Guest Post: My Journey to Cloth Diapers

Guest Post by Andrea from Spoon and Shovel

Cloth diapers? Get real. Next you’ll be telling me to install a butter churn in my kitchen. I hear you. But you wouldn’t be on this website if you didn’t have a little voice in your head that urges you to at least look into any viable money-saving possibility there is.

While I can’t speak for butter churns, I can tell you my diaper story. I made the switch to cloth, and it has been surprisingly painless.

First off, as money-conscious, optimistic expectant parents, my husband and I decided we’d do it. Seeing the cost of a large pack of diapers at Sam’s Club made us start calculating the tremendous output we were facing. I mean, we were already tearing paper towels in half and reusing plastic baggies; cloth diapers just made sense.

I was thrilled to hear about the “Cloth Diaper Seminar” offered at my local Babies “R” Us, complete with free food. So I went and sat in the glider rocker section with about fifteen other women who were also great with child.

The woman conducting the seminar began her speech by admitting to the room that she had no clue how to pin a diaper. In fact, she had called her friend earlier to get the scoop on pinning. This was disconcerting. To me, pinning was the hard part. If she couldn’t explain that, what good was she?

She proceeded with her sketchy explanation of traditional, pre-fold diapers—the one’s I thought of when I thought of cloth diapers at all. It was glaringly obvious that she had no experience whatsoever in this arena. On top of that, Babies “R” Us sold nothing to accommodate those opting for this method—except the pins. Pre-fold diapers, apparently, have become burp rags. I didn’t know that. And diapers snap, not pin, these days

But then the keynote diaper seminar speaker really got going as she moved into territory that was her forte. Ladies, cloth is cool. I mean, your kid can wear diapers that look more like sweaters than anything else, you can get diapers with dinosaurs on them, you can get diapers with flushable liners, the possibilities go on and on.

So, I was intrigued. But the price of getting started was prohibitive in my mind. The sweater variety, she told us, would set you back about $80--for one diaper! Okay, I realize you can eat up $80 in a hurry on disposables, but let’s just face it, one diaper is not going to cut it. We’re talking at least two. And that’s if you want to wash it three times a day. Which you can’t because the sweater kind takes three days to dry.

As the time got closer, I started really meditating on everything that was about to change. I meekly asked my husband if we could use the disposables from the baby shower exclusively until I got used to the whole baby idea. Then we could think about cloth. He was, as always, very understanding.

Besides, I was working. I worked part time until Paul was 4 months old. He was in a great day care on the campus of the university I worked for in a building next door to mine, but cloth diapers were not welcome. No surprising!

So, four months passed, during which time we used up all the diapers from the baby shower (and from the grandmothers) and had to put up our own funds for, I think, something like three packs of diapers. We weren’t really seeing the budget crunch yet, but we knew it was coming.

Then I went to Ashlyn’s house for someone else’s shower. See, Ashlyn uses cloth. That’s what did me in. I decided I could do it when I saw a real person’s diapers and talked with her about how she cleans them and where she buys them. That’s why I’m writing this. Perhaps knowing a real story will encourage you to take the plunge yourself. Thanks, Ashlyn.

Here’s what I found out from Ashlyn along with some of what I’ve learned in the last ten or so months:

Where do you get them? Bella Bottoms. I haven’t looked at every single site out there, but of the ones I’ve perused, her prices are the best.

What did you buy? I started with 12 terrycloth diapers, 6 covers, 2 all-in-one diapers, and a few doublers. She threw in some wipes with that order.

Later, when the baby outgrew the covers, I ordered 8 more larger all-in-ones because I realized that (with Bella Bottoms anyway) an all-in-one is a cover with a pouch. So I use the all-in-ones without the inserts as covers and with the inserts as diapers. The terrycloth diapers are one-size, so he’ll wear those until he’s trained. 12 is all I need (since I’ve got the all-in-one option to fall back on) because, regardless of how many you’ve got, 2 or 3 days between washes is their limit.

What do they cost? It was about a $200 initial investment for us. The next order (of all-in-ones) was more like $90.

How do you store them until washing? Ashlyn puts them straight into her washer filled with water (after emptying them). When she gets enough for a load, she’ll start it. I use a trash can with a springy pop-up lid (again, after emptying them). No water in the trash can. Just wet and dirty diapers.

Washing Tools

How do you wash them? Lots of water. That’s a drawback, but I’ve got to do it this way to keep them smelling fresh. I do a hot wash/cold rinse with nothing else. Then a hot wash/cold rinse with a tiny bit (2 tablespoons?) of detergent and ¼ cup of baking soda. Then a hot wash/cold rinse with ½ cup of vinegar. I dry them all on low heat, remove the vinyl covers from the dryer, and finish drying the diapers on high heat. No fabric softener, of course.

Do they work? Yes. Even at night (with a doubler) once Paul stopped nursing in the middle of the night.

Are they gross? Well, yes. Occasionally.

