Kylee is wearing her first CD!

[s_gosney]

A FB w/ a Liza Jane insert. Please pray for no poopy!!! LOL
A big BIG thanks to Liza for loaning me some dipes!
I'm sure I will be returning with lots of questions.

For now:
1. When do you unstuff? Immediately post wear or all at once when throwing into the wash...does it matter?

2. I need washing directions! (Liza please tell me if you want anything specific done)

[s_gosney]

A FB w/ a Liza Jane insert. Please pray for no poopy!!! LOL
A big BIG thanks to Liza for loaning me some dipes!
I'm sure I will be returning with lots of questions.

For now:
1. When do you unstuff? Immediately post wear or all at once when throwing into the wash...does it matter?

2. I need washing directions! (Liza please tell me if you want anything specific done)

[lizajane]

just don't bleach anything! :)

yay!!! i am so excited you are trying them out!! FUN FUN!!

i would unstuff post-wear. you can actually kinda shake out the insert if it is really wet and icky and you don't want to touch it. if they stay stuffed, the PUL starts to stink. ick!

and don't worry about poop!! fleece doesn't stain and the poop will come right off.

here is how i wash:
cold soak/rinse & spin
hot wash (longest wash setting) with about 1/4 scoop of detergent (no softeners like dreft or ivory snow, tide is great. we used to use gain)
cold rinse to be sure all the detergent is out

diapers (prefolds) and inserts get dried on HOT and covers (including FBs-anything with PUL) get line dried or dried on low heat.

you'll have to let us know which of my four insert options work for you! and let us know if you are ready to tackle a prefold after you use all four FBs.

[lizajane]

just don't bleach anything! :)

yay!!! i am so excited you are trying them out!! FUN FUN!!

i would unstuff post-wear. you can actually kinda shake out the insert if it is really wet and icky and you don't want to touch it. if they stay stuffed, the PUL starts to stink. ick!

and don't worry about poop!! fleece doesn't stain and the poop will come right off.

here is how i wash:
cold soak/rinse & spin
hot wash (longest wash setting) with about 1/4 scoop of detergent (no softeners like dreft or ivory snow, tide is great. we used to use gain)
cold rinse to be sure all the detergent is out

diapers (prefolds) and inserts get dried on HOT and covers (including FBs-anything with PUL) get line dried or dried on low heat.

you'll have to let us know which of my four insert options work for you! and let us know if you are ready to tackle a prefold after you use all four FBs.

[s_gosney]

okay I'm back...LOL I actually put a pf on her just now. I trifolded it the "right" way and put the fleece thingy over it, laid it in the cover and put it on. Hopefully it's dummy proof. :) thanks for answering those, now New questions:
1. what are the pros/cons of folding pfs the right vs wrong way? If I do it the right way, I have around 4 inches extra that I folded under in the back. Is this right?
2. This is totally affecting the fit of her clothes. I even purposely pulled out a pair of shorts that are normally way too big on her. Do I have to buy a whole new fall wardrobe if we stick with this?

More to come later, I'm sure...

[s_gosney]

okay I'm back...LOL I actually put a pf on her just now. I trifolded it the "right" way and put the fleece thingy over it, laid it in the cover and put it on. Hopefully it's dummy proof. :) thanks for answering those, now New questions:
1. what are the pros/cons of folding pfs the right vs wrong way? If I do it the right way, I have around 4 inches extra that I folded under in the back. Is this right?
2. This is totally affecting the fit of her clothes. I even purposely pulled out a pair of shorts that are normally way too big on her. Do I have to buy a whole new fall wardrobe if we stick with this?

More to come later, I'm sure...

[jec2]

With Cd's I have found that I love the Hanna Andersson wiggle pants. But the rage also seems to be a fitted or prefold with a soaker made of wool.

Glad you are giving cloth a try. Show us a pic when you can :)

[jec2]

With Cd's I have found that I love the Hanna Andersson wiggle pants. But the rage also seems to be a fitted or prefold with a soaker made of wool.

Glad you are giving cloth a try. Show us a pic when you can :)

[mudder17]

First, yay! Glad it's working out so far.

Ah, yes, the dreaded bubble butt. I actually like it, but I stick with clothes that allow for room in that region (sleepers, onesies, no thin pants). Are you talking about premiums or standards? They're apparently the same size, but premiums have more layers (4x8x4 vs. 4x6x4, I believe). So they would end up being more bulky. With PFs, if you fold it the right way, there is definitely around 4 inches left in my premiums, whether or not you snappi. I usually put it in front because she's on her tummy alot. It works out well for her because all the extra material is placed where it's needed. However as you said, it does poof out quite a bit. If you fold it the wrong way, then you have many layers in the center, which works out better with a girl than with a boy (where it's needed mostly in front). Does it seem more trim this way? If you want it really trim, you could try trifolding infants and place it in a cover without a snappi, it would be much more trim. Or you could trifold some standards. I would say try folding them the way that seems more trim, and see if it works out for you.


