Do You Fold Your Diaper Laundry?

This is such an interesting question if you're a cloth-diaper obsessed mommy.

My answer is yes, I do.
In fact, I not only "fold" the diaper laundry ...  I sort out the pockets and the inserts so the "right" insert goes in the "right" pocket.

That makes sense for the Duo's, right?  They came with a particular insert.  But I have pockets that I bought without inserts, and inserts that I bought without pockets.  Somehow I have "assigned" (in my brain) a particular insert to a particular diaper.  So after they are washed, they have to be stuffed the same way.

Right?  (Just nod.)

With regular laundry, I live out of clean laundry baskets quite a bit.  If the dang clothes wouldn't get so wrinkled, I'd never fold and/or put away clothes again.  I've tried this approach with diapers.  After all, it totally doesn't matter if diapers get wrinkled.  And they rarely do (how unfair is that, BTW?)

But when you just live out of the basket, that means every time you need a diaper, you are digging through tons of pockets and inserts, and sometimes a few prefolds, and all the cloth wipes, and ... you tend to put the wrong insert with the wrong pocket.  And then that just screws EVERYTHING up.

OCD much?

Ok, so to fold diaper laundry ...  first pull out all the prefolds, and make a stack of them.  As you come across covers, just throw those in a pile next to the prefolds (see, I'm not totally OCD here.)

Only one prefold in this load - been doing alot of pockets lately

Then pull out the pockets, and sort by type.  Knickernappies go in one pile, Thirsties go in another pile.  (I have relieved the Swaddlebees of their duties unless I run out or otherwise need them, since they tear up diapers in the wash and I have beautiful new diapers I want to take care of.)

Duo sleeves on the left, Knickernappies sleeves on the right, Duo inserts on my knee, and a small child's toy in the center.

Oh, the small child came to retrieve the toy, that's good.

A better photo, sans toy and child

Then pull out the inserts and sort.  The nighttime diapers get a Cotton Babies OS insert and the Mandi's Menagerie insert in a Fuzzi Bunz pocket.  Altho, since I only have two working FB pockets left, we may be readdressing our nighttime system.  But for now, these get stuffed and put in a pile.

Other Cotton Babies OS inserts, Nicki's diapers inserts, Knickernappies inserts, are used to stuff the Knickernappies sized and OS pockets.  Thirsties Duo inserts go in the Duo Diapers.  As wipes come up in this process, a pile is made of them.

More help from the small child.  And the toy.

And there you have it, diaper laundry is "folded".

I don't always arrange them by color, that was just for the big photo.

If I had a stash of all one kind of diaper and insert, maybe I could live out of a laundry basket.

But I'll tell you, there's something very fulfilling, and almost even relaxing, about stuffing pocket diapers and feeling like you did accomplish SOMETHING today.  Even if it is diaper laundry.

Apparently this is a very serious question - even the Knickernappies people want to know the answer!

Tomorrow, another very serious question: how do you store your diaper stash?

More Duo Diaper Action Shots

I don't know what it is about that position for diaper photos.

Better, a "crawling away" shot.

Another "crawling away" shot.

Finally, a decent "sitting still" action shot.  Too bad all the diapers are now dirty and in the wet bag.

CD 101 - pockets I have tried

Okay, so you've decided on trying pocket diapers. But what kind? Here are some reviews of some pocket diapers I have tried, followed by some suggestions on choosing a pocket diaper.

Reviews start with my favorite diapers, and the ones that I most recommend.

Thirsties Duo Diaper

pros:
Seriously, this is my favorite pocket
-comes with an awesome 2-piece insert that is microfiber and hemp
-openings in front and back makes the pocket super easy to stuff
-nice and trim and fits great
-leg gussets - NO LEAKS or blowouts at all
-now come in super pretty PRINTS

cons:
-don't come in a snap version
-I like the colors, but I liked the old Thirsties Rainbow a little better (apparently, though, they have limited that to an 8-color selection too.  Interesting.)
--

Knickernappies sized

pros:
-VERY trim through the crotch
-side snap, and lots of them

cons:
-inconsistency in sizing on some, although I imagine with the popularity of this diaper now they have worked that out. It was mostly with the G1, and the G2 is all that is available now
-no leg gussets, so the occasional blowout has happened.  Like, at really inconvenient times.
--

