When I was pregnant with Baby #2 DH and I really wanted to do cloth diapers. Even though we knew it would save us a ton of money in the long run, we just didn't have the money to shell out at that time to get everything we needed, so we gave up on the idea. HOWEVER... we still want to do cloth diapers, so I dug deep on the internet and found a pattern online to make your own cloth diapers! If all I ahve to buy is the rubber pants, thats awesome! I can get those cheaply at walmart! I just wanted to share this site with you if you were strapped for cash and wanted to do this: http://mayna.livejournal.com/198548.html Here is a recipe on how to make your own laundry soap. I have not tried it, but I am really wanting to. http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap.htm
I would avoid the Walmart rubber pants if possible. You can get inexpensive pull on pants online that are very good quality. Plus the rubber pants are not breathable at all which could cause a problem with diaper rash. See here. It is important to get good quality cloth diapers and covers. So many families give up on cloth diapers because they have used the Walmart prefolds or covers. You can get started cloth diapering for a little as $50 too. See this article on cloth diapering on a tiny budget. I've been cloth diapering for over 8 years now and wouldn't have it any other way.
Thanks for the Bummis Whisper Pants site!! Thats is exactly what I'm looking for! My mom has a ton of flannel fabric, and other kinds too, and we could make oodles and oodles of diapers for free that way. We just were wondering about diaper covers. The ones you found fit our budget, and work very well for what we will be using them for. Best of all, they say they don't leak! My mom had me in cloth diapers (I was allergic to many other types of diapers), and she said she had to change the sheets twice per day at nap time and bedtime becasue the cloth diapers leaked everywhere. That was the only thing I was worried about, actually. Now, I don't have to worry! Thank you so Much Embassy!!!!! :love:
I make my own diaper covers out of water resistant (or proof) material. I make a diaper like in op's link, but without the inner pocket, and just sit cloth diapers inside where the inner pocket would be. I got a bunch of water resistant material for $2 a yard at walmart, and ordered some water proof stuff for nap/bedtime. Here's some more tips - http://www.diapersewing.com/
Cloth diapers leak for many reasons. If you don't have enough absorbent material in the diaper they will leak no matter what kind of cover you have. Although they are priced higher getting a pull on wool cover would be a good idea. They are naturally absorbent and the best choice for nighttime. You can make your own wool covers inexpensively too. See here. Diapers also leak because you don't have a good fit in the diaper or the diaper cover. But the most common reason I have found is not having a good quality diaper to start with. If there is no place for wetness to go it will go wherever it can find it.
Oh PLEASE don't try the rubber pants at walmart! Been there done that! did NOT work! Try diaperswappers.com for used diapers that's where I bought 95% of my son's diapers. And make sure you never put fabric softener in with diapers. When we started out we bought just one-two at a time, to 'supplement' until we could build up our stash. Then when I got a chunk of money to spend, I bought a dozen prefolds and 3 covers and snappis. By that time we were all set!
I agree...DO NOT BUT WALMART RUBBER PANTS! They are horrible! I have some Bummis Whisper Wraps and I LOVE them! They are soooo awesome and they rarely leak (when they do...it's cause I left them on too long). I also like the Nikky wraps, but they are pricey. I have tried tons and tons of wraps and by far those are my faves. The link to the homemade ones...those look just like the ones I made myself when I first started CDing. I look back now and see that I went from homemade ones like those, to AIO's to pockets, back to prefold, and everything in between. I think I have finally found that pockets work best for us, but I keep a handful of prefolds, fitteds and covers for nap time.
I have I think a dozen pockets that I made I no longer use and should sell off (we moved into a house with the hardest water in the world and I just can't get the wash routine right for them so I gave up). They are PUL outside, fleece inside and have velcro closures made with the Med. DDU pattern.. if anyone is interested in them. I use microfiber towels to stuff them.. I would love to keep the towels, but don't need to If anyone is interested let me know
1. Diaper Swappers is your best friend! 2. DO NOT use the Walmart covers. 3. You only need a couple of covers. Really. You don't need to change the cover unless it gets poop on it. 4. I also started my stash by buying two diapers. That was it. I started with two. I used those two diapers first thing in the morning, then washed them and had them ready for the next day. Eventually I bought another diaper. Then another. Then another. By the time my third was born I had enough diapers to never use disposables.
Thanks everyone for the advice and the links! Mom and I are stuffing our homemade diapers with microfiber towels, so I think they will be absorbent enough. I think I will buy a couple of prefolded diapers, and make just a few, perhaps. Thanks again guys!!!
We're going with cloth this time; never have before and I'm excited about it! DiaperSwappers is a buy-sell-trade site that I was also going to mention (but not recommend as I've not actually been there yet. Also, Cloth Diaper Nation is being touted as a great "new" (year old) place to go and without as many scammers as DS. Getting lots of good info from the ladies on the Cloth Diapering board at Just Mommies! And Sommer, I'm PMing you about those pockets!!!
I love bummis super whisper pants and Thirsties covers as well. I made my own diapers at first and then found diaperswappers. I love that site and have since sold all the ones I made and bought many different kinds over the last year and a half finding just the right combo for us. My best advice is not to buy/make too many of one kind until you decide you like them or not. Buy one or 2 of each that you might want to try. I started out with prefolds ( the kind you have to pin but they make a cool little device called a Snappi that hooks them like an ace bandage clip!!!!) then we went to fitteds. Now most of my diaper stash is Goodmama's and Flip diaper system with Bummis whisper pants and Thirsties covers. HTH!
Yes, well, that is our predicament...we don't have anywhere near $100 to start. We have pretty much 6 months until baby gets here and we'll just spend small amounts at a time until we get to the number of diapers we need. Our rent is like $700, and our electric bill is always through the roof, plus internet and phone bills, enough groceries to feed 5 kids and 2 adults. lol. We're strapped. lol
You can start with a dozen prefolds and 3 wraps. A dozen prefolds cost about $24. 3 wraps will cost about $30. Truthfully, I didn't put a wrap on my kidlets at night in order to promote air circulation. I just washed the waterproof crib pad with my next diaper load. Later, when I had a tad bit more money, I bought a wool cover for night. That thing was heaven!! Tiny tush has a "part time" package for <$60. That's the cost of two big boxes of sposies.
Agreed, and those are new prices. Keep an eye out on Craigslist, even put out a "searching for" ad. Not sure where you are and I'm positive it varies by location, but around here they sell used dipes ALL the time! Check the baby resale shops, too, and ask the owners/clerks to keep an eye out for you!
Meg, I'm not sure where you are in relation to Springfield, but we have a HUGE cloth diapering community here. You could easily find inexpensive used dipes. There are some mommas even willing to lend out their dipes.