Eileen

Mother of Beautiful Kaya
born 22 February 2004

http://lilypie.com/baby1/050222/2/16/0/+10/.png

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_garnet_6m.gif Breastfed 6 months and counting

http://www.chemicalgraphics.com/kaya

[s_gosney]

hmmm...can't tell you if they're premiums or standards. I'm clueless there. But, I did fold the "wrong way", and it seems to work out better that way, not as much excess fabric in one spot. She's just in a tshirt and dipe right now, so I'll have to check and see if her pants will fit this way. I know that I'm going to have to find a trim option b/c she's got short little legs, so finding pants that fit is hard enough and sizing up would make it worse. Anyway, so far, so good. Oh yeah...she wore an FB w/ 2 JBs last night and no leaks or wicking! Woohoo!!!

[mudder17]

Yay! Great news about the FB at night. Sounds like success is in hand. Actually, Kaya has pretty short legs as well, which is why we've been sticking with onesies and sleepers (or onesie type dresses). My guess is that she'll continue to wear sleepers when winter comes. Of course, when she starts walking.... Yikes, I guess that'll be next spring.


Eileen

Mother of Beautiful Kaya
born 22 February 2004

http://lilypie.com/baby1/050222/2/16/0/+10/.png

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_garnet_6m.gif Breastfed 6 months and counting

http://www.chemicalgraphics.com/kaya

[s_gosney]

yeah. mobility adds new issues to the wardrobe. Crawling meant absolutely no dresses and mostly no swingtops. Now that she's walking, I'm assuming that crawling will be no more within the next couple of weeks, so at least we can go back to dresses. I'm really excited about that. :) I have tons of jumpers for fall/winter. So...any ideas on trim fitting options? The pockets are nice and very easy, but I know they're more expensive and I really don't mind folding the pf and laying it in the cover. So, should I try some IPFs? Right now I have Liza's medium proraps and they seem to fit and work well for us....but I'm going to definitely NEED ;) some cute stuff. Do all of the print PULs wick? If not, which ones don't?

Okay...enough questions for now. Thanks so much for answering so far! :)

[lizajane]

it is so fun to read your updates!!!

when i started using a few different folds that went around him instead of trifolding, it was a lot trimmer. ETA: http://diaperpages.com/pf_folds.php
(i just stole it off the next thread!)
when i do the angel fold, i don't fold the whole thing under right in front. i fold it over like in the picture of the bikini twist and then wrap the excess around the sides of his waist.

the clothes issue is hard for us to answer because schyuler is SO skinny that his dipe keeps his pants up! his legs are short, so in sposies he could wear smaller pants. but his torso is SO long that in any kind of one piece or overall, we have to size up to 2T. (good thing i sew so i can hem his pants!)

you can get PUL is cute colors, if not cute prints. FBs do have two prints now, hard to get still, but should be more coming. and you can embroider PUL, too to fancy it up!

final idea- if you order your prefolds from someone like wendi at thebabyblanket, she will cut and serge them for you to get rid of the excess. i mean, if you don't have a serger to do it yourself. if wendi can't do it, i would do it for you. it would be very quick and easy and i know a lot of folks who trifold just trim them down.

[tarahsolazy]

The Bummi's prints don't wick, but you are limited to froggies, or wierdo space babies.

Bumpy Days are fantastic, and they have a cotton knit outer, which will wick if you leave the babe in it too long, but generally are great. Once again, limited to safari animals, or sea life.

I think WHAM covers, like www.crystalscloth.com or www.verybaby.com have the best prints, you pick a cotton print, and the PUL is sewn to it. These can wick, but in my experience (2 covers) they won't, unless you don't change often enough. My DH sometimes doesn't change DS as often as I would, so he has occaisonal issues.

In our experience, often enough means every 2-3 hours. (No diaper rashes in 6 months)

[s_gosney]

Tarah- thanks for explaining that. I guess I didn't get it that the WAHMs sewed the PUL on rather than the PUL itself being printed. Do you use pockets or pfs or fitteds and a cover or what? Hmmm...I guess I'll have to start looking around for what I want. I know that shopping is supposed to be the fun part, and I like seeing the cute things, but it can get overwhelming, ya know? There are what seems like 5 million options. I still may have to find a personal shopper among the ranks here. :)
Latest update: I did the first wash last night. Not bad at all. On to our second round of CDing.

[lizajane]

with a PUL cover, you use a prefold or a fitted. with a pocket, you can stuff with an insert or a prefold. so PUL covers can be versatile, and you can use them several times in a row before washing. (i sent 2 covers for 4 diapers, right? so you could rotate, in case you wanted to air dry before reusing. but i just use 'em all day unless they get soaked or poopy.)

shopping is going to be outrageously fun!!!!!

[stillplayswithbarbies]

>Tarah- thanks for explaining that. I guess I didn't get it
>that the WAHMs sewed the PUL on rather than the PUL itself
>being printed.

THat is not always the case. FMBG http://www.fullmoonbabygear.com covers have the PUL applied directly to the fabric. It's not sewn in. I have never had a wicking problem with them.

