[ramnds]

Any one use cloth diapers? I didn't realize how many different kinds/choices were out there! Wondering which ones work and which ones don't, also, trying to figure out prices as we don't want to spend a fortune at the beginning--I want to make sure I am committed to cloth first! Any suggestions? Please pm me!! Thanks

[Linny]

Can I just answer here????

When our first baby was born and adopted (over 25yrs ago); we did the cloth diaper thingy. Disposable diapers were still a new thing; and they were bulky and really not very absorbent.

When our next baby was adopted--18months later......we thought we could do both. We tried for about one month until we abandoned the idea for the convenience and absorbency of disposable.

That's been a long time ago and diapers have changed A LOT! I know cloth can be 'nice to use' in terms of resources and such...especially if you're able to use a diaper service---which we were not.
But, in terms of absorbency......I believe the disposables are more absorbent and not so likely to cause any type of rashes, when changed frequently enough and the baby is kept dry.

My biggest advice with doing cloth, is to be extra sure to change them a lot...and I mean, A LOT because they DO STAY wet next to the baby's skin and hold the moisture and heat next to your baby.

(I will add though...that actually there were days as a young mom I really liked sitting down to fold cloth diapers (yeah, really). And, I've been told by a few other moms they felt the same...... )

Hope this helps in some way...

Sincerely,

Linny

[lishop]

There are a few good brands of all in ones that will also keep the baby dry as they are "pocket diapers" so there is micro fleece next to the babies skin. It looks similar to a disposable, the outside is waterproof, the part next to the baby is micro fleece, and then at the top of the back there is a flap with velcro where you put in the cloth diaper. The flaps also secure with velcro so changing is as easy as a disposable.

You could also use the less expensive ones and make your own micro fleece liners to keep baby dry. My 11 month old cousin is in regular old cloth diapers with the waterproof wraps (not the old plastic pants) and I would not like that system as you do have to change them all the time or they are wet all the time.

Melissa in Oregon
(Cade, 6 bio; Maya, 6 Liberia; waiting for #3 USA)

[new_day]

We cloth diaper! My first son was cloth diapered nearly full time. My second son nearly half the time. Both of my sons never have diaper rash in cloth. My mom and I made the diapers I use... and we are pretty proud of them. :-) It is a pocket style diaper which I believe is the best for practicality, sanitation, ease of use, and trim fit. If the diaper is changed every 2 hours (which is proper to do anyway disposable or cloth) there are no leaks. We have even had success with cloth overnight... but prefer a disposable.

Check out Fuzzi Bunz to see what a pocket style diaper looks like. I would encourage you to then find a SAHM that makes the same style diaper and support her business. You receive a higher quality product and individualized attention. DiaperPin.com is a great resource for learning about cloth diapering and reading reviews on diapers!

Cloth diapering my children has been a great experience. They have prefered their cloth diapers over the disposable. Recently I was changing my 23 month old from his overnight disposable into a cloth. When I put the cloth diaper under his little bottom he said, "Ahhh nice!" :-) I sat down and did detailed cost research. Even paying $13-$15 a cloth diaper the cost is half that of disposable. That figures in the cost of laundry detergent, electric, water, etc. Now the cost is even less with the second child because our diapers stayed in great condition and we were able to use them again!

Have fun!

[2manyks]

we did diaper service. i loved it. i bought velcro diaper covers and just had to was those. they do need to be changes very often. i switched to cloth diapers after finding my son was alergic to disposable diapers. buy a few 12 or so then really stock up when you decide if you like it. try different ones to find your favorite. i ordered mine through a catalogue, that was before the internet was around - imagine that - no internet!

[Shadowfaerie]

Yes, we use cloth all-in-ones at home. When we go to the store or my parents we just go with disposible. I think the all-in-ones are actually nearly as easy as disposible, just throw the whole thing in the wash and it definitely saves us some money.

[aklbell]

We are planning to use cloth diapers with our next child (adopted, or biological) There are tons of benefits, including not having so many diapers in the landfills, money saved, less of a chance of diaper rash, and the amount of water used to wash them is really about the same as would be used for if they were potty trained and flushing the toilet.

I have bought some used ones from a friend on another forum already. I have quite a few different kinds and have been instructed that some brands work great for some kids,and with other kids they leak etc, it all depends on the size of the diaper and the kid etc.

I have also taken up making some of my own already. If anyone wants the pattern send me a message with your email address.

I've heard a lot of people have problems convincing husbands that Cloth diapering is a good idea, luckily mine agreed right away when I said I'd do the laundry, I do anyways.

[christyrana]

I am planning to give it a shot. I wanted to with my first son, but we didn't have a washer then. There was no way that I was going to take that mess the Laundromat!!!

[ourdreamcametru]

I tried cloth for a very short time 17 years ago with our first son but it just didn't work for us, disposible is so much easier and less work too. I know for the atmosphere cloth is better but I'm a disposible mom here!

[new_day]

I must be insane then huh?

If you are doing laundry anyway, throwing a load of diapers in is no trouble.

You never ever run out of diapers.

I did a uber-detailed cost analysis and cloth is half the cost of disposable. That includes electric, detergent, water bills.

No diaper rash. Never. When my children are in cloth.

My little son says, "Ahhh nice!" when I slide a soft cloth diaper under his bottom.

They are way cuter.

TMI warning: The worst aspect is getting the poo off the diaper. If the diaper is lined with high quality microfleece it really just falls right off. These nice little inventions are great is the poo is on the messy side. Diaper Duck Potty Pail

All that being said I am no cloth diaper nazi. :-) I realize disposables have their place. I cloth diaper my child about 50-60% of the time. Even that makes a difference.

[SchmennaLeigh]

I love me some Fuzzi Bunz. We cloth diapered at night for quite awhile with my son because of a leak problem that disposables weren't cooperating with (and my son had an allergic reaction to Huggies so we had to stay with Pampers when we were doing disposables). We got some hemp inserts for night time and, voila! No leak. The myth that cloth isn't as absorbant is simply that: a myth. The inserts that are now available, in various materials, far exceed anything you can throw away. Today's cloth also cuts down on diaper rash because there aren't any random chemicals next to your kid's rear end!

Don't knock it until you've tried it in this millenium!

[time2grow]

I use cloth with our baby. She has been in them since we brought her at 5 weeks. She has never had a rash (touch wood). We were given 3 dozen diapers with the bummies plastic pants as a gift. I was a little intimidated in the beginning with them but honestly, they are a breeze. The only secret I can offer is rinse the diaper right away to avoid staining. The money we have saved with them is amazing.

[DaniWestRN]

Originally Posted by SchmennaLeigh

The myth that cloth isn't as absorbant is simply that: a myth.

Ain't that the truth!! No disposable can stand up to my DD over night... no way! EVERYTHING is dripping wet in the morning. Cloth diapers get the job done. Somethings the waistband of her PJ's might be a little damp but that's it.

[rtsmom]

If you want to give cloth diapering a whirl, without big cash output initially, I recommend the Kooshies brand available at Sears. They have Velcro and so are super easy to use. You do need to use an outer liner (plastic pant) but Kooshies makes a Velcro one too (I actually prefer the Gerber pull-ons).

For extra absorbency, I bought some hemp liners from eBay. They are truly amazing and add very little bulk to the diaper.

If you then find you like using cloth, then you can consider buying some of the fancier (and more expensive) all-in-ones. But I find I'm happy with our Kooshies and am going to bypass the all-in-one route.

Janet