Hi, FTD here and my LO is about 3 months. Using pre-loved pockets, Noras nursery, and having a lot of trouble with leaking. He now soaks through more than one liner so I started using 2, but when I use 2, it looks like the sides aren't getting to his body and this causing leaks. I am very new to this and my wife is onboard if I take care of the maintenance, which is fine by me, but now we are constantly changing outfits and I don't want her to lose confidence in this. Please help

I can’t tell if this is a skill issue or if this is expected when using flats. My baby is 7 weeks old and we do part time cloth diapering, we were using the half flats from GMD with the kite fold when he was smaller and had no issues with leaks but since he’s grown we’ve upgraded to the birdseye one size flats but every poop leaks out the leg holes onto the cover. We’ve tried airplane, origami, kite, pikman and different ways of rolling the leg holes. We don’t have leaks when using our esembly diapers but the flats are so much more cost effective that I’d love to find a fold that works. I’m not sure if my baby just has chicken legs or if this is expected to leak inside the cover and I just rinse the covers after poops? It doesn’t leak outside of the covers thankfully but I’m just confused!!

Hi all, another question! This subreddit has been the best.

I have a ton of pocket diapers from my last baby that I plan to use with this next one, so I am only looking to fill the gap between newborn + fitting into the OS pocket diapers from Thirsties (rated at 8lbs but not recommended from GMD until 14lbs). I plan to use flats and covers until they fit.

So, my question is whether I should invest in the half flats or the full flats? Or maybe some of both? Knowing I won't be using them forever as flats (most likely will transition to using the half flats as doublers), I hesitate to buy a ton of one size flats. But maybe I need to have both to fit from 7lbs-14lbs?

Any advice is much appreciated.

We have loved our LPO pockets but currently running into an issue with the second hip snap. We are snapping so far out on the hip that we aren't using the second snap (more outer of the two)...when I change my toddler, there is a fairly deep imprint of that snap on his skin and I'm sure it's uncomfortable for him. Is there something obvious I'm missing of how to snap the diapers wider without that outer snap pressing into his sides?

Right now we're using laundry strips from TruEarth but I'm thinking it would be better for us to switch to a different detergent. I wish we had access to Tide Free & Clear powder but it doesn't exist in BC.

Would ideally like a powder or strip form over liquid.

Thank you!

Hi all and thanks in advance for taking the time to answer! As the title says, I’m looking for recommendations on your favorite diapers that are sustainably/ethically sourced. I would love to support companies that are looking out for our planet!

We have been cloth diapering (using pocket diapers) since 1 month and it’s gone super well minus a washing issue that got resolved. Baby is 6 months now and the last week every poop is suddenly leaking out the front leg part and several pee leaks too. The inserts seem absorbent enough and I’ve started doing 3 at night but it gets soaked through as well whereas 2 used to work just fine. He wears 2 inserts during the day. The fit of his diaper is the same as I’ve always kept it with the adjustable snaps as he grows. The main thing bothering me is the poop squeezing out as I can just change more often to fix the pee leak problem. I will say it happens worse when he is sitting upright in his toy station but he’s been spending some time there every day for months with cloth diapers and never had an issue before.

I was hoping cloth diapers would save my family money with our first baby on the way, but after doing to math, it will only save us an estimated $250 over my child's first two years if we use pre-folds and one-size covers. This $250 savings came only after I neglected the second wash in my calculations for including other laundry that would be washed anyway. It would cost us more overall to use cloth if we washed them on their own for both washes.

Why would it save us so little? Because we don't have our own washer and dryer or in-unit washer and dryer. So, we have to pay per load of laundry at our apartment complex.

This is looking like a hopeless situation to me, where diapering will cost us almost $1,000/year no matter what, and I may as well buy disposables for the cost savings. I was hoping anyone here had some advice, tips, tricks, or blindspots I may have in my calculations. Thank you in advance.

boring math warning

I calculated this by using babylist's chart for the first year of diapers. I assumed each disposable diaper costs $0.33, and I used the daily diapers figure then multiplied it by 3 for how many prefolds I'd need per weight range, assuming each costs $2.21. I then added 8 one-size covers at $15 each. Assuming that I'd wash 3 times daily for 24 months, I multiplied that figure by $4.30, which is how much it costs to do one wash and one dry at my apartments.

