Update: Cloth Diapers

When I last mentioned our cloth diapering adventure, I had quit.  Well, took a temporary hiatus is a better description.  A few weeks later I was back in the game!  I've said it before, I'll say it again, cloth diapering is all about trouble shooting.  You figure one thing out, and sure enough another issue rises.  But I'm here to tell you there is light at the end of the tunnel.  It can work ... and beautifully too.  And that's where we are now.  A beautiful (although occasionally stinky), natural relationship withour Mother Earth.  Excuse me while I go hug my tree now.  Okay, just kidding.  Actually, using cloth is suddenly, shockingly easy at this point.  It wasn't like this a few months ago, and it might not be like this a few months from now, so I'll just ride this wave while it's here. 

So what's changed? Well, Jude for one.  The kid has bulked up a bit these past few months.  Here I thought all our leaking problems were because I was a dunce and just didn't know how to put the diaper on.  I would literally spend 10 minutes fixing and tightening one diaper during a change, over and over, just to make sure I had a good fit.  And then be completely dumbfounded an hour later when it leaked.  Well, I feel much better now knowing it was not me.  Jude is a bit bigger now in the thighs and apparently that's all it took to get a better seal, at least one this particular brand of diapers.  I can diaper him in seconds, with my eyes closed and one hand tied behind my back.  And never get a leak.  See, totally not me!

My homemade inserts are still working wonderfully.  They don't look so nice - kinda frayed and all crooked, but man do they soak!!  In my last post I mentioned oversaturation being a problem (this was before the skinny phase fit problems).  And now that I have these new inserts I can definitely see a difference.  Another factor is that Jude is now weaned and not drinking as much liquids as he was a few months ago.  (Don't worry, he's still quite healthy!)  The weaning (and perhaps the heat) have made such a difference that he can easily go 2 hours now with an old insert, and more than that with my homemade ones. 

I was also super excited to score a pile of 19 FuzziBunz and BumGenius diapers for $20 at a yard sale.  Apparently some people are weirded out by used cloth diapers but I assure you it is perfectly safe and sanitary.  That's the genius of cloth, they're reuseable AND they hold their value.  I knew if these diapers didn't work out I could easily sell them for double or triple the price online.  I've enjoyed being able to try out other brands, especially those that are more of your "typical" modern day cloth diaper.  I like them both for different reasons, but I'm happy to say I'm most pleased with my gDiapers.  I think we'll stick with them as our primary choice long as they keep working.

I did finally work up the courage to start using cloth overnight, and without any leaks.  It's nice knowing I can go completely cloth if I want to.  But right now I don't.  We still keep disposables around, mainly for the few times that Jon changes diapers.  And I like to use them most nights just to give Jude's bottom a "breather."  We still deal with a little diaper rash with Jude and cloth, but he seems to be much better as long as I use the occasional disposable. 

Lastly, we're ironing out some laundry issues (nice pun, huh!).  I learned the hard way that it's best to wash my diapers every 2 days (and definitely not more than 3), otherwise they'll start to stink up the whole house.  I've also moved the laundry pail from the hall bathroom to the laundry room.  For some reason I don't notice the smell as bad in there.  I switched to Rockin' Green detergent, which seems to be good for "getting out the funk" and keeping build-up off my diapers.  Especially after an overnight soak.  But I'm still not happy with the smell.  They just don't come out smelling fresh, even though they look clean.  I think I'll try Charlie's Soap next.  I've also read some good things about RLR Laundry Treatment that makes me want to give it a try.  In the meantime, I love drying my diapers in the sun.  Although they end up a bit crispy, they're also glaringly white and smell like fresh air.  Plus having cloth diapers hanging on the line (albeit a makeshift one) makes me feel all quaint and homey.  I just love getting in touch with my inner Ma Ingalls!

I'm still debating over what to do with new baby.  I'm nervous about cloth diapering a newborn, since blowouts are so prevalent at that stage.  Plus with fit being such an issue before, I'm just not sure what to expect from someone so tiny!  Also, because we didn't start using cloth with Jude until he was older, I only have medium and large diapers.  Which means I'd have to invest in a whole new batch of small ones for the Little Miss.  I'm just not sure how much money I want to spend on something that, even if it works, will only last a few months.  Small diapers only go up to 14 lbs.  So if this baby ends up being as big as her oldest brother, she'd only be in them for 2 months!  So yes, still deciding, still hoping some marvelous deal comes along where I can score some cheap or free cloth.  And still have some time to think about it.

I love talking about my latest cloth diapering triumphs and failures, so feel free to ask questions or pass along any advice you can think of!