Do they stink up your house? No. Not even the room with the pail.

What about wipes? You know how baby washcloths wear out really fast? I cut old ones in half (so as to distinguish them from the non-wipe washcloths mostly) and stack a bunch next to the diaper station. I’ve got a squirt-top bottle (a spray bottle works too) filled with water and a smidge of baby shampoo/soap. I wet them down on the spot and wipe. Think about it. Where would you put a disposable wipe if you’re using a cloth diaper? I actually prefer the cloth wipes straight up over disposables.

Can your kid wear them out in public? Yes. Just pack a grocery bag in your diaper bag. Hand sanitizer is nice too. (To date, I’ve never changed a dirty cloth diaper away from my house. Odds are, it’s coming though.)

But I have so much fun getting free diapers at CVS! Never fear. You’ll still need diapers. I buy about one pack a month. I think the church nursery workers appreciate my not springing cloth on them.

Will they really save me money? Depends on how many of your diapers are free, I guess. Besides the cost of the diapers, you do need to consider the water output. I wash about 2½ times a week. Here’s how we look at it. I think we will come out ahead on Paul. However, chances are, Paul’s not the youngest, and the cloth diapers are still going strong.

There you have it. If you know anything about butter churns, I’d love you hear your story.

Andrea desires to bring honor to her Savior as a wife to her wonderful husband Jon and mother to their 14-month-old son, Paul. She am thankful to be able to stay at home full-time. She and her family live in South Carolina and minister their local church while seeking God’s direction concerning missionary service in Latin America. She blogs at Spoon and Shovel.

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From Money Saving Mom: If you would like to learn more about cloth diapering, Tammy has written extensively on her blog about how she does it. Check out her posts here, here, and here. Also, I found The Cloth Diaper Handbook to be extremely helpful and informative.

I used Fuzzi Bunz cloth diapers almost exclusively with my first child and loved those, though I know everyone has their own preferences. My advice, if you're new to the idea of cloth diapering, is that you do lots of research. Ask around and see if any of your friends use cloth diapers and get their take on what works for them. Secondly, give yourself a few months to adjust to being a mommy of a newborn before attempting cloth diapering--especially if you are a first-time mommy. Lastly, don't invest hundreds of dollars without first trying cloth diapers out on a small scale and determining what works for you.

I'd love to hear from other moms out there who have cloth diapered. What are your favorite brands of cloth diapers? What advice would you have for someone who is considering switching to cloth? Also, if you've blogged on the subject of cloth diapering, please do leave the link to your post in the comments section. I know many moms would appreciate that!

Comments

[Charity]

My husband and I are adopting our first child, and dont have money left over to invest in cloth diapers, so I made mine. I recently tried them out on my friend's baby, and they were awesome. I cant wait to use them.

THere are tons fo sites out there that have great tutorials and tons of free patterns. Pick one that works for you and go for it. Make sure your material is breathable. Most of mine are cotton, but a few are poly cotton blends. There are special materials you can buy as well.

Mine cost an average of about 3 dollars to make.

[Susan Keister]

I recently posted about my cloth diapering experience so far: http://susaneg.blogspot.com/2008/09/cloth-diapers.html. If you're a seamstress, I'd definitely encourage you to consider making them! It's much cheaper than buying nice ones, and SO much fun. Google "Diaper Sewing Divas" for a great diaper sewing board online.

[Rachael]

I cloth diapered my son (he's now potty trained) and plan to use cloth with our new baby as well. I preferred prefolds with a snappi plus covers (Thirsties are my favorite!) b/c they were the least expensive and most durable (and the most leakproof!).

I started with cloth from the time my son was just a few days old and to be honest it wasn't overwhelming or difficult - I just made sure to save the easiest diapers for nighttime when I knew I didn't want to mess with a snappi ; ).

I only purchased disposables a handful of times during my DS's life and never bought disposable wipes - we used cloth everywhere we went and the only exception was when we went on a weeklong vacation without access to laundry facilities so I did buy some disposables then. I'm a bit sensitive to smell and the perfumed scent of disposables was very repugnant to me so I avoided it whenever possible.

I highly recommend using cloth wipes along with cloth diapers - my favorite wipes were sewn for me by a friend and are flannel on one side and velour on the other. I just got a dozen or so wet with water at a time and put them in a plastic Pampers wipes container.

My 'how to cloth diaper' tutorial (with pics of my diapers and wipes and diapering set-up):
http://rae-anna46.livejournal.com/145955.html

What diapers we have bought in each size and the total cost breakdown:
http://rae-anna46.livejournal.com/119664.html

I highly recommend cloth diapering!

[catherine]

Where do you get those flushable liners you mentioned? My 4 year old just won't go poop in the potty (only pee) and I do not want to put him back in pull-ups. So i'm thinking those liners might work for us. Any advice with potty training my son with #2 anyone might have will be great. Thanks for a great site.

