Thinking About Cloth Diapering? Read this! (But get a snack and get comfy...) part 2

guest post by Crystal Biehl

(you can read part 1 here)…

Cleaning is Easy!
Cleaning them is seriously not bad at all. You will want a cloth diaper pail liner--I recommend you buy 2 Bottombumpers pail liners.  They are awesome.  And when you change the diaper, you rinse it off, ball it up, throw it in the pail and on wash day, I just grab the pail liner (full of the diapers) and dump it into the washer and throw the liner in.  I don't have to touch the diapers.  I recommend 2 so you have one available while you wash the other.

The Scoop on Poop
I mean, it's poop so it's gross, but ultimately, it's your kid.  You know what is in the poop! Mark made me a diaper sprayer--here's the link on my blog to how to do it.

Washing Your Diapers
Washing them is easy--you just do a cold wash, then a hot wash with an extra rinse.  That's it.  And you use the cheapest detergent you can find--we used Purex for a long time.  I just started using actual cloth diaper detergent and it's awesome-- it was 10 bucks for the bag and it's lasted me 2 months so far because you only use 1 tablespoon of it per wash load (less for an HE washer).  SO I do recommend using cloth diaper detergent--it's just as cheap as Purex and works better since it's made for cloth diapers.  I like Lulu's In the Fluff.  Also, I line-dry it all--the sun takes out any stains and leaves everything bright white! If you don't have a line, a rack works too!

They do make flushable liners if the thought of spraying off diapers grosses you out. 

Cost
As far as sales go, there are sales off and on throughout the year--especially around holidays (labor day, memorial day, etc.).  You might see things called "Seconds" sales and that means that the diaper has a little defect but still works great--these are super cheap if you can find them.  I would just search the brand you want to buy + sale. Sometimes you get buy 5 get 1 free or 10% off.    It's just a matter of searching and seeing who has the best deal (package deals, free shipping, etc.).  Also, lots of places, like Doable Diapers, have rewards systems set up! So, spend and earn dollars to buy more diapers!

Other Info
Cloth Wipes--you are going to want to use cloth wipes--you'll save money and you can just throw them in with the diapers.  You do have to spray them off when you start solids, but it's not a big deal.  If you are crafty, you could make your own out of flannel.  I'm not crafty so I buy these ones:  Tree Huggin' Designs cloth wipes.

Wet Bag-- this is a bag you use when you are out and about.  You just put the dirty diaper in it and you don't have to worry about it.  I buy mine from Tree Huggin Designs but you can find all types of them--just search cloth diaper wet bag! Or you can make your own!! Or just use Ziploc bags!

You will probably want to buy at least 30 diapers--this will get you through 3 days (washing on the 3rd--with 1 kid).  I have around 40 and I can go 4 days in between washing!! It's awesome . Cloth diapers are an initial cost upfront but you will spend hundreds compared to the thousands you'd spend on disposables.

Summary
I know it's a lot of info--but don't be overwhelmed.  Just start simple and expand your stash.  

I will tell you that people who have not used cloth diapers will think you are crazy--but I think it's crazy to spend thousands of dollars on disposables that you throw away.  I love that only cotton touches Collin's butt. I know we were all raised in disposables, but it just feels good to put him in cloth, you know?  Also, everyone thinks cloth diapering is pins and plastic pants but it is not that anymore!

Cloth diapering really is easy!  If you are worried about daycare, just check the laws.  Often, it just says the diaper has to be in a sealed bag/container--in which case, a wet bag would work.  They also make cloth diapers that have throw away inserts--I've never used them but I've heard good things-- they are called hybrids--there are several brands to choose from.

My last bit of advice is seek out other cloth diapering mommas! There's a #clothdiapers chat every Monday night on Twitter.  There are TONS of Facebook pages and blogs devoted to cloth diapers! But be warned...you will become a fluff addict!

