April's Cloth Diaper Low Down

Warning:  This is an INSANELY LONG post about cloth diapers.  So if you could care less about my cloth diaper adventures, then just skip this one!  :)

As you all know by now, I'm a cloth diapering mom.  I touched on cloth diapering, especially gdiapers, in a previous post.  But I thought I'd follow up.

I'm still using gdiapers and I really, really like them.  I have become a super fan.  For those who need a refresher, a gdiaper looks like this:

Cloth cover that Velcros in the back with a snap-in breathable liner inside.

With the exception of the newborn size, in which the liner is built in.

The gdiapers can be stuffed with cloth or disposable inserts (though they recommend using just the disposables for the newborn size).  I used the newborn-sized gdiapers and disposable liners from the second Delano came home from the hospital until he was 5 1/2 weeks old, when he graduated to size Small.  I love the newborns.  They are nice and snug and you can air-dry and reuse the cover again and again basically until it gets poop on it, then it goes in the wash.

Delano is now almost 3 months old and still in a size Small gdiaper.  I thought it was time to switch him to a size Medium, but after two leaky-leg attempts, I determined that he's got another couple of weeks before it's time for the Mediums!

In a nutshell, I love my gdiapers.  I discovered a while back that for Delano, who is a HEAVY pee-er (because he eats ALL the time), that it's best if I always double up the cotton inserts (I use the "hemp sandwich" method recommended on the website) and use a different, thicker diaper overnight.  Do I have the occasional leak?  Yes.  Sometimes Delano will pee so much he soaks the inserts and then it starts to soak the edges of the cover.  But this could also probably be avoided if I made SURE I changed him no later than every two hours, which is the recommended "window" for any cloth diaper.  As for poop, I think we've only had maybe two or three leaks of poop, one being quite memorable while out to dinner that required a clothes change.  Poop does sometimes come out and end up on the edge of the cover, usually around the leg holes, but it very rarely leaves the diaper area itself.  When it's time to take off a dirty diaper, I just pull out the inserts, unsnap the liner and fold the velcro tabs over onto the laundry tabs and toss them all into the diaper pail to be washed.

When we travel, we use the disposable inserts, simply because they are much easier to deal with when you don't plan on incorporating laundry into your trip.  With the exception of nighttime diapers - I use another brand of cloth diaper.  for a short trip, I just toss any dirties into a plastic bag to take home.  For a longer trip, I just use the laundry facilities once or twice to get a new round of clean.

The disposable inserts are like giant maxi pads you stuff into the diaper.  You can opt to toss them or flush them.  They DO have absorbancy gel in them, but they do NOT have any plastic in them.

Delano's leggings, known as "g legs" are also gdiaper brand.  AND ADORABLE!!!

For nighttime, I have two different brands I use:  Happy Heinys and TotsBots.  The Happy Heinys that I have are pocket diapers, which mean that you stuff the inside fleece interior (pocket) with cloth inserts of your choice. They are also considered "One Size", which means you can adjust the snaps on the front to make the diaper smaller/bigger to last until potty training.  I JUST moved Delano to the second snap level last week to make the waistband go higher up on his belly.

One of my Happy Heiny diapers.  I have nine in all different designs/colors.

A website pic description of the inside.

I have discovered through trial and error that I should always stuff Delano's Happy Heiny pockets with two inserts for overnight!  I usually do a thick one and a thin one (a thin insert is usually called a "booster" or "doubler").  I have a range of different inserts that I've acquired of various brands, and these can be stuffed however thick or thin is needed.  But for daytime use, only one insert should be needed if you keep to the 2-hour changing schedule.  These fit nice and snug around Delano's legs, the velcro (aplix) around the waist pulls around nice and snug, and I very rarely have a dampness leak.  And I've never had a poop leak with these to date.  When it's time to take off a dirty diaper, I just pull out the inserts and fold the velcro tabs over onto the laundry tabs and toss them into the diaper pail to be washed.