[Kelli]

We use Kushies All-in-ones with the flushable liners (which we don't flush since they are biodegradable, saving water) and love them. The flushable liners (and Kushies, btw) are now available on walmart.com and in some stores. You can get them shipped to the store to save money!

Lots of people give Kushies bad reviews, but we have never had problems and consider them to be pretty affordable versus cloth, and very easy to use. I only wash them once every few days with a small amount of detergent on hot water/cold rinse and they come out smelling and looking fresh and clean.

Catherine, this might be something you have already thought of, but some kids need to put their feet against something to push when going #2, so you might try putting a height appropriate stool by the toilet.

[Terra Jones]

I just blogged about our adventures in cding a week or so ago!

http://thejonesjourney.blogspot.com/2008/10/our-adventures-in-cloth-diapering_07.html

[JW]

I've cloth diapered my oldest (now 22 months), since she was ~3 weeks old, and have cloth diapered my 2 month old since she was 3 days old. We do use disposables at night with both girls, as well as at church. I'd recommend either attending a seminar, or seeking out a local B&M store that carries several different kids to see how they actually work. Several baby thrift/consignment stores in my area carry cloth diapers. There are even one size diapers that fit from 8-30+ pounds, making them a great option (they're under $20 each). Even if you decide to go a completely different route, or with different brands that you purchase online, you'll at least have an idea of how the different kinds work. Most of my favorite diapers are all work at home mom made!

[Andrea]

Catherine,

I don't remember where the seminar ladies said they got them, but I believe the diapers with flushable liners are called "G Diapers." They said you can buy the liners separately, and I'm pretty sure they said they could find them in a store (an earthy-type store), but I can't remember which one. It was a while ago.

Hope that's kind of helpful!

[Angela]

Hi. I am a huge cloth diaper user. The best thing is that up until they are eating "food", you don't even have to pre-rinse the diapers in the toilet! The breast-milk poo will just rinse out in the washer. Yes, it's okay to do that. If your washer doesn't smell after washing diapers then your washer is clean for your regular laundry. My favorites are the bummis whisper wraps and a pre fold diaper. No pins and no fuss. They are the most economical way to go! Happy Diapering!

[Heather]

We have two little girls ages 2 and 1 and usually use cloth diapers (except when disposables are such a great deal that they're cheaper!). Kushies are my favorite. They're the all-in-one kind that use velcro to close the diaper.

We dunk them in a 5-gallon bucket of vinegar water until we're ready to wash (every 2.5 days, since we have two kids). Then we spin, rinse, and wash, and dry on low with a towel thrown in to decrease the drying time.

When we go to town, I carry a wetbag that I made (from PUL, same fabric as the diapers are made of) for carrying the dirties.

Cloth diapers work REALLY WELL for us. And it gives me a great feeling that I'm doing something good for the girls & good for our budget.

I haven't posted on this yet, but hope to do so soon!

[Laura]

I am using cloth diapers on my daughter. I tried using the Gerber "cloth diapers" (aka burp cloths) from the baby store when she was first born, but quickly found out those DID NOT WORK! A friend loaned me her prefolds and covers, which we are still using. They are so much better. Once we got putting them on her down, neither DH or I have had any problems with them. They are being put to work in the third family (mine is at least the 3rd child to use them); they are extremely durable! I do not snappi or pin them right now, but I may have to when she starts crawling and such. We also have 3 one-size pocket diapers which I found used. We save these for when we are going out somewhere or for others to change. I have done hours and hours of research on the subject and have also decided to make some for my DD as she grows and also for the next child. There are many cloth diaper fabric websites out there that have everything you would ever need to make some. I have made a couple and I'm not exactly a experienced seamstress, but they were really pretty easy. Some websites I have found very helpful

greenmountaindiapers.com
This site has tons of info about CDs and how to use them as well as sells them

cottonbabies.com
This is where I got my used one-size.

verybaby.com
This site sells diaper fabric, patterns, notions and also has a message board to help those sewing them.

Once you get over the initial investment CD's are so great! And as CDers are fond of saying "These aren't your mama's cloth diapers" (Actually I think that is one site's slogan :))

[Katie]

Thanks for this post! I've been following your blog for a while (bummed my Target didn't have carrots today...) and have been considering CD's for a while. My son is 15 months old now, but I figure we've still got around 9 months or more of diapers ahead of us. I just need to see if daycare is open to it!

Good luck with your CDing adventures, I'll be looking for any updates :)

[Marla]

My favorite site for cloth diapers is www.abbyslane.com - and she sells the flushable liners. Our favorite brand in the early days were Kissaluvs fitted diapers - size 0. Now, we almost exclusively use BumGenius - they make a one-size diaper, so it grows with the baby. There are several "sampler packs" available out there as well - I started out with one so I could try different brands and styles before settling on one.

One more thing - a great way to save money is to buy used diapers. The idea may take some getting used to, but it's really not that bad. Conversely, you can make back the money you spend on your cloth by reselling it when you're finished with it! Check out www.diaperswappers.com for info on that.

