Cloth Diapers?? - Seattle, WA

We use Bumpkins wraps with Chinese prefolds. I've experimented with LOTS of different brands, and this was the best for us. I tried "all in ones" but found them to be more expensive b/c you have to have more of them. With just three outer wraps and a stack of prefolds that fold into thirds and lay in the wrap kind of like a maxipad, we can go a full week before washings. I use disposables for nighttime and outings.

The best advice I have for you is this: do NOT spend money on newborn sized cloth diapers! They outgrow them so fast. Just use disposable for the first 5 weeks or so. Plus everything is just so chaotic those first few weeks. Wait until you've settled into being a mom of two. Then, I strongly recommend visiting a cloth diaper store to get your child fitted. Every brand is such a different fit and babies come in many different shapes. When you do find what you like, Craig's List is a great place to shop as well as consignment stores. You'll also want a short lesson on washing/drying. Corvallis has a great cloth diaper shop if you're anywhere near it. I'm betting Portland has several. There's a bit of a learning curve and upfront investment in cloth diapers, but it's totally worth it in the long run, for the cost and environmental savings.

K.,
I used cloth on my 2 and will on the the next ( due in July) I love cloth because it is cheaper if you dont use a service, it is better for your baby's skin, and not to mention better for the environment. I use disposable as well, for outings or trips.
It is messey ( no matter what you hear) I used liners that resemble dryersheets, I cant remember the name of them but they were flushable, I got them at ethier k mart or target, they made a huge diffrence in clean up. I used gerber prefolded diapers, diaper pins and plastic pants. I kept a bucket ( 20 gal) next to the toilet with some dreft pre mixed in it, I would rinse the solied diaper in the toilet and toss in the bucket, drain it when full then toss all of the daipers in the wash machine.
There are a lot of new diapers and covers like bumZees and such, I felt that they were too expensive, and you have to buy different sizes, I couldnt shell out a grand for a years worth of thier diapers, but it is your choice, dont let anyone make you feel like you need to use one or the other, or make you feel bad for your choice.
The best of luck!

We use Fuzzi Bunz brand diapers. I like being able to double them easily for naps/night. I also like that they pull apart for easy cleaning. I used them for my son and am now using them on my daughter. I love them. I launder them myself and have 18 in each size (S,M,L). Each of my kids wore the S & M for only 3 months each. My son wore the L's from 6 months to just over 3-years-old. My daughter is using the L's right now.

We also use disposables when we travel or sometimes at night.

Good luck.

K.

Oh. I bought them at www.thanksmama.com

I don't know much about cloth diapers, but an alternative which is somewhat the same amount of effort as cloth and makes you feel good about the environment are G diapers. you can get them at Fred Meyer (or so I have been told) I am going to use them with my new one. My biggest thing is that even if you don't flush them (which they can be flushed) you throw them in the garbage and the biodegrade quickly. They have an outside cover and a pad that you replace inside. I am very excited. I have a friend who used them also. She liked them. Check out thier website www.gdiapers.com. Good luck with your decision.

We've been using cloth diapers on our son since he was born (18 months ago). It can be super confusing I think, but he's what we did. We bought the prefold diapers (about 2 dozen works well). We made fleece liners to go in them which helps "fling" the poop in the toilet and keeps him drier. We use a "snappi" in place of diaper pins--cheap and definitely the way to go. Finally we use thirsties diaper covers (we get 4 in a size in different colors so we can keep track of which ones are out of rotation in this wash cycle...if they are just damp they just need to air dry between diapers). They come in fun colors and they are about the cheapest covers and work great--our son is a heavy wetter so these have been a great find. When your baby gets to be about 8 months old you'll probably want to buy new prefold diapers that are larger and more absorbent. We also made wipes out of fleece (we just cut things out...no sowing)...and wet them in the sink when he's dirty and throw the dirty ones in with the diapers. We're poor grad students and have probably only spent $300 on diapers in the last 1 1/2 years--our power bills haven't really gone up much--although we do line dry when we can. I love never running out of diapers--and washing them is so easy--no sorting, just dump them in the wash--half the time they just live in the drier till we need to dry other clothes. It really hasn't been a big deal for our family. Good luck, it's really not that bad--although...we do now keep a spatula next to the toilet for some jobs...so there are moments when it's a little gross.