Diapers Q&A

What are the best and easiest types of cloth diapers to use? Brands and styles?

Public Comments

1. A diaper is a diaper but I do think you can get them with velcro now.
2. There are so so so many styles now, and you may want to try a sampler pack from one of the online retailers. The packs are great because they're not a huge investment and you get to try out a nice variety. What we like best are Fuzzi Bunz and Swaddlebees. They are both pocket diapers. I also have some MotherEase contours that are nice (these need a cover) and we also use prefolds around the house. I haven't gotten a huge variety of diapers, but these have worked well enough for us that I haven't had to go looking for the next great thing. There are a few CD'ers around here and I'm sure they'll all chime in with their faves, too. In the meantime, here are a few good sites to check out: http://www.diaperpin.com - reviews and critiques of dipes http://www.diaperhyena.com - more info, folding instructions, laundering, patterns for DIY dipes http://www.diaperswappers.com - buy, sell, talk about, give/get tips on and generally chat about cloth diapering In most people's opinions, pocket diapers and all-in-ones (AIOs) are the easiest to use because they don't have a learning curve, they are just as easy to get the hang of as a disposable. Once you start CDing, though, you'll find that even prefolds are pretty easy to use :)
3. Call me old-fashioned, but I love a plain old prefold, snappied with a homemade wool cover or a Bummis SWW. For a newborn, Kissaluvs are nice, especially with the wool soakers. The soakers I use don't contain runny poo very well, but the Bummis are blowout proof. For going out, I like BumGenius one size pockets just because the're cuter and trimmer. My mom and MIL have recently made a bunch of stylish new soakers for my little one, so the BumGenius haven't seen much action lately. My friend uses fitted diapers only, and I agree that they're nice for younger babies with runny poop, but she recently watched me change my older baby, and she is kicking herself for spending so much money on expensive fitteds when prefolds are so easy. Making diapers is lots of fun. Or maybe I need to get out more. Anyway, there are patterns all over the WWW. I really like the Tinybird wool soaker and the Goodness Gracious diapers. I like the Diaper Sewing Tutorials too. Just google those things and you'll find them quickly. I'm so happy that you're choosing cloth! You won't regret it. Watch out, you may become addicted!
4. I make my own. I watch the sales at the fabric stores and buy absorbent flannel, terry or micro fleece fabrics and cut the two large pieces and the 6 panels that make up the soaker down the middle and sew them all together. I make them contour with elastic in the waist and leg openings. By making my own I know I get what I want and that what I make will fit properly and will be comfortable. Any large scraps of material left over, I finish the edges and they make good cloth wipes and save from having to buy the more expensive disposable wipes. Good luck.
5. After using nearly every cloth diaper on the market- at least it seemed that way- a few years ago, we found that we like the simplicity of a prefold, a Snappi (check them out, they're so cool) and a Mother-Ease Airflow cover. Just my opinion of course! ;)