Knickernappies OS

pros:
-very trim diaper for a OS
-side snap, and lots of them
-its a one-size diaper, so it will last through multiple sizes

cons:
-leaking issues, really runny poo can get out the side where the diaper snaps
-the microfiber inserts that come with them are kinda dinky compared to others I have
--

Swaddlebees side snap:

pros:
-very trim through the crotch
-side snap

cons:
-leaked badly - the leg elastic isn't topstitched or "cased"
--

Swaddlebees velcro with organic velour:

pros:
-nice trim diaper
-these have cased elastic and didn't leak
-cheap - I bought on clearance as seconds
-come as a COW PRINT

cons:
-industrial strength Velcro sticks to EVERYTHING and got pilly and nasty quickly (and is ruining my Duo diapers in the wash!)
-bought as seconds, so some stitches came loose in early washing

Note - these may be discontinued, as I haven't found any in their outlet store, or at other retailers' websites.
--

Green Acre Designs:

pros:
-pretty trim through the crotch
-side snap
-cute colors of fleece for the inside

cons:
-leaked once, I didn't use this that long before I sold - similar fit to the Swaddlebees side snap
--

Fuzzi Bunz sized
pictured here being used as a nighttime diaper
pros:
-nice big crotch lets you stuff alot for nighttime
-snap closure - but they are front snap and not side-snap

cons:
-they have changed so much even with a single "version" that finding the kind you want on FSOT is difficult - -you have to know if you want the "new size medium" or the "old size medium" and there are even now "old new size medium"s.
-everybody has some listed on FSOT so they are hard to sell, and mamas want to bargain you down to nothing
-lots of fake ones for sale on eBay - be careful
no leg gussets
--

Cloth Diaper Wholesale OS diaper
pros:
-high quality fleece
-snap closure
-cheaper than most pockets, but still well made

cons:
-the pocket is in the front, not the back, so the microfiber insert tends to rub her tummy
-not as large as other OS diapers, might not last into potty learning
-no leg gussets, but its never leaker
--

The only pocket that I have wanted to try and never have is the Smartipants pocket.  I was getting ready to try them when I heard the Thirsties Duos were coming out, so I waited.  Smartipants are a snap OS pocket diaper, that lots of mamas rave about.  If you're considering OS pockets, give them a shot.


There are some that I've tried that I don't even recommend.  One is the Mommy's Touch OS pocket.

It's too hard to figure out the snap settings, and I haven't heard of many mamas having alot of luck with them.

Also, I ordered a OS pocket from a WAHM (work-at-home-mom) and it leaks badly too.
Choosing:
Your decision will be easier if you are diapering a baby you have. Trying to decide what pockets to use when getting a newborn stash ready for a babe that is one the way is more difficult. Prefolds are so much easier on a newborn, though, that you might decide not to try pockets until they are a little bigger. (See that Swaddlebees side snap photo above?  That's a size small pocket on a newborn. Not a good fit.)

That's one reason that the Thirsties Duo Diaper came out with two sizes - one for smaller babies, and one for bigger babies to potty learning.

I always suggest you read reviews, raves, suggestions, and recommendations by mamas on cloth diapering forums. See Mothering Dot Com and Diaperswappers. You will see lots of different opinions. As you filter through them, compare some of the information about their baby to your situation. Some diapers fit chunky babies better, and if yours is long and slim with skinny thighs, you might decide on something different. Age might be a help in comparing, but weight and size will probably make more of a difference.

--Decide if you want to use OS or sized pockets. You might try a OS on your little one and see how bulky it is before you buy a stash of 24 diapers.

--Decide if you like snap or aplix closure. The aplix closures tend to look gross after a while, lots of washing makes them pilly, curly, and not as neat as they once were. Snaps can break or fail or pull holes in the diaper after a while, but look nicer after lots of washings. My daycare person prefers the velcro to the snap closures, and my mom sometimes has issues with pain in her hand that makes snapping diapers uncomfortable for her. However, when your little one gets big enough to want to squirm, crawl, or run away from diaper changes, snapping diapers is difficult at best. A quick change using aplix closures helps.

Of course, my little one now loves to pull off the aplix on the Duo diapers.  We will be wearing alot of shorts over diapers this summer.