I only have one TotsBots diaper, and it's an All-In-One (AIO), which means that the insert is attached to the diaper.  The benefit to an AIO is that there are no separate pieces and you don't have to pull out the insert before tossing it into the diaper pail - the insert will unstuff itself all on its own in the wash to be cleaned.  This one works great for Delano, but sometimes babies need to be a little bigger before they can use an AIO, since the nature of the style may not create enough of a seal around the baby's legs until they've got some thunder thighs to work with!

My TotsBots diaper.

What the inside looks like.  The insert just folds right on in.

This diaper is pretty thick all on its own, but you can always stuff extra inserts into the pocket if you feel the need.  You just have to pull the extra insert out before tossing it into the diaper pail.  I haven't tried to see if the attached liner will knock out an added liner in the wash....something to try!

Another brand of diaper that I have accumulated and use during the day is GroVia.  GroVia diapers (as well as gdiapers) are considered hybrid diapers, which means that you can use whatever inserts you want with them and reuse the cover as long as it's not dirty.  Not having to wash a diaper cover every time it's used adds life to it (and less wear).  Both GroVia and gdiapers sells disposable inserts as well as cloth ones.  I have six GroVia covers and I think around eight or nine GroVia brand inserts (they call theirs "soakers").  Two of the soakers are "stay dry" (a cotton/hemp blend) and the rest are 100% organic cotton.  Three of the covers are velcro/aplix (also called "hook and loop" on some brands), one closes with snaps, and the last two are currently useless to me until I replace the worn out velcro tabs.  If I even bother.

GroVia diaper with snap closure.

One of my GroVia diapers with a velcro (aplix) waist closure.

Online description of a GroVia.

I like these just fine, and they're more slender in the crotch area than the Happy Heinys or TotsBots. GroVia inserts/soakers are also different in that the soakers themselves have elastic in them to fit around your baby's legs.  GroVia diapers are also considered "One Size" with adjustable front snaps to grow with your baby.  I do think I like the "stay dry" soaker better than the all-cotton ones....they seem to absorb more.

Inside of one of mine with the organic cotton soaker.

Snap closures on cloth diapers are really popular nowadays, because snaps won't wear out like velcro.  But I have discovered that I like velcro better because it's SO much easier to close, at least to me.  I already resold all but one of the snap closure GroVia covers that I bought to try.  I kept the one above to see if it grows on me over time at all!  But as long as you treat your velcro the way it should be treated, it should last a LONG time.

This is an AIO GroVia diaper.  I had two of them but resold them because I didn't care for the snap closure.  I know that people love them, but I felt like it was a pain in my ass.

This cutie patootie diaper is mostly for show.  As soon as Delano can lay on his belly and hold his head up, I plan to take pics with him in this diaper! (This is the back)

I've also got eight Dream Eze diapers (that I believe were made by GroVia or by their former name, GroBaby).  They are super-thick AIOs with basically three levels of absorbancy.  They're meant for overnight use and they do need a cover (any cover at all).  I thought about reselling them because they have snap closures, but then thought that maybe by the time Delano can wear them I'll like them.  If not, I can sell them then.  I can't bring myself to sell them now because I've only seen them listed ONCE.

Dream Eze.

Inside view.  Two thick flap insert layers and then the outside diaper layer makes for a THICK diaper.

I also have an adorable little handmade diaper cover that a lady gave me.  She did a good job.  It works well, especially with a GroVia soaker tucked into it.  I just don't have a picture of it at the moment, and Delano is currently wearing it!

I've gone through a couple of other diaper brands that either just didn't work for me, or I just went with something that I felt was working better on Delano.  I used to have nine BumGenius diapers.  This is a very popular brand and they are extremely similar to the Happy Heinys.  You can get them with snaps or velcro - I had the velcro.  I simply chose the Happy Heinys over the BumGenius ones because I personally liked them better.