Cloth Diapering, Part II

So back in the fall I wrote about our venture into cloth diapering waters.  I think I promised an update and I have been sorely remiss in doing so.  This is because, like diapers, things just kept changing.  Just when I thought I had the hang of it something would go wrong and I'd be back at square one again.  It's come to the point where I've all but given up on cloth diapering.  For the last two weeks they've been sitting in a drawer, completely unused.  I guess you could say I've quit, but I honestly don't want to.  So I'm gonna wait it out a bit and see if we can't pick it up again in the future.  If not with Jude then maybe with #3.

That said, I like to keep honesty the policy here and hopefully someone out there can learn from my experience.  So here is a list of my cloth diapering issues and solutions:

Fit
When I first started using gDiapers I had the hardest time with fit.  They tend to have a higher rise than disposable diapers, but the waistband should be loose.  And most importantly the edge of the diaper needs to hit at the highest crease in the groin.  This is where I always had trouble.  Sometimes it would take me multiple tries before I got the diaper on right.  This is difficult with a wriggly baby but it becomes easier with more practice.  Eventually I got the correct fit most of the time.

Absorbancy
Unfortunately, as soon as I started getting the fit right we started experiencing leaks again.  And for the life of me, I could not figure out why.  I kept thinking it was the fit, but it wasn't.  I started changing Jude every two hours or less and he was still soaking through his pants.  And I think the cold, wet diapers were causing him to wake early from naps as well.  Finally, after researching online and discussing with some other gDiaper moms on a message board, I figured out that the gCloth inserts I was using were just not able to hold Jude's amount of pee.  Apparently it's a common problem as the babies get older and pee more.  This is my beef with gDiapers.  I have an average-sized baby who is exclusively breastfed (and definitely not over-doing the liquids), wearing a size medium/large diaper that's supposed to last up to 28 pounds, with a size medium/large insert which is supposed to be good until the baby is potty-trained.  If he's oversaturating a diaper in about an hour's time, just what kind of kids are these inserts supposed to work on?? 

So it was back to more researching and exploring.  I decided to make my own inserts using Zorb, supposedly one of the most absorbant fabrics on the market.  I bought a yard directly from the manufacturer http://www.wazoodle.com/.  I used microfiber as the top layer since it is soft and wicks away moisture, followed by 3 layers of Zorb.  Zorb must be fully encased otherwise it will fall apart in the wash.  So I added a layer of flannel to the bottom since a.) it's thin and b.) I've got a ton of it in the form of old receiving blankets.

My parents got me a serger for Christmas and I was SO excited to test it out.  The best part was the machine arrived completely threaded and ready to go!  I did a few dry runs on some homemade wipes and was ready to roll!  I had pictured some perfectly formed inserts that rivaled the gCloth itself, or at least the homemade ones I saw on Etsy.  It didn't exactly work out that way.  First of all, Zorb is thick and I was working with three layers plus two layers of another fabric.  Even with a serger I was having a tough time cutting through all those layers.  And since I have no previous serging experience, I had to learn the hard way.  If I ever do this again I'll definitely not try to round the corners, it nearly killed my machine.  In fact, I did bend a needle that way.  This was actually much worse than it sounds because, although replacing a needle is inconvenient, it's not nearly as difficult as re-threading the machine, which I then had to do.  Then again, by the time I had finished my project I ended up re-threading the machine a gazillion times.  Have you seen those serger thread guides?  They're a killer.  I'm pretty sure I spent more time threading and re-threading the machine than I did actually sewing.

And that was just one of my issues.  Turns out my original top layer was the wrong material and not only did not absorb liquid but actually repelled it.  Oops.  This meant undoing my first batch of inserts and re-sewing them with new fabric.  Then I had issues with the bottom layer pulling away from the seam and leaving a gap.  And these were just technical errors.  These say nothing about my sewing skills, which are sorely lacking.  I was able to finish the project but the end result was anything but eye appealing. 

A J9 original and a regular gCloth.

But the good news is, they work!  Really well actually!  I still couldn't let Jude go more than 2 hours but I don't mind changing him that often anyway.  I also started doubling up on my old inserts and that got us through about 2 hours as well.  Woo hoo, we were back on the cloth diapering train!

Smell
In addition to the leaks Jude's diapers had a signature scent, and it wasn't a good one.  They'd come out of the wash smelling all fresh and clean, but the moment he peed in one the resulting odor was enough to make Daddy gag.  This is actually a common cloth diaper issue and easy to solve with a laundry detergent specifically for cloth diapers.  The gDiapers website says you can use any laundry detergent, but that you will need to strip your diapers occasionally if they start to lose absorption.  I didn't want to invest in fancy detergent since I was just starting out, so I went with All Free and Clear.  This is better than regular detergent but still not great.  After several months of use my diapers were suffering from detergent build up, which while not affecting their absorbancy, was causing them to smell foul.

