Friday, January 22, 2010

For Danielle:) and anyone else interested...

My friend Danielle asked me some questions about which type of cloth diapers I am using and so I thought that I would just post real quick about that and my experiences so far...

I have some Indian and Chinese prefolds and a couple Bummis covers. I also have some flats but I have no clue how to fold them yet! My friend recommended the prefolds and flats to me because of how inexpensive they are and since you can use them w/out having to get different sizes all the time. I purchased everything from Little Lions. I might also try and use cloth wipes but haven't ventured there yet.

Gracie has been in cloth diapers for 2 days and so far so good:) Only one time did the cover get dirty and nothing has ever gotten on her clothes. I'm getting the hang of the folding and using the snappy and it really doesn't take that much longer to put them on. Even Matt has been helping some:) It gives me some sort of satisfaction every time I put a cloth diaper on her since I know that I am saving money! We haven't used cloth diapers at night yet.. it might be fine but I would like to get a more absorbent cover first before we start that.

I did my first wash load yesterday. This is how I did my cycle based on what my friend told me. 1st cycle just a cold rinse, 2nd cycle a warm wash and 3rd a final cold rinse... They seemed to come out completely clean. I have a nylon bag that I use to line a kitchen sized trashcan which is where I keep all of the dirty diapers until I'm ready to wash. I'm hoping to be on an every other day wash cycle w/ the diapers. I was told that until they start solids you dont have to mess w/ rinsing the diapers yet. When we hit that phase I plan on getting a diaper sprayer which I hear are great!
The main thing I need to get figured out is just a little better system. With using cloth diapers I feel like there is a little more going on in the changing process and I really wish I had a changing table to keep everything on and stored. Before we mostly just used our bed w/ a changing pad to change diapers. I'm hoping to find something used and inexpensive that could serve as both a dresser and a changing table in Gracie's room. I started searching on Craigslist yesterday.. hopefully I will come across something.

If anyone else uses or used cloth diapers what was your system? I would be curious to know. Also which detergent did you use to wash the diapers? From what I hear it is important to use one free of perfumes, dyes, etc... Did you use cloth at night also? Any other tips or suggestions?

7 comments:

Josh said...

Very cute kiddo. I am expecting my 4th in May. Best of luck to you.

Cheers.

Break5 said...

Glad to hear cloth diapers are working for you!! There is a learning curve with them, but it is worth it:) Flats took the longest to figure out how to fold, but I checked UTube for some videos and that helped a lot! You can also check out www.diaperpin.com/forum09 They have a lot of forums and places to ask questions about cloth diapering and anything else you can think of.

Sarah B. (Colorado)

Jessica said...

ooops...cloth diapers give me satisfaction, not sanctification:)

Jessica said...

thanks sarah i'll have to check those things out!

Danielle said...

i got my name in the title! ;)haha...i laughed so hard when i first read "sanctification" but i didn't mention it b/c i knew what you meant. ;) yeah, i definitely liked prefolds the best for the time we used them. so does gracie cry immediately when she gets wet? and you said you don't use them at night yet, but do you use them for naps?

Leslie G said...

Thanks for commenting on my blog! I didn't know you were from Wichita- that's cool! I went to Heights, so it sounds like you were just up the street! Small world.
Your little girl is too cute- I have a niece named Grace. =)

Jessica said...

danielle,
no she doesn't cry when she gets wet.. thats to bad they bothered ella so much! I have been still using the cloth for naps and just last night I used for cloth for bedtime and no leaks! I used a flat diaper and then used a prefold inside the flat to add extra coverage. Gracie had a big ol' bottom but no leaks and she didn't seem to mind. The disposables always leaked on me for her over night so hopefully this will help! Do you think you will try cloth for your little boy? oh and does he have a name yet?:)