One of the BumGenius diapers I still have left to sell.

A few other diapers I bought and resold (or plan to):

A Flip diaper.  I didn't like these at all, but they are also a popular brand.

These were just huge on Delano and I couldn't seem to get the fit right.

Thirsties pocket diapers.  I loved the double elastic leg holes (gussets), but Delano had a lot of leaks in these.  But my friend Laura uses these with both her kids!  Shows how every baby is different.

These are known as "woolies".  I didn't even try these out.  Woolies take a whole other kind of commitment and care that I decided to skip out on.

Those 2 cotton newborn-sized Mother-Ease diapers actually fit REALLY well.  They have to be used with a cover, though I never used those 2 covers they came with.  They were huge, as you can see.

Three unknown brand diaper covers and one Econobum diaper cover.  Totally didn't need.

I also had three medium-sized Sposoeasy AIO diapers (not in that color).  They were too big for Delano to try out, but good Lord you can see how many diapers I already have......

So that makes up the jist of the stash I have gone through.  As you can tell, I became slightly obsessed!!  Overall, I still own way more diapers than a diapering mom needs to own.  But at least I'm not this lady:

Oh wait....maybe I kind of am. 

Of course, I already have a massive stash of Medium-sized gdiapers, liners and cotton inserts, ready for the next stage of Delano's life!  And since all of my other ones are "One Size" and therefore will fit him until he's out of diapers, I am SUPER set.  Until I need to stock up on Large gdiapers, that is.  However, all I'll need at that point are the covers, since the Medium and Large liners and inserts are the same.  ;)

My Medium gdiaper stash, ready for action.

Oh and I also have five Medium Simplex AIO diapers, which are just waiting for Delano to try out, because he NEEDS MORE DIAPERS.

Aren't they so cute, though?

My diaper changing station currently consists of a changing table, three baskets of diaper accessories, a box of organic biodegradable wipes, a trash can for wipes, a laundry hamper, a diaper pail and an extra diaper pail liner.  And Febreeze.  Because the diaper pail sometimes smells like DEATH when I open it.  The drawers have other baby items like medical stuff and diaper rash creams, thought the only diaper rash cream that I have that can be used with cloth diapers is the California Baby brand (which says "cloth diaper safe" on the tube).  The rest contain petroleum, which will coat the cloth and reduce the absorbancy.  BUT, Delano doesn't get diaper rash with cloth diapers anyway.  So yay!  Another fyi....don't use bleach with cloth diapers.  You might think you should (omg they have POOP on them!!), but don't.  That's a harsh chemical against your baby's booty that could cause problems.  And your diapers will come clean without bleach!  I promise....I've been washing cloth diapers for 3 months!  Need a trick or two for stains?  Just ask.  :)

High-tech changing station.

Basket #1 contains pre-stuffed and ready-to-go Happy Heinys, TotsBots and GroVia diapers.

Basket #2 contains gdiaper cloth covers and snap-in liners.

Basket #3 contains cloth inserts.

Another adventure I plan to attack starting this week is cloth wipes.  I have a self-made "starter kit", I just need to get it together.  I bought a pack of 30 thin reusable wipes at Bed Bath & Beyond for $4.99, and just recently bought some Baby Oil and Brommer's Baby Soap to make a wipe mix in a spray bottle.  I've read all sorts of advice for using cloth wipes.....some people use fleece (some say DON'T use fleece), some use terry cloth, some use organic cotton....some spray the wipes directly with solution, some spray the baby's butt and then wipe, and some soak their wipes in a container and pull them out like they would disposable wipes.  And there are LOTS of wipe solution recipes out there.  I'm going to try the spray bottle method first with a very simple solution.  And if the wipes I bought are awful, I'll try a different material.  But since I'm using cloth diapers, I may as well use cloth wipes!  Given that they are currently the only "waste" I create when it comes to diapering, I can eliminate that to produce ZERO waste!  I'll just toss them in the diaper pail with the diapers and all will be well!

