Cloth Diapering Report

Well, six months later we're still using cloth diapers (and just made our big purchase of the next size up!). While I know that almost none of you (who regularly read this blog) use cloth diapers, I still wanted to give my six month review and tell you what I've learned.

Some background:
The first batch of diapers we bought were Fuzzibunz (that's a brand) sized pocket diapers. Not knowing cloth diaper lingo, you probably have no idea what that means. Here's a picture:

The outside is made of PUL--a waterproof polyester, and the inside lining is make of (some sort of fancy not-the-kind-you-buy-at-Walmart) fleece.  It's called a pocket diaper because at the back there's an opening between the PUL and the fleece (a pocket, so to speak) where you stuff an insert

We bought sized diapers, meaning they come in small, medium, large, etc. This is compared to one size diapers that "grow" with your baby (either through an extend-able snap system or buttoned elastic in the leg gussets).  We purposefully chose not to do one size (abbreviated OS in the cloth diaper world) because we want to be able to use our diapers on multiple kids. If Raymond is still in diapers when baby #2 comes along (and likely he will be) then we would have to buy all new diapers for the baby. With sized, we'll have to buy diapers of each size, but then multiple kids can be using our diapers all at once (does that make sense?). I am also SUPER glad we veered away from OS because they are so dang bulky. And I have a right to say that because we did buy 3 fuzzibunz OS diapers and pretty much I hate them. Raymond only wears them at night. I can't ever get the size just right and I won't even tell you how low they drag in his crotch (ok, almost to knees!).

We also purposefully bought fuzzibunz as they are one of the most highly recommended brands and they use snaps. I love the snaps. They are more durable than velcro, cleaner, and make it easy to adjust the diaper to fit the both around the waist and around the thighs.

Last, but not least, we chose fuzzibunz because they supposably run big and thus many babies can go through their whole diaper faze in just two sizes (small and medium). Funny how I didn't think about how this might affect the multiple kids in the same diapers problem I addressed at the beginning.) It's true, however: they do run big.

OK, so all that said, here's my thoughts six months later.

1. I'm still sold enough to keep using them! I am grateful we use cloth every time I have to buy disposables for trips. He can go through a pack (of 42) in roughly a week, and I am grateful I don't have to buy them all that often. Seriously.
2. I am glad we went with pocket diapers. Super glad. I still have no desire to try the prefolds and covers method. Stuffing isn't hard and now that I have a wash system down (back to that in a minute); I hardly notice the time it takes to stuff the diapers after they're done being washed.
3. I am SUPER glad we didn't do OS diapers. My biggest drawback (I must be very vain) with cloth diapers is how bulky they are. It bugs me that I can't always get clothes that fit loose when he's wearing disposables to fit nicely when he's wearing cloth. I think they make him look chunkier than he is (see, I really am vain I guess).  I can't tell if the bulk of his diaper is making it harder for him to learn to crawl or not.  Fact: he crawls the fastest when he's in just in birthday suit, so I assume they are. For this reason I have decided to change diaper brands (more on that in a minute).
4. Washing is not as scary as you might think it is. Now that Raymond eats solids, I do have to dispose of his stool (ie shake or (not my favorite) scrape what I can in to the toilet). Luckily for me, there is a bathroom connected to Raymond's room and really this isn't hard. Most of his stools are solid enough to shake and them put the diaper in my diaper pail without complaint. I do, however, have a plastic spatula in that bathroom for those extra loose stools that need some help coming off his diaper. That might gross you all out, but I rarely do this and pretty much I can suck it up for the other benefits of cloth diapering. Everyone picks their battles.
5. It is sort of a bummer that you have to be picky about your laundry soap. Most cloth diaper distributors recommend fancy-smancy soaps (and the truth is, you have to use something geared towards cloth diapers or they will get buildup and leak. That's the last thing anyone wants). I use Tide Clear (the one in the white and green box that is more expensive than any other Tide. Funny how you have to pay more to get less dyes and softeners etc). I use it with all my laundry and have been perfectly happy with it as far as cleaning my diapers goes. About once a month I run them through an additional HOT wash (called stripping  your diapers) to make sure any buildup is rinsed out, but again, not hard.
6. After about a month of washing my diapers 3 times a week, I noticed that in two of my diapers the PUL was warping--in other the words the plastic waterproof part (on the inside of the pocket) was shrinking. They recommend you dry your diapers on low. Unfortunately I don't have a low setting, so I've opted to line dry instead. I have a cheap (from Walmart) clothes rack that I keep by my washer an dryer. I dry the inserts in the drier and line dry the diapers. It means I have to plan a little bit more ahead as they take about 3 hours to dry (vs 45 minutes or less in the dryer), but I have been surprised at how non-intrusive this step has been. I do have some disposables on had in case my diapers still aren't dry and Raymond needs a change, but also not a big deal.
7. Raymond rarely has a diaper rash (usually only if he's been wearing a disposable), seems content, and the truth is, they're cute. For the most part, I've been super happy with our decision to do cloth.

What I'm going to do next:
Because I was frustrated with the bulk of fuzzibunz, I've done quite a bit of researching and review-reading online and have finally decided for the next size up to switch to Swaddlebees Original Snap Pocket diapers.

The price is very comparable to Fuzzibunz, they are a pocket diaper made with PUL and use snaps (although theirs are on the side rather than the front--I'll have to see how I like that). What really sold me on their diaper is that it is widely proclaimed as the trimmest diaper on the market. If you scroll back up and look at the fuzzibunz vs the swaddlebees, it's obvious that the swaddlebees has been cut narrow in the crotch. Their inserts are also contoured

in order to help eliminate the bulk. And, from most of the reviews I've read, their a favorite in most people's diaper stash. We'll see if I agree!

So, long story short (anyone still reading??): I'm still a cloth diaper user and supporter. 

(note: if you have any experience with either of these two brands, let me know what you think!)