Too late to start with CD??

[Sweetpea972]

DD is 10 months old and I never considered the world of cloth diapers until now. I thought they would be a lot of work and really messy. I am sick of disposables and am curious about testing out CD with DD. Is it silly to start now? What and how would I start? Seems like there are a ton of different kinds out there. Any info would be helpful! TIA!!

[tarahsolazy]

10 months is not too late to start at all! I'd advise trying a few things at first, and seeing what you like before making a huge money committment.

You could buy:

a couple of premium prefolds
a snappi
an affordable cover or two (bummis, bumpy, prorap)

a fitted diaper or two:
www.loveybums.com
www.motherease.com
sugarpeas size snap, size M, at www.naturalbabies.com
www.sugarplumbaby.com
an a zillion other places, LOL

a pocket diaper or two.
FuzziBuns
Happy Heinys
www.knickernappies.com
www.wahmarama.com (Harleyz dipeez)
www.apronstringsbabythings.com
You can stuff your pockets with the prefolds, and/or buy some microfiber towels in the automotive accessory aisle of Target or Walmart.

Once you try these options, you'll have a better idea of what you like. Anything that's not a link can be purchased from a place like www.naturalbabies.com or www.lilbunz.com

I have a zillion prefolds, I'd sell you a few for just shipping cost, if you are interested.

Let us know how it goes!

[psophia17]

I started with CDs with DS when he was a year old - I transitioned in with 4 fuzzibuns, a couple of sugarpeas, and a couple AIOs, and now he's in CDs full time. We still keep sposies on hand for back-up on laundry day, and there are some in the car, too, but rarely use them.

Transitioning late was actually pretty easy - and I was amazed with how easy it is. It's probably easier to CD an older baby than a newborn, but it was so easy. I highly recommend it.

[tbriese]

my DD is almost 9 months old and we've been doing this from birth. however, knowing what i know now i almost think it would be easier to get started now (in a wierd way :-) ) because you don't have to go through so many size changes. you've potentially got many months of diapering left!

[mudder17]

It's definitely NOT too late! Lots of people have started around now or maybe even at 20 months or so!

Tarah had some great suggestions about starting--since your DD is partially on solids (I think?), you have a large variety you can try. You should definitely try a couple of the prefolds (I'd get one regular and one premium) just because they're cheap and simple and if they work for you, it's a great source for the majority of your stash. I'd get a couple of snappi's as well, so you can play with different folds.

Then yes, I'd try some fitted and pockets to see if there's anything out there that you'd like. Depending on your DD's shape, size, and weight, different brands and types will work better. For example, if your DD has very chunky thighs, side-snapping diapers will almost always work better. But there are a few front-snapping/fastening diapers that will work. For long and lean babies, there are certain brands that will work well. And then for the average sized baby (I think my DD falls somewhere in between average and chunky-thighed), there are numerous options out there.

Is your DD a heavy wetter? Does she tend to produce sticky, peanutbuttery poops or more formed stuff. Do you mind putting on a diaper and then adding a cover or would you prefer just putting on the entire diaper (AIOs/pockets vs. fitted/prefolds + cover). I actually like the occasional pocket for night time or if she's feeling particularly wiggly/cranky, but overall I prefer fitted diapers with a cover. I think a fair number of people do a mixture, but you definitely have your fitted lovers and your pocket lovers here. :) As Tarah suggested, I think getting a couple of fitted diapers, a couple of prefolds, and a couple of pocket/AIOs would give you some idea of what you might like/dislike. Oh, and if your DD has sticky poop--a minishower is a wonderful investment!

Anyway, continue posting your Q's! We're happy to help!

Eileen

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/candle.gif for Leah

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_emerald_18m.gif , 18 months & counting


http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catcatcvi20040222_4_Kaya+is.png

[kijip]

We went back to cloth when Toby was 11 months old...so it is not too late at all!

I would take Tarah's advice and get a few things and then stock up on what works well.

