A question for the cloth diapering mommas out there...?

Question

Currently we are using disposables and I have been doing research for a while on the best cloth diapers out there. I am looking for the most convenient so I thought the pocket diapers would be nice, easy to care for and customizable. I bought one Bumgenius 3.0 and tried it overnight last night. It worked fine, no leaks but it fits horribly. Elyse is small for her age, about 13-14 pounds at five months and the diaper on the smallest newborn size was huge - she couldn't get her legs straight and together. This was fine for overnight but I can't imagine her wearing it during the day and being able to roll around, learn to crawl, etc.

What is your favorite type of cloth diapering system/brand? AIO, pocket, prefold with cover, etc? Also if you have a recommended pocket diaper that is trimmer in the crotch then the bumgenius 3.0?

Any suggestions are most welcome... thanks!

Answer 1

i have used cloth diapers since home from the hospital - at first, on infants and smaller babies - the diapers do look huge, and do not really allow their legs to be straight - this is perfectly fine and no cause for worry - my mom cd'd me - and she was worried about my baby's legs being 'warped' -  i was not so worried, and asked my ob, pediatrician, nutritionist AND my own dr, and they ALL said not to worry - it was fine - and in fact was recommended for babies w/hip dysplasia  - which my baby did not have - but now at 6 mos, is perfectly fine - been rolling over for several months and now starting to scoot and attempt to crawl - so - there really is nothing to worry about with the legs - as your baby grows - the cd will basically look like a disposable -

i use prefolds and covers - sometimes with doublers - overnights and travel - with the snappi to fasten - or just place the diaper in the cover (you can also use flats this way, or doublers this way if you are running low on diapers, are in a super hurry, or just feeling a bit lazy)

they seem to work the best for me and i even used when doing errands and traveling at first it took me about 10 minutes to get everything together to change the baby out and about - before she was 2 mos old, i was changing as fast as w/a disposable

i use the twist fold and as my baby grew it is the trimmest fold, and works very well for us

i started out using prowraps - i hated them - made my baby's legs red - and she had skinny frog legs at the time -

from there i found 3 dappi diaper covers at a thrift store - and LOVED them - so i ordered some more - unfortunately they were the old dappi diaper covers that were made in tiawan, they are now made in china and have a shorter rise - however they still worked very well for me - i just went up a size to make up for the rise - this worked well until at 6 mos, some of her thicker diapers no longer worked with the dappi's - i went up to the toddler size, which was great for the rise, but the waist is just too large for her now -

i use wool covers as well -

since the dappis' are no longer the best choice for me - i have tried a few different one - i am lucky as i have a cloth diapering ebusiness located in my area - so i can go to her house and check them out first -

I have tried aristocrats wool soakers - they are GREAT - a bit expensive so i had a friend knit me a few soakers w/free patterns found online - and i am very happy with them as well

snapiwrap - a great cover that runs large - very generous - and very trim/thin and works great - has gussets - ALWAYS ALWAYS go with gussets on the legs - i have and have never had any type of explosive disaster -

bumpy - weird name - but wonderful cover - works very well

imse vimse - basically the same as the bumpy (i think the nicky is about the same as well, i have not tried one of those, as she did not have them in my size when i was at her house)

stacinator wool cover - works very well - and much quicker to dry than the aristocrats and other wool soakers

stacinator deluxe fleece cover - i use these for overnights and trips - they are very very good - i bought a second because i have a very heavy wetter - and some nights after about the 3rd diaper change the cover would be damp - so i bought a second to alternate when it got damp - since i bought the second - i have not had to use it as an alternate on the same night....go figure - i also ordered another because it was in pink w/flowers....and it was pink....so we had to have it -

my mom also crocheted my baby a longie and a shortie soaker (out of acrylic yarn) - you do not lanolanize as you do wool - just wash, dry and wear- they work very well around the house and even short errands.

i did buy one all in one, one size pocket diaper - a happy heiney......i use it as a cover to match her purple outfits....that is how much i like it....i just could not justify the cost of them, and when they are wet - they have a funny smell to them - even when brand new and now after several washings - so - just not my cup of tea

so - depending on your budget you have tons of choices available - i have spent less than $300 and have more than enough to get through potty training with - of course i am sure i will 'NEED' more covers when i see a pretty color or cute print......

i bought all but 3 dozen of my diapers from craigslist - i found 5 dozen on craigslist for less than $100 - target used to carry a gerber dsq quality, but gerber is no longer making them, the other two dozen i bought from babiesinthesun.com - a local ebusiness in my area -

o, and before my baby was born i of course bought the standard plastic gerber pants.....don't waste your money - i may be able to use them as a swim cover.....but not sure about that either

i have about 8 dozen prefolds, several dozen flat folds (mostly for burp rags and the occasional diaper), and a few gauze prefolds my mom bought.

i CAN go up to  

Answer 2

My friend has the Bummis cloth diapers and loves them. They're a pre-fold diaper with a separate cover. The covers are usually available in bright cute fun prints. They also sell them as a 'diapering kit'.  

Answer 3

I use prefolds and a cover in the day time. They are way less bulky. For night I use AIO or a pocket AIO. I do have some Pocket Fuzzi Bunz and they are not that bulky. You'll see that your child will be able to learn to crawl and walk with bulky diapers on. Trust me. You really have to try and see what works best for you. You can look for sample packages also, with like 5 prefolds and a cover, an AIO and a pocket diaper. Good luck I know the cloth diapering world is crazy!

Answer 4

I like Zappy Nappies. I used them on my son for about 18 months. I only switched to disposables because I'm on tank water and we ran out of water