--Decide if you like leg gussets. The only pocket I know of with leg gussets is the Thirsties Duo Diaper, but there could be more out there.

Hope that helps if you're considering pockets.  As always, feel free to email me if you have specific questions!

The Thirsties Prints Are Here!!!!!! and other diaper stuff

The Thirsties Prints that I preordered, like, a month ago finally arrived today.  Snappy Diapers were the only ones preordering when I first found out the Duo Diapers were coming out in prints, so I jumped on the preorder bandwagon.  In fact, I was so excited when preordering, I didn't change the drop-down box to size 2, and had to email them and ask them to change my preorder.  Doh!  Kristen did an amazing job of keeping me posted as Thirsties delayed their release.

I washed them immediately so we could wear one as our nighttime diaper.  I used a previously washed insert, tho.  Since the Duo inserts have a hemp layer, multiple washings are required to remove the natural oils from the fabric and make the hemp absorbent.

Thirsties advertises that the prints match the shades of solids that the Duo Diapers are already available in, and they are right.

Blackbird shown with Honeydew, Meadow, Mango, and Ocean

Warm Stripes shown with Rose, Orchid, Mango, and Meadow

Cool Stripes shown with Ocean, Meadow, and Honeydew

The only solid color not seen in any of these prints is the Storm Cloud.  Not a single print has that shade.  Which is unfortunate, because its my favorite of the colors.

Can't wait to try the rest tomorrow.  Will update with photos then.

--++--

In other diaper news, I think we are going to have to retire this diaper:

One night last week, Wee One woke me up to nurse, and she was wet.  No, not wet.  SOAKED.  EVERYWHERE.  She was laying in a puddle and her jammies were drenched.  It was the diaper.  I changed her and laid a towel on the bed.  How much did she have to pee to outdo the absorbency of this diaper?  Only ... the insert wasn't that wet.  I guess the diaper had leaked somehow rather than the insert absorbing it.

I, of course, forgot about this incident.  After washing a load of diaper laundry, I re-stuffed all three nighttime diapers.  I stuff all three the same way, so before her bath each night, I just have to grab one and go.  So I did.  And again, the pink one TOTALLY FAILED AGAIN.  Again, I was changing her at 2 am in the dark and laying a towel down.

This was one of the first diapers I ever bought.  I bought it used off the FSOT thread on Diaperswappers.  I had heard Fuzzi Bunz were good pockets (and they are - if you can figure out the crazy size changes) and this one was cheap.  In the back of the pocket, where the fabric forms the casing for the elastic, a thread had come undone.  However, it didn't affect the function of the diaper, and the mama totally disclosed it, and if I was more detail-oriented and could find a needle in a haystack, I mean, my house, then I totally could have fixed it.

We have used this diaper every third night since last summer.  It's kindof no wonder that it's kicking the bucket.

I'm giving it a chance, though.  I'm going to strip it and see if maybe mineral or detergent buildup is causing it to lose its absorbency.  I'm afraid the PUL might be shot, tho, and there's not really a cure for that.

Yes, that is a diaper in a pot of water with Dawn dishwashing detergent, just boiled.  That's the best method to strip a diaper.

--++--

And lastly, unfortunately I think I'm going to have to redact an earlier rave for these diapers:

I'm loving snap diapers because Wee One tries to take off velcro diapers.  However, twice in the last month I have shown up at daycare with poop dripping down her leg because these diapers are not really good at holding the runny stuff in.  When all we used was Thirsties products - either covers or the Duo Diapers (both have leg gussets) - we never had a blowout in a cloth diaper, only sposies.  With the Knickernappies, I've had two blowouts and it's not been pretty.

That sucks, because I have quite a few of them

(this isn't all - there are two in the wet bag that are dirty, and one is a backup that I keep at daycare.)  I guess I can use them when I don't think she's about to have a big poo. 

And this has nothing to do with the fact that I didn't win six of their diapers in their Facebook photo contest, either.

--++--

Oh, and I meant to celebrate my 100th post when I got there, but that was the previous one to this.  So, Happy 101st Post To Me!

Cloth Diapering 101 - Pocket Inserts

Previously, I discussed pocket diapers as cloth diaper options. I have also done a post on cloth diaper fabrics in general, which may also help you decide.

Almost as important as choosing the pocket is deciding what goes inside it. Hence I decided to do a post on pocket inserts.

