[DK615617]

I am just curious as to what made you decide to use cloth diapers. Was it due to environmental reasons, chemicals in the disposables, money or another reason?
I never even thought about cloth diapers as an option, although I wish that I had.
My DD is 9 months old, do you think it would be pointless to switch now? If not, what do you recomend? Where should I go to get them? How many would I need? My mother sews and could make them but I would need a pattern, or if I bought some she could copy them.....
Has anyone else switched? and was it hard to switch?

[maryavan]

We used cloth from the start. I knew I wanted to use them b/c of environment, but mostly b/c of money. Cloth was a good thing for ds, b/c he had horrible excema. Thanks to the cds, though his bum was the only smooth area on him.

As long as a kid is in diapers, its never too late to switch. Even toddlers, you can save a bunch of money switching. Ds's last batch of 15 toddler indian prefolds and 5 toddler covers cost only $60 when he was 2yrs. We used them for 1 1/2 years till he potty trained. Imagine how much disposables in the largest sizes and pull ups would've cost for 18 months!

Personally, dh and I preferred the simplest quality prefold diapers in velcro or snap diaper covers. That wouldn't require anyone to sew. WE had fitteds, but we liked the ease of prefolds. We had chinese prefolds, then later Babies Textiles (now called Indian prefolds I think). I liked the textiles prefolds better b/c they weren't as fluffy and poofy. Not as bulky as chinese, which for a boy was better since they alway are wearing pants. Modern baby boys clothes aren't made for cds.

If you want fitted diapers, then your mom sewing would be a help if you can get supplies reasonably priced. There are some free fitted patterns online. Poo Pockets was a pattern I bought when ds was little. Folks liked it back when (ds is 7). As for fabric, keep an eye out for receiving blankets, towels, and flannel bedsheets at yard sales or thrift stores.

How many cds to start w/? Depends how often you want to wash and your baby. I washed every other day when Ed was younger, then every 3 days after 2yo (used fewer ea day then). At this point 2 dz would definitely give you a good start for washing every 2-3 days (depends on your baby of course). Maybe 4-6 covers. You might want to try a couple types of covers the first size to see what you like.

Buying online will give you the best diversity on cloth diaper products. Most of the products in stores like Target and Babies R US are junk. There are also cloth diaper auction boards, as well as Ebay. I picked up imperfect diaper covers on ebay at great prices. There should be cloth diaper forums online dedicated to cloth diapers that will also give you alot more info and input on suggestions of products. Do some searching, you'll find a lot of information.

[penelope1]

I cloth diaper for the environment, my daughters health, and a little for vanity (Much cuter than sposies). I love that cloth diapers breathe. I use wool pants/shorts/ and skirts as diaper coveers so they double as clothes. I love that they are natural materials. Sposies have tons of chemicals in them. My daughter is more confortable with cloth especially with her super chunky thighs. In order for a sposie not to leave red marks on my daughter, I have to put it really loose and that causes leaks. Finally, I love how cute they are <:





Switching is not hard. You just have to decide what system works best for you. My fave are fitteds and wool that I knit. I have some AIO's for going out but I prefer the breathability of wool.

[DK615617]

Thank you so much for your help! I think that I am going to switch.
I am so nervous about switching,..... not normal for me to worry about stuff.
I guess we'll see how it goes.
Thank you!

[hennypenny]

penelope1, I love your daughter's covers you made! Are you able to share the pattern please, or not?

[PapaBubba]

We bought 18 of the kissaluv's for our first and used them soly while breastfeeding. They could simply be tossed into the washer and drier for cleaning. The more they are used the more they seem to soak up!

I was worried about pins when going to cloth. These have plastic snaps that allow for a lot of adjustment (even a fold down snap to keep the cloth away from the u-cord.)

We used them on our 2nd child without issue and now are going to use them on the 3rd. I think that they were financially a wash with the first and basically free after that!

If we would heading out of the house for the day we would switch to dispoable simply because we didn't like carrying the dirty diaper around with use.

[KR258]

I know this probably sounds silly but I didn't even think about what sort of diapers I was going to be using before she was born! And then I was so concerned with taking care of her I never even thought about it.
I have no idea how they work or what you do....she's 17 months old now and I'm just now thinking about it.

[DK615617]

I know what you mean!!! I didn't think about it either. But I wish I had.
I think I am going to switch with the next baby.
I don't know why I haven't switched Tiffany over, I think I just kinda freak out, thinking I don't know which brand to buy, and exactly how to go about using them, putting them on right, do you rinse them out in the toilet? Do you have to soak them? Or do you wash them right away. Dh isn't thrilled about washing them in our washer!! lol.
I feel really dumb asking these questions, but I have never been around anyone who used cloth diapers!!

[KR258]

My sister did it with her first but I was 14 and not really paying any attention at the time...she doesn't live near me now and I have no family here so yeah. My dh isn't too thrilled about it but I really would like to try. I'm not sure how Kate would feel about it but if it's not for her at least the second baby!

[PapaBubba]

Originally Posted by DK615617

...thinking I don't know which brand to buy, and exactly how to go about using them, putting them on right, do you rinse them out in the toilet? Do you have to soak them? Or do you wash them right away. Dh isn't thrilled about washing them in our washer!! lol.
I feel really dumb asking these questions, but I have never been around anyone who used cloth diapers!!

I was the same way before I started researching and asking around, too. Now, with two who've used them and a third one going to (when born) I am very comfortable in using the new style cloth diaper.

I was so worried about the old-school style with the safety pins.. thinking that I would accidently stick the baby when trying to pin the diaper. The Kissaluv's we bought have plastic snaps (no rust that way) that really do the trick. Another big reason we went with this brand is they are fitted so there are no gaps around the legs for leaks/spills!

As long as they are on a milk or formula only diet - there really isn't a need to pre-rinse or pre-clean them before tossing them in (as their on load) into the washer. They do take longer to dry than most things but that's because they are so absorbant. The milk based diet 'end product' breaks down quickly and fully in the beginning of the wash cycle.