Sunday, May 15, 2011

How cloth diapers are working for us so far

We've been using the cloth diapers most of the time since her cord fell off at about 1 week old.  Here's a link to the post where I talked about the plan for my cloth diaper stash

So far we've been using:
2 dozen Green Mountain Diaper Prefold Newborn (Orange)
6 Thirsties X-small Covers
Snappi Size 1 Triple Pack
Baby washcloths (I have about 2 dozen I think) as wipes
2 Fuzzibunz Hanging Diaper Bags
G Diaper Flushable Inserts (when we travel)
Planet Wise Wet Bag, Large

I also have but haven't yet used:
6 Flip One-Size Covers with Snaps 
2 dozen Green Mountain Diaper Prefold Small (Yellow) 
2 Fuzzibunz One Size Diapers 

She is still wearing the XS Thirsties cover as tight as it goes, so it'll be a while before we need to go to a bigger cover.  The Flip covers right now don't seem snug enough on her legs.  Hopefully as she gets bigger they'll fit, but if not I'll get the bigger sizes of the Thirsties.  I love the Thirsties covers since the elastic around her thighs and back is snug.  When she has worn disposable diapers, she tends to leak (necessitating a clothing change) whenever she has a dirty diaper.  She hasn't had that happen that I can remember when she has a prefold that is snappied and her Thirsties cover.  The cover rarely even gets dirty with the prefold.  


When we went on our long (5 day) trip, we took her Thirsties covers and used the G diaper (small) liners.  Since the G diaper liners aren't fitted, the cover still got dirty.  However, we had much less need of clothing changes since the Thirsties covers kept it in.  We'll definitely do the same thing again when we travel next.


I keep the washcloths that I use as wipes in an empty wipes container.  I have a little travel bottle with a top that pulls up (like on a water bottle) that I put my wipes solution in and then I can squirt it on the washcloth.  To make the wipes solution, I just use a couple drops of baby wash in water that I boil and then let cool.


I do diaper laundry every day or day and a half.  I usually wash when I have about 6 prefolds left.  I wash the washclothes and prefold together.  First I do a cold rinse with no detergent.  Then I do a hot wash cycle with detergent (making sure not to use too much) and an extra rinse.  I dry the prefolds on regular.  I usually wash the covers and the hanging pail with a load of light or dark laundry on cold or warm, and then I line/hang dry them.


She had a diaper rash for about 2 weeks, and some of that time we used the disposable, but I was able to use the prefolds by getting some muslin and cutting it into little strips which I folded in half and put over the area that had cream on it.  I washed the strips separately from my prefolds and covers. 

I'll post my thoughts on the Fuzzibunz and Flips when I use them. 

2 comments:

  1. I just use water in the spray bottle-benefits of making the solution? It never occurred to me.

    We love cloth too! Glad they're going well for you.

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  2. Love hearing your update! Thanks! I'm forwarding on to a Mom contemplating cloth for her upcoming newborn. I'm so glad to know about the thirsties and the tiny prefolds.

    Abigail has only had diaper rash twice and it only lasted a day or two- so I'm not even 100% sure it WAS diaper rash. I just used burts bees diaper rash cream and the normal prefolds. I figure those babies are indestructible. I've never had any problems since then.

    It never occurred to me to wash the prefolds and covers separately. I throw the entire laundry bag in the washer. I skip the extra rinse, too, and dry on medium.

    Interesting wipes solution! Do you use dr. bronners in it? I haven't come up with a system yet and am still supplementing with regular wipes. Thanks for sharing!

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