Where do I start?

[millergirl]

I have been seriously thinking about CDing for a little while now and I have no idea where to start. I thought maybe I should start out simple, maybe a couple of Fuzzybunzz, and some Joeybunzz, just to make sure I like them since they cost so much and over time I could work up my supply. What do you guys think? I am new to all of this CDing stuff and have no idea!! Andrew is 5 months old now. What do you reccommend? Should I get some AIO as well? TIA!!

[aylhu]

Hey! Your son was born on my anniversary!
As for starting out, yes get a few and see how you like them. If they work for you, then stock up. I am a Fuzzi Bunz fan, but no diaper works for everyone, I guess. So giving them a fair shot first is probably smart. If you're interested in getting some FBs for free, pm me or click on my siggie for more info. Anyway, you can also look at children's resale stores if you don't mind used. I never minded and got to try a whole range of diapers that way. I also never turn away hand-me-downs.

Is your husband up for CDing? If he's hesitant, you may want to stick with pockets or AIOs. Some people can't handle too many parts, pieces and steps!

[gemanda]

:wavey: Hey Kelly! Glad to see another Nov/Dec mom coming this way!! :biggrin:

Ok...bear with me...

If I remember correctly, you're still working, correct? So are you thinking about CD'ing at home only? or daycare too? And I may be completely wrong about the working thing...everything's blurring together!! :blush:

Alyssa is 100% Fuzzi Bunz...well, 99% now. I'm starting to branch out a bit. Now that I have all of these diapers in my office, I'm having to try a few new things with Alyssa!! And I've found some that I really like.

I was never a huge fan of prefolds, but some people love them.

I like Kissaluvs with a Bummis SWW. It's nice, cozy fleece against her bum like a FB, but works out to be a bit cheaper since you don't need a cover for every diaper.

We also really like Bumkins AIOs. VERY silky soft outside, and very plush inside against her bum. Plus, cute prints to boot. :aok:

If you go with FB's...you don't NEED to do a Joey Bunz for an insert. During the day, we either use a FB insert or a prefold to stuff Alyssa's FB's, and it's plenty absorbent. At night, we either use both a FB insert and a prefold, or a FB insert and a Joey Bunz.

If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to let me know! This can all be very confusing to start with, but I think you'll get hooked very quickly like the rest of us. :biggrin:

[millergirl]

Thanks ladies!

It's good to see you over here Amanda! I hadn't seen you in a while. I am working, but at night so I don't need daycare. My mom and Bill take turns with Andrew. Mom thinks I am silly and that it's too expensive to try CDing. Which it is expensive, but I'd like to give it a shot, save money in the long run. Bill and I haven't really talked about it too much, he's always up for anything. Although the simpler the better with him.

Do Fuzzi Bunz need a cover? I just thought they needed the Joey Bunz for big soakers. Kissaluvs and Bummis together you think would be cheaper? This is all very confusing. What the heck goes with what? What do I have to buy to make a diaper work?:lol:

[aylhu]

Kelly, got your PM and will reply as soon as possible (after dd's bedtime!). No you don't need a cover with the FBs. They are pocket dipes, meaning you stuff the pocket. So they are sort of like AIOs in that you don't need the cover. It's all contained in one unit. See http://www.pocketdiapers.com/ for more info.

Yes it WILL save you money. See here for a comparison to sposies:
http://www.fuzzibunz.com/comparison.html

[gemanda]

:wavey: Yup, I'm around...getting the store open has just swamped me, though, so I haven't had a ton of posting time!!

You're right...the initial output isn't cheap. But it saves a TON over the long run. Yes, we spent about $300 for Alyssa's current size of Fuzzi Bunz...not going to deny that. BUT...those will last for 4 months or so...that's only $75 a month...and it's EASY to spend $75 a month on disposables when they're this size!! The great thing--cloth diapers will still be there when #2 comes. Can't say that about disposables!!

Ok...as far as some basics...

Fuzzi Bunz and AIOs do not require covers. Their covers are built into the system. That's why they're a ton easier for those who are skeptical about cloth diapering (aka Dad and Grandma). It's no different than putting a disposable on Andrew. If you have Fuzzi Bunz, when you take them out of the wash, stuff the inserts in before you take them into the nursery. It takes 30 seconds per diaper...spend 5-10 minutes, and they're ready to go. AIO's require no stuffing or anything...just take them out of the dryer and they're ready to go on his bum.

