Cloth-Diapering for "Dummies"
Crystal – I know I don’t know you very well and have emailed you just a few times, but you are the ONLY person in the world that I know of that is currently using cloth diapers, so I was wondering if you could help me out. I’ve read back through your archives and know that you use FuzziBunz – and I’ve looked at these diapers extensively and currently am planning to use them when our baby comes. I was just wondering if you were still pleased with these diapers, what your likes and dislikes are, if you’ve come across anything better, how many you suggest having, etc. Also, I’m still not entirely sure if I understand the cleaning process. -Tiffany
Tiffany, I can't recommend FuzziBunz diapers highly enough. I'm a very practical, efficient kind of person. Believe me, if I say they are easy, they have to be. :)
My suggestions would be: Don't try to use cloth diapers in the very beginning. Adjusting to being a mom will take some time and adding in the extra step of trying to figure out how to use cloth diapers would have been too much for me. I actually waited until Kathrynne was three months old to begin using them. I would suggest that you at least wait 2-4 weeks to start using FuzziBunz. By then, you'll be more adjusted to nursing (if you are planning to do so) and caring for your baby.
I suggest that you start out with six diapers, six inserts, and, if you can afford it, that you also buy the hanging smell better bag, and the small smell better bag. We started out with only 6 diapers and 6 inserts of the small size. Although this meant we had to do a lot more laundry (we had to wash diapers every night) and it probably defeated the purpose of saving money by using cloth diapers, you can manage with only six diapers. This way, you can try it out and see what you think. If, for some reason, you decide you don't like these diapers (I've never known anyone to not like them, but, it could happen!), then you haven't invested a lot of money in them and you can just sell what you bought on eBay and you'll probably make almost all of it back.
Once you've tried them and decide you like them, I would suggest that you have 12 diapers and 12 inserts in each size. If your baby is small, having 12 each of the small and medium size might be good enough. If your baby is larger, probably you would only need 6 of the small size and then 12 each of both medium and large. Kathrynne only recently moved up to the medium size, but she is quite petite. I don't think she'll need the large size, so we only have smalls and mediums.
The stay-dry liners are another thing which is nice to have -- especially when your baby is little. These are not necessary, but they are a nice addition. I stopped using them recently with Kathrynne because they don't stay in as well when she is "running" all over the house. But they were nice to use when she was still immobile. :)
I tried using the cloth wipes and also the doublers and we didn't find a need for either. I was given so many disposable diapers wipes before Kathrynne was born that I don't think we'll run out before she is potty-trained. I just found that the cloth wipes were an extra hassle for me. I also found that Kathrynne didn't soak her diapers enough at night to need a doubler. But, many children probably would. So, keep that in mind.
One thing I wouldn't want to be without is the smell-free bags. I have one that I hang on our laundry room and stick all used diapers in and a small one that goes in the diaper bag that I stick diapers in when I change Kathrynne while we are out and about. The nice thing about these bags is that they really do keep the smell in and wash the diapers, I just use a very small amount of natural detergent. I start the washer on a hot cycle and then I dump the entire bag of dirty/wet diapers out into the washing machine and then stick the bag in as well. I let it run the normal cycle and then transfer them to the dryer. The inserts take a tiny bit longer to dry, but other than that, it is like running a normal load of laundry. The only thing you need to remember is to only use a natural detergent and to only use a small amount. In addition, never wash FuzziBunz with anything else, the fibers from other clothes could harm them. You can find more care information here.
Does that answer all your questions? Does anyone else use FuzziBunz? If so, we'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences. In addition, if you use another kind of cloth diaper, tell us about those, too!
posted by Crystal Paine at 3:11 PM
14 Comments:
I also use FuzziBunz. I too started using them when my son was about 3 months old. We LOVE them!
Other friends of ours started using FuzziBunz right from the beginning and they rave about them too.
Very user friendly, the babies seem to like wearing them, and they save us tons of money as we live in a remote area and diapers are very expensive.
~Jenny
At the moment we are working on potty training our youngest, but I thank you for the info, because I want to consider using them with the next baby.
