I have been meaning to write a post about our cloth diapers for some time now, and I am finally getting around to doing it :-)
Why cloth? Our number 1 reason for cloth diapering is to save money. Lord willing, we desire to have more children, and by buying cloth diapers with our first child and using them for any children that follow, we could save quite a bit of money. Did you know disposables cost approximately $1800-$2300 (
this site breaks it down for you) per child! Cloth diapering costs vary depending on what type of diaper you buy, and there are A LOT of options out there! The diapers we are using cost us less than $200. You do have some added expenses for laundering with the cloth diapers, but your total cost of cloth diapers and laundering is still no where as high as disposables. Other reasons to cloth diaper - they are much better for the environment, they are really cute, they hold in messes much better than disposables (I think we have only had to change an outfit from a blowout once with our cloth diapers, compared to the multiple times we have had to change outfits do to blowouts with the disposables), and they don't have any of the harmful chemicals found in disposables. For convenience sake, we do use disposables for traveling and for Sundays.
We are using the
Flip Cloth Diapering System, and we LOVE it! The Flip cover is a one size cover, which means it will adjust from 7-35lbs = will fit newborn through potty training = saves money = happy momma and daddy! The Flip has two different insert options; the Stay Dry inserts or the Organic Prefolds. I ordered one of each to try before making a decision - I REALLY like the Organic Prefolds and I don't care much at all for the Stay Dry insert. With the Flip system, unless the cover gets some poop on it, you simply remove the wet/dirty insert, and you can reuse the cover with a clean insert.
Our diaper stash = we have 5 Flip covers, 13 Organic Flip prefolds, 1 Flip Stay Dry insert (don't like it and almost never use it), 1
Econobum cover with an accompanying prefold (I do like this system, but no as much as the Flip), 1
Grobaby one size cover with snap in soaker pad (I received this set for free, and I DO NOT LIKE IT; we only use it as a back up when all our other diapers are in the wash), 1 dozen
unbleached Chinese prefolds (we use these with our Flip covers), 3 dozen homemade flannel wipes, and a
Snappi .
Here is the little guy all diapered up.
On the top you have our unbleached Chinese prefold (We are probably going to buy a dozen of the next size up in these soon; $27.00 and that should be our final cloth diapering purchase and we will be all set until Jonathan potty trains), and on the bottom you have our Flip organic prefold (you can fold it to fit whatever size you have the cover set for).
Here is the flip cover. The top two rows of snaps are for waist adjustment. The bottom three rows are to adjust the rise.
Here I have the cover snapped for the medium rise setting, which is what Jonathan is currently wearing.
The inside of the cover is lined with a waterproof material, so you can wipe out and reuse the cover if it isn't dirty.
Option #1: Organic prefold. This is super easy - you simply tri fold the diaper, lay it in the cover, lay baby on diaper, and fasten it. These organic prefolds are REALLY absorbent. We use these for night time and for our long naps. Jonathan can go twelve hours in one of these, sleeping on his belly, and still no leaks. When traveling and using a disposable, we always end up with a wet belly, bed, and pajamas if we try to go all night without a diaper change.
Option # 2: Chinese prefold with a Snappi fastener. This took a little practice at first, but once you get it down it is super easy. There are MANY MANY ways to use a prefold; this is just the method that I like because it works for me. I lay Jonathan on the diaper, trifold the front, pull it up to cover him, cross the sides over each other, and use a Snappi to fasten. These unbleached prefolds are super soft, very trim fitting, and do a great job of holding in the breastfed poop and keeping the cover clean.
The Snappi fastener is a great invention! Can we say no more diaper pins :-) The three ends of the Snappi have little curved teeth that grab the diaper and hold it on great. It is slightly stretchy and super easy to use.
Ok Mom, you can stop showing my fat legs to the world now!
After using the Snappi to secure the prefold, you simply place the cover on over it for a nice trim fit.
Can we say FAT ROLLS!
There is form fitting elastic (Can you say, "keeps poop off our clothes!") in the leg openings and across the back of the waist. We haven't had problems with red marks from the elastic in these covers like we did with some others we tried.
What a cute bum!
And a cute boy!
Yep, yep - we like our dipes!
