CD chicken

[Melissa in Italy]

I have always wanted to do CD but I am chicken...anyone out there who was chicken like me but uses them now (or went back to disposable)? What's your story?

[AmyP]

Okay, I wasn't exactly chicken, but I will tell you that overall it's been easier than I expected.

I basically bought a bunch of prefolds (the cheapest way to CD, similar to the regular Gerber prefolds you find at Target, but I bought chinese prefolds on ebay which are much more absorbent) and covers (I've used proraps and Bummis Super Whisper Wraps and I liked the Bummis better) and figured I'd at least give it a shot. Oh, and I bought Snappis too, they're clips to hold the diaper together that don't stick like pins. They're a T-shape and you hook each hip and then down the middle. They grab the fabric without you having to worry about sticking the baby.

Basically my diaper pail is a regular trash can that I line with a regular mesh laundry bag. I actually have two of these bags. Anyway, every 2-3 days I wash the diapers. I do a cold rinse, then a hot wash w/ cold rinse. I was originally using Tide but I had buildup issues (making the diapers STINK horribly whenever she wet them) so I bought Allen's Naturally Laundry Detergent and that's fixed that issue. Anyway, after the wash cycle is through I do an extra rinse cycle in cold. Sometimes I add a few drops of tea tree oil to the wash to help kill germs and I also generally add Calgon Water Softener (I have hard water) to help the detergent rinse out better. The process sounds complicated, but it's really not.

Oh, and poopy diapers are pretty simple. Just knock the solids into the toilet. If they're especially nasty, I'll rinse them in the toilet and then stick them in a bucket with a scoop of Oxiclean and water and leave them there until I do diaper laundry.

I am using disposables at night for now because I am having trouble with the diapers I bought for overnight use (Fuzzi Bunz). I'm working with the manufacturer and they've been really great about helping me. I also generally use disposables when we're out because I don't like taking wet or dirty diapers around with me. But that's just me. :dunno:

I think it's worth a shot. Even if you just buy a few diapers to try it out, you won't be out a whole lot of money if you don't like it. Chinese prefolds are pretty cheap, and you need less covers than diapers (I have 24 prefolds and about 6 covers, IIRC). Snappis are pretty cheap as well. If you find out it's working for you, then you can always buy more diapers. Also, cloth diapers sell very well on ebay and you can sell your stash if CDing doesn't work for you.

[Brandi]

I agree! Try it and if it doesn't work, you'll be glad you gave it a shot. The hardest part for me was the washing. It took me a while to get it all down. I had a lot of trouble with stinky diapers, but have a system that works pretty well now.

I LOVE Fuzzi Bunz. I don't use anything else now. They are a bit more expensive (ok a lot), but they are worth it to me. I didn't like the prefolds. They were so bulky and I just liked the ease of the FBs. My daughter is tiny and has been in the same size since she was 5 months old (she's now 26 months). So, I feel like I've gotten my moneys worth for sure. It's quite an overwhelmin process at first (or can be), so I found it helpful to talk with someone locally. Good luck! And ask any more questions you can think of.

[AmyP]

The fuzzi bunz are pretty versatile in size and trimmer than prefolds. Sarah could probably still fit mediums, but they were getting low in the rise area so we moved to petite toddler.

Although the prefolds are versatile in size as well. She's 21 months and has been wearing the same size prefold since about 6 months or so (not sure). And there's a ton of growing room.

[Melissa in Italy]

So why do you need fewer covers than diapers? You don't use a clean cover with each change?

Do flushable liners make BM cleanup easier? Seems most of DD's BM diapers are sticky/loose rather than solid.

Any opinions on bumGenius diapers? I like that they are one-size so they could be used with DD (2yo) and DS when he is born in January. I ordered one b/c they allow you to try it and return it within 2 weeks if you don't like it. A few of the reviews mentioned problems with staining & fading.

My primary concerns with CD are:

1. Carrying the diaper pail to the washer (it's in the basement) (...and DH isn't interested in CD anyway so I'm afraid I'd be on my own)
2. The time to run the cycles (again, washer in basement means carrying 2 babies down with me)
3. Special treatment issues: clean diapers still stinking; becoming less absorbent due to residue
4. Finding the right detergent since we are overseas.
5. Investing in them and not liking them. Cost is my primary reason for considering them.

Then there's the whole issue of WHAT KIND once I get past all my hangups!!!