Hope this was helpful! Welcome to the Wonderful World of Fluff!

 

Crystal is a SAHM to one handsome little man.  She lives with her hubby out in the country, and wouldn't have it any other way.  She started cloth diapering Collin at birth and has never regretted it! Besides her love of fluff, she enjoys skiing, snowmobiling, baking, and any activity outside! You can read more about Crystal at her blog, Biehl Adventures.

 

Please note: Doable Diapers recommends that you follow the manufacturer guidelines for care & washing of your diapers.  Please refer to our list here.

Thinking About Cloth Diapering? Read this! (But get a snack and get comfy...) part 1

guest post by Crystal Biehl

 

Lately, I have been getting several emails from expecting mom friends wanting to know about cloth diapers.  They see the cute pictures of my little man in his fluff and want to know more! I've actually compiled a standard email I send out with all the things I've learned over the last 10 months! I thought it would be fun to share it as a blog post! So, read and let me know what tips you would share too!

 

Brands
I've won several different brands that I love--I recommend most of them.  Here  are my all time favorites-- bumGenius, Softbums, Babykicks, Pixie Poppits, Lollidoo overnight eco-pocket, IttyBittyBums. 

 

A little about each brand--all of these are One-Size fits all except Ittybittybums:  (I won some Rumparooz cloth diapers but haven't tried them yet--I've heard great things so I will let you know). 

 

One Size Diapers
BumGenius OS:  They make these in Velcro closures (also called Aplix) and also snaps.  Don't be afraid of snaps.  I was and I wish I hadn't been.  They are super easy to use.  Even the Hubs would agree.  The Velcro tends to look a little worn 9 months in...it's still super sticky and works great, just doesn't look as good.  These come in a pocket style--that means you put the insert inside the diaper pocket. 

 

 

Softbums: These are cool because you adjust them with hidden drawstrings.  I won one of these and now I wish I had more of them.  These are called an All-in-2 because you just snap the insert into the diaper--no pocket to stuff an insert into.  Also, these adjust to fit a 5 lb. newborn! BumGenius OS fit starting around 10 pounds.  Honestly, Softbums are my number 1 favorite diaper.  Hands down.

 

Babykicks:  These are side-snapping diapers and I just really like the way they fit Collin.  A great fit on a chunky baby. I especially like the soft fleece leg gussets! Very gentle on the skin!

 

Lollidoo Overnight Eco-Pockets:  You are going to want probably 3 of these once your baby gets bigger and pees more at night.  These are amazing night time diapers.  Collin will wear it for 12 hours, have a big poop, and nothing leaks out.  They are really soft and just awesome.  But they cost 32 bucks a piece--I know, expensive, but worth it, I promise.  I actually have 4.

 

Pixie Poppits:  These come in Velcro and snaps.  They are made in Australia so they will tend to cost more.  But the fabric they are made out of is awesome.

 

Sized Diapers
IttyBittyBums:  A girl on Etsy makes these.  I love them and they are only 10 or 11 dollars a piece.  They come in Velcro and snaps.  These come in sizes though.    They are called All-in-2 because you just lay the insert in it.  No pocket stuffing.  I actually plan on buying lots of these for my next newborn...some day!

 

Save Money!
I DO recommend one-size fits all just because it will save you some money in the long run.  Plus, in the beginning, there were days where Collin would wear the diaper at one size and then I'd have to change it part way through the day. He was a growing boy! And, if you go with Softbums, they WILL fit your baby at birth.

 

 

Crystal is a SAHM to one handsome little man.  She lives with her hubby out in the country, and wouldn't have it any other way.  She started cloth diapering Collin at birth and has never regretted it! Besides her love of fluff, she enjoys skiing, snowmobiling, baking, and any activity outside! You can read more about Crystal at her blog, Biehl Adventures.

 

Come back tomorrow for part 2!

FuzziBunz: Perfect Size or One Size?