The is one of those decisions that might take a "pros and cons" list. There are always upsides and downsides to all your options.

Microfiber: Many pocket inserts are made of microfiber, at least in part. This is because microfiber is very absorbent. Very absorbent. However, it can get the stinkies, especially if you use natural detergents. Microfiber stains pretty easily - this doesn't matter as much for inserts, because they are inside the diaper. If you're OCD about stains, tho, it may drive you nuts. One warning: microfiber can NOT be the layer closest to the baby's skin. It is so absorbent it will wick the natural moisture from the skin and cause a nasty, ugly, red patch wherever it touches the skin. So be sure if you use microfiber inserts, that they aren't "peeking" out the back of the pocket on you.

Here's the best part about using microfiber as inserts ... it's available CHEAP! Go to your nearest dollar store, Big Lots, or even Wally World. Look for microfiber towels. You can find them with the kitchen towels, or even in the automotive section. They are often $1 each or less. Fold them in thirds and stuff them in your pockets. Yes, it is that simple. If you have a heavy wetter, use two. If you're a sewer, fold it in thirds and run a seam up the side to make it look more like a diaper insert and less like a towel you bought for really cheap.

Natural Fibers: Bamboo, Hemp, and organic cotton are all options for pocket diaper inserts. Most of these fibers absorb moisture much more slowly than the synthetic fibers (like microfiber) but they tend to hold the moisture better. They take a little longer to dry for that reason, but they are great as diaper material.



If you get new inserts, you have to wash the natural oils out of the material for them to reach their optimal absorbency. Plan to wash separate from other diapers 2 or 3 times, then up to 8 times before they are fully absorbent.

Other options: Have a bunch of prefolds you're not using? Fold them in thirds and use them as a cheap insert. If they're absorbent enough to use on their own, they're absorbent enough to use as inserts! Cotton, hemp, or bamboo prefolds all will work well.

Your best bet: A combination of the two best options - microfiber for quick absorbency and hemp for long-term absorbency. The insert for the Thirsties Duo Diaper is based on this idea, but mamas have been combining microfiber and bamboo or hemp for a long time. The microfiber layer goes closest to the baby's body (inside the pocket), so it can quickly absorb pee and prevent leaks. Then the bamboo or hemp layer "stores" the moisture. This is the combination I use for our nighttime system, but it also works for daytime. It works really well in the Duos.

My favorite inserts: Overall, my favorite insert ever is the Cotton Babies One-Size microfiber insert. Second to that is the Nicki's Diapers microfiber insert. Both are (1) cheap! and (2) thick. The Cotton Babies has snaps so you can adjust them for your smaller diapers. If you get the Nicki's, just fold them over. I found some Loopy-Do inserts (Knickernappies) but even on clearance they were more expensive, and not as thick (although the loop design does help with drying time.)



Pocket inserts - from left: hemp flat trifolded, from Pocket Change; Cotton Babies One-Size, snapped down; Loopy-Do size Large; a bamboo-zorb insert I bought off HyenaCart.

Diaper Nirvana

I want this one ...


And this one ...


And this one ...


And, oh heck, we might as well want this one ...


When I first started cloth diapering, I used prefolds and covers. Thirsties covers were my favorite from the start, but laundry tabs aren't perfect and after quite a bit of washing, the velcro isn't as gleaming new as it once was. Many conversations were had on DS about how if Thirsties came with snaps it would be the perfect cover. Many mamas paid to have their covers converted to snaps. I couldn't wait for the day that Thirsties would listen and come out with a snap cover.

First came the covers in snaps.


Then came the covers in prints.

But by then, we were using mostly pockets. First, we started daycare and that's the cloth diaper they prefer to use. Then, we had a rash issue with new prefolds and I just became leery of using them.

Now, the Thirsties Duo Diapers, our favorite pocket diaper, is also coming out in prints (see above).

If they would just make THOSE in snaps, we will be in diaper heaven.
--

Thank You Knickernappies

Action shots of the Knickernappies One Size diaper we won through their blog giveaway. Thanks Heather!






:)

Cloth Diapering 101 - All In One's and Pockets

All-In-Ones, or AIOs, are pretty simple to understand and use. A post on these would be pretty short (except for the pics!). Some of the disadvantages of AIO's lead mamas to try pockets, so I thought I would treat them in the same discussion.