[Camille]

We switched to cloth diapers when my daughter was 10 months old and use Fuzzi Buns exclusively (they just work the best for us). I agree that a new mom should hang back a few months before investing -- we waited 10 months! I also agree that you need to try out different brands. I bought all of mine used on Craigslist and they work great.

I posted a short review of them on my blog here: http://www.growingupgabel.com/2008/04/cloth-diapering-review.html

[Karen]

I've used cloth one-size diapers since my son was a month old...the only reason we didn't start out with them is that his little butt was just too tiny! My favorite site for diapers is www.motherease.com . They carry one-size, all-in-ones, covers, wipes, etc. You can get unbleached cotton, organic cotton, bambo fiber...it's really a great selection. Personally I think these are way simpler than the pocket diapers that a lot of people use, but that is probably just personal preference.

If the gross-out factor is deterring you from giving cloth a try, I wouldn't worry about it. I don't think it's any worse than changing a disposable, which we do use for plane rides and, unfortunately, at my in-laws. Even out and about we just tie the dirty cloth diaper up in a plastic bag and take care of it as soon as we get home.

The initial output can be pricey, but I really feel that for us they have already more than paid for themselves. Other than buying a few larger size covers and slightly higher utility bills, you're in the clear once you've built up your supply. And with baby #2 on the way in just a few months I've very happy to know I don't have to factor diapers into our already tight budget!

[Julie]

great post. i use plain old prefolds though and haven't had a problem. i also just run 2 wash cycles instead of 3, but whatever works!

[chelssya]

I've used cloth diapers with both my sons and have really loved them. I used to put soiled diapers in a pail filled halfway with water and a couple tablespoons of borax. Then I'd dump the whole thing into the washer and wash on one cycle with an extra rinse. We now have a front-loading washer, so it's tough to pour a pail filled with dirty water into the washer without spilling on the floor. So, I just omitted the water in the pail and have noticed no difference. My favorite brand is Sandy's by Mother Ease, www.mother-ease.com. The diapers have snaps and elastic waists and legs. I really like their Rikki wraps, too. They're a little more expensive than some out there, but I think they're worth it. I spent $300 for everything and the diapers/wraps have been used on 3 kids (my sons and nephew). They'll definitely hold up for at least a few more kids. We do use disposables on long car trips or long outings. I buy one jumbo box of diapers every other month, so the cost of disposables is negligible for me.

Someone asked about the disposable liners (they're flushable) . . The brand I'm familiar with is G Diapers and can be found at Whole Foods or grocery co-ops. You can't use them with septic tanks and they can cause cause plumbing problems. I don't think they're very cost effective, either.

[Wendy Johnson]

I love the Bum Genius 3.0. They are a little more expensive but they are a one-size fits all--my baby can wear them until she is 30lbs. The actually work better than disposables. I have not had a single poopy explosion but every time I have to use disposables I have one (the disposables don't absorb it as fast).

[Brittany]

I cloth diaper...first used BumGenius but (embarrassingly) didn't read the directions and used a little bleach...the PUL layer didn't stay around for long..lol. So rather than buying more, I opted for the prefolds and then knitted my own covers...lanolizing them is quite easy. I love the prefolds much better...I really don't know why (perhaps knowing they cost wayyyy less than the all in ones or pocket diapers). Oh- and I'm staying away from the bleach :)

[Sarah]

Cloth diapers!! Yeah!! I am about to have my third baby, and all have been in cloth. Love them! I use a fitted diaper (Snug-to-fit for after nursing, Kissaluvs for the nursing months) with a nylon diaper cover or gerber vinyl pants over them. I do not wash them as much as the auther of this post. I just dump the "dirties" out of the diaper into the potty using a little TP if necessary, flush, and then put the dry-but-dirty diaper into my pail (which has a nylon bag in it to keep the diaper pail clean. the bag washes w/ the diapers). Then, when my diaper pail is full, I dump the bag full of wet diapers, dirty diapers, wipes, diaper covers, etc. into the washing machine, turn the bag inside out and throw it in, and then do a cold rinse. Then I do a hot wash/cold rinse w/ a small amount of detergent and a splash of vinegar. Then throw the diapers and wipes in the dryer, and hang the bag and diaper covers to dry. I wash every other day, and have about 20 diapers for my just-turned-2yo. I have two different bags for my pail (wash one/use one) and about 10 diaper covers. And you can use anything (old rags, torn up flannel, etc.) as wipes. Easy and, actually, fun!

[Nancy]

If you are new to cloth diapering I highly recommend that you visit www.diaperpin.com. There is a huge wealth of info on this site as well as reviews on different cloth diaper brands. Currently, my favorites are Bum Genius 3.0 one size, Happy Heiny's one size. This way you don't have to buy multiple covers and the hubby doesn't mind using these b/c they're pocket diapers. Also, I use regular prefolds with Bummi's Super Whisper Wrap covers and a snappy. Another diaper system I really like is Motherease. Their covers DON'T LEAK.

