Input requested: Cloth diapers
Where would you recommend I get the best deal on cloth diapers, specifically Fuzzi Bunz? There are so many sites and prices out there! - AnneI often receive questions on cloth diapering and I know we've discussed this some before, but I thought it would be good to open this topic up again for those who may be considering it and needing some direction.
Fuzzi Bunz are my favorites, but that's also because that's pretty much all I've tried. I might branch out and try some new diapers this next time around. We'll see. One thing I do know, I'm definitely planning to cloth diaper again.
For newbies who don't know anyone cloth diapering or anything about cloth diapering, there is an excellent book out there which covers basically anything and everything you'd ever need to know about the process, the diapers, and everything involved: The Do-It-Yourself Cloth Diapering Handbook by Sarah Zmuda. Very comprehensive.
As far as where to buy diapers, I recommend eBay, if you can find some decent ones on there. I'd buy a few each of a few different kinds and see what works best for you before jumping headfirst into it and investing the money in an entire set of the higher-end diapers. One of the great things about cloth diapering is that if you buy something you end up not liking, it's pretty easy to resell it on eBay and get almost what you paid for it.
For those of you who want to pipe in: Have you tried cloth-diapering? Did you like it? If so, why? What diapers did you use? Where did you buy them? Recommendations for beginners?
Related: For more information on Fuzzi Bunz and my thoughts on cloth diapering, you can read my previous post here: Cloth-Diapering for Dummies
Also, we discussed this topic before somewhat here: Frugal Cloth Diapers
Tammy has a very in-depth and helpful post here on her cloth-diapering method.
And, on a related topic, here's my list of essentials for a first-time mom. Also, here's a great article from LAF: Babies on a Budget.
posted by Crystal Paine at 5:24 AM
13 Comments:
I didn't use them the first time around becuase the rules of my son's child care provider wouldn't allow them. If I have another baby I want to try them. I've heard of some women sewing their own diapers and saving money. Not sure I would do that, but I would try ebay for some Fuzzi Bunzs or other discounted brand.
dawnsdiapers.com is a great website run by a sweet Christian lady with 6 children. You might check out her site.
i just recieved some diapers from a WAHM who runs an ebay store... http://stores.ebay.com/MonkeyBuns-Diapers I love these diapers, they are very cute, soft and easy to put on. Plus, as a SAHM i like to support other mothers!
We use (and sell) Fuzzi Bunz for now but we are making the switch to Rumpsters - a better business with better business ethic and customer service, and diapers that are very high quality (but more expensive). Yes, Fuzzi Bunz are awesome but they are not the only great diaper out there. If you are looking for a really cheap but easy and reliable diapering system there are great diaper service quality AIO diapers out there that are unbelievable cheap compared to Fuzzi Bunz and the like. I have a few of them and they have worked out just fine.
There are also many "try it out" programs and layaway programs.
And don't forget about one sized diapers like bumGenius! by CottonBabies. These diapers are trim from new baby through the toddler years and work wonderfully, although they are not as pretty as other diapers, in my opinion.
If you want to try your hand at making them there are many online coops that group buy cloth diapering supplies for fairly cheap. Two that I like are:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ClothEssentialsCo-op/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cloth_diaper_supplies/
One more thing - Most of the more modern cloth diapers have a long life and EXCELLENT resale value! That means that you will most likely get a good chunk of your money back after you are finished with them. You cannot say that about disposables!
I switched to cloth diapers when my daughter was 10 months old because of chronic diaper rash. I use Fuzzi Bunz at night because you have lots of room to really stuff them for a super soaker kid! But during the day, I like to use Bum Genius. They made the switch from cloth diapers a lot easier for me because they work very much like a disposible diaper. And they are the trimmest cloth diaper I have ever used, and I've tried a few. Another bonus is that they are adjustable and can be worn from 5-35 pounds. I bought mine on cottonbabies.com. Jen is truly wonderful--she designed the diapers and will answer any questions you might have
I use bumGenius, but we only have three. So I save them for overnights and the church nursery. I want more though! I love that they are one-size, so when baby #2 comes in March, I don't have to worry about taking diapers in both sizes when I go places. Also, it truly is a moneysaver when you don't have to buy it in 3 different sizes. I love that they are pocket diapers so they keep the wetness from my baby's poor little bottom. I love that they are so trim! When we first switched, I was solely using Chinese prefolds with Bummis whisper wraps (still our primary diaper because they are so cheap), but then her little pants wouldn't fit! She had to wear sweatpants. :-( But with bumGenius, she can fit into any pair of pants that she normallly would be able to with disposables. And again, they are wonderful for church nurseries, dads, babysitters, because they work just like disposables with stretchy velcro tabs.
