When I was pregnant with my daughter, way back in 2008, I became obsessed with Cloth Diapers. I joined cloth diaper forums, scoured the internet for suggestions and read almost every blog imaginable. I even created spreadsheets about the pros and cons of different types of cloth diapers.
When Lu was born, we were given three months to a local diaper service. This particular diaper service only used prefolds and covers. I had “class” with them before the big arrival and practiced on non pooping and non peeing dolls. Regardless, I felt pretty prepared when she arrived. I had my wet bag, snappis, covers and prefolds and I was ready to roll.
Despite all my preparation, I was not ready for my daughter to have health problems or to have to tote around soggy pee filled prefolds to various appointments and outings in the dead of winter. So, when my diaper service called it quits in the middle of my three months, I had no idea what I was supposed to do next. I threw in the towel and bought some sposies.
Don’t panic. This didn’t last long.
Once we got Lu settled and I was able to pick up some not really used pockets and assorted others, we jumped back on the cloth diapering band wagon. I knew that it was what was best for her, the earth and our family. It was long before I was an addict.
Now as we await the arrival of this little one, I am excited to bust out my stash. I have a whole different perspective going into this having cloth diapered for almost two years but I am amazed at how much things have changed in the two years we have been diaper free.
For one thing, cloth diapers have come a long was in quality, sizes, colors and such. I remember waiting with baited breath for Bum Genius to announce their new color pallet. Or trying to score that much wanted color on Diaper Swappers. Now there seems to be an infinite number of diapers available and I have to admit I am a bit overwhelmed. I almost feel like I am starting from scratch.
So here are some things I do know:
- I don’t mind prefolds and covers for my newborn but I want a small stash of itty bitties to make it easier.
- Rockin’ Green soap worked great for us the first time and I probably will try it again.
- As much as I love the looks of wool, it was just too much work for me. I could never get it lanolized right and they always leaked.
- My “go to” brands are Bum Genius, Thirsties and Fuzzibunz.
- What new brands am I overlooking?
- Clothing a cloth diapered newborn in the summer?
- How many itty bitties dipes should I really invest in?
- Fitteds – haven’t used them but want to add them to my stash this time.
- Over night solutions – never could find a good one.
- New brands that I might be over looking.
- Diaper sprayer – really worth it?
- Cloth wipes? Convince me. I couldn’t do it before.
Ah, my friend, don’t be overwhelmed. You could just go a newborn cloth diaper rental route and save yourself some headache or get on the waiting list to buy gently used trials from modern diapers. I have a new cloth diaper trials section on my blog and I’m working on a newborn rental specific one. Maybe you take advantage of a try and wash program for 15 or 30 days before committing to brands? Here’s my other 2 cents:
1. Diaper sprayer is totally worth it.
2. I use a cloth wipes/disposable wipes combo. A nice, thick cloth wipe can really clean that poo!
3. Fitteds rock and are more accommodating for a skinny or chunky baby, in my opinion and much preferred for night time and newborns.
4. You’ll always overlook a brand. There’s just too many. If you have tried and true ones, I’d stay with them. Get a trial and see if you like their newer versions. Many newborn rentals will come a few weeks in advance of your due date. Here’s a link to the database if you think it might help (I promise this is not shameless promotion):http://theinquisitivemom.blogspot.com/p/where-to-find-cloth-diaper-trials.html
5. Ask me anytime. I would be happy to talk through any of the confusion.
It’s going to be awesome!
I give you props for cloth diapering! We don’t cloth diaper, but I am in a green moms group that has many mamas that clothe diaper. I can ask them questions for you if you want.
We love bumGenius! I use cloth wipes part time; the hardest part for me is remembering to refill the warmer with wipes and solution, but at least you never run out of actual wipes. They are super easy to make, and my son uses them as handkerchiefs (because we don’t really trust him with a box of tissue in his bedroom unsupervised). I still use disposable wipes on the go. I’d like someone to convince me that I could handle cloth wipes in the diaper bag, lol.
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