[Sweetpea972]

Thank you all so much!!! I am excited to get started with CD after reading and reading....it is confusing but I'm sure once I have some personal experience it will seem really simple. Is there a website you all recommend? Should I get one of those starter packages or just buy some recommeded pieces? Also for sizing, right now DD has almost outgrown her cruisers size 3. She sleeps in a size 4. She is on the normal to chubby thigh side and weight is 20 lbs. I'm concerned about leaks...how do you prevent those from happening, esp at night? Sorry, one more question...we live in warm weather year round, are there fabrics/materials I should get/avoid?
Thank you all so much again!!

[mudder17]

Okay, she's probably similar in size to DD. If she's a heavy wetter, I would definitely recommend hemp as a material. If the weather is fairly warm, I would do wool rather than fleece. You can also do nylon. Personally, I would avoid PUL, although if your daughter is used to sposies with no problems, she might do okay in PUL. Kaya gets really rashy with PUL, so I use only the really breathable stuff like wool, fleece, and occasionally, nylon. These are all for covers. For diapers, what works well for Kaya diapers, that at the moment, may be hard to get--Kindhearted Women, Bijou Baby Gear, and Sam's Fitted (momandmepouch.com). However, you might be able to get some of them on the swap/used. Bijou Baby Gear is probably the easiest of all these to get, as she stocks from time to time. Kindhearted women hasn't stocked all summer, AFAIK, but I think she's getting ready to start sewing again. For both of those, Kaya fits in both a medium and a large. The mediums, in both cases, are lower in the rise, but they still fit pretty well, and tend to be more trim/not sag quite as much. In both cases, I have plenty of snaps left. For the Sam's fitted, she fits quite well in a medium, but there are times when a medium seems too big. I've gotten a bunch of smalls, but they're in the mail and I haven't personally tried them on Kaya yet, but I'm guessing they'll fit well, even if the rise is a little short. These are all front-snapping and believe me, it took me a long time to find front-snapping diapers that work with Kaya. Tykie fitted (large) side-snapping diapers fit Kaya very well. These are all hemp diapers, so they're fairly absorbent. I think my favorite is either the Bijou Baby or Sam's fitted.

For night time, I LOVE my benjamuffin nightdreamers fitted (front aplix) and she's taking customs right now. For night time, I would size up, because you'll want the extra absorbency and most kids don't care if there's extra bulk while they're sleeping. We also use VeryBaby Simply Nights for night time and they work well, although I got side-snapping and I think I should have gotten front aplix or front snaps (I like them better). Still, the side-snaps fit her very well, so I probably shouldn't complain. :) For a cover, my current favorite, and what would probably work for your daughter, is a large Angeldry Interlock/stretch wool cover. I can barely get a medium over her night diapers as well, so if I can't find the large one, I'll sometimes put a medium. An Aristocrat cover would probably also work. Finally, I also use a large Apronstrings fleece pocket for night time (even during the summer, when her room is 80-82 degrees). I stuff it with a combination of hemp (lizajane night insert) and microfiber (Zannadu giant microfiber towel) and it works great! No leaks at all.

During the day, I use picklepants (wool soaker) or my medium angeldry cover. DH also puts on a wool soaker that was made by one of the moms here. It's probably too small, but he likes grabbing that one for some reason. :) I also use a couple of medium snap-ez fleece pockets (which I totally love). Ruth at snap-ez makes a ton of PUL pockets (I love the style and cut for DD), and recently started making fleece pockets. I really love her work.

Oh, one more fitted you might want to try--either the side-snapping size M sugarpeas hemp or the size 1 front-snapping sugarpeas hemp. A lot of people are big fans of them and they're pretty easy to get. The side-snapping diapers fit Kaya much better as the front-snapping diaper tended to droop. But I got seconds with both of them, so your experience may vary.

I also have a couple of Muttaquin one-size, but one-size diapers have never fit Kaya very well, but they work for some babies fabulously. They're knit with organic velour on the inside if anyone is interested! :P

Hope this helps give you a start!