More research and I decide to go with Rockin' Green detergent.  I ordered some samples in the mail and used them to soak and strip the diapers a few times.  I noticed an immedient difference.  So then I bought a bigger batch from diapers.com with a coupon code.  I haven't got to use the big batch yet because we've since run into another problem...

Rash
Soon after I made my own extra-absorbant inserts and invested in some cloth diaper friendly detergent, Jude got a horrible, terrible diaper rash.  But this wasn't your typical diaper rash because it wasn't on his bottom.  It was on his inner thigh right where the diaper liner hit his leg.  I mean it was really, really bad.  I took a few days off from cloth diapering and it cleared up on its own.  I put him back in cloth and it came back.  Since this was never an issue before it could have been a reaction to the new detergent but since that stuff is supposedly all-natural and should completely wash out in the laundry, I find it highly unlikely.  I waited a few weeks before attempting cloth again but it doesn't really matter because we are once again having problems with ...

Fit
Yeah, here we go again.  Remember how I said gDiapers need to ride high in the leg to create a "seal" to keep liquid in?  Well I suddenly can NOT seem to get them to sit right on his inner thigh.  I will literally put on and take off the same diaper 10 times and still not get a good fit.  And by this time Jude's patience has worn thin and he's ready to roll off to some new adventure.  It's beyond frustrating.  I have read on some message and review boards that gDiapers only work well for chubby babies.  I just figured these users weren't trying hard enough but I'm beginning to become a believer.  Jude isn't tiny, but he has really thinned out the past few months.  He's long and lean and basically has none of that adorable baby chub that his brother was, and still is, known for.  It's really hard to create a "seal" when there are no rolls to work with. 

And so, all these issues combined, and the culminating fact that I simply cannot even put the gDiaper on my son anymore, has led me to put the cloth away, for now at least.  I hate to say I'm giving up entirely because maybe Jude will chunk up again in the next few months, and I'd love to use them again on the new baby.  I'm also open to trying another kind of cloth.  One of the areas we may end up moving to has a cloth diaper store and offers cloth diapering classes.  If we end up there I definitely want to have a chat with their resident expert.  But for now, in my current unmotivated, just-trying-to-make-it-through-the-day-until-my-new-9pm-bedtime state, I think we'll keep up with the disposable diapers.  It certainly helps that I just got an entire box of 203 diapers, shipped to my door, for free a few weeks ago.  Moms, if you're not signed up yet, you NEED to join Amazon Mom.  It's worth it for the free shipping alone.

That's it for now, but hopefully I'll have a cloth diapering Part III post someday in my future mommy career.

If Christopher Columbus wore disposable diapers ...

If Christopher Columbus wore disposable diapers,
they would still be here today …

--gDiapers.com

In honor of Columbus Day weekend, and that inspiring quote from the gDiapers website, I thought I'd finally spill the beans on our latest venture - cloth diapering.

I know, I know.  Who would've thought Lady Diaper Deals would go to such great lengths.  But Jude doesn't seem to mind and I rather enjoy getting in touch with my "green" side.  You see, I've been thinking about cloth diapers ever since Jack was a wee little babe.  For a while, it seemed like "everyone was doing it."  All my favorite frugal bloggers and a number of my Facebook friends were dropping terms like "BumGenius" and "FuzziBunz."  It got me curious.  So I did a little research, well a lot of research.  And ended up thoroughly overwhelmed. 

Anyone who has explored cloth diaper blogs, forums or message boards knows what I mean.  The terms, the lingo, the diagrams.  I saw spreadsheets that outlined cost savings over a lifetime.  I saw charts that use star ratings to show which detergents are better for cloth.  I saw bunches and bunches of colorful baby bums.  I found online stores, and stay-at-home-mom made diapers.  I learned the difference between a "wet pail" and a "dry pail."  Someone even did an entire pictorial outline of the anatomy of their cloth diaper changing and laundry system.  And then the "information overload" sign would start flashing in my brain and I'd have to walk away from the computer to try and sort it all out.  I just wanted something simple and straightforward.

And I also saw some hefty price tags.  There's no doubt about it that cloth diapers will save you money in the long run, but it's the inital investment that's a kick to the pants.  And I wasn't too thrilled about shelling out cold, hard cash for something I didn't even know would pan out. 

 

To top it all off, Jon was totally opposed, grossed out, not interested, don't ever mention it again.

 

But of course I still did.  Ever few months I'd bring it up, and every few months he'd shoot me down.  Finally, I put my foot down.  Now, I try to be a fairly submissive wife.  My hubby's smart.  He's the head of the house, and he works pretty hard for our income.  So I'm not about to throw it away on something he wants nothing to do with.  But I was tired of dancing around.  I wanted to know, once and for all, if cloth diapering was something I could do.  So I fed him a delicious dinner, looked into his eyes, and said, "I'm going to buy a cloth diaper.  I'm going to try this out.  I'm going to spend X amount from my own allowance.  And if it doesn't work then I'll sell them on Craigslist for 70-80% of their original value and never bring it up again."