As far as the Joey Bunz...is Andrew a super soaker? I mean, Alyssa can do her share of soaking, no doubt about that!! Unless he just constantly fills diapers, the FB inserts or prefolds should work fine. Like I said, we double up at night since she sleeps through the night...but during the day, I usually use the FB inserts and change her every 2-3 hours with no issue.

I can use prices from my store to show you a comparison of systems...let's say you're buying 24 dipes (which lasts Alyssa 3 days between washes). The "work" comparison is how much work they are to use...so prefolds have the most steps, while AIOs have the least.

24 prefolds + 6 Bummis Covers (most work) = $79
24 Kissaluvs fitted dipes + 6 Bummis Covers (some work) = ~$278
24 Fuzzi Bunz + 24 FB Inserts (little work) = ~$400
24 Bumkins AIOs (no work) = ~$264

So you can see that there's a huge range with which you can do. And you don't have to do all of one system--in fact, I wouldn't recommend it. Until you learn what fits Andrew best and what works best for your family, I would get a little bit of each and try them out.

If any of this doesn't make sense or you need more info, just let me know! :biggrin:

[gemanda]

The other thing I just thought of, Kelly...about how much does Andrew weigh now? I know he's always been such a solid little boy...

Depending on his weight, it may be that he's just on the cusp of changing sizes. Most diapers and covers changes sizes around 15-17 pounds. So that may affect how useful they are at his size. You won't want to buy a ton of smalls if he'll be out of them in a couple of weeks!

[millergirl]

Thank you ladies! You are so helpful! Andrew is about 18 lbs (you are right - he is solid! lol ) From what I've seen that runs about a medium in most things. I just assumed that Joey bunz is what you had to use, I didn't realize you could just buy FB inserts. I think I am just going to try a couple of each and see what works. I think for DH and Nana, AIO or FB's would be the best, but we'll see.


What works best for you guys - as far as grandparents and dads doing the CDing?

[gemanda]

Yup, 18 pounds would put him at a good medium. And you're in luck, cause he's actually at the beginning of the mediums, so you'll get some good time out of the size! :biggrin:

Since Alyssa is almost exclusively FB diapered, I can't say much about grandparents and DH using things other than FB. But I do know that my parents and sister think that FB are the greatest thing ever, and DH changes as many diapers as I do without an issue. He even knows the washing routine and helps with washing them too. But then again, he spoils me rotten. :blush:

In fact, just tonight he turned to me while he was changing Alyssa's diaper and I was doing something in her nursery and said, "I don't know why everyone doesn't use these. They're so easy, and save so much money!!" And when I pointed out to him that all of the diaper pails of diapers we've washed for the last 4 months could have gone to a landfill instead, he just shook his head.

[gemanda]

Oh, and as far as pricing on inserts...

Prefolds (bulky, but absorbent) - ~$1.30 each
FB Inserts (fairly trim, great for daytime) - ~$2.50 each
Joey Bunz (very trim, great for long time/nighttime) - ~$5.50 each

[millergirl]

Good, I would hate to buy mediums and then he grow out of them in a month and have to buy more! I am going to talk to Bill and see what he thinks about CDing, I'm sure that he will go for it - he'll try anything once! :lol:


Right now I am thinking - a couple of FB and inserts, a couple of Bumkins AIO, and a couple of Kissaluvs with Bummis SWW covers. Maybe 2 of each? What do you think? Or should I start out with one of each, and just try them? Hmmmm... Decisions, decisions.

[gemanda]

:lol: You're already getting hooked! Cloth diapering can be a disease, I tell ya!

How many you get depends on what your goal is. If you just want to see how they fit him, I'd do one each...you can see what fits, and then go on. If you want to see how you can do with cloth diapering for a day, you'll need 2-3 each.

[millergirl]

I have been hooked for a while now, looking up stuff about them and searching the boards - I guess I should buy some! :lol:


I think I will probably do one of each and try them to see what works best for Andrew. I registered at your site earlier, I am going to go look around there. Thanks for all your help. I'm sure I will be back with more questions! :)

[gemanda]

Not a problem!

And I think 1 each is probably best to start with...there's just so many options, you'd hate to invest in one heavily and then find out that it doesn't work for diddly with Andrew!!

[mommyLil]

I started by getting a few of everything. Now I'm a fuzzibunz fan through and through. My sitter and DH prefer Fuzzibunz over everything else so we're going to focus on those for the next purchase since Nick is growing into mediums now.

For us he was in the smalls for almost 8 months so we definatelly got a huge savings despite the initial investment. Plus I think Cloth works better, we have less leaks and poop overflows with them.