My mom CD'd at least 3 out of 5 of us I think. I have always wanted to give it a try but like I said I am chicken! Maybe if we were in the States it would be a little less intimidating with it all a little more accessible.

[magoo]

So why do you need fewer covers than diapers? You don't use a clean cover with each change?

No, if you're using prefolds, or a fitted diaper with a cover, then you can use the covers more than once. When I was using fitted flannel diapers with a cover, I would alternate 2 covers and then put them both in the laundry at the end of the day.

If you're using a pocket diaper (bum genius, fuzzi bunz) then you need a whole new diaper (outside and insert) each time.


Do flushable liners make BM cleanup easier? Seems most of DD's BM diapers are sticky/loose rather than solid.
They certainly can, but it takes away from the comfort factor that cloth adds to the equation. DS's poops are usually pretty icky, so I just swish them in the toilet. Not a big deal for me. If you breastfeed, the yellow newborn poop doesn't even have to be rinsed. It just all comes out in the wash.

Any opinions on bumGenius diapers? I like that they are one-size so they could be used with DD (2yo) and DS when he is born in January. I ordered one b/c they allow you to try it and return it within 2 weeks if you don't like it. A few of the reviews mentioned problems with staining & fading.
I haven't used them, and I only know one person who has and she loved them.


1. Carrying the diaper pail to the washer (it's in the basement) (...and DH isn't interested in CD anyway so I'm afraid I'd be on my own)
2. The time to run the cycles (again, washer in basement means carrying 2 babies down with me)
This is the biggest pain of CD for me. I really wish I had main floor laundry. I usually try to get the diapers in the evening once the kids are in bed. I do a cold rinse, and then hopefully remember to go down and do a hot wash with the soap. Then I do the final rinse first thing in the morning and pop them in the dryer.


3. Special treatment issues: clean diapers still stinking; becoming less absorbent due to residue
It just takes a little experimentation. Most of them are easy fixes (boil inserts, add baking soda or vinegar to the wash, etc.), but it might take a few washes before you find what works best for you.


4. Finding the right detergent since we are overseas.

I can't really help you there. Some CD stores online will sell detergent that they recommend or give recommendations on detergents to use.

5. Investing in them and not liking them. Cost is my primary reason for considering them.
Like Amy said, diapers have an excellent resale. It is a bit of a gamble, but it sounds like you really want to give it a try.

[marcy]

Any opinions on bumGenius diapers? I like that they are one-size so they could be used with DD (2yo) and DS when he is born in January. I ordered one b/c they allow you to try it and return it within 2 weeks if you don't like it. A few of the reviews mentioned problems with staining & fading.


I am using these now (again, nights / weekends only). I have been pretty happy w/ them - the tabs fray a bit so I need to go to Joann fabric and buy something (called FrayBlock or something) to keep them from fraying. Two of them have gotten kinda yellowed but I don't care because it's under clothing. And there is minimal staining (one from a diaper cream, and some from poopy diapers that I haven't been able to put out in the sun.

I love the flushable liners, personally. The problem is just remembering to put them in the diapers.

[Brandi]

We used the flushable liners for a while, but I can't remember why we stopped. Hmmmm...... Now I want to get them again.

Does anyone in Italy CD? I think it would helpful to have someone there to talk to.

[Melissa in Italy]

Thank you so much for all the great replies.


There are a few moms at our playgroup who CD but I just met them and haven't really been able to get a good conversation going yet. Playgroup meets tomorrow so I will go armed with my questions and try to drum up some conversations!

How many is a good number to have on hand? I have heard 24.

How often do you HAVE to wash them? Most responses seem to indicate every 2-3 days but can it go longer or do you end up with ruined diapers?

[Melissa in Italy]

I am using these now (again, nights / weekends only). I have been pretty happy w/ them - the tabs fray a bit so I need to go to Joann fabric and buy something (called FrayBlock or something) to keep them from fraying. Two of them have gotten kinda yellowed but I don't care because it's under clothing. And there is minimal staining (one from a diaper cream, and some from poopy diapers that I haven't been able to put out in the sun.

I love the flushable liners, personally. The problem is just remembering to put them in the diapers.

marcy - many reviewers said the same thing about these diapers. I thought the problem had been resolved with new design according to the company's responses so I wasn't worried about it. Maybe it's still a problem though? Seems (from reviews) they've been very cooperative in replacing the defective diapers so maybe you could give them a call and see what they say. And the stuff you need for frays is called Fray Check - LOVE THAT STUFF!