Click these links to see my first post and my second post on cloth diapers.
I never really explained what a wet bag was...
A wet bag is a waterproff bag that you can store your soiled diapers in...later in life, you can store wet bathing suits from the beach, undies that were accidentally peed in, etc. I think every diaper bag needs a wet bag in it, even if you don't cloth diaper.
Wet bags come in several sizes...the smaller ones will hold one or two diaper for when you are out, a medium size one is great for a little trashcan (like the one in my bathroom), and the large ones are good for you big diaper pail. They come in fun colors and designs too. I would suggest this brand for your diaper pail and this brand for your diaper bag.
I have bought my diapers from two online stores.
Cotton Babies and Nicki's Diaper. I really like both stores. Cotton babies will buy back your used, unstained diapers and then give them to missionaries in third-world countries. I buy from whichever has a sale going on.
You can buy diapers used for much cheaper than new. At first, I refused....I thought that would be gross and unclean, now though...I would buy used diapers if they still looked good. You can join a group like Diaperswappers where people sell or trade their diapers.
When I first started cloth, I didn't have any friends using them. I got almost all of my information from Pregnancy.org's cloth diaper boards. There is a ton of information. Start with their FAQ page and if you have questions, you can post on there and people will give you their advice.
I suggest having about 24 diapers, that's enough to wash every 3-4 days.
Ant other questions???
Showing posts with label Cloth Diapers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cloth Diapers. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
How to Cloth Diaper
To see my first post on the types of cloth diapers click here.
How To Use Your Diapers (although I'll be showing you my BG, you can use this same method with any type of cloth diaper, just adjust where/when needed)
1. Put the diaper on baby just like a disposable diaper.
2. When the diaper is soiled, change it. If you are exclusively breast feeding, don't worry about the poo. I'm not sure if it's a problem if you formula, sorry. Once you start giving the baby more solid food, his poo will become more solid too. Shake what you can off into the toilet. I have never used a sprayer or a scraper. I really don't feel like you need them...so I would not suggest buying them.
3. When I am home, I like to just use a washcloth as a wipe. It saves money, it is washes with the cloth diapers, and it's just as easy (my changing station is in the bathroom)
4. Remove insert at least 3/4 of the way (or all the way) and stick diaper in the dry diaper pail.
****Note**** Some people use a wet pail, but usually a dry pail is recommended. A wet pail is a bucket or trashcan filled with water that people place their diapers in to soak until wash day. A dry pail, simply has a lining of a "wet bag". I use a dry pail because I think a wet pail is unsanitary, gross, and could be a yucky place for small ones to play (my kids love the water, and I think I would get sick if I saw them playing in the diaper pail).
5. Wash diapers every 2-3 days (this is for two reasons...1. I run out of diapers during the fourth day, and 2. I think the diapers start to stink if they are unwashed for much longer.
6. Dry diapers either in a dryer or on a clothes line.
7. Stuff, fold and get ready to use the next time.
How To Care for you Cloth Diapers
I have a small trash can in the bathroom that holds the dirty diapers for the day.
At the end of the day, I empty the small trash can into a larger one in the garage. This system just works for me, but you really only need one trash can (don't buy the expensive cloth diaper trash cans...just get a cheap one from Walmart with a lid!) I originally purchased a flip top lid...don't do that, just get one that closes well....hence the tape.
When wash day comes, set your washer to the longest soak possible, and add in an extra soak/spin at the end. Use hot water and just a couple Tablespoons of free & clear laundry detergent. To much detergent can give your baby's sensitive skin a reaction and it can also lay a film over the diapers to make them less absorbent. Soak in hot water, rinse in cold, and then do a second rinse at the end (this is to get rid of all the soap). NEVER use bleach.
Dry your diapers either on a clothes line or in the dryer. I prefer a clothes line for a few reasons....the sun does all the work (so it's cheaper), the sun can also "bleach out" any stains left behind and the sun can also get rid of any stench that may be left behind. If you choose to use a dryer, make sure all of the inserts are pulled out. If not, it will wear on the elasticity of the diaper (I know this from experience). Dry on a low heat. It'll probably take longer than you are used to for drying...at least those thick inserts will.
Stuff your diapers, fold and put them away.