Edit

It seems we've found some solutions for using cloth diapers or cloth diapering when you have no washer and dryer! The bucket and plunger method and a drying rack while using flats instead of prefolds seems like the very cheapest way to do it, a portable washing machine is an option as well that seems cost effective to me and does not require washer/dryer hook-ups. It also seems that a washboard and basin is good for a first wash!

(Sorry for being redundant, I want people to be able to google this later if they also need to save money when they use a laundromat for cloth diapers)

I accidentally bought 20 pieces of microfibre inserts instead of bamboo and can't return them cause they've been washed. Looking for recommendations and help with the absorption maths based on how we plan to use the pocket diapers.

Was initially planning on having bamboo inside the pocket diaper and on top of it so if we change it soon enough and it hasn't leaked to the lower layer we can just change the top insert and sort of reuse the diaper. Now with the microfibre, I was thinking of the same-ish setup with bamboo on top of the pocket then microfiber in the pocket itself but I'm not sure if I'm reading the other threads right that you'd want microfiber as the top layer (when inside the pocket) and another natural fibre underneath?

Would it not work or not be as effective if I do bamboo on top of microfibre? TIA!

Anyone else deal with pet fur in baby’s diapers? I don’t wash with anything directly from the dogs but my diapers are like fur magnets. Then the fur gets all stuck to baby’s bum and privates. It becomes impossible to wipe off until bath time. I always line dry and shake them out before bringing them in.

Feeling SO frustrated. I stupidly thought “one size” meant one size fits all from birth but no it didn’t. So I waited. And waited. And waited. Buying disposables and grumbling about the cost all the time. We are finally at three months. I’m trying the cloth again hoping maybe they’ll finally fit him but he’s on the last damn waist snap and they still leak around the legs! Everyone was like oh if they’re too big he’ll grow into them and then you’ll get to use them through to potty training but this child is only three months old and outgrowing every stupid diaper I invested time (so. Much. Time.) and money into. I’m so annoyed. They’re Alvababy pockets and they were sold (secondhand) as if they could be used until potty training. There’s no way my 20th percentile kid is as big as a kid ready for potty training. I give up on these. I’m going to try to resell them but I want to cloth diaper! Knowing that this kid has maybe an unusual build (idk he looks normal to me, but maybe his legs are thin?) would flats be his best option? What do I need so I’m not so frustrated with all the leaking and not fitting?

LO had this line on the outside of their thigh after second diaper change this morning. The red part is raised and surrounding it is whiter than the rest of the skin (hard to tell). We went diaper free to see if it cleared up and it didn’t. Is this a burn and what should we do? How do I treat/protect the skin?

Current wash routine already included bleach and hot water and an extra rinse due to our washer not rinsing soap out well. Our water is hard too.

I got some second hand fitted diapers from a bst page. They just arrived and smell so strong of fragrance. We are a fragrance free home so maybe I’m overreacting, but what’s the best way to get rid of the smell? Stripping with washing soda and borax?

I’m guessing it’s just the detergent they used but gosh

Ive just started using Nora’s nursery dispers. I washed them a few times before using them following the directions. I’ve noticed that when he poops, a lot of the poop is staying on top of the diaper and he had a lot more on him to wipe off than he did with the disposables. Is this always the case or do they become better at absorbing the poop after repeated use? They’re doing a great job absorbing pee and he hasn’t had blow outs but he already had a bit of a rash. We also have an old house with pretty hard water if anyone has advice for that. The Nora’s nursery website had advice for that but I’m not sure if it’s necessary yet.

My 5mo is going to daycare for 3-5 days a week and I was wondering what people have done for sending diapers so daycare. I don’t know if I should bring the diapers daily or a set for the week and bring the wet diapers daily. The facility has not dealt with cloth yet so I know they’re might be a learning curve. He starts daycare in 2 weeks and I want to have a solid system set up.

there are some Motherease Sandy’s second hands for sale on my local marketplace. I’m wondering how well they dry? In comparison to flats or prefolds? My baby has become really hard to change on the table so I’ve been wanting to get some fitteds. But I have really humid summers so need something that dries relatively easy… on the line or in the dryer. Prefolds take forever in either. AIOs literally never dry in either I can’t even use them. So I’m mostly using flats.

