Cloth Diapers - Denver,CO

I hadn't heard of the 4.0's so I had to look them up... We use the 3.0's and love them. They look to be essentially the same diaper with the exception that you now have a choice between snaps vs. hook and loop tabs. I've had my son in the 3.0's since he was about 2 months old, although I bought them before he was born. They were too big for him right away (he was 6 lb 4 oz) so we had to wait a bit for them to fit him.

I purchased a simple diaper pail and liner (wet bag) from the same website I got my diapers from. You do not need to soak your diapers at all, in fact it is recommended to use a dry pail. For pee diapers, I separate the insert from the cover, fasten the tabs to the laundry tabs, and toss everything in the same pail. For the poop diapers, I shake the solid poop into the toilet, rinse the diaper cover, and put all in the same pail as the pee diapers. When the pail is full, I machine wash twice (once on cold and once on hot) with an extra rinse and hang dry. Sidenote on poop diapers: When my son was tiny and his poops were not formed, I still rinsed the diapers well and scrubbed out the elastic creases (like around the leg holes) with an old toothbrush. I found that if I did not do this, the wash would not get all the poop stains out of the creases. I still do this when any poop sticks to the diaper cover, because I do not want that sitting in the diaper pail.

As far as snaps vs. hook and loop... I've never used snaps. With hook and loops, I've never had an issue. They are highly adjustable, easy to use (very similar to a disposable), and durable (been using same diapers for over a year with no complaints). I am finding that my 16 month old son is starting to want to pull at the tabs if he is not dressed, so I keep him dressed so the tabs are out of reach. He can't undress himself yet, so that works. I'm not really sure that snaps would make that much of a difference though, because I believe that if he wants to undo it, he will find a way, lol.

I think you'll like the bumgenius diapers. I got mine from cottonbabies.com, and if you go to the site they have a lot of information about cloth diapering, including washing instructions and all that jazz. I like this site for buying above others because they give you a choice on the colors of the diapers you buy (you can get a pack of 12 and choose the color for each one!) and they have a good selection of accessories as well. They sell more than just bumgenius brand, so you can compare different types of diapers if you're still undecided.

Happy diapering!!

I haven't used BumGenius, but I have a few other AIOs and pockets and fitteds, as well as prefolds. For the hook & loop ones, I just velcro them to the keeper tab (if it has one).

We do a "dry pail" system. We bought a trash can with a step-open mechanism (so you don't need to use your hands to open it). I sewed 2 fleece trash can liners (or you can buy a large wetbag, which is made of the same waterproof PUL stuff as the outer layer of an AIO, and is sized to fit a trash can). I throw all soiled or wet diapers into the diaper pail. If it gets too stinky, I'll sprinkle some baking soda in the pail.

On wash days (which are 2 or 3x per week, depending) , I grab the whole bag up and take it to the washing machine. Pour the dipes into the machine and then throw in the empty liner.

We use Charlies Soap. I cold water wash with no soap, then wash in hot with soap and with 1/4 cup vinegar added in the rinse cycle, then do another full rinse cycle on cold. The AIOs, fitteds & prefolds go in the dryer. The pockets & diaper covers go on the clothes line.

One thing that was a make-or-break deal for this for DH was to use flushable diaper liners. They are like really thick toilet paper (so it doesn't tear), but you just shake it into the toilet. No spraying or scraping the diaper to get the poo out and into the toilet.

In denver you live in a pretty "dry" environment. I suggest if you want to use cloth, use a "dry pail system". Basically... with wet diapers you just throw them in a covered step-pail, and with poopy diapers you can either dump and "swirl" the diapers in the toilet, or get a diaper sprayer. Then every 2-3 days you throw in a load of diapers and wash them on HOT with an extra rinse cycle afterward. I personally dry my diapers in the dryer... and occasionally with put them on the line to "sun-bleach" the diapers and liners.

I use pocket diapers rather than AIO's - but it seams to me that both systems work about the same.

Snaps are kind of nice to have if your baby loves to strip off his or her diapers and run around naked... because snaps generally have a little firmer "hold"... other than that I don't really have a preference.