I tried using them with my first, but I was still working and I brought her with me...it was just too much of a hassle.
I look forward to doing a few things differently with the next one.
We don't use FuzziBunz, but I'd like to... I haven't taken the plunge yet! I know a few people that do, but most people look at me like I'm crazy when I mention that I'd like to CD. Diapering has changed a LOT over the decades! :)
Thanks so much for your answers Crystal!! Only one thing I missed - not to be too indelicate, but do you put the dirty diaper straight into the bag, or do they get rinsed/wiped off first? Also, is the bag ever cleaned and how do you keep it sanitary? Thanks so much! I really really look forward to using these diapers, breastfeeding, the whole nine yards! I feel so unprepared, so I'm trying to start early! Thanks again! -Tiffany S.
I have tried Fuzzi Bunz. IMHO I don't think they are worth the extra expensive. I have been cloth diapering non-stop for 6 years. I use unbleached prefolds ($1.50 each) and diaper pins. I learned to use pins from the beginning. I have bought a Snappi so I can teach my 8yo dd to cloth diaper. I cover the prefolds with a dappi cover. And even cheaper is buying flat fold diapers. That way you never need to change sizes.
Kendra
Tiffany, thanks for reading my mind. I was just going to send Crystal an e-mail asking the same question!!! ;-)
Crystal, what would you consider a good price to pay for each diaper and/or liner(Ebay or otherwise)?
YOu might want to check into WOnderoos instead of FuzziBunz. They're the same type of pocket diaper, but have extra rows of smaps so you can custom-fit them. They fit a baby from 8-35 pounds, so you don't need to keep buying new sizes. In the long run it'll save you money over buying FBs because you'll only need the one set (although you'll probably have to buy bigger inserts as the baby grows). Wonderoos are around the same price as FBs (around $16 apiece, plus the inserts, although you can buy slightly used ones on Ebay to try them out for less money).
Tas, you can get PUL diaper bags from thisoldbag.com. I have two, and toss the diapers inside it and pull the drawstring shut and the odors are truly contained (I never rinse my diapers). Then when I wash I just throw the bag in with the diapers and wash it, too. (That's why I have two bags--one for the diaper pail and one in the wash.) I've been using this system for several years and am completely happy with it.
A friend showed me your post just a day after I decided to switch to cloth diapers. We ordered some Chinese prefolds and a couple Bummis covers. I wanted the FuzziBunz, though. They were just too expensive. Maybe we'll work our way up to those. What are your opinions on prefolds and Bummis covers? I'm afraid they're going to be terribly bulky.
Thanks for your information!
Beth
So, what about all the poo in your washer? Doesn't it clog your washer up eventually?
TAS -- Sorry for not explaining better, I always wash the bag everytime I wash diapers. Just throw it in with them. :) Dirty diapers go straight in there. While you are just nursing, you won't have to worry about it. When you start solid foods, you just dump what can be dumped into the toilet and throw the diaper into the bag. It might sound weird, but it really does work. Right now, I have Kathrynne in training pants and we're hoping that she's out of diapers very soon (though it's taking longer than I'd hoped to finish potty-training. Oh well!) so that I really don't have to mess with the whole "dumping" thing -- she's only just started eating more than one meal a day so it hasn't been much of a problem. One thing about using cloth is that it is easier to potty-train most of the time since the child is much more aware of when they are wet.
Kendra, we chose Fuzzi Bunz since my husband said I could use cloth as long as there were no pins involved. The thought of sticking pins in the cloth diapers was too much for him. :) But, I'm sure they are cheaper -- they are just not for us. I also think they are more work, since those are what my mom used and they did require more effort.
Liz: We were given ours new, so I'm rather spoiled. Now that I've used them, though, I would definitely be willing to pay full price for them. I think you can get them for $7-8/each on eBay -- at least the last time I looked.
Anonymous, thanks for the tip on Wonderoos. They probably wouldn't have worked too well for us, since Kathrynne is so petite. She was in newborn diapers for a very long time. :)
Beth: I've never used Bummis before. Maybe someone else here has? If they don't work, you can always sell them on eBay and try again!
