New to cloth diapers?

If you are just starting out and want more information on cloth diapers, check out my posts in October and November of 2009. This will give you information on types of cloth diapers, washing routines etc..... You are welcome to email me if you have any questions.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

What is the most economical way to cloth diaper a baby?

Today on diaperswappers.com I saw a post where someone was asking a question about whether it would be possible for her to cloth diaper her baby and toddler for $60 or less. She only wants to spend the amount that she spends on disposable diaper in one month. She was asking for suggestions about what kind of diapers/covers would work for this budget.
Well there are a lot of "high end" diapers out there now days that cost upwards of $20 per diaper, so those are definitely out, but you can cloth diaper for very little money these days.
My suggestion was to use flat diapers and Dappi brand nylon diaper covers, using pins or a snappi to secure the diaper. Let see how much this would really cost up front, not including washing costs.
At cottonbabies.com you can get a dozen cotton flat diapers (which fit from infant to toddler depending on how you fold them) for $19 per dozen. Dappi nylon pants are two in a package for $5. And a pair of pins are $1 each. So two dozen flat diapers, three pakages of medium Dappi pants (these fit 20-25lbs, she is diapering a 20 month old, so I am guessing on the size) and one package of size large for the toddler, along with two sets of pins: this would cost exactly $60. They offer free shipping for any size order and sometimes they have coupon codes for a discount off your total purchase. Perfect package for someone on a tight budget. Flat diapers are also the easiest diaper to clean since they are only a single layer of fabric. They can even be hand washed and air dried quickly. Nylon pull on covers are also super easy to hand wash and they dry in a snap. So question answered.


Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Mother-Ease: one of my favorite cloth diaper brands!

Mother Ease is a company out of Canada that manufactures superior cloth diapers and diaper covers. I have used both their one-size fitted diapers and also there sized fitted diapers, called Sandy's, on my daughter Isabelle from the age of about 10 months all the way through potty training.

Their one-size diapers adjust to fit a 10lb baby all the way up to potty training age or about 35lbs. There Sandy's diaper come in 4 sizes. Newborn for 6-12lbs, small for 8-20lbs, large from 20-35lbs and toddler size for 35-45lbs. Most children only need the size small and large to make it through potty training.
Both of their fitted diapers come in several different fabrics. You can pick from a rainbow of colors or white cotton, unbleached cotton, organic cotton (my favorite) and bamboo.

Mother Ease also makes water-proof polyester diaper covers. The "Air Flow"diaper covers are a size snap cover, so curious baby's will find it difficult to undo the diaper cover. The size snaps are positioned in such a way that the cover allows air to ventilate, but is still leak free. They come in white and a variety of pastel colors and prints. Mother Ease also makes velcro wrap diaper covers, all-in-one diapers and a variety of other products. I find Mother Ease fitted diapers and covers to be a good value and they are very effective at containing messes and they are nicely absorbent.

The organic cotton diapers are 100% cotton and while a bit more expensive, I feel like they are the best for my child and for the environment. The conventional cotton , unbleached, colors and bamboo have a small percentage of polyester in them for durability. These diapers wash well and can be tumbled dry or hung to dry.You can read an older post of mine for detailed washing instructions or you can go to www.mother-ease.com for more information.

I hope to become a Mother Ease retailer here in North Carolina sometime within the next few months. I am working on a plan for my own line of handmade children/baby items; diaper bags, cloth baby wipes, wool diaper covers and even some baby clothes. My hope is that I will have these items available in a home based boutique. Offering a line of good quality cloth diapers is also my goal. So watch for future posts about this adventure.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

FuzziBunz Cloth diapers

FuzziBunz cloth diapers are some of the first cloth diapers that I used on my first child, Annabelle. They are called a "pocket" diaper, which is a waterproof outer layer of PUL that is sewn to a stay dry inner layer of fleece. The back of the diaper has an opening for the absorbent layers. They come with a microfiber insert that you "stuff" between the two layers. But you can use other inserts as well. I liked to use a 100% cotton infant size prefold in the diaper. They offer great absorbency and wash very well. FuzziBunz are easy for Dads, Grandparents and child care workers to use because they go on like a disposable diaper and when soiled you just remove the diaper and put on a new one.
They are adjustable in the waist and legs with snap closers that are very durable and longer lasting than velcro/aplix closures.
I would recommend FuzziBunz to new mommas that want to try out an easy cloth diaper. I am also an affiliate for them, so use this link to check them out and order if you wish.
http://sales.myfuzzibunz.com/SH1C