Cloth Diapers + Daycare

Updated on February 01, 2011
S.H. asks from Harvest, AL
5 answers

Hubby & I recently started discussing when to have our second child. We won't be able to try to conceive until he gets home from Egypt later this year, so it will be mid to late 2012 before the baby would be born.

Anyways, I'm already starting to think about all the baby things! haha We only used disposable diapers with our daughter. But, I am considering trying cloth diapers, as they are very different from when I was a baby!

I know there are different types of covers + liners. Some liners are disposable/flushable, while others you wash everything & reuse. I was reading about the Bum Genius 4.0 last night. Those sound nice!

What type do you use/recommend? Flushable or not?

Another part of my question... I do work full-time outside of home, so baby will be going to daycare. I'm pretty sure our daycare won't do cloth diapers! Is it still worth it to use cloth at home, while using disposables at daycare & on trips?

Any other cloth diapering tips you can give to a busy mom are welcome too! I've got plenty of time to research & learn! haha

I should also probably add that I know NOBODY who has ever used cloth diapers. So I'm a complete "dummy" at this... :)

EDIT: Our daughter has gone to an Army post daycare, which we LOVE. The caregivers & staff are great, and the fees are always based on your income, not child's age or anything, so it is usually half the cost of any other daycare around here! :) So I think I'd be ok with having them use disposables while we use cloth at home.

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M.K.

answers from Monroe on

Oddly enough, MOST states allow the use of cloth diapers (whether the particular daycare you choose will have a policy against it will be different)...they just must store each diaper in a separate bag (I use plastic grocery bags for MDO) and then stored inside another container (I send a zippable wet bag). The easiest diapers for a daycare to use are going to be all-in-one or pockets that are already stuffed (the bumgenious 4.0s)...I personally don't like pockets or AIOs, I use fitteds from thirsties during the day and bamboo fitteds from several places for overnight (better absorption and no compression leaks).
some places offer trial packs that give you a little over everything (some are rentals) to try and decide what you like and will use most.
http://www.jilliansdrawers.com/products/clothdiapers/tryc...
http://www.nellsnaturalbaby.com/Pick-Your-Own-Preview-Pac...
http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/packages.htm
http://nickisdiapers.com/pages/15DayWash.php
the following site lists most of the sales/discounts going on--some manufacturers have outlets where they sell seconds for a good price.
http://www.diaperpin.com/forum09/announcements.asp

2 moms found this helpful
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J.K.

answers from Gainesville on

If you are using cloth for environmental reasons, it's probably worth it. If you are using cloth to save money, it probably isn't, unless you are using prefolds and covers. If you plan on having more children, the economic advantages of cloth increase.
I used cloth exclusively for my two kids, so I like cloth diapers, but I want to give you the whole picture.
They do not last forever. You do, however, get your money's worth, especially if you are not on well water. You can get about 600 uses out of a good pocket diaper, but to set yourself up even part time will run from $100 to $300 I think.
Your choices: prefolds and covers, fitteds and covers, pockets, or all-in-ones. Prefolds are cheap (between $1 and $3 per diaper), absorbent, are decently durable, launder very well, and can be reused as all-purpose cleaning rags when they are too ratty to continue using as diapers. They are bulky though, so that new walkers and crawlers will be a bit more awkward, and you'll have to size up on pants. The sizing up isn't a big deal but if your second baby is a girl you may have to get boys' pants because girls' pants are sized so tight.
Fitteds are trimmer, slightly (unless using hemp) less absorbent than prefolds, easier to get right, and a bit more expensive (between $5 and $10 per diaper). These don't get in the way as much so it's easier for a new walker or crawler to get around.
Pockets, once assembled by putting the insert into the diaper, are the easiest escept all-in-ones to use once assembled, are as trim as fitteds, and are more expensive (between $16 and $30 per diaper, most around $18). They are slightly less absorbent than prefolds unless you replace the microfiber liner with a prefold hemp or bamboo diaper, and usually have a synthetic liner that wicks moisture away from baby's butt into the absorbent insert. They don't tend to launder as well, especially when you need to use butt cream for diaper rash. A one-size pocket will fit baby for their entire diapered life, unless they need diapers past 3 or early 4 years old for some reason.
All-in-ones are generally sized, and can be changed just like a disposable. They are great but priced like a pocket and only good for one size, so this option is for people who have a fair amount of money to invest in diapers.
Covers are between $6 and $12, generally.
There is a good tutorial on sunshinediapers.com for you to check out.
I use prefolds and covers and pockets. I'm switching from Happy Heinys to BumGenius because I prefer the BumGenius lining. The absorbency, fit, and inserts are basically the same.
Also, I recommend getting snap fittings for covers and pockets, because picking lint out of velcro attachments is a pain. And I have to do that even when I use the laundry tabs or do the twist version and stick the ends to each other.
Also, I used disposables for the first few weeks until the cord fell off. I know they make newborn covers with the cutout, but they are still bulkier than disposables and I felt that the newborn disposables were more comfortable for my babies. And it was nice to have a diaper that they could wear for more than fifteen minutes before having to change since they peed in it. You have to change cloth more often, about once per hour after 1 yr and once every 2 hours after that, at least. Before one year old I would check if they are fussy and perhaps every half hour or hour if they are not.

1 mom found this helpful
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R.D.

answers from Kansas City on

As far as using cloth at home and disposable at daycare, GO FOR IT! The less disposables you use, the better on the environment - even part time! You are right though - daycares usually won't do disposables because of health codes and laws. They can't launder them, cannot 'keep' them, and cannot store them. I don't know if you would pick them up daily??? If your daycare was from an individual, you would have more flexibility. Good Luck!

1 mom found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Dallas on

My friend uses cloth diapers and her daycare has no problem with it. She goes to The Children's Courtyard.
I will be trying cloth with my next baby (whenever we decide to have another anyway) and I'm sure I'll have a ton of questions too, lol.
Like the last poster stated, you might have an easier time with the daycare if you found an in-home. She could just keep them for you in a bag in her laundry room. I will note though that they won't clean them out or anything. They'll leave the dirty work for you. :)

1 mom found this helpful
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D.C.

answers from Tulsa on

I used cloth diapers with my youngest 2 sons. Neither was in daycare, so I really can't help with that aspect of your question. There is A LOT of information out there and a lot of very cute cloth diapers. Watch out, because you can spend quite a bit of money, they are fun to buy! I learned by looking at ebay and then looking up specific diapers on the internet. I really liked kissaluvs fitted. You can get great deals on used diapers on ebay. Don't be afraid of used. Good diapers will last for 3 babies! I actually have quite a stash that I need to sell. I never used pins, just used fitted covers. Feel free to message me if you are interested in hearing more about what I have, from newborn to pottytrained.

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