| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| mellaisbella |
Posted - Jul 29 2008 : 07:08:45 AM
Good morning gals.....
I am interested in learning about cloth diapers....pros and cons...also..where do you get them? thanks
"learn to watch snails" SARK |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Alee |
Posted - Jan 08 2009 : 11:35:37 PM
Katee- I am not sure if fleece will properly lanolize or not- but it is worth a shot so you don't have dampness ruining clothes.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| sonflowergurl |
Posted - Jan 08 2009 : 10:08:42 PM
Alee, I didn't know you could lanolize fleece. That's pretty cool. I might go that route for most of the covers if it works well for me.
Lanna, I am using the microfiber towels as inserts inside the pockets (along with prefolds that are already too small for my "big" boy), not directly against the skin.
My snappis came in the mail today, but I didn't get a chance to use them yet. The "soap nuts" also came in that package, so I'm going to try them out too.
I finally finished my acrylic knit cover (the one I did to test the pattern) last night (picture on my Katee Did It blog), and I made my first diaper, made a sham pocket on the Ottobre pattern. It was t-shirt on the outside and flannel on the inside. I stuffed it with a microfleece towel and it seemed to work okay. I need practice at sewing stretched elastic though, the legs could be better fitted.
Katee
A life without love is like a year without summer.
"Looking Toward the Son" http://sonflowergirl731.blogspot.com
Family Bolt http://theboltfamily.blogspot.com
Katee Did It
http://kateedidkreations.blogspot.com
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| Lanna |
Posted - Jan 07 2009 : 6:58:17 PM
Katee ~ I actually am not a fan of microfiber cloths. You can't put them directly againt baby's bottom because they will literally suck the moisture out of the skin given the chance. Well, and I don't like the feel if them (they make me feel like my entire fingerpads are solid hangnail-like) and they tend to wash up really dingy after a while in my really hard water.
And snappi's... you don't even want to know how ma ny I've had over the years. Old ones, new ones, newer ones, etc. Used dyed prefolds there with my oldest for a while.
Oh yes, be careful with the diaper ointment. Anything with fish oil is going to be a mess to try to undo. I like the magical Bum Balm from FOTW (a wahm), but am not sure whether she's closing up shop in Feb or not.
Fwiw, I've bought and sold the lion's share of my diaper stash(es) the last two years over at DiaperSwappers.com. With so many kids in diapers for so long, yeah. Reselling is a great way to keep the costs down, especially as I've ventured in and out of prefolds, fitteds, woolies (soakers, longies, shorties), and have settled on pockets since I have two in diapers. Just hoping the stupid CPSIA thing doesn't shut down DS...
*****************
Lanna, mama to three little monkeys |
| Alee |
Posted - Jan 07 2009 : 4:40:39 PM
Hi Katee!
Knit fabric is especially nice for diapers! A little gentle stretch and it stays so soft! Flannel is nice too but sometimes can compact when sew into the fitted diapers and not be as nice.
I wouldn't use Tide on diapers or towels as it leaves lots of residue behind. I am not sure about gain. Do your clothes feel like they have been treated with fabric softener even when they haven't? If so- the detergent is leaving a residue.
High quality fleece can work as a diaper wrap. I would suggest trying to lanolize it because my fleece diaper cover got moist and I was less than pleased with it. I bought my diaper wraps from www.thenaturalabode.com They are a great place and their store front is in Moscow, ID (Where I used to live) so I know their "real" store is honest and fairly represented on their website.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| sonflowergurl |
Posted - Jan 07 2009 : 4:25:24 PM
The reason I asked about the detergent is because I've read that sometimes stuff builds up and they don't absorb as well after awhile. But I think it's more from diaper rash ointment and fabric softener.
Thad wiggles so much when I'm changing him, I would be horrified if I poked him! I've put him in cloth today and hubby doesn't know. :D I've got a big package of disposables left, I think I'll probably use them for outings and overnight, or when my hubby has him. He seems to like the cloth diapers on his little booty though.
I'm pulling out fabric and printed out patterns tonight to make a few...hopefully it goes well (and I make the right size for him!). I just read on the diaper sewing group that you can use fleece on the outside of a pocket diaper and don't need a cover, especially if you use some really good stuff. I might try a few of those as well. I've been reading about it enough, I need to just jump in and give it a go...
Katee
A life without love is like a year without summer.