The only downside is they are more prone to leaks, but only when the insert is absolutely saturated. With prefolds and my Bummis wraps, it didn't matter how soaked the diaper was, her pants never got wet. Is this a common thing among pocket diapers? bumGenius is the only brand I've ever tried. We are careful to change her before the diaper is filled to overflowing and have only had one leak with their new 2.0 version. (We went to the mall and lost track of time...) And, by the way, their new 2.0 version is fantastic! The velcro is more durable and the outer fabric is much more cloth-like. And it comes in pink! My little girl is fascinated with it and is always trying to put it on her doll. :-)
Oh, and one more thing, they have a missionary grant system at cottonbabies.com, where they make bumGenius, which I thought was great. They will give overseas missionaries a free supply of cloth diapers! I haven't read anything that specifically states that they are Christians, but that makes me think they might be. :-)
I have found good prices at www.babycottonbottoms.com and they have a good flat rate shipping charge.
I would caution new cloth diaperers to be careful about Ebay - I got some great deals there, but I also got stuck with some bad deals. Like anything, it's important to know the going rate for the diapers NEW so you pay LESS for the used ones! I have seen so many auctions where the winner actually paid MORE for used diapers than she could have gotten them for brand new. That is nuts! I would say also ask a lot of questions of the seller about the condition of the diapers - I got some that are totally unusable.
I use diaper service quality (DSQ) prefolds with a snappi instead of pins, and a variety of covers. I got the prefolds on Ebay from a seller who was liquidating his online store, so I got them for $8 per dozen including shipping (I got infant size and regular size, which was good because the regulars are too big for new babies even though some people manage it). I tried a variety of covers rather than buying all of one kind, which I'm glad I did because I found that all kids are shaped differently and covers that work great for friends of mine totally didn't work on my daughter. Right now I really like the Air-Flow covers from Motherease (www.motherease.com) - they are very adjustable and breathable.
I tried a few AIOs but never found a type that I could confidently use without a cover - maybe my dauther is just a soaker! My mom bought some diaper fabric online (the regular type of fleece at most fabric stores doesn't work well for diapers) and made some cute fitted diapers and covers for us too. Those are great for when we go out or to church or for a babysitter.
Anyway, cloth diapers have been a huge savings for us, and the pediatrician always remarks on how healthy Hannah's skin is in her diaper area, versus other kids she sees.
We love bumGenius!! We have a few fuzzibunz I ebayed and we like them as well - it is just a little more time consuming to put them on. We have always used cotton babies to order from new. I can't wait to order the newer updated style - but I really can't justify it now as all of mine are still in great condition!! For those who are kinda squeamish about using someone else's used diapers, but want a better deal than buying brand new fuzzibunz - you can get fuzzibunz seconds at www.fuzzibunzseconds.net (I think - if that's not right - just google it!) They are $12 instead of $18 I think and everyone I know who has ordered from there has been extremely pleased. I have one second - and the only thing wrong is that they have the wrong size tag on it - it is marked large but is a medium. Hope this helps someone! Were it not from Crystal's help about a year ago - I NEVER would have crossed into cloth diapering! And now..I love it! It is so freeing not to have to worry about when I need to buy diapers or running out midweek, etc. -Tiffany
I have just started a cloth diapering co-op for any of you mama's who are interested.
You can find it here :
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/littlediapercoop/
It is new, I just finished getting it all up and ready this morning so if I have missed something or need to add more info just let me know.
We can get DSQ AIO's, fitteds, prefolds, Gerber plastic covers, pins, and more. Just take a look.
Hello,
I so miss diapering! And I used cloth for all of my thirteen years of diapering. My youngest is now six. I don't know, but there was something so great about a nice clean soft cotton diaper to put on my babies. I just couldn't imagine having to wear a paper one myself, so I couldn't think about it for my children either. I used a diaper service for two years, bought diapers from the service after. Then when I needed new the best place I found for cheap quality cloth pre-folds was Cascade Healthcare Products.
Hello again,
I couldn't think of the Cascade website address off hand but I found it. It's www.1cascade.com
Just enter key word "diapers" and the site will take you right to the products.
I'd suggest making your own! I am in the process of making diapers exactly like Fuzzi Bunz at a fraction of the cost. If you can sew a straight stitch, you can make diapers. You can buy PUL (for outer cover) and micrcofleece online, and can use either metal or plastic snaps or velcro. I love it because you can choose fun colors and say you make them yourself!
If you like what you see at the Cascade website let me know. These are the exact diaper products and accessories that we are co-oping! Amy is correct, these products are of EXCELLENT quality!
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