Diapers Q&A - Affordable, quality cloth diapers? - Cloth diapering moms only please!?

Affordable, quality cloth diapers? - Cloth diapering moms only please!?

My baby is due in a couple months and I just discovered how cool "new" cloth diapers are! They come in the cutest fabric, I even saw some made of velour! They close with velcro and snaps, some don't even need covers! Who ever thought I could get so excited over cloth diapers? Even my boyfriend is impressed. The ones online are so much cooler than the ones in the store. I've heard the only thing the store bought ones are good for is dusting. But unfortunately they're REALLY expensive! At least for this low income mama. I know I would save money in the long run by using cloth diapers instead of disposables, but just don't have the kind of money it takes to buy a couple dozen good cloth diapers. What's a mama to do? How can I afford to diaper my baby in the awesome cloth diapers? Do any sites that sell them have discounts for poor mamas? I've seen some cheap ones, but I'm nervous buying real cheap ones. I'm afraid they might be cheap quality like the store ones. Suggestions? I don't sew, I wish I could learn- but I don't even know anybody with a sewing machine. I saw those fuzzy bunz, Bugsy- But seriously, have you done the math? It's about $400.00 to get two dozen of those suckers. That's not even including shipping! That's more than my car cost! Shoot maybe I should sell it for diapers!?

Public Comments

HERE WE GO: 'Snoop' through here, its a cloth diapering group made by my friends (i dont think you have to be a member to look, its myspace) http://forum.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=messageboard.viewcategory&groupID=102996012&adTopicID=29&Mytoken=E5523A82-15BA-4A19-965BB644E243E36C73933016
try babyzone.com they have a place to buy and sell a ton of baby stuff also may try www.mtdiaperstore.com they have some cool stuff and at a decent price
ok i have never used them but plan to in the future but here is a link for some that are cheap for cloth diapers. however these ones have won awards and stuff so they are a good quality. the only catch is that they aren't quite as cute but if you buy a dozen of these and then a few of the cute ones and just pack the cute ones for when you are out and then just pick up a few new ones here and there when you have money. also try eBay for the pricier ones you can even find them new. what you want to look for is all in one that way yo don't have anything to fold you just put on the diaper and at night stick in one of the inserts to make it hold more. https://www.kushiesonline.com/Kushies-Ultra-Diapers-s/819.html http://www.walmart.com/search/browse-ng.do?ic=12_0&ref=125863.302439+500500.4293799154
Here's an idea, why don't you look on your local craigslist.com they have a baby section. You can even post that you are looking for used good quality cloth diapers for cheap. Or even better, post an ad on your local freecycle.org that you are looking for good quality used cloth diapers. A few tips to save money -go to your local fabric store and pick up a few items, 1 yard of fleece and about 1-2 yards of your favorite patterned cotton fabric. *cut the flannel to fit instead whichever cloth diapers you end up going with, this will catch all the poopies and reduce staining (so you can sell them again when you are finished, to get the next needed size). Also reduces diaper rash. No need to sew at all! *Cut the cotton into wipe sized pieces and use a little warm water to clean babies bottom, these can be washed with the diapers for easy-peasy lemon-squeezy cloth diapering fun.The are better for baby than store bought wipes, cheaper than buying 20 face cloths. If someone offers you 12 of one size in a certain type, and someone else 12 in a different style and type TAKE them. I know you want everything to match, but when it comes to money do what you can! As for the cost of cloth, you are looking at about 300-400 TOTAL. Some are grossly over priced online, you really need to do your research. You will also find the all-in-ones WAY more expensive then the pre-folds which work just as well (and go from newborn-toddler). Just buy the covers in newborn-infant sizes and sell them as you go to buy the next size up. Go through all your old cloths, and the garage, and the attic and sell anything you are not using and haven't used within the last 8 months (keeping seasonal items in their own 8 month tracker, as obviously you don't use them now). Sell everything you aren't using, Ebay is a great place, or craigslist. Ask for cloth diapers! Don't be shy. Ask your mother to buy them for you (or the in-laws) and you will pay them back when you can....chances are they wont ask for the money back, as they know they are doing something good for baby and mom and the enviroment. Ask for them at your babyshower, and nothing else. If you've already had the baby shower, send everyone an emailing saying how much research you've done and the brand you are looking at, and if anyone feels compled to chip-in you'd love them forever (or ask them to chip-in now and you'll pay them back). It is worth it. You will spend THOUSANDS more on disposables, not to mention the amount of diaper rash (which will need expensive lotions), and the cost of wipes, and garbage bags to throw them out in. Also look at the environmentally issues. This can really be a way to get people (family) to help you out buying them, as it isn't just good for baby but the planet they will on aswell. If I knew someone looking to buy cloth, I was personally give them money and help them choose the best type for their needs. Maybe that's just me though! Good luck
Try to find some used ones. You can't get them on ebay anymore, but you might be able to find a local group of mom's or other online community where you can buy some. Then ask for friends and family to help you buy them as a baby shower gift. That is what I did. My best advice for what to buy would be these: 1 - Kissaluvs zero size for newborn to 3 months - or - Mother-ease Sandies smalls 2 - Mother-ease One Size for after that; they snap to fit different sizes up to the time they are out of dipes. THESE brands *WILL* last through multiple babies. Period. They also have great resale value. Don't waste your money on other brands. I have tried lots of them and THESE are the best, imo. Fuzzy bunz are great, but the elastic does NOT last (it eventually stretches out), plus you have to buy doublers for them on top of the diaper cost, so you will be paying close to $20 per diaper. Also, buy snap in doublers for your Mother-ease dipes, and buy a yard of fleece from Wal-Mart (any print you like) and cut it the same size as your doublers. They will keep the wetness away from baby's skin at night. I use fleece during the day too, but especially good at night or in the car. Also, invest in NEW Mother-ease Airflow snap covers. They are THE best ones out there, imo, and would last you well. A cheap alternative for covers is to crochet a wool cover. You can buy wool yarn for about $5 and make a pair of soaker shorts with that. If you don't crochet, ask a grandma or aunt or friend in your area to make them for you. They are the most awesome covers of all. My son is on my lap and is wearing one right now, that I made myself. Oh, and don't make the mistake of using disposable baby wipes either. Either use plain washcloths or baby washcloths or have somebody buy you come cloth ones online (I love sherpa, personally). They are awesome. And you can use plain water with them, or you can make up a solution. I make my own using aloe (like the green stuff you put on a sunburn) and you can find the "recipe" online using a simple search. I have cloth diapered four children with these dipes. My youngest just turned 2. Good luck!
Craigslist and Freecycle. I've also found some at thrift stores, but only by accident!! You could check out the thrift stores in your area once a week or so though, if you have the time.
Good for you for doing the research! You had a lot of good suggestions. You could also try Miracle Diapers. http://www.miraclediapers.org/ Though you won't be guaranteed the cute, plush diapers you see online, they will definitely be quality cloth diapers. Check out their 'discover' page for lots of great links for beginners. There are also links for sites that sell affordable diapers too. Good luck!