"Looking Toward the Son" http://sonflowergirl731.blogspot.com
Family Bolt http://theboltfamily.blogspot.com
Katee Did It
http://kateedidkreations.blogspot.com
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| Alee |
Posted - Jan 07 2009 : 08:08:33 AM
Hi Katee-
We used old fashioned diaper pins with Nora- they are fine once you get used to them. I did poke her once and I felt so bad about that! Poor girl!
I make my own laundry soap- equal parts of Washing Soda, Baking Soda, Borax and homemade hand soap (or equal parts of powdered Boraxo Hand Soap)
If your baby doesn't react to the gain laundry soap now, he should be okay to have his diapers washed with that.
I didn't like the pre-folds because they seemed to thin to me. The contoured diapers are really nice (the fitted diapers) and I have heard good things about the snappis.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| sonflowergurl |
Posted - Jan 07 2009 : 06:17:53 AM
I have a bunch of prefolds, but the pins make me nervous. I've ordered some snappis though, so hopefully they get here soon! I have a couple of fitteds and I like the way they fit better than folded diapers. I lucked out and had a friend who sent me a whole box of her old diapers to get started.
What do you wash yours in? I use Gain detergent right now, will that be okay or do I need to get something else? I actually ordered "soap nuts" with the snappis, so I'm going to try to save those for just the diapers I think.
Katee
A life without love is like a year without summer.
"Looking Toward the Son" http://sonflowergirl731.blogspot.com
Family Bolt http://theboltfamily.blogspot.com
Katee Did It
http://kateedidkreations.blogspot.com
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| Alee |
Posted - Jan 07 2009 : 06:07:44 AM
Katee- My hubby was skeptical too until I showed him how with a relatively small investment I could save us over 2k in the first year alone! He got so enthusiastic about it that he was telling every one at work and trying to get pregnant co-workers to consider them! And for about the first 6 months we used flat folds!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| sonflowergurl |
Posted - Jan 07 2009 : 04:44:40 AM
I just found this thread in a search because I'm working on a switch over to cloth with my 4 month old son. I'm planning to make fitted "pocket" diapers where you stuff in the soaker in the middle. I'm on a yahoo group that swears by using microfiber towels (the ones you can get in the auto section at Walmart and other stores), so I'm going to try those. I'm actually gathering up old t-shirts from my hubby and older son's collection to use. I'm also knitting some wool covers that will need lanolized occasionally. I've been told that fleece works as a good cover too, so I'm planning to sew up a few of them also. I'm new to this, so it should be an adventure! (My hubby isn't on board, but hopefully will be once he sees how easy it is.) I did disposables with my first two.
Katee
A life without love is like a year without summer.
"Looking Toward the Son"---- http://sonflowergirl731.blogspot.com
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| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Sep 08 2008 : 2:04:12 PM
It's really not that hard to wash them. No harder then regular laundry. You don't HAVE to rinse them or anything like that, how people used to.
I have found if you throw them in the washer even poop will come out, lol it will all go out of the washer when done. :)
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
| mellaisbella |
Posted - Sep 08 2008 : 09:08:03 AM
that sure would be nice to have a diaper service!
"learn to watch snails" SARK |
| Betty J. |
Posted - Sep 07 2008 : 9:11:38 PM
My faves were the gauze diapers from J. C. Penney. They were rectangular and since I had boys I needed the most protection in the front. So I folded them into a sort of kite-shaped and the point in the bottom was folded over for the frontal protection--ME, not necessarily the boys.
As I remember, they were rather expensive, but they could be recycled into rags once the boys outgrew them. The boys are now 37 and 34 and once in a while I still run across one of those rags. There aren't much left of them, but they are worth it all around.
Betty in Pasco |
| Kris Sherrill |
Posted - Sep 07 2008 : 2:58:46 PM
I just saw this topic and boy did it bring back memories. My girls are grown now but they were both in cloth diapers. I was lucky, though. We had a diaper service. Tidy didy Diaper Service! They'd come up the hill twice a week in that big shiny silver truck and I was sure glad to see them coming! They'd bring a stack of beautifully washed great smelling diapers. I loved them a lot. I don't know if there are still services like that anymore. It sure was nice for me. But before we had them, I did have my own. I remember them drying on the clothesline almost every day. Beautiful sight.
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| NotQuiteJuneCleaver |
Posted - Aug 27 2008 : 09:02:06 AM
Oppps guess I am late. Alee seems to have you fixed up!