Cloth diapering is a smart investment. If you plan to have multiple children, it will really save you in the long run. Not to mention it's a wonderful "green" practice.

God bless you all!

Nancy
mommy to 7 so far

[Jennifer]

I started cloth diapering with child #2 (who is now 4 months old). It really is fun! I think the best advice to someone considering it would be 2 things...(1)give yourself some time to settle into the new baby routine...maybe a month before you start cloth diapering (2) don't buy all of one type or brand of cloth diaper - everyone likes something different (3) cloth diapering is not all or nothing. We also use disposables sometimes--I'm sure the church nursery workers at our church would not like the cloth sprung on them either! I'd also say consider buying good, but used diapers to save more money and to see what you like!

[Lisa H]

Great post!
We love our cloth diapers. We've used them almost 100% of the time on our 20-month-old, and, along with breast-feeding, it's one of the best baby-rearing decisions we've made. I feel so good about saving money and lessening our environmental impact at the same time.

My simple advice: don't be scared of prefolds! With Snappis and covers, they are almost as quick as the all-in-ones for a lot less money. Using prefolds and covers is a true money-saver. We also use some snapping diapers (fitteds) and some pocket diapers and all-in-ones for the diaper bag/church nursery/babysitters. They are as easy as disposables.

Also, use diaperswappers.com to buy gently used diapers so you can try a variety of styles/brands to find what you like, and resell what you don't.
And, unlike the poster, you don't have to wash that often or use that much water. I usually wash every 4-5 days, and use much less water. (Cold rinse/hot wash/cold rinse.) We have NO problem with stinky diapers out of the wash. You find what works for you. The simpler diapers (cotton prefolds) are easier to care for than some of the fancier ones.

We've spent about $650 on diapers and accessories, quite a bit more than necessary, because there were some cute and fun diapers I wanted to try above and beyond what was essential. But, even with that amount spent, I don't think I'll need to buy anything else until my daughter is potty-trained. And, my future children are set! And beyond them, I can give these diapers to others to use on their kids!

To answer a previous poster, disposable liners are available here: http://shop.clothdiaper.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=clothdiape&StoreType=BtoC&Count1=896923243&Count2=814063668&CategoryID=1&Target=products.asp

Finally, the link here is to a post with an article I wrote on cloth diapering for my former newspaper. (I was a reporter before I was a mommy.) http://healthtakenseriously.com/2008/04/15/article-on-cloth-diapers/

[Lisa]

I have been using cloth for about 2 months now and I LOVE it!! I got my diapers-the Bum Genius 3.0 at www.cottonbabies.com They are available at some Targets too.

I cant sew so I had to buy and these are my favorite!!

I dont know if the flushables would work for potty training but I dont think it would hurt to try. Check out most cloth diaper stores to find them.

BTW-Fabulous post!! Thank you for highlighting what has ended up being one of my #1 money saving things.

[Rebecca]

We've been using cloth for almost two months now. I started out slowly, buying just three diapers to see what it was like. Now we have seven (four different brands), and I'm ready to pick up four or five more to complete my stash. Diaper Swappers is a great resource! We use all pockets because I thought they would be easiest. There are cheaper options, but I like my pocket diapers! I'm glad that you had a guest post about cloth!

[Todd Helmkamp]

Well, I'm a dad, not a mom, but I'll share our experience... :)

My wife and I just switched to cloth diapers for our 7 month old, Brennan. We are very surprised by how easy they are to use. We got ours from cottonbabies.com, and they're bumgenius brand. The neat thing is that we saved a TON of money by buying seconds, i.e. there's a bit of cosmetic stitching off, etc. But they are functionally fine.

We still keep a pack of disposables around for emergencies and if he stays overnight with his grandparents. We figure, even including the extra laundry, that we'll come out $350 ahead this year!!

[mommy to 5 angels]

We are preparing for #6 in 14 short weeks. When I found out I was expecting I immediately started researching cloth diapers. Because my mom is a wonderful seamstress and has lots of leftover fleece (and so do I) we decided to make our own diapers. We saw several sites that recommended fleece as a cover and since that makes our start-up costs small we went for it. Obviously we haven't tried them out yet, but they sure did turn out cute.

Once my friends found out what I was doing I got cloth diapers from everywhere. Most are pre-folded, but that is OK since they will go inside the cover. We also were given cloth that would work well for making doublers and some flannel for making wipes.

We currently have about 30 diapers and about 40 wipes made. Is that enough wipes?

I was excited when I saw this post and can't wait to come back and see all the new comments and strategies!