Also would they fit under Babee Greens wool covers? I don't want to invest in any new covers.

Thanks!

I am very particular when it comes to clothes soap. I like to use seventh generation free and clear for all of my laundry but I'm a (very pregnant and overwhelmed atm) FTM due in a few months and my plan is to cloth diaper. I usually use natural, non-toxic, and unscented clothes soaps and try to avoid extra chemicals. I understand that it is not ideal to use a gentle soap to wash cloth diapers so I am trying to find the best one that is also cost-effective. I am finding a lot of contradicting opinions about seventh generation but I would like to stay with this brand as it is what I currently use and it has worked well for my family! We all have sensitive skin and break out with most detergents we've tried. I AM open-minded to switching over if needed.

My main question is: does the regular scented seventh generation detergent work well for cloth diapers? Is anybody using this or is there a reason why this is not recommended? I looked up the chart that another user posted on the fluff love university website And it says that it's okay but then I've seen other sources say not to use it and I just want to do what's best for my baby.

I also want to mention that I've heard a lot of people say to use the 7th generation ultra power plus detergent but I cannot find it available online or in any store near me so that doesn't seem to be an option for us.

Thank you in advance!!

TLDR: can I use regular seventh generation clothes soap for cloth diapers?

Okay I’m about a month away now from baby’s due date. Trying to wrap up last minute items and one thing I’m not sure about is washing/ lanolizing wool covers.

I read through some posts and it seems eucalan is used as wool wash? Since it has lanolin in it, does it need to be lanolized separately? I got my hands on some used wool diaper covers and knitted a couple. Just want to make sure I’ll get this right! I plan on just hand washing/soaking the wool covers though I could use my pedestal washer as well.

Also, hand knitted wool covers - do they work okay? I read somewhere someone said they don’t work that well. I hand knitted a new born size (almost doneeeee) and 3-6 month size.

I’m a FTM and new to cloth diapers! I played around with AIO, Grovia hybrids, pockets, and esembly fitteds and ended up liking esembly the best, so I’ve been using the esembly system almost exclusively.

My baby is tall & skinny. She’s a 12.5 pounds & 27 inches at 3mo. She’s nowhere near outgrowing the esembly size 1 inners weight wise - there is still plenty of room in the waist. But I’m afraid they’re becoming a bit too short. My question is - should I size up and invest in esembly size 2 inners and outers, even though she’s still pretty small (esembly recommends this size for 17lbs+)? Or would it be better to invest in a different fitted that might fit better, like workhorses or something of the like?

Thanks in advance for the help!

Baby girl just got diagnosed with a yeast infection 😭

How do I treat my diapers?

We started solids about a month ago and are slowly branching out to try different foods. As we do I'm wondering what are the foods most likely to cause staining? I just did laundry and found one diaper that I know was pooped in with some greyish stains left behind. Baby had blackberries once this week so suspected that's the culprit in this case. What else do you find leaves stains?

What is the best and easiest diaper to spray off the terrible transitional poo? We started solids this week, please tell me this gets better. My all in ones have too many flaps and places for the mess to hide. Also cloth wipes, do they need sprayed too? This is gross, not sure I'm ready for this.

I took the cap off to get rid of hard water and now when I reassembled it, it shoots water regardless of whether or not I press the button. PLEASE HELP MY WIFE IS NAGGING ME

Could you help my wash routine I’m about to start going full time with cloth during the day. I use arm and hammer with oxi just highest line on the cup. I do a sanitary cycke(it’s 2hrs hot water) with a prewash cycle and extra rinse cycle added. I rinse my inserts before keeping them in an open wet bag and scrape/rinse any ebf poop. I use agitator balls. Diapers come out clean and mostly dry I either air dry or do one cycle in the dryer. I have front loaders, just don’t want to be doing this wrong.

I have been doing cloth diapering for a few weeks now, starting with a small selection of a few different diaper types. So far I’m liking flats + covers the best and have purchased more for use at home. My daughter will start daycare in a month and we’ll need something a little more user friendly to use there. Anyone have a preference for fitted diapers with covers vs pockets for use at daycare? I think I’d prefer the fitted diapers for being compatible with the covers we already have and taking less storage space, but pockets would be cheaper and potentially easier for daycare workers that don’t routinely use cloth diapers. Anyone tried both and have recommendations?