Susan ~ FARMGIRL SISTER #15
AKA TheSoapMaven who lost nearly 700 posts by changing her name! :(
http://www.thesoapmaven.com http://www.notquitejunecleaver.com
There is immeasurable value in what I do. I won't ever believe otherwise. |
| NotQuiteJuneCleaver |
Posted - Aug 27 2008 : 08:57:59 AM
try www.maineclothdiaper.com
Susan ~ FARMGIRL SISTER #15
AKA TheSoapMaven who lost nearly 700 posts by changing her name! :(
http://www.thesoapmaven.com http://www.notquitejunecleaver.com
There is immeasurable value in what I do. I won't ever believe otherwise. |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Aug 26 2008 : 4:45:51 PM
Yup I would do velcro. The dappies are velcro. And cheap. But, need to be changed often (or they leak). I can honestly say cloth diapering is really no harder then disposable.
http://www.wolfprncez.blogspot.com |
| Alee |
Posted - Aug 26 2008 : 3:02:27 PM
Congrats Melanie! You are going to be a great mom! I would love to make you some diapers! Just let me know if you want flat fold or contoured diapers.
Betty- Your DIL can still do cloth diapers if she is interested in them. The contoured cloth diapers can be made with velcro so they are just as easy to do as the disposables.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| gramadinah |
Posted - Aug 26 2008 : 1:58:44 PM
Yea for you now the good times start.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
| Betty J. |
Posted - Aug 26 2008 : 1:18:19 PM
My DIL will be a new mom in January. She has a paralyzed left arm from an automobile accident. How do you suggest she diaper her munchkin while Dad is gone to work?
Betty in Pasco |
| mellaisbella |
Posted - Aug 26 2008 : 1:10:23 PM
Well gals.....baby is here!! I just got home from the hospital today. He is soooooo cute. Lloyd Oliver Zachariah MacFarlane
But we will call him Oliver everyday :) Alee...I think I would love to have you make me some diapers...much easier that way:)
"learn to watch snails" SARK |
| 4forMe |
Posted - Aug 24 2008 : 12:13:18 PM
I used Motherease Diapers and covers, also Bummis Super Whisper Wraps were another favorite cover of mine.
Sewing, knitting, gardening mom of 4. |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Aug 21 2008 : 5:11:58 PM
Welcome! It's the truth. If I was starting all over, I wish I would of had you to make them for me in the beginning! And just used the dappi covers, I would of saved a ton of money! lol haha
http://www.wolfprncez.blogspot.com |
| Alee |
Posted - Aug 21 2008 : 08:05:12 AM
Thank you for the recommendation Heather! You are so sweet!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Aug 21 2008 : 05:08:10 AM
oh if you have a whole foods, I noticed they also are selling pocket AIO one size fits all bum genius, which is a highly reccomended diaper. I have never used it. But, you may want to just go buy one and wait for the LO to come and see if you like them or not. It's a completely no pin/snappi diaper. It uses velcro.
http://www.wolfprncez.blogspot.com |
| MagnoliaWhisper |
Posted - Aug 21 2008 : 05:04:55 AM
I would have Alee make them for me if I was you.
The picture that Alee posted is of a cover you put over the diaper to keep it from leaking. Dappi's have even cheaper covers at Babybestbuy. Others really swear by shorties/longies-wool covers. The dappies work ok for me most the time. I think with Alee style diapers they would work great.
To tell you the truth.......most the time I don't use a real diaper in there. I put in a terry cloth doubler by kissaluv, or wonderoos, and a piece of fleece and that's it. I don't pin or snappi. However, I think the covers get less soiled if you pin or snappied. lol haha I just never reuse a cover. I just wash them when ever I change a diaper. But, others who pin/snappi they can change a diaper and keep using the same cover. Cause it keeps all the stuff contained. The way I do it, it's mainly just absorbing most the urine so it won't go out the cover! lol haha But, still usually gets on the cover on the inside, so I change the cover each diaper change.
One thing you can easily do no matter what kind of diaper you choose is go and buy some fleece, any fleece will do! It's a no sew project. You just cut out either rectangles, or what I prefer rounded T's. The fleece wicks moisture away from the baby preventing rashes. AND if they do get a rash and you need to use a diaper rash cream, they will keep the cream from ruining your diapers. (the cream will not only stain diapers, but keep them from absorbing future urine!), fleece also helps the poop not stain the diapers. Fleece rarely stains! :) It's so cheap, I just throw away the fleece liners that get mucked up too much with diaper rash cream. I just sit and cut out around 3 or 4 at a time when I do it. I use pinking sheers to make them cute around the edges, but any scissors would do.
http://www.wolfprncez.blogspot.com |