His response:  "Sounds like a pretty expensive beta test."

 

So Jon-like.  His quote has now reached joke-status in our household.  I like to throw it around in casual conversation because, let me tell ya, we've had quite a few pricey beta tests around here ... and they weren't by me!

 

But he was good enough to let me use family funds for my purchase and after an evening of research I settled on gDiapers.  Let me tell you why:  First, I was attracted to their hybrid model.  You can use either cloth or a flushable/biodegradable insert in them.  I've only bought and used cloth, but the idea is appealing.  Second, from my limited knowledge of cloth diaper brands, this seemed to be the way to get the most bang for my buck.  Instead of having to wash the entire diaper after each use, you only have to wash the insert.  The outer diaper can be re-used, unless it's poopy.  At the time, Jude was only pooping once a week.  So instead of 2 diapers = 2 changes, I bought 2 diapers (+ 6 cloth inserts) = 6 changes.  Third, I saw the quote about Christopher Columbus wearing disposable diapers and, even though I'm not the most environmentally conscious person I know, even I was grossed out by 600 year old dirty diapers in the landfill. 

 

I made my purchase from Diapers.com (using a coupon code of course) and was practically giddy with excitement waiting for them to arrive.  In the meantime I read and re-read the entire gDiaper website, taking copious notes on use and care so I would be a pro by the time they arrived.  I didn't have to wait long thanks to free 2-day shipping.  I pulled them out of the box and they were just the cutests little panties I've ever seen.  In order to prep the gCloth (inserts) you have to wash them in hot water 6 times.  I didn't think much of it at first, but 6 washings, followed by 6 dryings, took a very long time.  Jude had fallen asleep long before I was done, so I went to bed eager to great the morning with my new fuzzy-bottomed babe.

 

Now, in all my research, I have never read a blog or article from someone saying, "Hey I gave cloth-diapering a shot and it wasn't for me."  Maybe they're out there, but I haven't seen them.  So I promised myself, whatever the outcome - savings success or frugal flop - I'd write all about it.  The first diaper change went great!  And as to be expected, my one-bowel-movement-a-week baby poo'd in his spankin' new diaper.  And ever since then he's been doing so every other day.  So much for that theory.  The second and third diaper leaked.  So I read through my notes again and figured out I wasn't pulling the legs up high enough.  After that we were home-free.  Well, most of the time.  There's a bit of a learning curve to gDiapering and sometimes I miss the turn.  But I think I've finally got the hang of it.

 

It's been two months now, I've bought one more pair of diapers and 6 more inserts for even less than I paid the first time.  My total investment so far is $82.  I have enough diapers to get through 3 days of diapering (I haven't worked up the courage to do cloth at night yet since my kiddos do 12 hours between changes) before having to do laundry.  Based on my calculations it would take me around 100 days of exclusive use (not including nights) to break even.  But this is based on a sale price of about $.20/per disposable.  I've been getting diapers for as little as $.10/each or even free lately, so it will take me a bit longer to break even.  But still, they will have paid for themselves during Jude's diaper days, and I'll still be able to use them with the next kid.

 

Yes, there is an "ick factor" as one person put it.  You do get a bit more up close and personal with what goes into a diaper.  Especially when you have to take it apart to wash it.  It hasn't been that bad so far, but Jude is also still exclusively breastfed.  I'm sure things will get more interesting after we start solids.  Once you get past the "ickiness" of it all, washing them is really quite easy.  I also made my own cloth wipes and wipe solution this past week, because wipes and dipes kinda go together.  Sure it's a bit more "work" than disposable wipes, but it beats the inconvenience of trying to figure out where to put the messy wipe since you can't just wrap it up in the diaper like usual.

 

I do have one complaint regarding gDiapers, and that is the fact that they are "breathable" which I'm sure is better for baby's bottom but causes the outside of the diaper, and sometimes Jude's pants, to feel damp.  It's not leakage, just moist air. 

And I'm not going to lie, it's definitely a lot easier to pull out a "'sposie" (as they say online) and stick it on a baby's bottom.  Or to pull it off, roll it up and dump it in the bin and be done with it.  I don't care how other people spin it, cloth diapering is defnitely more work.  But I still think it's worth it.  If I didn't I wouldn't have written this long-winded post and instead would have linked you to my Craigslist listing for a pack of hardly-used cloth diapers.  Instead, chalk me up as another one of those moms who gave cloth diapering a try and is now sold for life ... or at least, for the rest of my babymaking days!

gDiapers gCloth Inserts, Medium/Large, 13 to 36 Pounds, 6-Count