If you CD...

[ahrimie]

I want to try Jillian's Drawers. Should I sign up after baby is here or before? I'm 36 weeks today but being the 2nd, not sure if she'll come early or just on time (DD1 was 2 days late).

[MommyAllison]

Our reasons, in no particular order:

- Want to avoid chemicals against their skin, esp near their reproductive systems

- DD blew out of every. single. brand. of disposables for the first 7 months of her life, when we switched to CD

- Financially, we are coming out way ahead now, and will be diapering this next baby for pennies. It's great not having to buy diapers or wipes constantly, and not having to have a larger, more expensive can on trash day!

[daisymommy]

As far as when to sign up, here's my personal opinion. I would use disposables for those first few weeks, then try cloth. Here's why:

-The variety (ie. alot of pockets) they are going to send you to try is not what I would reccomend for a newborn. Newborns need tiny prefolds and covers, or Kissaluvs 0's fitteds (LOVE these!) otherwise you get poop leaks.

-The first few weeks with a newborn is insane. I wouldn't try to start CDing during that time frame. I know many people do, but I wouldn't.

-If you wait to 10-12 lbs. they can fit into one-size pockets, diapers, covers, and you'll save money.

So, I would sign up when your baby is maybe 1 month old.

[boogiemomz]

-I hate the idea of paying so much for something that goes straight in the trash. CDs feel like a good investment--you're paying for a high quality product made of pure, soft, durable material. Plus, they're so darn cute.
-I like the fleecy material on DD's skin rather than the plastic and chemical gel beads.
-Huge savings, especially if CDs are used for >1 child (we hope ours will be).
-Much less trash generated.
-No late-night emergency trips to the store for diapers when we realize we're running low.
-The laundry just isn't that bad.
-Did I mention the cuteness????

[daisymommy]

I've only seen solid covers. Where do you find/buy cute ones?

One day you will be sorry you asked this question It can be addicting!

http://www.abbyslane.com/catalog.php?category=718
http://www.abbyslane.com/catalog.php?category=492
http://www.abbyslane.com/catalog.php?category=274
http://www.abbyslane.com/catalog.php?category=835
http://www.abbyslane.com/catalog.php?category=986
https://www.momsmilkboutique.com/ThirstiesDuo.html
https://www.momsmilkboutique.com/Rum...er-Covers.html
https://www.momsmilkboutique.com/Wee...aperCover.html

That's just the tip of the iceberg! There are a hundred+ WAHMS (work-at-home-mom) based businesses out there that will make custom covers in whatever fabric you choose, to your child's exact size.

http://hyenacart.com/category/1/Cloth-Diapers

Have fun with it!

[firemama]

I agree with a lot of PPs and use them for the same reasons. We have been using cloth since day one and are so happy we went this route. I bought some fitteds and prefolds and like the prefolds a lot better. We used newborn prefolds from Green Mountain Diapers and Prorap preemie diaper covers with snaps. She was tiny, and these fit perfectly. We bought other brands like Bummis and Imse Vimse, but didn't care for them.

When she grew out of the preemie size, we moved up in prefolds and into Thisties Duo Snaps size 1 and now she is size 2. Thirsties are by far our faves. We tried MotherEase Air Flow, but they are kind of loud and have no gussets. Gussets are very important!!

Here are some things we use:

Wet bags
- for out and about. A lot of fun patterns! These work great!

Mini Shower
- for later when the poop gets more solid

Flushable liners
- also for later when poop is more solid

Diaper doublers
- for nighttime for extra absorbancy

Diaper pail
- to store used diapers between washings. This works great and so do the filters. Her room NEVER smells. People who come over can't believe how well it works. Holds over 30 medium size prefolds plus wipes.

Diaper pail liner
- liner for the diaper pail. Get 2. The dirty one will wash with the diapers and wipes, the clean one for when they are being washed.

Snappis
- if you go with prefolds

Thermos pump pot
- fill with warm water. Keep it on the changing table and saves trips to the sink, and you won't waste water waiting for warm water.

Bar mat
- I keep this under the pump pot, put down a washcloth/towel to catch the excess water when you squeeze out the wipe

Charlie's Soap laundry detergent
- we use this on everything in our house, including diapers, and it works great. This bucket is going to last us well over a year, maybe even 2. I wash diapers every 2-3 days. They do sell it in a small size that will wash 80 loads, so you can try it first to see if you like it. We have a front loader and it uses 1 tbsp scoop per load.

BioKleen BacOut
- this is a stain and odor eliminator. I put some in a spray bottle and use it for targeting stains on clothes and/or diaper covers. And I pour it into the machine in the prewash dispenser and use it in the prewash cycle for the diapers. Also, adding a rinse cycle helps when washing diapers. I buy this at drugstore.com (it's on sale now!), and have heard Whole Foods carries it.

I use BumGenius bamboo wipes, but they don't make them anymore. I also have a few Baby Kicks hemp wipes and they are very soft. I tried BumGenius cotton flannel wipes, but they are stiff and not soft, so we use these to wipe out the diaper cover. Hint: if it is a pee diaper, wipe out the diaper cover and reuse. If it is a poop diaper, wipe out the mess, put in diaper pail, and use a clean diaper cover.