...Karen
DS Jake Feb 91, DD Logan Mar 03
http://members.aol.com/khowe14494/superpower.gif http://members.aol.com/khowe14494/borntobebreastfed2.gif

[tarahsolazy]

I use a combo of fitteds and prefolds, about 50/50, during the day. At night, a pocket, or a prefold with joeybunz with a wool Aristocrat cover over it. System is working well. I am sure there are other WHAMs that make fused PUL covers like FMBG, as Karen said. The Happy Heiny print pocket dipes are also this kind of fused PUL. I haven't looked too hard. And I always miss the stockings, it seems, for FMBG!

[s_gosney]

So, does anyone know if the fused PUL is better than the sewn? I think I remember reading that you have to dry the PUL to seal the holes made from sewing, but after that are they basically equal?
So, now at this stage, I'm still liking the pfs and pockets. Is there any reason to try fitteds? Are fitteds more bulky b/c if so, I don't want that. Liza, I like the idea of having the pfs serged to do away with the excess bulk. But, will I regret this later as she grows? If that's a risk, I can just keep folding them the wrong way. That seems to work well. I know that you also wanted to know which of the four pocket insert options I like best. They've all worked well so far, probably because I'm being really careful to change often. I like the two hemp inserts for trimness though. The microfiber towels in particular seem to be really bulky.
So who wants to start looking for cute (preferably not too expensive covers/pockets?) I should probably stick with just a couple of pockets b/c they'll be more expensive, right? Plus, they have to be washed every time which would up the total number I need. Is all of that right?
Just in case anyone gets inspired, I like cute stuff, but not too babyish...NO pastels :) Bugs seem to be a real theme around here...dragonflies, bumblebees, ladybugs. We also like frogs, giraffes, and lots of other things....
Right now, my main concern is trimness. Unfortunately, I don't sew, so hemming all of her pants isn't an option.
I guess that's all of the rambling I can do right now.

[lizajane]

i actually think if you cut down your prefolds, they would last a REALLY long time at that size. schuyler is very tall (but thin) and i still fold down his prefolds. plus, we went from standards to premiums. so when if you have to move to premiums after 1 yr old, you can always re-trim to fit her size then.

yes, you would need more pockets than you would need covers. prefolds are much cheaper, of course, than inserts and pockets- and you would only need about 4 covers. but pockets are easier for out of the house changes and for caregivers, too. babyblanket pockets are the least expensive, i think. someone correct me if i am wrong.

and FBs has a bug print AND a frog print! they are hard to get- so you will have to keep looking for them. and babyblanket can embroider designs onto the pocket for you. so you could get a red one and have a ladybug put onto the booty! check out thebabyblanket.com to see embroidery examples. i think naturalbabies.com has the bug print FBs.

bumpy covers have super cute zoo print covers and also a fish print cover. gender neutral and no pastel! they are more expensive than proraps, but proraps don't have cute prints. plus, you could get just two bumpys, since you can use them over and over. they are also at naturalbabies, and many other places, i am sure. i just got a bumpy to try from clothdiapersnmore.com.

so if you could find all of it, you could get:

one bumpy zoo
one bumpy fish
one FB bug
one FB frog
other FB colors
BB with giraffe embroidery
BB with ladybug embroidery
other BB colors
cut prefolds (wendi says on her site, thebabyblanket.com, that she will cut them. i am sure other sites will, too. i would even do it for you!)
one pocket insert per pocket (maybe a few extras for outings and nighttime when you would use two joeybunz, for example.)

[squimp]

Just replying on the fashion issue. PFs, and especially IPFs are the most bulky IMO. Great for nights though, when fashion is not an issue. I recently discovered hemp, and love it for the trim fit. Folks on the boards actually scared me off for a while because everyone says hemp is stinky. We have not hit the stink factor yet, and we've been using them for about 6 months.

I have not tried any hemp fleece inserts, like a Lizajane, but I'm thinking 'bout it. They're supposed to be really absorbent and trim.

The most trim diaper we have is a FB stuffed with a JB. Sophia fits into her woven pants and tiny butt pants (like Old Navy, Osh Kosh, Gymboree leggings) best in these.

Although if you need an excuse... the Hanna wigglepants are so cute on CD bottoms :D

And congrats on taking the CD plunge!

[tarahsolazy]

Bummi's has a froggie print cover as well, its my DH's favorite!

I think fused PUL is nicer than the PUL/fabric two layer combo thingy, because the two layers sort of rub together, KWIM? I just wasn't able to find WHAMS with the fused kind! My print Happy Heiny uses this kind of PUL, and its kind of stiff, I'm not sure if that is common for this type of fabric.

I think a stash of 8-10 pocket dipes
$80-$100 for baby blankets without embroidery
$120-$140 for FBs or Happy Heinys

a couple dozen prefolds $48

4 covers, $28 (all proraps) - $52 (all Bumpy day)

10 or so pocket inserts- $50 for all Joeybunz


so, about $250 bucks

And those dipes would be good for many months to come, maybe even last til PT.