So I was laying in bed thinking about what my next step was when I first started to look up cloth diapers. Luckily my sister in law had started cloth diapering a few months prior and she was able to give me a good amount of information at the time. After watching the video on "a day in the life of a cloth diapering mom", I realized there were probably so many different options and I needed to figure out what was going to be best for me. Remember this, CLOTH DIAPER REVIEWS! Now obviously it would make sense to try it out for yourself but if you are a first time mom, or you don't have a huge budget...that does not really work for you. So look around on youtube for some great diaper review videos. Im sure if you have started researching cloth diapers you will have heard a few of the big names thrown around like Fuzzibunz or Bumgenius. Keep in mind that while these two cloth diapers are REALLY cute and they are really great diapers! they are not the only ones. There are SO MANY different kinds and these two popular brands might be perfect for you, but then again they might not be. So don't buy until you have looked at all your options.
So how do you know what you are going to need? Think about your budget and think about your situation..are you a single mom? is your husband deployed? do you have access to a washing machine? are you having multiples?
I was alone when I had my first, and I did not have access to a washing machine...which is why I did not feel comfortable cloth diapering back then, but I realize now that it was possible! I just did not have the right information. So considering your situation or your budget you are going to want to look for a diaper that fits into your daily life. Each diaper is designed differently and for different reasons. Now keep in mind that not all diapers you think will work for you, will work for your baby. I've finally decided to try a handful of different diapers. Some I bought out of necessity (used and a great deal!) and some I just REALLY wanted to try.
I have decided to diaper with mostly one size pocket diapers and prefolds. If you do not know what Pocket diapers are, they consist of an outer layer of waterproof material and an inner layer of microfleece (usually the most common material) which keeps baby feeling dry and helps prevent diaper rash. In between those layers you stuff whatever material you wish, to customize the level of absorbency you need. Most pocket diapers come with an insert or two, but you can use anything that absorbs, hemp is also very popular.
Prefolds are a cloth diaper that, like what your grandparents might have been used to using are a flat piece of cloth, they need to be folded around the baby but they have been PRE-folded for a thicker absorbancy pad down the middle. They need to be fastened closed with either pins or a "snappi" and they need a waterproof cover. I decided to go with these two kinds of diaper because I think they are the most flexible in budget and in children's size. Prefolds will be great for the first few weeks because the umbilical cord will not have fallen off yet and some pockets might not fit my baby yet. Prefolds are also much cheaper and you can use a shell (cover) more than once. Pocket diapers (if you decide on ONE SIZE) can fit a child anywhere from about 8 or 9 lbs to 35lbs. They are also closest to being like a regular disposable diaper. There are many many many many webistes that sell various types of diapers and brands. I personally like two online stores the best (probably because you can't really beat free shipping):
nickisdiapers.com and gogonatural.com
this is where I have been getting most of my diapering needs. :)
The best place to look if you are just curious about cloth diapering and have not decided quite yet if it is for you, is the diaper "trial". You can always try them, wash them, or return them if you don't like them!
No comments:
Post a Comment