All In One's:
These diapers are just as their name implies - the diaper is all in one piece. These diapers are most similar to disposable diapers, and therefore are sometimes the choice of mamas wanting a simple cloth diapering option for daddies, grandmas, babysitters, daycare, or going out and about.

Thirsties AIOs front and inside



Nana's Bottoms newborn size AIOs front and back (top) and inside



Nana's Bottoms Action Shots: periwinkle is preemie size, the mauve is one of the newborn sized ones:




There are downsides to AIO's. Some take a long time to dry. (Others take very long!) I was always concerned about them getting really clean since there isn't a good way for the sudsy water to circulate well into the absorbent part of the diaper.

All In Two's:
Related to AIO's are AI2's, diapers that are still a single-use diaper, but the absorbent material can be removed for washing and drying. I have much less experience with these, since the ones I tried I didn't like much.

Bottombumpers AI2 - the long insert piece snaps out for laundering



Pockets:
I hate putting pockets this far down the post, because THESE ARE THE DIAPER I WOULD RECOMMEND to mamas starting with cloth diapering. If the idea of getting prefolds on your babe is what keeps you from trying cloth diapering, this is the system for you. I've always had a few pockets in our stash from the beginning, but now that I have more for daycare, I find myself using them even at night and on weekends. They are just so simple.

The pocket diaper is literally a pocket. The outer portion of the pocket is the waterproof material, usually PUL (polyurethane laminated polyester, mentioned previously). The inner layer that forms the pocket is usually fleece. Most fleece is "wicking", meaning it can transfer wetness and has a "stay-dry" feeling because the moisture is transferred to the absorbent material underneath. This makes pockets an especially good option for nighttime.

There are LOTS of options for the absorbent material inside the pocket - enough for a separate post!

The advantage to pockets over AIOs is that the absorbent material can be removed from the diaper to be washed, so you know that it is getting clean. Since it is a separate piece in the dryer, it usually takes less time to dry. A disadvantage is that the insert has to be "stuffed" back into the pocket after the laundry in order to have your diaper ready to use again.

Another advantage to the pocket - and again, this will be treated in the post on pocket inserts - is that you can customize the amount of absorbency you use to stuff the pocket. Have a heavy wetter? Add more absorbancy. Taking photos in a special outfit and need a trimmer diaper? Use a thinner insert - if the diaper is only on for a short time, absorbancy might not be an issue. Nighttime? Stuff away.

I have tons of photos of Wee One in pockets, since she's in them the majority of the time now. Of course the cow print diaper was a pocket, as are the Thirsties Duo Diapers that I rave about, and the Knickernappies OS that I won.

Thirsties Duo Size 2 in Meadow


Raspberry Knickernappies size Medium


Swaddlebees Size Small - when she was still less than 6 pounds. This is the first pocket I tried on her. Below are the photos I took when I sold these on Diaperswappers FSOT.




I started out buying sized pockets (size small, size medium) since I think they fit smaller babies better. Now that she is bigger, we can take advantage of the one-size (OS) diapers. The idea is that one-size-fits-all, which is why they are referred to as OS diapers. There are usually snaps that adjust the rise, and allow you to fold and snap down the front for smaller babies, then adjust as your baby grows. There are usually more snaps around the waist or longer aplix across the front to accomodate babies as their waist grows larger. The advantage is that a single diaper can fit babies of different sizes if you have two in diapers, or can fit your baby as (s)he grows. The disadvanges are that I don't think you get as good a fit on small babies like newborns, and the folding down and adjusting can create some bulk. I've also heard some OS get too small for big toddlers.

Thirsties has tried to address this issue with their line of Duo Diapers. The Duo Diapers have snaps in the front to adjust the rise so the diaper accomodates different sized babies. However, they come in two sizes, Size 1 for newborns and smaller babies, and Size 2 for bigger babies to toddlers. Wee One is in Size 2. I have to say I think these diapers will last her until she's out of diapers, because on the largest settings, the diaper is huge. However, it adjusts down to fit her now at 18.5 pounds and is still trim and not bulky.

Some popular OS diapers, in addition to the Knickernappies and Thirsties Duo, are the BumGenius brand.

BGOS blossom compared to Thirsties Duo Size 2 Storm Cloud, and both on her.