As I continue with Cloth Diapering 101 I would like to discuss the ones I prefer to use.
When my son was very young it was easier to use the prefolds because they seem to fit well. I just would have to change the prefold and I could use the same cover. And I had alot more prefold than regular cloth diapers.
I found that the older he got the harder it was to get the prefolds on him without leaking. So this is when I started using the regular cloth diapers. I fould that I also prefer the diapers that are only one size over the ones that grow with the baby. I found that they are a better fit around the legs and did not leak as much as the diapers that could grow with the baby.
There are two different kinds of diapers that grow with the baby. There are ones that are just 2 sizes (duo) Then there are ones that can go from infant to toddler (Small to large). I did have a few of both kinds and found that the duo diapers worked much better than those that were several sizes. I found the ones that were several sizes only fit my son the best when they were on the biggest setting. So I had to wait till he was over 1 year old to use any of these diapers.
I also like the ones that snap together rather than the velcro, because I had a problem with the velcro rubbing my son's leg and leaving a red spot. Also the snaps seem to get a tigher fit to prevent leaking.
Has anyone else had a problem with the velcro fastening diapers leaving spots on the legs?
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Cloth Diapering 101 (washing)
The next thing I would like to share in cloth diapering 101 is how I wash them. I know many people have diferent opinions on this.
I found the best way is to wash them out with cold water right after I changed my son. From there I would put them in a wet bag until I had enough to wash a load. If you are not going to wash them right away be sure to rinse in COLD water to prevent bacteria from growing on them by using hot water.
When I had enough for a load I would be sure to pull out all the inserts and put them through another COLD rinse cycle in the washing machine to be sure to rinse anything I might have missed when I rinsed them by hand. After you have done this rinsing, you can add some of your regular clothes to the load if you choose, but I personally recommend washing diapers all by themselves.
Next you will wash through a regular cycle with HOT water. Be sure to only use soap free of dyes and perfumes. If you use detergent with these things in them, it will cause build up on the diapers and cause the diapers to leak.
Once they are done washing. You can either dry them on a drying rack, put them in the dryer, or hang outside. I usually would dry them in the dryer on LOW heat setting. And I would have to dry then twice to get them good and dry.
You can also hang them outside for the best way to dry them. The sun acts as a natural bleaching agent if there are any stains left on them. But it was not always convenient for me personally to dry them outside.
What detergents do you use?
I found the best way is to wash them out with cold water right after I changed my son. From there I would put them in a wet bag until I had enough to wash a load. If you are not going to wash them right away be sure to rinse in COLD water to prevent bacteria from growing on them by using hot water.
When I had enough for a load I would be sure to pull out all the inserts and put them through another COLD rinse cycle in the washing machine to be sure to rinse anything I might have missed when I rinsed them by hand. After you have done this rinsing, you can add some of your regular clothes to the load if you choose, but I personally recommend washing diapers all by themselves.
Next you will wash through a regular cycle with HOT water. Be sure to only use soap free of dyes and perfumes. If you use detergent with these things in them, it will cause build up on the diapers and cause the diapers to leak.
Once they are done washing. You can either dry them on a drying rack, put them in the dryer, or hang outside. I usually would dry them in the dryer on LOW heat setting. And I would have to dry then twice to get them good and dry.
You can also hang them outside for the best way to dry them. The sun acts as a natural bleaching agent if there are any stains left on them. But it was not always convenient for me personally to dry them outside.
What detergents do you use?
Friday, November 23, 2012
Cloth Diapering 101 Quick Tip 2
As we move on in our cloth diapering 101, I'd like to share with you how I saved money in the initial buying of cloth diapers. When I first looked into using them, I thought it was crazy because each diaper was costing me between $20-$30 new. And I thought "how is this saving me any money when I need like 24 of these to start off with to make cloth diapering work."?
So I started looking into used cloth diapers. I found a local store that sold them and asked about the used selection. They were exactly the same as the new ones, only these were slighty used. I did not have a problem using used diapers. The clerk told me that most of them were brought back because they tried them and then changed their mind on using cloth diapers. So they were not used much.
I did have to watch some of them though. Because if they are well used they are more likely to leak and be all streached out. But I found used diapers was the best way for me to get all the cloth diapers I needed for the least amount of money. And I am all about SAVING MONEY! :-)
So I started looking into used cloth diapers. I found a local store that sold them and asked about the used selection. They were exactly the same as the new ones, only these were slighty used. I did not have a problem using used diapers. The clerk told me that most of them were brought back because they tried them and then changed their mind on using cloth diapers. So they were not used much.
I did have to watch some of them though. Because if they are well used they are more likely to leak and be all streached out. But I found used diapers was the best way for me to get all the cloth diapers I needed for the least amount of money. And I am all about SAVING MONEY! :-)
Friday, November 16, 2012
Cloth Diapering 101 Quick Tip 1
For my first tip in cloth diapering 101, I would like to share how to prepare the diapers for the first use. Just like if you were buying underwear for yourself, you would probably not just take a new pair out of the package and put it on before you washed it. The same goes for a cloth diaper you put on your newborn.
Newborns have very sensiteve skin so it is important to wash the diapers before the first use. To do this you will want to put them in your washer and be sure to use hot water and run them through a regular cycle. It's important to remember to use a detergent that is FREE from dies and perfumes. Then put then in the dryer on low or medium heat to dry.
I found that it was good to wash and dry the a couple times before use because the heat from the water and dryer helped the diapers to shrink and fit the baby better. You do NOT have to put detergent in every time when you are preparing them for the first use. If you do not there is a possibility they will leak and you don't want that, especially if you are just trying out cloth diapers for the first time.
By doing this process it should help the diapers to fit more snuggly and be safer on the babies skin because you have removed anything that may have gotten on them from the manufacturing or shipping process.
Newborns have very sensiteve skin so it is important to wash the diapers before the first use. To do this you will want to put them in your washer and be sure to use hot water and run them through a regular cycle. It's important to remember to use a detergent that is FREE from dies and perfumes. Then put then in the dryer on low or medium heat to dry.
I found that it was good to wash and dry the a couple times before use because the heat from the water and dryer helped the diapers to shrink and fit the baby better. You do NOT have to put detergent in every time when you are preparing them for the first use. If you do not there is a possibility they will leak and you don't want that, especially if you are just trying out cloth diapers for the first time.
By doing this process it should help the diapers to fit more snuggly and be safer on the babies skin because you have removed anything that may have gotten on them from the manufacturing or shipping process.
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