time. I've only had mine for 5 months and they are definitely showing some signs of wear but still do work fine. The new 4.0s have brand new upgraded hook and loop. Supposedly it's standing up much better than the old stuff. I do not have one but I do have a 4.0 with snaps. The snaps are very nice but Ive only used it twice so far so I don't have too much to comment on. The hook and loop is great for dad, siblings, grandparents and when you have a squirmy baby because it's just like a disposable- super easy, no buttons to match up. Of course babies do figure out how to undo the hook and loop ; )
FB: 2 rows of snaps with an extra wing snap to prevent wing droop. The snaps are relatively easy and my little one can't get them off which I love!!
Fit:
both are definitely one of the trimmer diapers! I don't size up in clothes for my daughter. Her shorts fit a little snug, but she's fine!
I love side snapping diapers: dream eze, bottombumpers, one size babykicks and one size grovia all in ones. Super super trim!
I hated fitteds. Actually have a bunch to sell because they just were not for me. It all just depends on the babys body ( and mama)
COST:
about the same..
Bumgenius (BG) just came out with a new 4.0 with an option of either Velcro or snaps so you can find all their 3.0 versions on sale very cheap At various online stores.
Fuzzibunz (FB) recently came out with new colors so you can find their discontinued colors on sale.
Use the coupon code " pgnbjuly" for orders over $25 at kellyscloset and receive a free one size diaper of Their choice (they usually send a FB or Kawaii
there are a bunch of great retailers out there, a lot of them offer free shipping. Some even offer a cloth trial package- I think jilliansdrawers does it. My favorite retailers are mybabypumpkin, kellyscloset, abbeyslane and diaperjunction. Some stores also let you buy and use the diaper but if you don't like it you can return it.
I suggest you buy a couple different brands and try them out on your 1.5 year old to see how you like them. I thought for sure that I would love applecheeks but that is definitely not the case so I am very happy
that I did not stock up on applecheeks. It really depends on your babys body type.
I have never cloth diapered a newborn but I've seen pictures of newborns in the one size diapers and although it looks extremely bulky, people do it so I assume it'll work. You should google "newborns wearing bumgenius image" or go onto their facebook page
to see photos that fans have posted to get an idea.
Anyway, good luck. I'm so happy I made the switch, mostly because it's one less thing to worry about buying at the store every month and because they are so darn cute. When she falls on the floor I know it doesn't hurt with all that padding!
So sorry this was so incredibly long!!
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Karen T
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| Posted: July 30 2010 at 7:51am | IP Logged
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I CD's all 3 of my kids and even used them on most trips!
I used a wide variety of covers, and the plain chinese prefolds that are already thick in the middle. You just fold them into thirds and then either put them in one of the pocket-style wraps or lay them into a regular cover. I also used something that would just hold the diaper together on the child, and then you'd put the wrap on over it. I can't remember the name but it was rubbery plastic, shaped in a T, and had little grips that held the edges of the diaper. You'd put the diaper on just as if you were using pins but put that on instead - very fast and no ouches. It has "T" in the name - could probably find it by searching diaper and T. Maybe Snappy T?
If you sew at all, there are lots of sewing patterns for diaper covers and all-in-ones (I did not like AIO's b/c they take so long to dry) Fuzzibunz used to sell their diaper cover pattern, not sure if they still do. I made a lot of those. Also PooPockets is another brand.
I never liked the liners that are like dryer sheets, but sometimes I used liners I made myself from microfleece (very thin polar fleece) if I wasn't using a pocket diaper. It just made clean up easier, as the poop slides off it easier than from the prefolds. Just drop them into the diaper pail with the diapers after a quick shake into the toilet. And they can work like a stay-dry liner for pee; letting the pee go through into the diaper and still feeling dry on the skin.
Karen
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CatholicMommy
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| Posted: July 30 2010 at 9:30pm | IP Logged
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We tried several kinds (and I had a family day care and several of the infants I cared for had cloth diapers) and primarily used Bumkins.
For me, there is nothing over that velcro. The plastic snaps got to me, the pins got to me when I cared for my younger sisters 20 years ago so that was already a NO, other velcros without the foldback tabs got to me.... these are the only ones that didn't get to me after a while :)
When we used the covers, I had large birdseye weave cloths that I folded to size. They have a pocket to hold the cloth in place and a breathable flap too.
When we used the AIOs, I still had some of the birdseye weave to use as inserts for overnights. They have a top layer only sewn in front and back for ease of washing and drying (and adding inserts).
Many of ours were used, and we even passed a good number of them on - a few are currently being used by a 5th child, so they are good work-horses!
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StefA
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| Posted: July 31 2010 at 8:39am | IP Logged
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We use cloth diapers, here. We started out using grobabies, but added Flips (with the organic inserts) to our collection, because DD is a heavy wetter in the morning and would soak through the grobabies. The combination of the two brands work well, though. Personally, I think cloth is so much cuter than disposables, too. :)
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Sanveann
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| Posted: Aug 03 2010 at 11:32am | IP Logged
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We used cloth diapers for both kids until they got to the solid-eating stage. Then I got lazy!
I've heard great things about SO many diapers that are out there ... I think a lot of it just comes down to individual preference and your own kid. For example, BumGenius were great on my second, but they were too wide in the crotch for my super skinny first kiddo. So I wouldn't buy a whole bunch of any particular diaper at first ... just get a couple of each kind and see what you like best.