To see my last post on tips and tricks, click here
How To Use Your Diapers (although I'll be showing you my BG, you can use this same method with any type of cloth diaper, just adjust where/when needed)
1. Put the diaper on baby just like a disposable diaper.
2. When the diaper is soiled, change it. If you are exclusively breast feeding, don't worry about the poo. I'm not sure if it's a problem if you formula, sorry. Once you start giving the baby more solid food, his poo will become more solid too. Shake what you can off into the toilet. I have never used a sprayer or a scraper. I really don't feel like you need them...so I would not suggest buying them.
3. When I am home, I like to just use a washcloth as a wipe. It saves money, it is washes with the cloth diapers, and it's just as easy (my changing station is in the bathroom)
4. Remove insert at least 3/4 of the way (or all the way) and stick diaper in the dry diaper pail.
5. Wash diapers every 2-3 days (this is for two reasons...1. I run out of diapers during the fourth day, and 2. I think the diapers start to stink if they are unwashed for much longer.
6. Dry diapers either in a dryer or on a clothes line.
7. Stuff, fold and get ready to use the next time.
How To Care for you Cloth Diapers
I have a small trash can in the bathroom that holds the dirty diapers for the day.
At the end of the day, I empty the small trash can into a larger one in the garage. This system just works for me, but you really only need one trash can (don't buy the expensive cloth diaper trash cans...just get a cheap one from Walmart with a lid!) I originally purchased a flip top lid...don't do that, just get one that closes well....hence the tape.
When wash day comes, set your washer to the longest soak possible, and add in an extra soak/spin at the end. Use hot water and just a couple Tablespoons of free & clear laundry detergent. To much detergent can give your baby's sensitive skin a reaction and it can also lay a film over the diapers to make them less absorbent. Soak in hot water, rinse in cold, and then do a second rinse at the end (this is to get rid of all the soap). NEVER use bleach.
Dry your diapers either on a clothes line or in the dryer. I prefer a clothes line for a few reasons....the sun does all the work (so it's cheaper), the sun can also "bleach out" any stains left behind and the sun can also get rid of any stench that may be left behind. If you choose to use a dryer, make sure all of the inserts are pulled out. If not, it will wear on the elasticity of the diaper (I know this from experience). Dry on a low heat. It'll probably take longer than you are used to for drying...at least those thick inserts will.
Stuff your diapers, fold and put them away.
To see my last post on tips and tricks, click here
Monday, March 29, 2010
Types of Cloth Diapers
I have spent a lot of time on several different occasions writing e-mails to people to teach them about how to use cloth diapers. So, I've finally decided to write a post about that. Now, if someone asks, I'll send them a link to these posts.
There are several types of cloth diapers. They range greatly in price and ease of use.
1. Chinese Prefolds - these are the flat white diapers that must be folded each time they are used. They are either secured with pins or with snappies. These are the least expensive diaper. You must use a diaper cover over them or else they will leak. I tried these at first (because I was looking to do the cheapest thing possible). I could not get the hang of folding them and you MUST change the diaper as soon as it is soiled.
2. Contour and Fitted diapers, I think, are similar. They both are shaped more "diaper-like" and both must be used with a diaper cover. I tried a contour diaper, and although it would give you a little more time to change a diaper than a pre-fold, I still didn't love them. I also didn't like using a diaper cover, just one more step. Although they say you can use a diaper cover over and over until some poo ends up on it, I didn't feel comfortable with that. I felt like I was putting dirty underwear on the baby, so I would have ended up buy a bunch of diaper covers....which would have made this option just as expensive, if not more, than the system I chose.
3. Pocket diapers - These diaper have elastic legs for a secure fit, and either snaps or velcro to secure it around the baby. You do not need a diaper cover with pocket diapers, the outer layer is water proof. You insert a large, thick absorbent pad into the diaper. I like these the best for a couple of reasons....1. They are easy to use. They go on like a disposable diaper (mine are velcro). 2. They dry quickly because you remove the insert before washing, so there are two separate pieces.
4. All-in-one diapers - These are the big bad cloth diapers that are the most similar to disposables. Like the pocket diapers, they have snap or velcro closures. But, there is no insert to remove, which means one less step. but it also means an incredibly long drying time.
