lots of people have asked me details about cloth diapering, so i decided to add this to our site.... happy reading!

BASICS:

we started cloth diapering when ariana was 3 months old, and i was totally lost as to the different kinds, etc. thank goodness i had amy around to help guide me! now it’s my turn to try to help other mamas figure out the world of CDing...

1. *there is an initial investment (we spent $150 ish with ariana doing mostly prefolds at home, and AIOs out), then pretty much nothing until the baby outgrows the size initially purchased (unless you find that adorable one you gotta have!). but there are so many cute diapers out there, and i have a very simple stash compared to many!
   

2. *cloth diapers do have resale value, and i've sold most of my old dipes online. there's a website called diaperswappers, that's a forum, but i've bought and sold lots of dipes, trying to figure out which kind i like and what works the best for us. i love spots corner on hyenacart also for used goodies.
   

3. *a lot depends on the size and build of your baby. what works great for one doesn't for another. my 11 month old was VERY petite, wore 6-9 month clothing, so some style dipes don't work for us.
   

4. *considerations for newborns- most cloth users just use prefolds for newborns, because they go through so many. we didn't start cloth until 3 months with ariana, but with kara, we started at about 3 weeks. we did mostly prefitteds and covers, and AIOs when we went out. it's cheaper to do the prefold way until they are more established in a size. we have a friend who is 18 months, and he's in the same size he was when he was 6 months (med). so these dipes do last a long time.
   

5. *how many? depends on how often you want to do laundry, and how stinky you want the wetbag to get! for kara, as a newborn, i had 24 prefitteds, about 6 or 7 covers, and 6 AIOs. for size small for ariana, we had about 15 PFs, 5 covers, and 6 AIOs, mediums, the same. this time, with kara, we decided we put in our dues with the prefolds, and splurged to get an all-AIO stash. we have right now about 15 AIOs that last us usually 3 days.
   

6. *disposables at all? yup. we use disposable diapers at night and on trips. my choice is 7th generation chlorine/bleach free.
   

BENEFITS TO CLOTH DIAPERING:

Environment, baby, cost are my top 3 reasons. here’s why:

*after 8 months, considering the cost of diapers, the additional water and electrical usage for washing and drying, we figured a savings of $400. now that we CD’d ariana all the way through potty training, and kara for 9 months, i’m sure it’s much more.

http://www.eartheasy.com/live_clothdiapers.htm

TYPES OF CLOTH DIAPERS:

AIO (all in one) or AI2 (all in 2).  no cover is needed- outside is PUL (polyurethane) and inside is all the cloth layers, various different materials. the thick part can be sewn in, snapped in, or just laid in the diaper. these range in price from $15-$50 each. they make them plain, with designs, personalized. we use these when we are out- makes it easy for a quick change, no covers to deal with.

prefolds- these are the "old fashioned" diapers. they need a cover. there are chinese prefolds, indian unbleached, and flats. they need a snappi (link at bottom) or pins (i don't use pins) to hold together, and a cover. cost $1-$10 each, again depending on if youwant plain or decorative) we use these at home- this is the most cost effective way to go.

fitteds- these are all material, one piece, no cover included, and needs some sort of cover to make water proof. they are like prefolds, but they usually snap or velcro closed (and often have pretty designs). price varies.

prefitteds- prefitteds are prefolds that are turned into fitted diapers, usually without the snap or velcro. we did this the second time around with kara. easier to use than prefolds, but less pricy than the fitteds. just use a snappi, bsww, and go. you just have to either buy them already converted, or find someone to convert them for you. i went to tinkletraps

pockets- i don't like these- it's basically a shell cover, and you stuff the inside with a prefold. too difficult in my opinion. i don't know much about these, except that i have a couple and never use them. (ok since originally writing this, i started using OBB marathon pocket dipes, and love them. more for the trimness, not for the pocket part. i still hold that they are annoying to stuff, and i wouldn’t use any other pockets than the marathons.

COVERS:

wool- there are tons of wool covers- knitted, crocheted, pull on panties like, etc. the most common is "longies", which are wool pants like this: http://www.aubreydoodlepants.com/ or shorts, or the like. wool is pretty expensive, because, well the yarn is pricy, and someone knits it up,which is labor. they are super cute though :)

fleece- same as above, but not knitted

pul covers- i have supper bummis whisper wrap, a PUL velcro close cover. there are lots of other brands, type in “cloth diaper cover” into google and you’ll find a plethora.

wipes- most WAHMS (work at home moms) stores carry cloth wipes.

BAGS

we use a wetbag, not a pail. it's a big zippered bag that has the PUL lining, and a pretty outside. it's pretty stinky when you open it up, but otherwise, there's no scent. there's also deo discs and powder that you can add to it. here's where i got mine: http://hyenacart.com/SMJAE/index.php?c=12... you can also use a pail.

WASHING

ah- and laundry. i have enough to go about 4 days, but i will usually do 3 days if the bag starts to reek. i do a rinse in cold water w/ vinegar, then wash on hot (i turn the water heater up for dipe laundry) and tumble dry. when it's sunny, i'll air dry the aios for the first part, then finish in the dryer so they are soft. prefolds i only do in the dryer.

LINKS FOR THE GOODS:

www.hyenacart.com - this is a forum, shops, amazing place, very supportive. lots and lots and lots of cloth stores, etc. great place to get cloth diapering support, suggestions, etc. also with natural parenting, attachment parenting, and the like.

www.diaperswappers.com- the diaper swapping place i mentioned above.

www.thebabywearer.com- not cloth diapering, but a great place to learn about all the different baby carriers- i frequented this forum too a lot to find my favorite carriers.

www.cottonbabies.com- where i got most of my prefolds, and lots of other accessories, like the snappi to hold the prefold together.

MY FAVS

www.lucyshopechest.com these are my favorite for AI2s, they fit ariana great, and are very reasonably priced.

olive branch baby marathons- no longer being made, but you can still find some used on HC or DS

nana’s bottoms- loved these AIOs for the newborn stage- i’ve never tried them for the larger sizes, but i’m sure they’d be great!

www.hyenacart.com/inspired  great fleece covers

www.verybaby.com i like VB hybrids- trimmer in between the legs

unbleached indian prefolds from cotton babies or green mountain diapers

bummis super whisper wrap purchased from cotton babies

updated 2007, 2010