My favorites for newborns were the fitted-diaper-and-cover combo (like the Thirsties Fab Fitted with Thirsties covers). However, those aren't the most economical option. Prefolds and covers work pretty well, as well, but aren't quite as cute and convenient :)
Btw, many one-size diapers (like the BG3.0) won't necessarily work for a newborn, unless you have very large newborns! (Though I mostly used disposables the first few weeks, because I didn't feel like doing laundry right after birth ...)
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SusanMc
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| Posted: Aug 03 2010 at 1:40pm | IP Logged
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I'm in year three of cloth diapers with two kiddos. I've used BumGeniuses AIO and pockets, FuzziBunz, prefolds and Bummis wraps and prowraps. I've posted about it elsewhere but I found at around the 1 year mark the elastic in my BG pockets was shot and I had to replace it by hand. By year 2 it was shot again and I've not replaced it and just have these in my just-in-case stash. I found that the velcro on ALL of my dipes and wraps started to go down the tubes at around 2 years or so. My FB are like new.
I understand that the elastic on the newest BG is easier to replace. However, knowing what I know now, I would have gone for mostly prefolds and wraps with snaps as well as a nice stash of FB for dads, grandparents, etc. I would avoid velcro like the plague as over time it just seemed to ruin all the other diapers more quickly in the wash. Of course you'll find some other wise mama who will have a completely opposite opinion for me!
Ultimately I'd buy a few of the nicer styles and see what works best for you. A stash of prefolds and wraps (along with a snappi closure) are a great way to inexpensively round out your initial purchase. FWIW, my boys only ever wore smalls and mediums and were out of the small sizes by about 4 mo.
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mamasue
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| Posted: Aug 05 2010 at 9:21am | IP Logged
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FYI- fuzzibunz are on Www.babyhalfoff.com today only. They have some one size and some sized for $14-15 plus a pair of agoo "babylegs". They must have a huge stock because diapers usually sell out in minutes
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JaysFamily
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| Posted: Aug 05 2010 at 9:57am | IP Logged
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SusanMc wrote:
I'm in year three of cloth diapers with two kiddos. I've used BumGeniuses AIO and pockets, FuzziBunz, prefolds and Bummis wraps and prowraps. I've posted about it elsewhere but I found at around the 1 year mark the elastic in my BG pockets was shot and I had to replace it by hand. By year 2 it was shot again and I've not replaced it and just have these in my just-in-case stash. I found that the velcro on ALL of my dipes and wraps started to go down the tubes at around 2 years or so. My FB are like new.
I understand that the elastic on the newest BG is easier to replace. However, knowing what I know now, I would have gone for mostly prefolds and wraps with snaps as well as a nice stash of FB for dads, grandparents, etc. I would avoid velcro like the plague as over time it just seemed to ruin all the other diapers more quickly in the wash. Of course you'll find some other wise mama who will have a completely opposite opinion for me!
Ultimately I'd buy a few of the nicer styles and see what works best for you. A stash of prefolds and wraps (along with a snappi closure) are a great way to inexpensively round out your initial purchase. FWIW, my boys only ever wore smalls and mediums and were out of the small sizes by about 4 mo.
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I had a similar experience. None of my BG lasted. I understand that one set of one-size diapers won't last over multiple children, but for the price tag, I expected them to at least last through one child! The more artificial the material, the sooner it seems to tear up! Next time, I'll focus on buying natural cloth fitteds, with separate covers, and perhaps a few FB or Little Beetles for relatives.
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florasita
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| Posted: Aug 05 2010 at 9:08pm | IP Logged
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Well come sept. I am going to have a diaper folding demo and giveaway so maybe you would be interested 
I'm going to have just regular flannel diapers , some small and some for older babes , pins & a pair of wool soakers .
I always used just homemade flannel diapers . a thin piece of flannel you fold. I did have someone give me those gause diapers when my eldest dd was born 29 yrs ago but that fabric feels horrid to people who have eczema so I used them for rags then I found some machine made diapers at the thrift , really nice shaped and thick but again a draw back , they take forever to dry even after a ycle in the dryer I'd end up having to hang them on the radiators for a time . These were also not good for traveling !
Ok come baby #4 my mother told me the all time most needed diaper secret ! why she had not thought to tell me until baby #4 ! I had always bought my flannel ripped it into the squares/ rectangles I needed then hemmed them . very easy . Well Mum told me no you do not need hem them even ! after just a few washings the flannel does not fray ! It saved me so much time and the diaper is so smooth and wonderful .
My Mum did teach me how to fold diapers but it was actually my girlfriend Sunshine's Mum who is a Mum of 5 from Arkansas that taught me the best method on baby #2
so I used that for all our babes. I used disposibles for babe #5 a bit but I have used cloth through all babes , traveling through MX & Guatemala etc. I found it very easy to rinse diapers out in motels , gas stations etc. all cities had laundry facilities or people who would let us use their wash basins & clothes lines etc. I love the smell of bar laundry soap because it reminds me of our diaper days for stains when rinsing diapers out use a bit of bar soap and let sit for a bit . Natural sunlight kills bacteria and then every 4-5 months I would break out the bottle of bleach . Of course my grandmothers way would have been to boil the diapers but that is work !
I will come here and list the giveaway when it is on .
Roxie
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Have ??? re: use of cloth diapers -