Somebody's cute handmade cloth wipes.

Using an empty disposable wipe container to soak cloth wipes.

To wrap this up (FINALLY, right??), I have a lot of diapers.  Haha that's not really my wrap-up.  My real wrap-up is this:

1)  Cloth diapering is intimidating at first.  It really is, especially if it's a foreign topic and you have no idea where to start.  But if you're interested in it, you can start it at ANY time.  Even if your child is 2 and you think "well it's too late, I've already used disposables for 2 years....", it's NOT too late!  Instead, you can think of it as better late than never.  As in maybe you used disposables for 2 years, but this last year or so, you're going to try something new, for whatever your reason may be.  Or maybe you decide to do half and half to reduce waste without committing to ALL the time.  Whatever works for you is a step in the right direction.

2)  Cloth diapering takes trial and error.  Maybe you commit to a brand right away and love it (lucky you!!).  Maybe you experiment with different brands (like me).  Maybe all it takes to fix a leak factor is an adjustment with the inserts you're using.  But if something doesn't seem to be working, don't give up.  Toy with what you have before you toss it out the window.  What I like, you may HATE.  Or you may end up with good advice for someone having a certain issue with their diapers.  And if you have an issue and need advice, Google it.  You can literally Google ANYTHING.

3)  Cloth diapering takes time and getting used to.  It's easy to wash diapers, but the diaper pail takes getting used to.  Separating diaper parts and making sure your velcro parts are secure before washing them takes getting used to.  Doing diaper laundry every 2-3 days takes getting used to.  The trial and error factor takes getting used to.  Stuffing pocket diapers to get them ready for when you need them takes more time than you think it would (but having them ready to go beats having to stuff them on the spot.  Plus it decreases complaints from your other half when all they have to do is PUT IT ON.).  Making sure you've got what you need in your diaper bag takes getting used to, since you'll always be leaving with what you take with you.  But it's just like learning to do anything new - you learn, and it becomes easy!

4)  Cloth diapering means money up front, but then little to none after that.  Cloth diapers CAN be pricey.  Especially brand new.  But once you've bought what you need, you're done!  And trust me, you need NOWHERE NEAR my stash.  I have an overload of diapers.  But I couldn't help it.  Especially when I would see an awesome deal on Ebay, even when I needed not a single more diaper.  Which brings me to my last point....

5) If you don't mind purchasing "used" items, EBAY IS YOUR FRIEND!!  Almost ALL of my stash came from Ebay.  And that's where I've been reselling my overstock (and unliked items).  And ALL of my listings have sold.  Cloth diapers sell like hotcakes.  Because people don't want to pay the expensive "brand new" prices.  So buy your diapers on Ebay.  Seriously.  But here are a few key details to note (or ask the seller about if the ad doesn't mention it):  Find out the condition of the velcro and elastic.  You want both to be in great condition, unless you have no problems replacing either (you can buy replacement kits for like $1, but you need to know how to sew, or WANT to).  I found this out the hard way.  I have a stack of gdiaper covers with pretty much dead velcro tabs, which renders them useless unless I fix them.  But it's my fault for not asking.  Nobody lied in the ad.  Also, you can ask about diaper rash cream usage if you desire.  A lot of people have no idea you shouldn't use diaper rash cream with cloth diapers.  When you buy something from Ebay, wash it before you use it.  Not because it's dirty, but because you want your baby's booty to be exposed to a soap you know won't break him/her out.

I don't have all the answers, as I am only 3 months in to cloth diapering.  I still haven't had to deal with solid food poops.  But I wouldn't change my decision to cloth diaper for the world.  And from what I've heard, a solid food poop is incredibly easy (and usually less messy than a breastfeeding poop), just takes an extra step.  That is a blog for the future, I PROMISE.

One of the cutest pics EVER of a baby in a gdiaper.

Another cute gdiaper baby!!