Cloth Diaper Update!

Now that we've been using cloth diapers consistently for a couple of months, I'm here to write a detailed update!  Overall, our experience has been really positive.  When we were traveling recently, we used disposables and I really missed the cloth.  I actually prefer them now.  It kind of surprises me.  I needed to ask a whole lot of questions and read a lot of information before making the switch (as well as testing them out), so hopefully this post can help someone else make the best decision for them, too!  I didn't feel like we had to make the decision right away because I'd heard from many people that they typically keep their newborn in disposables until they're eight pounds or more (or until their legs are chubby enough so they don't leak).  They do sell newborn cloth diapers, but I don't see us using those next time either.  We are still using disposables at night...currently working on different way to diaper her in cloth at night (she ends up leaking through).

So, here were our actual purchases (more explanation below):

13 - BumGenius 4.0 Pocket Diapers with snaps (We used a buy 5, get 1 free deal) 

1 - BumGenius Elemental All-in-One

4 - GroVia All-in-One (we used a 4 for 3 deal that isn't on anymore)

2 - Planet Wise Pail Liners 

2 - Itzy Ritzy Medium Wet Bags (Central Park West and Little Miss Zig Zag) 

1 - GroVia Magic Stick Diaper Cream 

1 - Allens Naturally Liquid Detergent (32oz Bottle)

2 - Hemp Babies Diaper Doublers (attempt at nighttime diapering)

1 - Pack of Bummis Fleece Liners 

3 - FuzziBunz One Size Diapers

1 - Happy Heiny's One for All Pocket Diaper with snaps (this was free with our fuzzibunz)

1 - Cheap Swing Top Trash Can, used as a diaper pail

Overall, I'd have to say the BumGenius 4.0's are my favorite for quite a few reasons.  I love the fit.  The super high quality.  The ease of size adjustment (shells and inserts).  And the great colors. I really like pocket diapers and would buy them again, but I would definitely recommend having just a few all-in-ones in case you forget to throw them in the wash soon enough and need diapers really quickly (you would throw all-in-ones in the dryer with your pocket inserts), or if you run out of time to stuff them (the 4.0 shells need to line dry).  As for the all-in-ones, I really like the GroVia brand (really cute prints and a little lower price tag swayed me), but they do take more time to put on than the BumGenius because of the way the diaper is set up.  They tend to dry a little quicker than the Elementals, but I end up drying our one Elemental and the GroVia's at the same time, so it doesn't make a difference for us.  I do like the Fuzzi Bunz (ordered them to get a little more color variety), but I probably would just get more 4.0's if I had to do it again.  I have had just a few more leakage problems with them and they take more time to adjust.  As for the Happy Heiny's, I've had  leakage problems so far and probably wouldn't purchase any (ours was free). 

As for washing, I'm SO glad we got the Planet Wise diaper pail liners (you'll want two...one for the pail, one for the diapers in the wash).  I shake out the inserts in our diaper pail (p.s.  I wouldn't buy a swing top trash can again, just one with a lift up top) right after changing, which means that I simply dump the diaper inserts and shells, along with the pail liner into the washing machine.  The bags don't leak or anything gross like that.  I don't have to touch the diapers until they are clean, clean, clean.  We use Allens liquid detergent, a cloth diaper safe detergent, making sure to use the exact recommended amount to avoid any problems with build-up (which can cause absorbency problems down the line) or rashes.  I actually searched high and low in our area to find the right detergent and couldn't, only to find out yesterday that our local Kroger had one the whole time!!

As for the extra tidbits of info, you'll definitely want wet bags when you're out and about!  They hold more than just cloth diapers, too.  Next time I would have bought the large bags rather than the medium size for more space.  I still love how sturdy and cute the Itzy Ritzy bags are.  Also, you can't use regular diaper rash creams on cloth without a fleece liner (which I found to be an extra hassle), so we've been using this cloth-safe GroVia Magic Stick, which works really well on minor rashes (and the stick means no messy hands).  If you happen to be choosing between pockets or all-in-ones, you definitely need room to dry the shells if you use pockets, so you'll want to consider space.  We have a total of 22 diapers, which will work well when I'm in school and need a little more time in-between, but you can get by with much less if you wash more often (read this!)  And, I end up referring to the Cotton Babies blog (or their on-line help) when I have any problems or questions.

After buying all these items, we'll have made up the cost and start saving money when Eloise is a little less than a year old, which is great considering the typical potty training age is way after that!  And considering the fact that we'll be able to use them for our next child!  I'm amazed at how smooth the switch has been and how much I love using them.  And if the day gets to be too much or I forget to wash, we still have some disposables on hand to do the job.  It doesn't have to be all or nothing.  

Okay, and I know I've said this over and over again, but they are SO cute! :)

Have any questions??...Ask away!!

{Photo by dn.jy productions}