J.V. asks from Wheaton, IL on April 12, 2009
Frustrated with Cloth Diapers
So after worrying about having to use disposables for a week while visiting my in-laws in Ireland, I have to say that I am so close to just giving up my BGs! I found using the disposables a very enjoyable experience (my god! I carried around my old backpack purse I haven't used since having my daughter, and I could have a whole day's supply of diaper stuff in it!), but I don't really want to give up cloth diapering, so I need some help here.
About 3 months ago, my BG's started to leak. So I stripped them, but then realized that they just were just not fitting right. After dealing with some leaks for a few months, I stopped having issues. But then, last night, after just getting back from holiday, I find my daughter at 2am soaked. I know I need to put new tabs on the diapers, but I'm starting to wonder if I should just try a different diaper? My BG served me well for many months (daughter is 13 months, did use Kissaluv's newborns), but I'm sick of having to deal with leak issues.
Seriously, I am so tempted to stop using cloth. BG are the only diaper's I've tried that I have really liked, and right now I am hating them!
I am going to start potty training this week, so maybe I just need to hang in there, but since I am pregnant again, I really do need a solution or I am afraid I'm going to be a convert to the disposable revolution (no matter how terrible they smell). So tell me moms, what diaper's do you use and love? Have you had any problems with BG? Have you tried the new Fuzz Bunz one size? Do you live with leaks? (I did have two blow ups with the disposables, and I have to say, I've never had one of those with my cloth, but being soaked through isn't that much better!) Any suggestions?
1 mom found this helpful
So What Happened?™
WOW! Thanks everyone for all the great responses. I had no idea that there were so many cloth diaperers out there!
I, of course, am going to keep on cloth diapering. I may start using more sposies for the occasional use, but we shall see. I may even use them at night, if I can't find a solution. Last night I put an extra hemp inset in, and it only wicked a tiny bit. I am going to try a few of the brands you folks have suggested, including getting a few fitted with wool for night time. I am also going to make sure I use my BG 3s at night, and not my 2s. I have mostly 2s, as I got them for a great price right before the 3s came out.
Thanks again!
Featured Answers
M.P. answers from Chicago on April 13, 2009
We use Bottum's Up diaper service and those diapers come with covers that do a good job keeping in the mess. The diaper service is cheap, efficient, and we love it. However, as babies get older I think cloth diapers are just not as good at keeping all the excrement in as disposables are. We LOVED the cloth diapers for my son's first 6 months but now he's approaching 7 months and they're not working as well because he just has more excrement. I think maybe cloth is the definite way to go at the beginning but as the kid gets older disposables are better.
A.M. answers from Chicago on April 13, 2009
You could use disposable night time ones - i think it is night time that the diaper really has to deal with more volume. I will say that as you are pregnant again, the cloth are way cheaper in the long run as you can use the same diapers from child to child. I bought the cloth ones myself - prewashed them 7 times and then never used them. The disposable ones haven't leaked. I have had a few of those ones when little one was very little that were explosive and went up the back but I don't think any diaper would have avoided that. Maybe you can mix and match depending on time of day and situation. It is also true that cloth diapered child do potty train on average a year before disposable diapered children. My little one who will be 2 in a month is potty trained at home. I have her in dresses without underwear and she will run to her potty when she needs to. She doesn't yet understand the notion of running to it if she has anything on. But she will hoosh up her skirt and sit on it and then wiggle her bum and sing the dora "I did it song" when she does anything. Good luck.
More Answers
J.M. answers from Chicago on April 13, 2009
We have been using the Fuzzi Bunz one size for about six weeks now and have had no problems with leaks. We use the hemp inserts at night, which hold more, so she can go longer and still no leaks. My friend has been using Fuzzi Bunz since July (but not the one size) and has not had any problems either. If you want any more info, I'd be glad to share!
T.W. answers from Chicago on April 12, 2009
I can definitely relate to the frustration of those overnight leaks with cloths. After trying about 10 different kinds of cloths, we eventually found a system that worked really well for us. This was also 3 years ago, so there may be much better options now for you to try, but worked for us was FuzziBunz during the day with hemp liners, and for night, we used the very thick oldfashioned liners with pins and a tight fitting knit wool cover. Wool covers were about the greatest thing we ever found in terms of comfort for my kiddo and absorption. My best friend knit them for me at the time, and I learned to knit from her and made my own. Good luck!
