Ok cloth diapering mommas, comment here and tell me what brand you use, why you chose it, and what your system is for cloth diapering :) I'm not promising I'm going to change, but I'm definitely putting some research into it. I've been looking at fuzzibunz the most, they seem like they would fit our lifestyle the best. The gDiapers seem awesome too and the most convenient, but they are very expensive and don't save a whole lot of money over disposable which is one of the whole reasons I am looking into this (not to mention the environmental reasons, of course :))
My other main hangup is that brian is really not into the idea due to the increased messiness, hassle, etc., (he thinks and I'm not sure). So I don't want to get into something that will relegate me to do most of the diaper cleanups for the rest of our "baby" years. LOL.
12 comments:
This is Roger. Tell Brian it's not that bad, really. In the end you save a ton of money and landfill space.
Sorry I can't weigh in on this conversation except that cloth diapers have come a long way since I used them with Katie!
We have a few different kinds, but the best by far (for us) are the bumGenius 4.0's. We have a few fuzzibunz, but in our experience, they leak a lot. The BG's are one size, come with 2 inserts, and we use the hook and loop which has made it very easy to train our parents in how to put them on (since h&l's function very much like disposables).
As for care/mess/etc. - Yes, it's a bit more laundry. As of now, M has only had one or two "solid" poops, and we just run the dipe to the potty, plop it in (I know it's gross, but true!), and then throw the rest of it into the bag to go in the laundry. There are detergents that make it a snap, and ways to keep the dipes looking and smelling fresh and clean.
Finally, we're looking into either selling or giving away some of our non-BG diapers and switching exclusively to them. We haven't bought a package of diapers since Malcolm was born...I don't know exactly how much we've saved since initially purchasing cloth dipes is a bit of an investment, but we've at the very least evened out by now, and we have another at least 2 years with M in diapers, not to mention additional kiddos!
Hope this helps - it's a big decision, and one that is totally up to you and Bri - whatever works best for you guys!
I just typed a long, long response and lost it. Dang it!
So, I'll email you. :)
I have 15 Bumgenius 4.0 diapers. 4 flips, 2 gro-baby, 2 fuzzibunz, 1 econobum.
I like bumgenius the most. They fit the best, leak the least, etc,
Fuzzibunz are nice, but I've had 2 poop leaks with them. They don't have a "flap" that covers the insert in the back and therefore don't have any "guard" for up-the-back poops. I do love the FEEL of the fuzzibunz, but they just don't function the way I want them to. And in my opinion they don't work as well as the bumgenius, and they're more expensive!
Flips work ok, but the system itself just isn't for me.
I hate the econobum diaper...
I just use a little laundry basket by the changing table and after I change the diapers I toss them into the laundry basket (since Lauren is mostly breastfed still so I don't have much "solid" to deal with yet...) On wash day (ever 2-3 days) I take the diapers down after bedtime and run the washer full of water and put the soap in, leave it soak overnight. In the morning I close the washer lid and let it run, then do an extra rinse. I dry the inserts in the dryer and air dry (via a clothesline strung across our basement) the shells. Then put them back together and start over.
I use Rockin' Green detergent.
We've already recovered the cost of the initial investment in the diapers so now it just costs us to wash them. (Pennies per load for water and so far I haven't gone through a bag of detergent.)
I also recommend Happy Baby Company (and I would *so* meet you there just for fun!) My favorite online store (other than Happy Baby is BippyDiapers.)
Cloth Diapers go on sale all the time if you are watching out for the sales, so if you decide to switch, wait until they go on sale to do it!
I used fuzzy bunz, and I made my own all in one fuzzy bunz type diaper. They were not pretty, but they did the job. I also used (and still have if you are interested) a flannel diaper that required a cover. No pins.... just a shaped flannel with velcro. Visit barefootbaby.com to see what I mean.
I forgot to say that I also have 3 Bumkins all-in-ones for Aaron, but for some reason I find it difficult to get "with" it with cloth diapering Aaron... I think it is psychological, though. :-) The Bumkins All-in-ones work well, but leak more than bumgenius.
There really isn't a whole lot more hassle, messiness, etc. with cloth... it's just what you are "used" to. Roger "feared" the change too, but he's on board now. Personally I always WANTED to do cloth, but I was afraid of the "hassle" too. I perceived it as a LOT more work. It wasn't until the people around me started cloth diapering that I realized it was something I could do too and I just decided to go for it. After the initial "getting my feet wet" stage, I'd say I much prefer cloth to disposable.
And butt rashes are all but gone!
Jason was about 20 lbs and pretty chunky when we started cloth diapering,he's now about 31 lbs at 20 months... we have tried:
All diapers in snaps, we use the bummis flushable liners which if not soiled can be washed and reused at least 1 time if not 2, we also use rockin green detergent-1 bag lasts for many months
rumparooz- never really fit his chunkiness, seem to run small but they are nice
Smartipants- always leaked at first, also seem to run small and I never felt like we could get a good fit
Bum Genius Flip- our most favorite diaper, fit is awesome for chubby babies, no leaks, the cover can get soiled with dirty diapers, very trim, we have only used the cloth inserts
Fuzzibunz perfect size in Large- fit well, no leaks, our 2nd favorite after flips
Happy Heinys- larger cut to accomodate chubby babies, but now the rise isn't quite long enough- like if it isn't on perfectly you can see "plumber's crack" when Jason bends over, sometimes they leak- I just don't think they are as absorbant as flips or fuzzibunz
Many women on babycenter.com were recommending trying prefolds. I just purchased a trial of econombum and we aren't that impressed. They hold a lot of liquid so no leaking, but they are bulky and don't feel as soft as the pocket diapers.
We never found a nighttime system that worked so we have always used disposables at night. Jason started wetting through the pampers so we had to put an additional disposable insert in to keep him dry. I had the idea a few weeks ago to try using a flip cloth insert instead and it's working out great.
I didn't think my husband would like cloth diapering, but he adapted just fine. Disposables have a weird smell when they are peed in... cloth diapers don't have that smell.
Chrissy- you are so right about the smell of disposables.
I was just telling my husband a few weeks ago that I wondered if they put a pee/poop reaction chemical in the disposable diapers so you "smell it" and change more often/buy more diapers.
we use G Diaper .. with their cloth inserts instead of the disposables. I agree the disposables are expensive so its the same as using regular diapers. But I havent tried anything else so I cant tell you how they compare. They do leak if we leave them on too long. But I guess all diapers would. It isnt all that bad. I think its especially easier now that they are older.
A friend of mine makes her's locally. You can find her on Facebook as Cottontailbabies She too can answer many of your questions.
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