Those are the four basic types of cloth diapers. There are a few others like g diapers and Flips out there, but I really don't know a lot about those.
My personal recommendation would be Bum Genius 3.0 one size pocket diapers. Here's what I like about these...
a. They are one size, which means I can use the same set of diaper from when the baby is about 10 lbs to 30 lbs. Other brands of pocket diapers (like the very popular fuzzi bunz) are sized. This means you need to buy a set of "small", "medium", and "larges". However, I have recently heard that fuzzi bunz now has a one size option.
b. I like the way Bum Genius feels over fuzzi bunz...this is probably just a preference.
c. I chose a pocket diaper of an all-in-one because they dry faster, either on the clothes line or in the dyer
d. They are cheaper than an all-in-one because of the extra step of stuffing the diapers. I don't find this a hindrance or problem. I actually like that I stuff them, because I can control how much absorbency my baby needs. Bum Genius gives you two inserts, a small, thin "newborn" insert, and a larger, thicker insert for when the baby is bigger. You can also double these to make the diaper more absorbent for night time.
e. My diapers are Velcro, which I thought would be easier than snaps, and I still think it is. The Velcro does wear a bit a faster, but I've used my diapers non-stop for over 2 years, and they are still going strong.
f. I think they are cute :-)
Stay tuned for the next post "How to..."
There are several types of cloth diapers. They range greatly in price and ease of use.
1. Chinese Prefolds - these are the flat white diapers that must be folded each time they are used. They are either secured with pins or with snappies. These are the least expensive diaper. You must use a diaper cover over them or else they will leak. I tried these at first (because I was looking to do the cheapest thing possible). I could not get the hang of folding them and you MUST change the diaper as soon as it is soiled.
2. Contour and Fitted diapers, I think, are similar. They both are shaped more "diaper-like" and both must be used with a diaper cover. I tried a contour diaper, and although it would give you a little more time to change a diaper than a pre-fold, I still didn't love them. I also didn't like using a diaper cover, just one more step. Although they say you can use a diaper cover over and over until some poo ends up on it, I didn't feel comfortable with that. I felt like I was putting dirty underwear on the baby, so I would have ended up buy a bunch of diaper covers....which would have made this option just as expensive, if not more, than the system I chose.
3. Pocket diapers - These diaper have elastic legs for a secure fit, and either snaps or velcro to secure it around the baby. You do not need a diaper cover with pocket diapers, the outer layer is water proof. You insert a large, thick absorbent pad into the diaper. I like these the best for a couple of reasons....1. They are easy to use. They go on like a disposable diaper (mine are velcro). 2. They dry quickly because you remove the insert before washing, so there are two separate pieces.
4. All-in-one diapers - These are the big bad cloth diapers that are the most similar to disposables. Like the pocket diapers, they have snap or velcro closures. But, there is no insert to remove, which means one less step. but it also means an incredibly long drying time.
Those are the four basic types of cloth diapers. There are a few others like g diapers and Flips out there, but I really don't know a lot about those.
My personal recommendation would be Bum Genius 3.0 one size pocket diapers. Here's what I like about these...
a. They are one size, which means I can use the same set of diaper from when the baby is about 10 lbs to 30 lbs. Other brands of pocket diapers (like the very popular fuzzi bunz) are sized. This means you need to buy a set of "small", "medium", and "larges". However, I have recently heard that fuzzi bunz now has a one size option.
b. I like the way Bum Genius feels over fuzzi bunz...this is probably just a preference.
c. I chose a pocket diaper of an all-in-one because they dry faster, either on the clothes line or in the dyer
d. They are cheaper than an all-in-one because of the extra step of stuffing the diapers. I don't find this a hindrance or problem. I actually like that I stuff them, because I can control how much absorbency my baby needs. Bum Genius gives you two inserts, a small, thin "newborn" insert, and a larger, thicker insert for when the baby is bigger. You can also double these to make the diaper more absorbent for night time.
e. My diapers are Velcro, which I thought would be easier than snaps, and I still think it is. The Velcro does wear a bit a faster, but I've used my diapers non-stop for over 2 years, and they are still going strong.
f. I think they are cute :-)
Stay tuned for the next post "How to..."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)