[Tonya]

I have cloth diapered my youngest since she was about 5 months old. I have the flushable liners for that messy breastfeeding stool. Now, they are not so hard to take care of. I just dump and flush. I have a pail that I put them into. They keep her dry at night and out in public too. We wash about every 2 -3 days and my water bill only went up $5 a month. I bought a lot of secondhand diapers from www.diaperswappers.com. I just sanitized them really good in my washer. My favorites to date are BumGenius pockets and all in ones and Fuzzibunz. I do have 1 Blueberry that I got on there cheap that I really love, but would not pay the real price for. All of my Bumgenius my daughter has worn this all time as they are one size diapers. We are even thinking of doing cloth trainers when we get to that point and she outgrows the Bumgenius.

[Jill]

You can purchase the flushable liners at the following page under accessories: http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/

You can get them elsewhere but this is a very informative site that may answer a lot of cloth diapering questions for others.

I have a 20 month-old and one on the way and we have cloth diapers from day 1 and LOVED it for many, many reasons! And it is so awesome to know that we have everything we need for #2!!

[Erin]

I have tried G-Diapers, Kushies, Happy Heinys and Bum Genius. Bum Genius all in one are my favorite. They claim to be 'husband and grandparent proof', that is, they go on just like a normal diaper, velcro and all.

I always change mine when we are out and about. I just have a cute little 'wet bag' with me and my free sample size packages of wipes.

I suggest trying a few different ones first and seeing what works for you. I have blogged a little on them here;

http://thriftysoaper.blogspot.com/search/label/Cloth%20Diapering

[Lee Scott]

I really want to cloth diaper our next baby, and I really think it would be cost effective for us as well. Considering I usually would spend between $40-$60 on diapers a month there can be no comparrison. And since where I live we don't pay water...I really will make out on the deal!

[Alyssa]

We used cloth w/ my younger siblings-it's not hard at all. We just kept an open pail in the bathroom. I do remember rinsing stinky ones in the sink before tossing into the pail, which is gross, but you kind of get used to it. My mom has a pretty fancy washer w/ an extra-hot sanitary cycle, which made it super easy. The only problem we had was our church nursery workers who flipped out at the sight of a cloth diaper- and they velcroed over just like disposables!! Lol. We carried a washable vinyl drawstring bag to put used diapers in when we were out, and just tossed it in the wash, too!

I would love to cloth diaper, but I have to use my apt. washers which cost me $1 a load (plus $1 to dry) and the only options are cold, warm, or hot- and it's a 25 min. cycle. I'm sure they would need more than one cycle, so I'm looking at at least $9/week if I washed 3x! I'm not even paying that much for disposables! (Thanks to MSM!) And I think my neighbors would flip if they saw me washing diapers in the public washers! I admit, I think I would too if I saw someone else doing it!
(Just curious- has anyone else out there cloth diapered when you have to use coin washers?)

Oh, well, maybe for the next baby! Meanwhile, I'm incredibly thankful for being able to find such great deals on disposables. And if I can someday, I will definitely try making my own. I could pick out cute fabrics and it would save a lot of money!

[anna]

I went back to cloth (baby #4 22months old) just recently because our daughter has a latex allergy and the only disposable diapers that she can wear are very expensive. I posted to mothers and more, the trading post (a yahoo group) and the MOMYS group I belong to. I ended up with 15 unbleached chinese prefolds and six proraps toddler size... this all set me back $25. They are in pristene condition and she wears them all the time. I don't wash them so many times though. I rinse the dirty ones of course but I through in a load of them once a day (front load, uses very little water) with a table spoon of charlies soap (ALL our laundry is washed in this) and a 1/4 cup of white vinigar in the rinse. There is no odor what so ever and everything is clean. ***Oh, and there are no pins or snappies here either, I just fold them on her and put the rap on and off she goes. (for a 30lber they stay on just right).
Happy day.

[Amy]

I use cloth diapers on my son and it is really easy. He is 2 1/2 and he still uses cloth diapers for naps and nights.

I love cloth diapers. They can be a great cost savings. I have tried a ton of different types of diapers and I find that my favorites are prefolds for home and pockets for daycare and going out and about. We use cloth wipes at home and disposable wipes when away from home and at daycare. When I first started I hated prefolds, but now I love the simplicity and thriftiness of them. Flat diapers are also one size diapers that are very versatile. If you want to try prefold or flat diapers, you don't have to use pins. There is a fastener called a Snappi that keeps them in place nicely and they are much less scary putting on a squirmy baby.

The initial cost of cloth diapers is more upfront, but you can save a lot of money. I have bought some expensive diapers, but I still have saved a bunch of money. And when you are done diapering your child you can save them to reuse on your next baby or sell them and recoup about half the money you spent on them.

The one thing I would add that is nice to have, if you have the money is a diaper pail liner. You can use it to line your diaper pail and it keeps you from having to clean the pail out all the time, you can just throw it into the wash. I also have a wet bag for my diaper bag. But, you can use grocery bags or use old Ziplocs instead of
a wetbag for you diaperbag.

[Amy]

I use cloth diapers on my ds and it is really easy.