 

We shared here about the FuzziBunz Factory Overstock sale on Perfect Size pocket diapers.  Some of you may be curious… “Why should I buy a sized diaper when I could buy a one size diaper and use it from birth to potty training?”

I started cloth diapering with some prefolds and six small sized FuzziBunz diapers.  I loved (and still love) my sized FuzziBunz!  The one size diapers were just debuting when I started my stash, and the reactions seemed to be mixed. My daughter just turned 11 months old, and she is still wearing the small size. 

I do have a couple of one size diapers added to my stash.  They new FuzziBunz one size diapers. are a big improvement over the first version!  But, I still like the fit of my Perfect Size diapers better.  Most children potty train from the medium, so if you elect to use Perfect Size FuzziBunz, you will likely only need to buy two sizes of diapers.

Here are a few reasons you may want to consider the Perfect Size FuzziBunz.  And…at only $14.95 per diaper, you will likely never see the price lower!

• Easy to use and adjust - just snap on and off
• Trimmer fitting than most one size diapers
• Snug fit to control leaks
• One step diapering system – no adjusting needed. This is one of my favorite features!  There are no snaps down the front to come undone when I am diapering, there is no elastic to tuck in.  They are indeed the perfect size, and need no adjustments!
• Perfect Size can fit newborns straight from the hospital without added bulk.  I have not had the opportunity to try a one-size diaper on a new born.  But I do know that these diapers don’t have any excess bulk!
• Can be used as a swim diaper
• Fast and easy
• Truer more custom fit.  Especially if you have a hard-to-fit baby, you will likely find that the one-size-fits-all feature of one-size diapers doesn’t hold true for every baby.  If one-size diapers are not fitting your baby well, consider the Perfect Size FuzziBunz!
• May last for several years and several babies as you are not using as long as the one size.  Since you will use the smalls for a certain period, and then move up to mediums, your small diapers will be in better shape for the next child.  Using one-size diapers is a cost effective and budget friendly option, but due to constant washing, your diapers may not hold up for all of your children…it depends on how many you have!
• Better for heavy wetter’s because there is more crotch room to stuff overnight inserts.

Let me clarify – these diapers are not being discontinued – the factory just needs more room to house the popular one size diapers.  These best sellers are on a factory sponsored special price of $3 off per diaper.  The savings couldn’t be better!

Check them out on our website!  The Perfect Size diapers come in the same great colors as the one-size diapers, and they have the FuzziBunz backing and quality that is the gold-standard in cloth diapering!

bumGenius Artist Series is released!

Welcome the bumGenius Artist Series diapers.  This first series by Chelsea Perry is called “Tiny Socialite”.  The response seems very mixed on the social network pages.  It seems that you either hate these, or love them.  I personally like them, but mostly the Eiffel Tower print.  I am diapering a girl, so I’m sure that’s why these appeal to me!

Here is the announcement of the new diapers, as well as answers to your questions:

I think that the colors need to be clarified.  To me, it appears that each one has white in it, except for the “Jet Setter” print.  That is not the case.  Here are the descriptions from the Cotton Babies blog:

Concrete Jungle is Red over Sweet (pale green)

Eiffel Tower is my favorite in the series – Black and White

Free Spirit is Clementine over Noodle (cream)

Jet Setter is Dark Purple and Blue/Twilight – this is the hardest one for me to see based on the picture!

Retail Therapy is Teal over Lavender

These diapers will ship from the manufacturer beginning November 16th.  They are available for preorder on our site.  You can purchase them individually at $19.95 each, or in a package containing one of each print (5 diapers) for $96.75.  Use code ARTISTSERIES to receive free shipping on these diapers.

One final note…I saw a lot of complaints about the price increase.  I just want to point out that almost every cloth diaper manufacturer adds a small amount to the price when moving from solids to prints.  $1-2 extra is about average from what I have seen.  I was surprised to see so many complaints on this topic.

