cloth diapering

Does anyone want to try to take a shot at convincing me that cloth diapering is the way to go this time around? I'm kind of open to the idea, but really only know what I remember from babysitting as a 12 year old.

[SuzySunshine]

I'm listening too - DH and I had this conversation the other day and he's skeptical, I'm willing to give it a try...I think.

Does this help? I wish I had given it a go w/ Evie but didn't research it up front. I keep meaning to give the G diaper a try...

Not exactly inspiring initiative these days, am I?

[DCJenn]

Fluff and Spotty dog and Michelle are the Go To people on this subject.

Jenn

[Momo]

Oh Fluff, Spotty where are you? This is right up their alley!

[Michele]

I started with prefolds (the pinned kind) and Russ was VERY against it. I didn't mind them and they were cheap and fairly easy to do. I switched to pockets though...

and they are EASY!!! They are basically just like a disposable, but you wash them. You do have to pull out the insert before washing and then restuff them after they are dried....but the BumGenius2.0s can go in the dryer and I only line dry them when they are stained....which the inserts stain but the outer part is pretty resistant to stains. I haven't had any poo leaks since switching to cloth (regular occurance with the 'sposies)...he does wick pee in the morning (~9 hours)...if he's laying on his side and his onesie is tucked in the crook of his leg....but it doesn't leak through to our sheets or anything (he sleeps with me and I'd notice a wet spot! )

Russ does the pockets now and so does the daycare.

A friend uses the MotherEase brand and I thought they were kinda bulky and ill-fitting for Daegan. I really think each child fits a certain brand of diaper better....just like disposables. That's what I really liked about the prefolds...I felt like I could get a custom fit each time.

With the 'fitted' style (no folding) there are two basic closure types...snaps and velcro. Some prefer snaps b/c it's harder for the child to open them, I prefer velcro b/c I like the adjustability and more custom fit feel I get from it....but Daegan can pull the velcro open and take the diaper off. So you pick what's best for you.

Of course cost factors in...prefolds are cheapest, but the pockets aren't really that much more.

I was 'talked into' (it was on a website...so not really talked...) getting WAY more prefolds than I needed. It suggested 36 and that was WWAAYY too many. I could last almost a week...and you shouldn't let the diapers sit that long before washing anyway. You should wash every other day or everyday. I have 18 pockets and I think it's a great amount for us. I wash every other day.

To wash, I use ~1/4 to 1/2 the amount of free/clear HE detergent and 1/2 cup baking soda in a hot wash. I then rinse with 1/4 cup vinegar adn then do a clean cold rinse after. I used to do a prewash/soak but didn't think it added anything. I dry it all in the dryer on low.

The different diapers have different instructions but it's all basically variations on the same theme.

Check out diaperhyena.com and diaperpin.com.

And if you cloth diaper, it's easier to cloth wipe than disposable...cause you just throw everything into the same pail and wash.

I have WAHMIES brand wet bags and pail liner and I am very happy with the quality and the fun prints.

[fluffhead]

It really depends upon where you're coming from. I was unwilling to create all that solid waste and basically build my own mini landfill, so cloth diapering was the only way to go for me. Having a diaper service collect the soiled diapers each week makes the process nearly painless, and is IMO the least enviro impact because of economy of scale. It is, however, more costly than washing yourself, and probably only slightly cheaper than using disposables.
We've cloth diapered all 3 kids, and I feel really good about it. DW was initially against it, envisioning safety pins and such. We use prefolds and imse-vimse Bumpy wraps. Nighttime has vaired by kid and season. Sometimes we use prefold with liner, sometimes 2 prefolds, and sometimes disposables at night. DW is still not the biggest champion of CD-ing, but is along for the ride. We also had to train the babysitter.
If you're committed to the idea, you can make it work with a minimum effort. If you're not committed, no amount of typing can convince you that it's the right thing to do.
But even if you go the disposable route, please note that "solid" product should be shaken off and flushed, and not thrown in the garbage. I believe that even the pampers packages state this someplace, though most people seem blissfully unaware of the problems inherent with depositing fecal matter in a municipal landfill.
Essentially, if the person doing the bulk of the changing is up for it, it can happen.

a diaper service is still cheaper than using disposeables?

I've already built a mini-landfill w/the first two, and that is my main interest in possibly cloth diapering this one. I'm infintely more eco-conscious now that I was then.

[SuzySunshine]

So without a diaper service (not available here) is it still cheaper then disposables when you're running your washer and dryer every day?

[rainbabies]

i cant believe im going to say this

go to http://www.mothering.com

there is a section on cloth diapering.

ETA: here is the direct link: http://www.mothering.com/discussions/fo ... .php?f=221

[Sheherezade]

We did cloth diapers and wshed them at home with our kids. Mostly due to poverty and my own cheapskate tendencies, but I do hope it helped eliminate some landfill. It wasn't that awful, honestly. I'm not a girly-girl, but I'm no earth momma either.

You can do it, Jenn!

LOL! Sylvia ... I KNOW there's a cloth diapering section on mothering.com ... I'm afraid of those people! Plus then the ugly side of me comes out and I start poking fun at the more overly granola (IMO) members (you know, the ones that breastfeed until college) ... it's not a good place for me.

Thanks for trying.

[rainbabies]

[DCJenn]

I guess we're cloth diapering by default since he's pooping only in his underwear. Not in the potty, not at school, not while out. Nope- just in his underwear.

Jenn

well, apparently there is only one diaper service in all of KS, and it's in Lawrence. I'll have to call to see if I'm in their service area. I'm pretty sure that the only way I'll actually do this is if I use a service. I have a hard enough time keeping up with laundry as it is ...