Martha: No, it doesn't. :)
Hey, have you guys ever heard of The Do It Yourself Cloth Diapering Handbook? It may be helpful for you - it is the most comprehensive guide on diapering available! It's at www.motherhoodnaturally.com/publications.htm
Hi girls, I don't have time to read this conversation, my little guy's due to wake up any minute. But I am really sort of frustrated with cloth diapering. I haven't been using my covers cause they are just too big. And now with the little research I've done lately on line I am starting to think that really his prefolds are too big too. I don't know anybody near by who is doing cloth and I would love some really CLEAR ideas or easy to follow web sites that would have suggestions on what I could do. We really don't have any more money to put into this. Someone told me about knitting wool covers but I have no idea where to finda pattern. Any ideas/suggestions would be a huge help.
I am currently using cloth diapers on my just turned 3yr old (I would LOVE him to potty train but it just isn't happening!) and my 21 month old. I have been cloth diapering since my first baby was born nearly 9 years ago. I have 4 children, the first two were in disposables most of the time but I tried cloth, the last two have been in cloth almost full-time.
I have tried just about everything! Fitted diapers, prefolds, flats, pockets, AIO's, one-size pockets, covers etc etc.
For a newborn I would highly recommend prefolds and bummis wraps. They are cheap and simple to use as well as absorbent. I just fold the prefold into a pad and lay in the wrap. I have small babies so go for prem/nb size and then move up. The tiny prefolds can always be used as boosters or inserts in pockets later on.
Fitted diapers such as kissaluvs are so cute and easy to use also but these take a little longer to dry than the prefolds. Fitted diapers are more "leak proof" than prefolds (when pad-folded that is - they do contain well if you snappi them, no pins!).
Fitted diapers are more expensive than prefolds but you will need more covers if using prefolds as they will tend to get soiled more quickly than with fitteds.
I would go for a miniumm of 12 fitteds and 3 covers, or 12 prefolds and 4-6 covers. Of course the more you have, the less often you need to wash.
For an older baby/toddler I love pockets. I have tried so many of the brands and I have also made many of my own (much cheaper!). I find prefolds shift and bunch up in the cover on a baby who can move around. This doesn't happen with pockets. I use prefolds to stuff my pockets during the day and a combination of hemp and microfibre inserts at night.
Pockets are great because once they are stuffed they are so easy to put on/remove especially for husbands - they won't forget to put a cover over a fitted for example! Pockets have a stay-dry inner layer and a waterproof outer layer and you stuff an absorbent insert into the pocket. The inner layer keeps baby's skin dry. You can buy microfleece and cut up into rectangles (microfleece doesn't fray) to make your own liners for prefolds/fitteds and this helps with clean up too.
For an older baby you can get away with 6-8 pockets as they dry so quickly.
I usually rinse off my soiled diapers and scrub if really soiled (you don't need to worry about this with an exclusively breastfed baby - just throw in the machine). I then wash them with anything else, towels, underwear, other clothing, to fill up the machine. I have a front loader so wash with hot water but when I had a top loader I washed with cold so I would do a rinse first, add all the other clothes, then a full wash and an extra rinse. I always use much less than the recommended amount of washing powder too.
I also dry on the line in the sun as it is a fantastic stain remover and sanitiser.
Cloth wipes have saved me so much money. Probably a couple of $1000 after 4 children! (NZD)
I just buy cheap face cloths and wet with warm tap water before using.
Most cloth diapers have a surprisingly high resale value (on ebay etc) and you can often get back 50% or more of what you paid so consider this when buying your cloth diapers. If you find you don't like a particular brand just sell it! I usually recommend people buy a range of brands on ebay to try before they buy one particular system new.
I have been cloth diapering for almost 12 years straight now (including newborns) - onto baby number eight. I have tried lots of different systems (including those mentioned above) but my favourite is homemade! I made my own two-layer prefolds with burley knit terry and hemp, and some snappiable fitteds from the same materials. For covers, I LOOOOOVE knitted soakers and longies (I just learnt to knit this year and it's wonderful!) You hardly ever even have to wash them!
There's something special about making something for your child.
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