I also have never used diaper rash cream. We use coconut oil and sometimes olive oil. They both work amazing! I like the coconut oil because it smells better, yum! I bought a small pump bottle at Whole Foods for a few $ and use it to dispense olive oil at the changing table. I also got a small medicine dropper for olive oil in the diaper bag. I buy food grade coconut oil for cooking (either at Whole Foods or a health food store), and since it is solid (it melts on your fingers when you apply it) I keep it in a glass pint jar with a lid (like a small one from Crate & Barrel).

This is a lot, but these are our 'essentials' that we couldn't live without!

[BayGirl2]

-Didn't want toxic chemicals and materials against my child's skin
-Didn't want to fill the landfills with trash
-Didn't want to deplete our natural resources (trees and petroleum) to make all those diapers.
-Wanted to save money
-Cloth is so much softer and comfier than paper and plastic! I wouldn't want to wear disposable underwear for 2 years!

Those are pretty much all my reasons too. Now the unidentified chemicals in 'sposies just freak me out, but our initial reasons were environmental and money saving. DS hasn't been in a 'sposie since he was 2 weeks, but I have suspicions that my BIL and SIL used them when they babysat and I'm actually kind of annoyed by that.

I did the Jillian's Drawers trial too, I suggest getting it before the baby comes so you can have them washed and prepped and play with the different types. We started using them right after the black tar poop went away and never went back. JD is flexible about your start date if you tell them you are pregnant. Its good research to do before the baby comes. I have stores near me but still tend to buy online, just seems like there are more options.

As for laundry, in the early 12 diapers per day days we did a load probably every 2-3 days. But we were home with the baby anyway, so it wasn't a big deal. Now we do a load on Sunday and one on Wed night, that's it. Keep in mind that diaper laundry takes longer in the machine but no sorting or folding, which is where we get behind with clothes. DH and I both find it fairly painless. Since its Wed I just started the wash, he'll put them in the dryer before he goes to bed then they're ready for daycare in the morning.

As for the cost for one child: We have gone with expensive AIO's all along and have a stash of newborn Thirsties, OS BG Organics, used gDiapers and Flips, plus some fitteds and covers. Pretty much the Rolls Royce collection of cloth. Even with one child so far I still estimate I've spent less than I would have on disposables by age 2, and I have many that I could resell if I get around to it. Now that we're having a 2nd there's nothing else to buy.

[daisymommy]

Great post Firemama!

Here's my wipes reccomendations: (my favorite material is sherpa/velour combo). I have wipes that are 8 years old that are still going strong after all these years!
http://hyenacart.com/smallwonderswipes/index.php?c=9
http://hyenacart.com/QuiltersNappies/
*Note, both of these ladies will make a custom order for you if they don't have instock what you want.

I know lots of people use the Thermos pump.

Here's what I do: I have a wipes warmer. I add a stack of dry wipes to it every 2 days, and pour hot water over top of the wipes. That's it! They stay nice and warm and its an easy one-hand job to use them.

I also have some wipes "potions" that I mix into the water when I feel like it (you don't have to rinse it off, it's like using a disposable baby wipe, you don't rinse after using them either). I have a water bottle with a lid I put the hot water into, add some wipes potion/soap, and shake well. Then pour over the stack of dry wipes.

OR you can buy a spray that you spray directly onto baby's bottom, then wipe with wet cloth wipe (or spray it directly onto the wipe if you baby freaks out by being sprayed ).
You could do this with a Thermos set up too!

Baby Bits Wipes Soap: (makes 90 cups!) This is what I pour over my wipes, or you can put it into a spray bottle.
http://www.jilliansdrawers.com/produ...swipessolution

Northern Essence Wipes Foam
http://www.northernessence.com/catalog.php?category=61

Kissaluvs Diaper Potion Lotion Spray
http://www.abbyslane.com/catalog.php?item=517

California Baby Diaper Area Wash (sold at Target too!; can be sprayed or mixed with water and poured over your wipes).
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...JM6ECMB9TRQ7M3

Wipes warmer: Used this one through 2 children
http://www.amazon.com/Products-Dual-.../dp/B000XBDY9K

[AnnieW625]

I figured that if we went the workhorse fitteds from Green Mountain diapers (24 of medium, and 24 of large) and got a dozen prefolds of each size, plus about 10 Thirsties duo covers, plus most of the essentials (except wipes) that Fire Mama posted on her list our total including the three months of diaper service for DD2 would've been about $1000 for DD2, and that didn't include any tempting impulse diapers buys that I am sure that might have taken place thanks to the posters on Diaper Swappers. They are kind of like a double edged sword as they are super helpful, but they also like and love cloth diapers that it seems very easy to go over board on the newest and greatest products.

Through DD2's first birthday a few weeks ago we've spent just over $330 on disposable diapers since she was born. Add in maybe another $60 on diaper wipes (get them on ship and save for $20 a box and that lasts a couple of months). Add in the $240 we spent on diaper service and we've spent just about $690 on diapering DD2. So yeah we'll probably spend just under $2000 diapering her total from birth to 3 yrs. old, but you could easily spend $2000 on c/ding too if you aren't careful and don't like doing laundry every other day esp. if you work outside the home full time.

[Puddy73]

While I loved the environmental and financial benefits, I must admit that what really pushed me to buy my first set was the cute photos posted by the enablers on the Butts board. The cd crowd was really active 6-7 years ago when DD1 was a baby. Fluffy bums are just so darn adorable.