Eileen

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/candle.gif for Leah

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_emerald_18m.gif , 18 months & counting


http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catcatcvi20040222_4_Kaya+is.png

[shburks]

test

IGNORE! I was having log-in issues! :)

[shburks]

Good luck! I didn't start CDing ds until he was almost 8 months old. I was fortunate enough to have a very good friend who also CDs and was a huge help as were several gals on here (Eileen in particular!) about recommendations and such. Even with all the reading I did and all the notes I took, it still took some trial and error to discover that not only do I have a heavy wetter but then to find out what worked for us! :) My ds is about the same size as your daughter and wears Cruisers size 4 (although they seem a bit big, fit much better than the 3s) on the occasion he is in disposables.

The key to preventing leaks is a diaper or cover with good leg gussets--just like your disposables have--and good stuff inside that soaks up the pee! I bet you'll be amazed at how well fluff works!

We live in Hawaii, so we have year round warm weather, too. (There's also another mom on here who lives in Hawaii--Angie.) Anyway, ds has some occasional rash-y areas on his bum, but I think that's just to be expected with the constant heat and wet diapers. I use a bit of cream pretty often to help out. We do use PUL (because I use mostly AIOs) to prevent leaks and it doesn't breathe well, but we're doing OK. I keep hearing wool works great for warm weather, but it takes more to take care of it and I haven't been willing to take the plunge! One thing I learned (the hard way!) is to use a material next to his bum that pulls the moisture away and lets him feel dry. Fleece and microsuede both work well for that and let the wet go through but stay fairly dry to the touch.

Good luck.

Susan

[shburks]

Eileen--You have been such a great help to me since ds is a heavy wetter, too. I make notes from your advice! I was interested in trying a Sugarpeas but noticed that you told her toget a size 1. Seems like that wouldn't be big enough. (DS is the same size as her dc--that's why I ask!) Does Kaya fit well into the size 1?

Susan

[mudder17]

Well, back when we had the size 1, it did fit her fine, but we tended to get the front droop (which is why I actually prefer the side-snapping sugarpeas). I never did try size 2 for her, but I've heard several people say that size 2's just don't fit as well.

Doh! I'm wrong--I just checked the sugarpeas site and you're right--Kaya would be in a size 2 now, but just (18-38 pounds). However, because of what I've heard about the size 2 fitting wonky, I probably wouldn't try them, but I'm sure there are people here whose size 2's fit just fine (I would think). I personally would recommend the medium side-snapping ones.

One thing I will mention--the sugarpeas were never as absorbent as my current hemp diapers. So if your DC truly is a heavy, heavy wetter, you may want to try it, but I would add a hemp doubler, or as I always did, a microfiber towel tucked under the snap-in doubler. The big plus about sugarpeas is that they're readily available, so if they end up working for your DC, they would be very easy to get!


Eileen

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/candle.gif for Leah

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_emerald_18m.gif , 18 months & counting


http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catcatcvi20040222_4_Kaya+is.png

[KrisM]

Andrew is about 27 lbs and is still wearing his size 1 Sugarpeas. It didn't fit for a while, but he got taller and not much heavier and it fits again. I'm not sure what that says for the sizing!

[mudder17]

Yeah, I'd still be leary of trying the size 2's, that's for sure! I am quite amazed that Andrew can fit his size 1's again, though! I guess that means if I really wanted to, I could probably get Kaya back into a size 1. Fortunately she has enough diapers. :)

Wow, when did Andrew reach 27 lbs? I guess Kaya is still a lightweight at 22 pounds (32 inches)!

Eileen

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/candle.gif for Leah

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_emerald_18m.gif , 18 months & counting


http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catcatcvi20040222_4_Kaya+is.png

[Mum2MyMunchkins]

Hello,

First, it's never to late to start CD. My suggestion to you is to try www.cottonbabies.com, they have a try it before you buy it program which is awesome and they carry a variety of CDs. Or www.littlesproutsdiapers.com, they have a selection or organic and hemp diapers. Also, if you don't mind second-hand, eBay is a wonderful way to try a ton of CDs without spending a bunch of money on diapers you hate.