Plenty of sites that sell cloth diapers can give you step by step instructions for how to care for your diapers, and reviews on the different brands and styles. Don't be afraid to look into diapers from smaller wahm businesses too! Make sure that you read reviews for whatever you buy so you have a heads up on any problems before you choose your diaper system!

Good job for considering cloth!!!

I havent' used bumgenius, but I have used similar ones. Storing in a dry pail is universal with all cloth diapers so it won't matter the brand.
I use a normal plastic trash can with a washable liner made by Planet Wise, many brands make them, but I like there no leak seams. On wash day you just take the liner, dump the diapers in the wash and the liner too. Depending what part of the week it is, I was about every 2 days. During the week day I have to use disposables because my daycare wont do cloth, so we usually wait till thursday or friday to wash. Then again on sunday after we cloth all weekend.
I do a cold rinse and then a hot wash with 2 tbls of Rockin Green Detergent. Love it! It cleans those diapers amazingly. Then dry on med heat. During the summer I'll be using my clothes line.
I actually thought I would like the hook and loop better than snaps. . . not so. I love the snaps. Now that my son is older and is slidding down the stairs the closure no longer is closed and by the time he is at the bottom of the stairs and he is naked. The carpet catches on the fasteners so they open. Also when you wash and you forget to fasten them, the then stick to everything. So that can be fixed just by remembering to close them before you put them in the pail. Snaps are nice because most toddlers can't open them when they get to that stage. But since my son is a large baby I don't get that custom fit that I like with hook and loop.
The brands I love is Sposoeasy for an AIO and I love fuzzibunz for pocket diapers. There is a WAHM that I also really love. Her brand is Diapeze. Love them! She custom makes them, has amazing prints, and has a great nightly discussion on FB. I'd check her our too.
http://www.diapeze.com/
If you have any questions, feel free to ask! I love helping out! I also have a blog that I do for fun. It has a couple reviews of brands I have tried and some tips.
largebummies.blogspot.com

***Just came across this tonight: http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=51&amp...
Crazy deal to get your stash started.****

We started with the BG 3.0's w/ hook & loop and had nothing but issues with the velcro--it began to fray & wear out after 3mo use & proper washing. Cotton Babies (parent company) was great took 2doz of our 3.0 diapers back & exchanged them for the new BG 4.0's with snaps. What a difference, love the snaps! Going on almost 12 mo. with the 4.0's & highly recommend product & company.

Washing:
We do one load each night wet bags, wipes, dipes & all. We have had great luck with Charlies Soap http://amzn.to/hi0ZL6 (natural & cheap!) also Ecos Free & Clear (http://amzn.to/g2JeFR). Less detergent the better. 2 cycles: cold rinse & hot wash. Machine dry (no softeners) microfiber lining & hang dry covers (here in CO they dry overnight). Sun out any stains--love living in CO so many sunny days. FYI, drying the BG covers will reduce their life so air drying is the best option.

Wet Bag & Pail:
Dry Pail is so simple & no odor. LOVE our Safety First Easy Save Diaper Pail (http://amzn.to/ehL1VM)
Planet Wise Wet Bags Rock!! We have two diaper pail liners (http://amzn.to/h5IkTg), 1 small zip top for diaper bag & 1 large for overnights (http://bit.ly/gkUdFU). We have tried other brands of wet bags but Planet Wise have washed & held up the best not to mention they have AWESOME customer service!

Diaper Cream:
Aquaphor Healing Ointment (http://amzn.to/hoQTvz). Not one rash!!!

Wipes:
2 doz Cheapie Gerber Washcloths (http://amzn.to/ik0l1h) store wet & ready to use in a wipes container. After washing soak washcloths in sink of water + 3 drops lavender tea tree essential oil (http://bit.ly/iag2wL). Oil lasts forever and is both antiseptic & soothing.

Sidenote: BG are awesome diapers to get comfortable cloth diapering if you are new to it. Also great for dads, grandparents & caregivers! We have since switched over to prefolds with Thirsties covers for our everyday use & love them! Still use the BGs when DD goes to grandparents.

If you are looking for a local place to check the BG's out, we love Our Sweet Beginnings in Littleton. The owner Michelle is wonderful & will take all the time you need to feel comfortable with cloth diapering.

Happy to PM with you if you have more questions. It can be so daunting at first but really SO easy & no stinky odors!