I love cloth diapers. They can be a great cost savings. I have tried a ton of different types of diapers and I find that my favorites are prefolds for home and pockets for daycare and going out and about. We use cloth wipes at home and disposable wipes out and about. When I first started I hated prefolds but now I love the simplicity and thriftiness of them. Flat diapers are also one size diapers that are very versatile. If you want to try prefold or flat diapers, you don't have to use pins. There is a fastener called a Snappi that keeps them in place nicely and is less scary putting on a squirmy baby.

The initial cost of cloth diapers is more upfront, but you can save a lot of money. I have bought some expensive diapers, but I still have saved a bunch of money. And when you are done diaper your child you can save them to reuse on your next baby or sell them and recoup about half the money you spent on them.

The one thing I would add that is nice to have, if you have the money is a diaper pail liner. You can use it to line your diaper pail and it keeps you from having to clean the pail out all the time, you can just throw it into the wash. I also have a wet bag for my diaper bag. But, you can use grocery bags or use old Ziplocs instead of
a wetbag for you diaperbag.

[Erynn]

We cloth diapered almost exclusively with our son, and with another on the way, we plan as well. Most of our "stash" consists of diapers that I sewed for him. Some from fabric I purchased, some from old clothes I recycled. My favorite cloth diapers I purchases were bum genius one size diapers. I got them when they had a second quality sale. Never had problems with them, and I got them cheaper than first quality.

As for liners, we didn't need any while ds was exclusively breastfed, the poo just washes out in the washer, and no stink issues. However, once on solids, we had a few options. We did install a diaper sprayer, which works great, but still made a huge mess on the BIG jobs. I never have used the disposable liners, I felt they were too expensive. So...I just take old t-shirts and cut them up for inside the diaper. Wet liners get washed and reused, and the poopies just get thrown away.

http://clothbaby.blogspot.com/

[Penny Raine]

uh, those of us that churn butter these days do it with a blender :)

blessings, Penny Raine
http://pennyraine.com/blog

[Kim G]

I like cloth diapering because I do not like the chemicals that are in disposables. So even if it did not save me money I would choose to do it. I am currently cloth diapering my third baby. I wanted to use all natural fabrics rather then synthetic like PUL and Polar fleece. This time around, money was an issue, so I made my own. I used Rita's Rump Pattern (RRP) http://handmadebyrita.blogspot.com/ It is a free pattern. I did add elastic in the back. I also made wool covers. I did spluge and bought bamboo fabric to stuff the diapers and bamboo velour to use as a liner. (But I did shop around and used a diaper fabric co-op. So it wasn't a lot of extra money). I also made my own wipes. I do use cloth diapers out as long as I will be the one to change the baby. I recommend to first time diaper users to just try out a few things at the beginning rather than investing in one system. Also, while I know others re-use the diapers on another child, I wasn't able to. Because my children were not close together, they had to sit for a year or two without use so that might have been an issue. Also, I tend to buy the diapers that can be use the whole time, so they really were used.

[Jeri]

I cloth diapered all three of my kids, fromt he time my middle child was a newborn and my oldest was about 2 1/2. It was a great experience. My youngest is now three and potty learned about a year ago, so no more diapers for us unless we have more kids - and we'll definitely use cloth if that happens!For the record, when I was cloth diapering 2 kids, I was also working full time, AND didn't have my own washer! I didn't think it could be done, but I did it - and it wasn't even that hard!

[Helen]

When people find out I use cloth, I sometimes get the look like I have just grown a second head. I use Imse Vimse cloth diapers and have since ds was just a few days old. They went up over his umbilical cord stump as a newborn, so the doc recommded using them after the cord dropped off. They have been wonderful for us. They are a little bit of extra work, but I stay at home so it is manageable. I think the key to using them for me was starting them when he was so young, before I became accustomed to disposables. I have used disposables when travelling but otherwise I stick with cloth.

[Rachael]

re: Flushable Liners

There are two companies that make them - Kushies and Imse Vimse. The kushies ones are inferior to the Imse Vimse on several counts - they are too narrow and long instead of being wider to fit across the diaper. Also, after being washed they get even more narrow.

I love the Imse Vimse liners with the peanut-butter poo stage after babies start solids - you just roll the liner off into the toilet and flush. They can be washed up to three times if your baby just pees on them too so they don't go to waste.

My favorite place to buy cloth diapers is http://www.nickisdiapers.com - she has free shipping on many items (including diaper covers) and has the best prices I've found on the internet.

For buying prefolds, I have heard nothing but good things about http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com, especially b/c she has special sizes like newborn and ones that are the absorbency of a premium but are shorter to cut down on bulk.

[Beth Moore]

I am currently enjoying the joys of cloth diapering with my now 7 month old. I would have never imagined in a thousand years that I would EVER want to do such a crazy thing, but now I feel it is one of the best parenting decisions I have ever made! We never use disposables and as a result we are saving tons of money. Our water bill is no higher than it was before the cloth, (probably due to the fact that you take a lot less luxurious baths and showers as a new mom and dad, but hey....)

