The topic of cloth diapering usually elicits quite a bit of unsolicited and incorrect opinions/advice/information. I did some research on the topic when I was pregnant, but it just wasn't the best option for our family at that time.
Since my classes have slowed down, and we've kind of gotten the hang of this 'parenting' thing, I decided to do some more research. Since then, we've made the switch. Sure, cloth diapers aren't best for everyone, but I thought it might be helpful for some if I posted some info and reviews on our experience.
Back in August, I ordered a trial cloth diaper pack from
Jillian's Drawers, which included many different kinds of diapers. This was an awesome program, and since doing it, I've seen several other trial programs on other websites. I had been on the fence for a while, but I was afraid to buy several different brands at $15+ a pop. This program allowed me to try a variety of diapers and then send them all back if I didn't like them! They offered a full refund minus a $10 fee. That's not a bad deal if you are seriously considering cd-ing.
Here's a short summary of what we tried:
Prefolds: They sent two kinds. The bleached, white prefolds (like you see at Walmart, Target, Babies R Us, etc.), and unbleached ones. The unbleached ones were much softer. I ended up only trying these once. I added them to a pocket diaper, but when it was all folded up, it was very bulky. Miss priss was walking funny and acted like it was uncomfortable, so I ditched it. I could have been using it wrong, but I just didn't really want to mess with it again. So I didn't. :)
Snappi: This is to be used with the prefolds like a diaper pin. I only tried the prefolds as an insert (not like a diaper, like Mom & others used to do way back when), so I didn't even try these. They're cute, though. And probably much easier to use than a diaper pin. Do they even use diaper pins anymore?
Kissaluvs fitted + Thirsties cover: I didn't particularly care for this combo. The fitted diaper requires a cover, but to me, the two were just super bulky together. It also leaked upon our first use (looking back, I don't think I 'prepped' (i.e. first wash in the washing machine) it correctly, so it wasn't as absorbent as it is designed to be ). I do love the patterns they have available for the cover, but I'm looking a little more for functionality.
Thirsties Duo: This is like the cover above, but it has two inserts that snap in. When the double inserts get wet, you can simply snap them out and snap a new one in, leaving less to wash at the end of the day. I thought it was bulky, and it was kind of a hassle to take the diaper off, unsnap the dirty insert and then snap a new insert in with a wiggly kiddo trying to work her way off of the changing table.
Fuzzibunz: This diaper was super duper soft. It is a pocket diaper, which means you just stuff an insert in between the inner fleece layer and the outer waterproof layer. This diaper was okay. It leaked on me once, but it fit well and wasn't too bulky (but bulkier than the ones I liked). Looking back, I don't really know why I decided against this diaper. I guess I just liked the other brand more.
I really wanted to like this brand, because it's also sold at Costco for a relatively good price. It is an outer shell with two snap in inserts. It leaked and it was bulky, and so we didn't even try it a second time.
Bumgenius 3.0 All in One (AIO): This diaper was very easy to use. It has the "soaker" built in so all you have to do is put this on like a regular old diaper. This one worked great and I loved the convenience of it. The only thing with these diapers is that you have to buy size appropriate (S, M or L), so it would get quite expensive to stock up on these for your full stash from birth to potty training.
Bumgenius 4.0: Love, love, love this diaper. It is a one-size diaper, so it can be snapped up to fit an 8 pound baby (as pictured) or unsnapped to go up to a 35 pounder (like the picture of the Grovia diaper above). This diaper is trim and fits well, and since it comes with two different absorbency-level inserts, you can adjust to the level you need.
The last month and a half we've been doing all cloth on the weekends, but this past week we did it full time, even at daycare (We have an awesome daycare provider who was happy to try this with us). Sure, it's taken some getting used to, but it's not hard, it's not disgusting (or any more disgusting than a disposable to me) and it doesn't take much more of my time. My biggest thing is, it's cheaper!! It was an up front investment, but I'm planning to use these with any future kids we have, too. And I'm 100% okay with not having to buy diapers ever again!
So overall, it's going pretty good. We've had a few leaks, but nothing out of the ordinary with disposables. My kiddo is pretty rash-prone, and I have noticed that with cloth, she hasn't gotten one rash (knock on wood).
I was concerned about using cloth at night because of leaking, but after some more research, I learned that many people swear by and highly recommend hemp inserts. I ordered a few, and when I add them to the regular inserts (and after correctly "prepping" them this time), they are working like a charm.
If you have any questions on this topic, let me know. I am by no means an expert, but I am happy to help.
Happy weekend!
Who doesn't need fun and colorful address labels to go with their fun and colorful cards? I usually use the ugly ones that are sent to me by various organizations or I print my own on plain white labels, but I really need to find something new. And yes, I'm the kind of person who appreciates and admires fun labels when I get cards/letters in the mail!
I also really like these desk calendars. Way cuter and much more fun than the boring green/ivory one I have on my desk. I have a ton of photos at work, so this might be a good way to clean up my desk and still display some of my favorite photos!
Prefolds: They sent two kinds. The bleached, white prefolds (like you see at Walmart, Target, Babies R Us, etc.), and unbleached ones. The unbleached ones were much softer. I ended up only trying these once. I added them to a pocket diaper, but when it was all folded up, it was very bulky. Miss priss was walking funny and acted like it was uncomfortable, so I ditched it. I could have been using it wrong, but I just didn't really want to mess with it again. So I didn't. :)
Snappi: This is to be used with the prefolds like a diaper pin. I only tried the prefolds as an insert (not like a diaper, like Mom & others used to do way back when), so I didn't even try these. They're cute, though. And probably much easier to use than a diaper pin. Do they even use diaper pins anymore?
Kissaluvs fitted + Thirsties cover: I didn't particularly care for this combo. The fitted diaper requires a cover, but to me, the two were just super bulky together. It also leaked upon our first use (looking back, I don't think I 'prepped' (i.e. first wash in the washing machine) it correctly, so it wasn't as absorbent as it is designed to be ). I do love the patterns they have available for the cover, but I'm looking a little more for functionality.
Thirsties Duo: This is like the cover above, but it has two inserts that snap in. When the double inserts get wet, you can simply snap them out and snap a new one in, leaving less to wash at the end of the day. I thought it was bulky, and it was kind of a hassle to take the diaper off, unsnap the dirty insert and then snap a new insert in with a wiggly kiddo trying to work her way off of the changing table.
Fuzzibunz: This diaper was super duper soft. It is a pocket diaper, which means you just stuff an insert in between the inner fleece layer and the outer waterproof layer. This diaper was okay. It leaked on me once, but it fit well and wasn't too bulky (but bulkier than the ones I liked). Looking back, I don't really know why I decided against this diaper. I guess I just liked the other brand more.
I really wanted to like this brand, because it's also sold at Costco for a relatively good price. It is an outer shell with two snap in inserts. It leaked and it was bulky, and so we didn't even try it a second time.
Bumgenius 3.0 All in One (AIO): This diaper was very easy to use. It has the "soaker" built in so all you have to do is put this on like a regular old diaper. This one worked great and I loved the convenience of it. The only thing with these diapers is that you have to buy size appropriate (S, M or L), so it would get quite expensive to stock up on these for your full stash from birth to potty training.
Bumgenius 4.0: Love, love, love this diaper. It is a one-size diaper, so it can be snapped up to fit an 8 pound baby (as pictured) or unsnapped to go up to a 35 pounder (like the picture of the Grovia diaper above). This diaper is trim and fits well, and since it comes with two different absorbency-level inserts, you can adjust to the level you need.