How We Do Cloth

Since many of my friends have asked about this, I thought I'd use this space to share about our experience with cloth diapering so far.

I never thought cloth diapers were for me. We used disposables with our firstborn until just at the end when we decided to try cloth to see if we'd even consider it for a future baby. It wasn't as terrible as I thought it would be (even my husband agrees.) We really liked the affordability as well as the benefits to that baby skin. Plus, living in the country where a person's trash is his own to deal with.... well, you get the idea.

I read that "If you launder cloth diapers at home, you can save as much as $1,500 over the entire diapering period. This includes all your diapers, covers, and wash products. In fact, each time you use a disposable, it costs you nearly a quarter. By contrast, home washing can cost as little as five cents per change."

With our firstborn we used Kushies brand all-in-ones with velcro and the wrong detergent (Dreft). They were a hassle to wash with the velcro, and were kind of smelly from the detergent. At least we learned what didn't work.

I did some more researching before our second was born. The choices out there can be overwhelming!

I did try sewing some newborn all-in-ones using recycled material from bedhseets, flannel shirts and bath towels. They  worked fairly well, but he grew out of them fast, and I didn't have enough covers. I didn't like the wool soakers I made from sweaters. They took FOREVER to dry!

This is what we use now. Bum Genius 4.0 Pocket Diapers wash out great in our HE washing machine since they separate into two pieces. I line dry the covers and use this soap.

Here is what I use as far as Washing instructions and here's a little more of the science behind it all. I found it helpful to know.
 
This is also a wonderful thing to have to make the cleaning process easier!!

Sunshine drying and stain removal

This is the wipes solution I have used so far. Just mix it, put it in a spray bottle and use with cloth wipes. It smells really good! I heard that adding a touch of a carrier oil such as apricot really helps out too.

I have seen recipes for homemade solutions that I might try out in the future.

Some great friends of mine sewed me some cloth wipes out of flannel as a baby gift. Baby wash cloths work well too, and who doesn't get a zillion of those as baby gifts! 

For diaper rash I have used coconut oil- from the grocery store because regular creams don't work with the cloth. I have heard that California Baby or Burts Bees will work since they are all natural. We also do baking soda bath soaks to take away redness.
 
When my second was newborn we used disposables for about a month and a half. I was noticing his skin wasn't liking it. I asked a nurse about it and she said, "Oh it's just his skin getting used to the plastic." When we made the switch over, his skin was much happier. It stays that way as long as I change him promptly. 

I still find it easier to use disposables when we go away for the whole day or longer. But for evenings out or short trips a wet bag makes diapering away from home convenient while still using cloth.

Lastly, I should add that we dry pail the diapers. We wash every other day and have 20 diapers total. The whole process works well for us. I still think if we lived in a city, I'd consider a diaper service!

I'd still like to try sewing my own pocket diapers similar to these using a pattern that was shared with me by an inspiring friend who has sewn quite a few for her little ones. It's been a while since I sat down to my sewing machine, though!