Have a comment?  Like ‘em or hate ‘em?  Can’t wait to get them?  Leave a comment and share your thoughts and feedback!

Rumparooz new prints are here!

 

Last Friday Rumparooz introduced two new prints to their G2 One Size Pocket Diaper line.  The first is Eco Owl, and the second is Robotronics.  We are looking forward to more great Rumparooz products this fall – 12 new items in total!

The Eco Owl says “Whooooo Loves the Planet”

Robotronics is great for the little man in your life!

Order yours at Doable Diapers!

Rumparooz G2 One Size Diaper Review

guest post by Jessica Holm

Recently, we were able to avail ourselves of the opportunity to test a snap version, Rumparooz brand diaper.  This was the first occasion we had experience diapering with a pocket diaper style, and Rumparooz sold us on their product.  We were immediately impressed with the diaper for its wonderful softness and moisture wicking abilities. 

Fit 

After placing the diaper on our daughter for the first time, we felt at ease that she was crawling around in a truly comfortable fitting diaper.  Our daughter is 10 ½ months of age, about 28 ½ inches in length, and weighs about 17 lbs.  She has a very long waist that, at times, may be difficult to fit properly, but the Rumparooz accommodates for her length as well as her slimness in waist and legs quite nicely. 

Versatility

The versatility in the microfiber soaker, or 6R soaker, is a definite plus.  In addition, we were pleasantly surprised at how quickly the cover dried on the line.  The soakers also dried easily on one reasonable timed dryer setting.  Rumparooz is unquestionably a GREAT product that is worth the investment. 

Quality

As a seamstress, I recognize the quality job in the stitching from the double stitching along their signature inner gusset, to the attention to detail in elasticizing the end of the diaper to help it secure the soaker pad inside and to prevent the material from having to be tucked in at each diaper change.  There is no doubt that Rumparooz placed much thought into the design and functionality of their product.  Below are some qualities that we felt would be helpful for others  during my experience in using the diaper. 

Less Desirable Features:

• The snaps – I believe it would be beneficial if Rumparooz would add an extra row on the tabs for the initial positioning on baby.  It would also be nice if the snaps were a bit stronger in their hold. 
• Transferring of pee onto PUL material – the diaper did work well at night although I did notice that during an average of an 8-9 hour night, the pee pee would transfer onto the  PUL material on the front cover each time.  It didn’t seem to penetrate her clothes, but mostly remained on the cover. Our daughter is a heavy wetter.  So this must be taken in consideration.
• Fibers are not organic or all natural – this is what I prefer, but the downside is that you lose the great moisture wicking abilities.
• It is not grandparent/babysitter friendly – The awkward snaps make it a bit difficult for an inexperienced cloth diaperer

Most Attractive Features:

• Wonderfully soft
• Great wicking of moisture away from baby’s skin- no dampness on skin after all night and after naps
• 3 snap row settings – Has an extra row in comparison to other brand named diapers, this accommodates smaller sized babies
• Soaker pad – versatility in positioning it for girls, boys, newborn, heavy wetters, etc.
• Rumparooz comes in a snap version- much more difficult for baby to take off
• It contains wetness well at night and nap time
• The inner gusset – great in containing messes
• Great fit - It hugged her bottom quite slimly considering the bulk of the two soakers put together.
• Line dries fast – soakers dry quickly in the dryer as well
• No red marks upon taking the diaper off
• Love it’s “cute factor”
• Affordable – when examining the alternatives

Doopsy SD Winner

 

During the month of September, all purchases were entered into a drawing for a free Doopsy SD pocket diaper.  For every dollar purchased you got one entry into the drawing.  Entries were made in the order that the purchases were made.

The winner is #21, which fell in the order from
Carrissa Stalcup!

Carrissa wins a Doopsy SD diaper in her choice of in-stock colors.  Please email iwon@doablediapers.com with your address and color choice!  Winner has 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.