I have taken what I consider to be a big plunge, and invested in cloth diapers. Lulu is potty training currently, and so the cozy diapers are for Baby Jo.
I tell you what fellow mothers out there, the world of cloth diapering is FULL of passionate, opinionated, and disagreeing women as well as dozens of different brands and options making researching cloth diapers quite difficult. After feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of paying $17 for a diaper that won't do the job, I resorted to the process of elimination. (WARNING: there is a lot of information following that might not make a lot of sense if you are not familiar with the on-line cloth diapering jargon. I just want to put what I learned out there to help anyone else on the search for what they want in cloth diapering)
I decided quickly that I wanted snaps over velcro because I knew I would eventually be frustrated by the velcro fraying over the inevitably frequent washing cloth diapers require. I want this investment to last me through more than one baby. This is an effort to save money as well as the environment.
I chose pocket diapers
over the pre-fold (old fashioned big cloth you fold around your baby's bum),
the fitted diapers (diaper shaped cloth that you have to buy a separate cover for), and the the all-in-one diaper (a waterproof cover and inner cloth soaker all in one, no assembly required but lots of drying required). With pocket, I can really put anything in there to soak up the pee. I read somewhere where people have sewn together old t-shirts, towels, etc. However, the diapers come with plenty of inserts so I don't think it will be necessary. I hang dry the outer shell and they dry in about two hours, SUPER fast, and the inserts I tumble dry so they aren't damp forever and have musty smells etc.
I knew I wanted a one-size diaper that adjusts to fit the baby at all ages. I saw lots of comments saying that it really won't fit a new born. Jo is already a pretty big girl and they fit her fine. I loved how Fuzzi Bunz one-size diapers adjust in the elastics around the legs and the waist as opposed to snaps up the front. They have snaps and are pocket diapers. So, they fit my criteria.
Thankfully, this website offers a thirty trial on various brands of diapers so you can take a few for a test drive and return them for your money back. I tried a few both inexpensive and more expensive. All the comments I heard is that the cheaper ones are good, but you get what you pay for. They probably would not last me more than one baby. I did invest in a few flip diapers. I really liked them and they were having a sale on the disposable inserts which is awesome for church and travel etc.
We have been at it for a couple of weeks now, and so far so good. Not one blowout! I'm impressed. I do have to change her wet diapers much more frequently than with the disposable or else she leaks around the leg, but I don't mind. The extra laundry is surprisingly not a big deal at all. I store the diapers in a dray pail with a lid and end up doing a small laundry load every other day. I ordered 18 fuzzi bunz and that has proven to be plenty.
An extra bonus is that they come in lots of cute colors. I like to think it makes her feel extra cute, kind of like wearing colored underwear feels more fashionable and fun than just plain whitey tighties.
So, that is my latest and greatest adventure. I'll let you know if I run into problems in the future as Jo grows bigger. Here is how the kids feel about the new diapers!
I tell you what fellow mothers out there, the world of cloth diapering is FULL of passionate, opinionated, and disagreeing women as well as dozens of different brands and options making researching cloth diapers quite difficult. After feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of paying $17 for a diaper that won't do the job, I resorted to the process of elimination. (WARNING: there is a lot of information following that might not make a lot of sense if you are not familiar with the on-line cloth diapering jargon. I just want to put what I learned out there to help anyone else on the search for what they want in cloth diapering)
I decided quickly that I wanted snaps over velcro because I knew I would eventually be frustrated by the velcro fraying over the inevitably frequent washing cloth diapers require. I want this investment to last me through more than one baby. This is an effort to save money as well as the environment.
I chose pocket diapers
over the pre-fold (old fashioned big cloth you fold around your baby's bum),
the fitted diapers (diaper shaped cloth that you have to buy a separate cover for), and the the all-in-one diaper (a waterproof cover and inner cloth soaker all in one, no assembly required but lots of drying required). With pocket, I can really put anything in there to soak up the pee. I read somewhere where people have sewn together old t-shirts, towels, etc. However, the diapers come with plenty of inserts so I don't think it will be necessary. I hang dry the outer shell and they dry in about two hours, SUPER fast, and the inserts I tumble dry so they aren't damp forever and have musty smells etc.
I knew I wanted a one-size diaper that adjusts to fit the baby at all ages. I saw lots of comments saying that it really won't fit a new born. Jo is already a pretty big girl and they fit her fine. I loved how Fuzzi Bunz one-size diapers adjust in the elastics around the legs and the waist as opposed to snaps up the front. They have snaps and are pocket diapers. So, they fit my criteria.
Thankfully, this website offers a thirty trial on various brands of diapers so you can take a few for a test drive and return them for your money back. I tried a few both inexpensive and more expensive. All the comments I heard is that the cheaper ones are good, but you get what you pay for. They probably would not last me more than one baby. I did invest in a few flip diapers. I really liked them and they were having a sale on the disposable inserts which is awesome for church and travel etc.
We have been at it for a couple of weeks now, and so far so good. Not one blowout! I'm impressed. I do have to change her wet diapers much more frequently than with the disposable or else she leaks around the leg, but I don't mind. The extra laundry is surprisingly not a big deal at all. I store the diapers in a dray pail with a lid and end up doing a small laundry load every other day. I ordered 18 fuzzi bunz and that has proven to be plenty.
An extra bonus is that they come in lots of cute colors. I like to think it makes her feel extra cute, kind of like wearing colored underwear feels more fashionable and fun than just plain whitey tighties.
So, that is my latest and greatest adventure. I'll let you know if I run into problems in the future as Jo grows bigger. Here is how the kids feel about the new diapers!
7 comments:
The great thing about changing the diapers more often is that your baby will probably not get diaper rash, and they tend to potty train earlier in cloth because they feel the wetness more. Glad you are enjoying the experience!
Hurray! Cloth diapers are the BEST!
Cloth diapers is definitely something I've been considering lately as I look at the cost of disposables. Are you still using disposable wipes or do you use cloth? Thanks so much for posting this, it was really interesting for me to read!
I have been considering trying these with our next baby (that is NOT an announcement) they just had a class on MAKING some in my ward... I think I would rather buy them! Thanks for all the info!
Wow, Lara! Good job. You are a much better woman than I. Good job.
Thanks for the info... I didn't know that cloth diapers could be so easy! After changing like thousands of cloth diapers in Ecuador I swore I would NEVER use cloth diapers. In Ecuador they were the kind that you have to tie, and they were a nightmare! But the ones you got seem really practical! I might have to look into it.
I can't wait for my diapers to get here. Thanks for doing all of the research to make my decision so much easier :)
Post a Comment