Cloth Diapers

 I have had several people ask me for some info about cloth diapers. Instead of typing and then retyping and forgetting something, I figured I could just make a post about it here. 

 First things first. This does NOT have to be an all or nothing commitment. Just at home, but not when you go out. Daytime, but not at night. Parents, but not babysitters. Baby in cloth, toddler in sposies. We have done all of these! I think the best thing is to have at least one pack of the current size disposable diaper that your wee one fits. Washers, dryers, water mains.. all of these can break. Your family can get sick, or you might just need a break. Yea, those already dirty diapers will still need washed somehow, but at least you have something to put on baby in the meantime. Do NOT feel guilty, just do what works for you and your family.

 

How does the Toro Tribe do CDs?
     Typically, we use sposies for the first week at least, then newborn CD (cloth diapers). We have mostly prefolds and covers with a snappi (no pins!), but find that all-in-ones work best for nighttime changes (sooo much faster!!) and when we got to doctor appointments. After they grow out of newborns we switch to pockets and all-in-twos, mainly the pockets. We use sposies at night, sometimes through the warmer months, and for whichever kids are in diapers whilst I am preggo (I tend to have morning sickness past 20 weeks. cleaning off poopie diapers is not helpful 😂). When kids hit toddler age and have yet to potty train, we do switch to sposie pullups. 

Diapers and their Brands - Also, how many do you need?

 - Lalabye Baby: These are hands-down my favorites, OS 2-in-1! The fit has been fantastic for every kid we have used them on. and the colors and prints are gorgeous. Their newborns are great as well. Can be a trimmer diaper. 

 - bumgenius: Original 5.0 (pockets) and Freetimes (All-in-Ones) are both great. Never had fit issues with these, they have had some cute prints, and the colors are nice. 

 - Rumparooz(kangacare): also pockets. Some of my boys fit great in these, others.. not so much. Their prints and colors are adooooorable tho, and like I mention below, we LOVE their large wetbags and changing pads. 

 - Best Bottoms: These are covers with snap in 'pads'. They could also be used with prefolds. They are also trimmer. We really liked these with our first, but as he started running, we could not stop the rashes. We still have these on hand juuuust in case.  

 - Prefolds: the brand we use is no longer around, so I cannot give a suggestion here. These are great for the newborn stage for us as I tend to birth bigger babies. They need to be used with a cover and a fastener. 

 - Thirsties duo-wrap: our faaaavorite covers to go with prefolds. Prints are adorable, and the fit works great for us.

 

 - Blueberry organic newborn simplex: We really really like these all-in-ones for newborns. middle of the night, and going out with a wee one, we find AIOs to be the best. Less hassle, and they fit even my bigger babies for at least the first month, and my smallest who was 8lb 10oz at birth was in them for three months. 

There are different absorbent materials, and this comes down to yours and baby's preference. The biggest thing with these is to NEVER, ever ever, put microfiber against babies skin. Always have a stay dry wicking layer between them and your baby. 

But how many do I need?! Ok. This honestly varies per child. I am just gonna link to thiiiis: https://www.allaboutclothdiapers.com/how-many-cloth-diapers-do-you-really-need/ 

We have more than 30 for sure, but we also have had at least 2 in diapers at the same time, we have had a child who went more frequently or couldn't stand being the slightest bit wet. 

Laundry -
  - Exclusively breastfed, those diapers can all go right into the wash: it is water-soluble.

 
  - Formula and once baby starts eating, those poops need to be sprayed or dunk/swished in the toilet first. I HIGHLY suggest doing this asap, or at the end of the day. 1) It is sooo much easier. 2) Gross factoid: Flies can and WILL lay their eggs and you do not want that. 

  - The main thing with laundry is to read the care instructions for the brands you get, and find a CD safe detergent. It also helps to know if you have hard or soft water. We do laundry every third day. 

  - Detergents we have used: Rockin' Green and Ecos. RG has a cloth diaper specific detergent, and we used a free and clear Ecos. 

 - There are laundry help websites out there, just make sure their suggestions do not go against the manufacturer of your diapers OR washer/dryer.  

 - Sunlight. Is. Your. Friend. It can get stains out! If its not working, We love bunchafarmers stain stick. 

 -  Grovia mighty bubbles and RLR are some options for deep cleans/stripping the diapers.

You can always message the companies directly and ask them for assistance! We have done so several times and never had a bad experience. 

Rash Creams - 

 - Coconut oil 

 - Honest Company diaper rash cream: the only issues we have had with this one is some staining. I only use it when i feel a heavier barrier is needed. 

 - CJ's BUTTer quick sticks: we have not used these for awhile, but these are GREAT for on the go. just maybe don't leave them in a hot car for long 😂 

 - Eco Sprout Coconut Stick: we liked this one. that being said...DO. NOT. LEAVE. WHERE. IT. IS. HOT. the biggest downside to this puppy is that it melts. at least, that is what we experienced a few years back. 

We also purchased those rash cream 'spatulas'. they are great when out, or if you have hands that take forever to get cream off/hate being washed a ton. Christopher has those hands so we really like this product. 

Diaper Bag - 

 - Ahh yes. The diaper bag. As you will quickly find out, 10 CDs take up a LOT more space when compared to 10 sposies. We use several different bags depending on where we are going, and in some cases have a backup bag in our vehicle. Christopher and I prefer backpacks, >small< duffel bags, messenger bags.. you get the idea :). We have five kids, and those are honestly what work best for us. 
 - When we go out, its not uncommon for a tote bag with extra supplies to get tossed in the vehicle (we do the same thing with pjs/nighttime diapers if we know it going to be bedtime or later when we get home - sep bag in the vehicle) 

I can post pictures of what our diaper bags look like, there are also a bunch of videos on youtube. :) 

Extras - 

 - Cloth wipes: if you can make them yourself, AWESOME! otherwise, there are a bunch on etsy. We premake some for the day and store them in a wipes wetbag. 

- Changing pads: same print as some diapers, and they are nice and soft on the side you lay baby on. they will absorb any 'accidents' whilst changing, and have a waterproof back (thats the print/color side). Our favorite would be the kangacare brand. Lalabye Baby makes gorgeous ones but they are too thin for my liking. I pack them as backups, tho I have my own to put under my paints when I watercolor juuust in case. 

 - Wet Bags: This is what you will need to store your dirty diapers in. We use large ones for daily, and medium for our diaper bag for both diapers and messy clothes. They also make ones for wipes. There are other versions as well. We use wetbags for other items as well, so this investment can be used for many things :) We like Lalabye Baby, Kangacare, and Planet Wise

 - Snappis vs Boingo Diaper Fastener: These are used in place of pins for prefolds, flats, and fitteds. Overall, we found we much prefer the snappis. 

 - Cloth liners: these can help make poop clean ups easier. There are easy DIYS on pinterest (legit buy fabric and cut it, but you need a specific type)

 - One thing to keep in mind: Because of that fluff butt, your munchkin is going to 'grow out of' clothes faster. Keep that in mind, especially if you plan on using sposies out and about. Those pants might not stay on their now smaller dupa :P

Stores I purchase from: 
The manufacturer

Lil' Tulips

Nicki's Diapers

Happy Baby Company