How do they work?!

Question

I've seen/heard a lot about cloth diapers and am really interested in trying them but don't really know where to start. How does cloth diapering even work? This might be dumb but I'm a FTM and open to new things! What's your opinion? What do you need? Is it worth it?

Answer

I'm a FTM as well and my son is 5 weeks old, we have been cloth diapering since we brought him home from hospital. I absolutely love it. I have 2 different styles that I use 1. Prefolds snappied with cover I have 2 dozen newborn and 2 dozen size small and 6 covers. I use green mountain prefolds and I love the thirsties covers. My 2nd system is pocket diapers. Which means the insert goes inside a pocket and once soiled the whole diaper ( cover and insert) goes into the laundry. My husband is ok with the prefolds system but he prefers the pocket since they are most like disposable diapers ( one thing to put on and one thing to take off). I originally ordered the pocket for daycare but my husband loved them that I ordered more. I like the sunbaby brand. I don't use the inserts they sell though, I just fold a prefold into thirds and stuff my pocket diaper with that. Works great.

I highly recommend checking out green mountain diaper website.  http://greenmountaindiapers.com They have a ton of good information on starting cloth diapering and the proper care for them.

I have done a TON of research before starting cloth diapering. Feel free to ask me any questions.

Answer

This is going to be long, so I'll put the rest in the comments. We've been using cloth diapers exclusively now with our son for 8.5months. It's been soo much fun, addicting and my fiance and I both absolutely love it! It's really not as bad as it may seem. It's literally just an extra load of laundry (the only laundry I actually like doing!). It's totally worth ot considering how much money we've

Even if you're not sure you want to cloth, start with joining the FB group Fluff Love & CD Science. Then while you wait to be approved, browse their website: Fluffloveuniversity.com.  They have tons of great and accurate information on cloth diapering and even the science to back up why certain detegernts or diaper creams are not cloth safe, including how to properly wash cloth diapers.

It is overwhelming learning everything at first. I thought I would never remember it all, but it's really not that bad. That group seriously helped me and now I have my own friends who cloth diaper come to me all the time for questions and help.

My one piece of advice is to STAY AWAY from any detergents labeled as "cloth safe" (for example: Rock n Green, Bumgenius, Charlie's). They are literally made up of softeners and in order to even come close to getting soiled diapers clean, you would need to use way more than the recommended amount. Same goes for homemade "detergents". You can use most mainstream detergents. I'll leave a few pictures below for help/references.

Depending on the style of diaper you choose to use, will depend on how expensive they are. You can buy used from local fb groups or even some website have a gently used section (Kellyscloset, nickisdiapers, cotton babies).

TYPES OF DIAPERS:

Flats/Prefolds and Covers (the insert lays inside the cover, typically can be folded:  Cheapest).

Answer

I forgot to add the pictures, oops! These will help though with picking a detergent and getting a wash routine from fluff love if you choose to cloth.

Answer

I love them! Join a cloth nappy group on Facebook and look for near-new second hand ones. And get a good wash routine going. Dry pail and every 2 days do a full wash as pre wash to get rid of the dirt then another full wash in clean water

Answer

You need at least three dozen nappies. 
I use 'pocket' nappies. 
When dirty, dry pail the wee ones and scrape the poo ones then rinse and dry pail. 
On wash day use your strongest washing cycle. 
It pays to join cloth nappy groups - it can be very helpful.

Answer

I've never used a cloth diaper but I've done a little bit of research to see if I was interested in using them.
To my understanding when you get a poopy diaper, you hose the diaper off over a toilet, or at least that's what one mom said she does. You definitely have to rinse off most of the poop first, then you can put it in the washing machine.
If you're out somewhere, you carry a little bag around with you in your diaper bag or purse where you put the used diapers. It's totally scent free since it's a special bag for the diapers, but you do have to bring it around with you all day.
I also hear it's sort of a hassle to expect babysitters to deal with the cloth diapers if they don't know how to use them. So you might want to switch to disposables while they babysit, or give them a list of instructions.
I'm sorry I can't offer you a more positive outlook on these diapers, but this is just what I've learned after looking around for info. 
The good news is that they're wayyyy less expensive, they're even adjustable so they can grow with your baby. And they're very good for the environment.

How do they work?!

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