M.H. answers from Chicago on April 13, 2009
I'm no help, but maybe with potty training you will need them less and less. That will give you time to fix the ones you have for the next baby.
Lots of mamas sell cd on etsy, hyena cart. If you sew at all, you could join c.d. forum. I know some are on Sewing mamas forum, but I don't know the name of the separate diaper forum.
I just purchased a Jalie pattern, #2907. I'm hoping to make the A version. There was a comment/review on how easy they will be to sew. www.jalie.com (nayyy) My dd is probably on her way out of diapers. We're working on the potty, I've been bad about being consistent, but that's another story. I'd kind of like to use a cd so I can stop buying diapers, and to help her train faster. She's willing, but we've gotten off course.
C.G. answers from Chicago on April 12, 2009
I use BG and I really like them. My baby is a bit younger than yours but I use an extra insert at night and that keeps her dry. Before that she did get some leaks.
I used Motherease Onesize with my first child and I hated them- I thought they leaked constantly. My friend uses Fuzzibuns and BumGenius and likes the BG better.
I love my BG and I am sorry to hear you are having so many problems. I buy mine from www.momsmilkboutique.com the owners are very helpful so if you e-mail them they might have some good solutions for you. Hope things improve- and that your little one takes to the potty quickly.
E.N. answers from Chicago on April 13, 2009
Hi J.,
We used BG's for the first 7 months of my son's life. I generally loved them (even though they were huge on him, they were cute) but he seemed to always have leaks. ALWAYS. No matter how I cleaned them and re-configured them, he always had some degree of leaking.
When he got to about 6 months his legs ballooned up to the wonderful baby-fat stage, and the elastic started cutting into his legs something terrible. So I started looking for something new...
I now use Nature Babycare disposable diapers. They are eco-friendly, biodegradable, and have no chemicals in them. They work well, and contain a full night's wetting without leaking except once in a blue moon when he tosses so much it dislodges the diaper. They are different from other disposables, and a little more expensive, but I get them from Amazon.com on an auto-shipment so I get a substantial discount and free shipping. Plus, it's nice to know that I'm helping with the fact they are eco-friendly. :)
Good luck!
T.D. answers from Chicago on April 13, 2009
Congrats on giving cloth a try! I hope you find a system that works well for you. My son is only 3 months and just recently I experienced the frustration of having to do a middle of the night diaper, bedding and Pj's change because he was soaked when I nursed him after only 4-5 hours. I have tried a number of things, and what works for him (for now!) is a cotton pre-fold with a terrycloth insert that I fold in half and place in the front of his diaper where he wets the most, and a cover. My favorite covers are thirsties, bummis or kushies. He has been dry 6-7 hours with that combination. I have tried the fuzzi bunz and as much I want it to work...it has leaked everytime he has worn it, even after an hour or so. It leaks at the leg...I hope he just needs to grow into a bit.
Good luck! Congrats on the recent pregnancy.
H.S. answers from Chicago on April 13, 2009
I understand where you are coming from. My daughter is 2.5 yrs old and we are doing well in the potty training, but I am really ready to be done with the diapers. We use CPFs and a handful of Motherease One-Size and covers for nighttime. We love them! If you can afford it they are fabulous diapers and covers. Keep up the good work. It is better for your daughter's bottom. :)
J.S. answers from Champaign on April 13, 2009
I use BG's and have had some issues as well, although some are not the diaper's fault. See if any of the following are your issue. BTW, I'm assuming use of the one size pocket diaper here. If you're using the AIO's then I have no idea what to advise.
1. Is the diaper full when you notice the leakage? I had to buy extra inserts (I went w/hemp because they are thinner) and I essentially double stuff all of her diapers. She can fill up a double stuffed diaper in 3 hours easy.
2. If the diaper is not full... is she moving around more (aka walking, etc.)? You may need to adjust the diaper down a size. It may seem like they're riding low.
3. For leakage at the front (this is a prob. w/the 2.0's which they fixed w/the 3.0's) you need to make sure that the insert is about an inch down from the front of the diaper. Also try to make sure the front lays flat (I know this can be tough.
Best wishes and hang there!
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