We currently use inexpensive DSQ prefolds with Thirsties covers during the day and some fitted diapers with snap in soakers and the same Thirsties covers for night. We have yet to have a leak or blow out! (Ok, we had one, but it was due to user error, not a failing on the diaper's part. )

I would love to encourage anyone who is considering cloth to try it out! I certainly was pleasantly surprised with how easy, fun, and cute they are! Not only that, but we're helping the environment, they are healthier for baby, and we're saving a LOT of money!! =)

[Mary]

I have been diapering with cloth for 3 years now, 2 kids. It is great, and a GREAT way to save money. Check out
www.punkinbutt.com for products and create how-to and cost effectiveness articles.

[Emily @ Little Home]

I have gotten all my cloth diapering supplies from http://www.nickisdiapers.com and love them!
My daughter is 15 months and I have been cloth diapering since she was 2 weeks old. I use prefolds w/ a snappi and Imse Vimse covers while at home, and one-size pocket diapers (Bum Genius) while were out and at night (double stuffed). It really helped me to read all the product reviews on http://www.diaperpin.com. I really think the Imse Vimse covers are worth the couple more dollars that they cost. But it seems each kid is different and you have to find what works for you. My daughter is starting to soak through occasionally at night (even if she wears a disposable), so I might have to find another solution for then - I've heard bamboo is super absorbent...

[Whitney]

We've been cloth diapering our 11-week-old since the day we brought him home from the hospital. We live near the Cotton Babies store (if you live in St. Louis, stop in sometime.. they're so helpful!) and have purchased all of our diapering stuff from there. We use the Chinese prefolds with mostly Prowrap diaper covers. No pins, no Snappi. We have a Litewrap, which we hated at first but love now that our little guy has grown into it, and a Thirsties cover. We use the BumGenius cloth wipes, witch hazel and water for a wipe spray, and a Rubbermaid storage box for a diaper pail. We take gallon-sized Ziploc baggies when going out with the diaper bag.

One thing I didn't realize is that you have to account for the extra "padding" with the cloth diapers when considering clothing sizes. For a larger baby, newborn sized onesies may not fit well when using a cloth diaper, but will fit fine with a disposable. If you are going to use cloth while traveling (church, family outings, etc.), you'll also need a bigger diaper bag. I've had to take two bags on one occasion when we were out of the house all day.

[Andrea]

Penny,

That is amazing! I really would like to learn how that is done. I assume it's cheaper than buying butter. (Not to hijack the conversation, but I've never bought real butter since I've been married.) Plus, it sounds fun. ;-)

I'll do some research on how to make butter in a blender!

Andrea

[The Thrifty Mama]

I cloth diaper my kiddos, and I make most of their diapers. I actually did a tutorial on how to make a prefold, cheap and easy. http://www.thethriftymama.com/2008/09/make-prefold-cheap-and-easy.html

And I also have some pictures of some fitteds I made: http://www.thethriftymama.com/2008/08/thrifty-and-crafty-try-your-hand-at.html

[Amy]

I have 6 kids all of which that have at least been part time cloth diapered. After almost 10 years of using them my favorites are still Mother-ease which is what I first bought 10 years ago when I decided to use cloth. I still have some of those original ones. They are getting pretty thin but are still usable. I ordered some new ones a few months ago and the new ones are definitely softer and fluffier. I use prefolds for small babies and then switch to Mother-ease and Bumgenius at 6 months. They grow so fast at first I can't justify spending a lot on little diapers plus little babies are a lot easier to change than wrangling a toddler that doesn't want to lay still for a change.

We still buy 2-3 packs of diapers a month with 2 in diapers. I use them at night, for outtings, or if my laundry is getting backed up. For a long time we were a cloth only house but I really like having some disposables that I usually buy at CVS pretty cheap.

[Shayna]

I have been using Bum Genius all in one diapers for about a month now. We love them! I HIGHLY recommend getting a diaper sprayer that hooks right onto the side of your toilet.(Around $30) It works exceptionally well. No soaking or anything. We spent about $200 for all the diapers and accessories. I'm using cloth wipes and I keep them in a diaper warmer, so they're already wet when I need them. My daughter is almost 8 months old and only goes through about 5 diapers a day, so I only bought 12 BG diapers. It has been a perfect amount. We do use a disposable diaper every once in awhile, so I only have to do 2 extra loads of laundry a week. It's so worth it!! Helps out the budget and the environment!

[Joy]

I'm always interested in what cloth diaper techniques work! When I started menstruating I realized I reacted to the dioxin in regular sanitary pads (I ran high fevers). I had to look into cloth pads, which I turned out to love. One day when I have children of my own, I would definately use cloth for them as well. All of these tips will be great to chose though all of the different brands! By the way, I would like to caution about different washing machines if you need to replace your current one...we recently replaced our old one and it hardly uses any water...just sort of sprays them, which we don't really like. This might be a huge problem if you need to soak/wash the diapers in a lot of water. Might be best to stick to the cheaper agitator washer which use alot more water.