I recommend Nature Babies (www.naturebabies.com), TotsBots(www.totsbots.com), Fuzzi Bunz (www.motherofeden.com), Jamtots (www.jamtots.com) for fitted diapers, wraps and pocket diapers. If you are looking for CPFs (chinese pre-folds), try www.punkinbutt.com or eBay (you can buy them new). You can find any of these brand new on eBay from member peachy_cheeks_nappies (Mark is the nicest)

Good Luck

Best Regards,
Mommy2Twins
Owner, Little Dribbles Baby Boutique

[Sweetpea972]

I think the more I read the more confused I get. I think I want to try some pockets and AIO but not sure which ones to order. Any AIO you love? Also, not sure which inserts to get. Thanks again! I need to make a decision!!

[brittone2]

We have some SPs we use mostly as back-ups. DS still fits in size 1s at 25ish lbs and 18 months (haven't weighed him lately but that's probably close). We have several size 2s and I'll definitely agree that 2s do NOT fit him as well as the 1s (these are front snapping). He gets mucho butt saggo in them...seriously saggy drawers! They don't stay up/on well when they are wet and get very droopy. He does wet through them pretty quickly too without some sort of extra doubler.

In any case, I like the 1s still, but am not crazy about 2s at all. I got them super cheap on MDC so they are fine as backups, but I would have been really disappointed to buy them new and have them fit the way they do on DS.

[JBaxter]

I started cding at 15 months! My favorites are www.righteousbaby.com www.bijoubaby.com , www.loveybums.com , wwwsunflowerderrieres.com , benjamuffins.com and very baby simply nights ( tallulah baby) I like wool covers or fleece ( www.thecalicobaby.com
My favorite pockets are Happy Heiney brand they are sold in lots of online stores
Have fun looking at all the nice fluff!
Jeana

[essnce629]

Nope, it's definately not too late to start! I didn't start CD'ing until my ds was 17 months old, and we're still going strong (100% cloth) 6 months later! I've only tried pockets and one AIO. I'm a pocket gal, with Fuzzi Bunz being my favorite right now (they have NEVER leaked/wicked on me!). If you want something easy and most like disposables, I'd try out some Aplix/velcro pockets (Happy Heiny, Ella's) to start. For snaps, I'd recommend Fuzzi Bunz, Snap-Ez, and Apron Strings. My favorite inserts of all time are the Cotton Babies (ds stays dry up to 4 hours in these!) I use one alone during the day and one combined with a hemp insert of some sort for naps/nighttime.

Here's the websites:
Fuzzi Bunz
http://www.lilbunz.com/store/WsDefault.asp?Cat=ClothDiapers&Sub=59&isThumbs=No&Thumbs=

Snap-Ez
http://www.snap-ez.com/

Apron Strings
http://www.apronstringsbabythings.com/

Happy Heiny
http://www.lilbunz.com/store/WsDefault.asp?Cat=ClothDiapers&Sub=124&isThumbs=No&Thumbs=

Ella's
http://www.diaperco.com/shop/product.php?productid=16192&cat=243&page=1

Cotton Babies inserts
http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=26&products_id=230

***Latia
Conner 8/19/03
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/a/aug2003angel
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_sapphire_24m.gif 2 years & counting! http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/9870.gif

[mamahill]

This was the age Ainsleigh was when I started. It can be very overwhelming, but it gets markedly easier if you just jump in. I'd recommend checking out diaperswappers.com - I just discovered it and LOVE it.

While I loved FuzziBunz with Ainsleigh, they just aren't working for Dono, so I'm thinning our stash to be very basic (mostly at the request of a continually-confused DH). We've got prefolds and Motherease Onesize diapers, and Motherease Airflow and Bumkins covers. These are my workhorses. There are lots of cute diapers out there, but I'm in this for the economical (and environmental) side, so I'll just admire from afar. Oh, and I also have some liners, washcloths, snappis and doublers. That's it for my stash!