I switched my daughter to cloth about 2.5 months ago, after using flushable g-diapers for some time. The flushables clog my toilet and waste water so I thought that using cloth with the g-pants and covers was the better option. Everything is going well except It seems like we are having leaks alot! It's not a huge deal because we spend a lot of time at home but when we go to the store by the time we get back she is usually soaked. I am using just regular tri-fold cloth diapers that I bought at target. I also just bought another package of birds eye tri-fold(they seem really thin) at wal-mart to add to the mix. I am not sure if this is the best option, I need something that is going to work inside the g-pants and don't want to spend any more money on covers. I know there is tons of info out there but I would rather take someones word than just guessing on what I should buy. I really appreciate your advice...
Google "Comfy Bummy diapers" www.comfybummy.com
My girlfriend was a stay at home mom w/ this business, and then sold it off. They have really amazing diapering products...
Hi K.,
If you're happy with the covers, I'd suggest that you try premium prefold diapers. You can buy them at Peapods store in St. Paul, and I think also at the Linden Hills natural home store.
I use Bum Genius pocket diapers on my son, which I've been very happy with. We only use cloth diapers part-time--he wears disposables at night at when he's at daycare three days per week. I bought them from the site lilbunz.com.
You could try visiting Peapods in St. Paul and asking them for cloth diapering advice. I've done cloth all-in-ones and they work great, but are expensive, so I made them myself. You could try adding absorbant "soakers" made out of microfiber fabric that you can find in the automotive sectcion of Target in the form of towels.
Congrats on going to cloth! We have been using cloth since our daughter's birth 2 1/2 years ago, and have had a good experience.
I know nothing about the g-diapers, except I know some of my friends have used them. I have used mostly Bummis wraps with Chinese trifold inserts. So to address your problem - I think you're going to have to look at some other inserts if you want to avoid leaks. Those Target/Walmart brand "cloth diapers" are basically white burp cloths or cleaning rags - we only were able to use them for the first maybe 3 months on our daughter, and then, yes, she voided so much that she would leak in them. Also, if you note the fiber contents in some of them, some are filled with polyester, which is NOT water absorbent - go figure! Those bird's eye are indeed thin - again, we only used them for the first few months w/our daughter.
We bought the green-thread (ie, small size) Chinese prefolds from Peapods store in St. Paul; I think the price was about $1/each or a little bit more (you can Google Peapods online to check). At any rate, they are by far the cheapest inserts you can get. If they don't fit your g-diapers, maybe look at hemp inserts, which are skinny but highly absorbant, or maybe microfiber. They have open stock at Peapods, so you could take your g-diaper covers down there and try things out to see what might fit.
Good luck!
T.
I am not sure what the g pants are but I use to use cloth with rubber pants and when they were wetting through or at night I would use a thinner or older diaper and fold it inside the other diaper. It was thicker but helped to hold it in.
We use the G-diapers with cloth pre-fold diapers. We have found that the infant size diapers work best and I got them from Peapods. I actually haven't looked at cloth diapers at Target or Walmart, but someone told me that some of the packages that say cloth diaper really are too thin and aren't really good diapers. You may want to take a trip to Peapods or someplace like that and check out their cloth diaper selection just so that you know that you have the right thing. We haven't had any leak problems with the G-diaper/cloth insert system.
It's hard to find quality cloth diapers in stores. Even the ones that claim they're "diaper service quality" are really just good for burp rags. I've heard great things about Peapods, but if you want to order online, I'd recommend www.cottonbabies.com. I really like their unbleached Chinese prefolds. I also have their hemp inserts and just throw 1 or 2 of them in when we're out and about so they are more absorbant. I'm not familiar with the g-pants, but you could always email Cotton Babies to see what they think would fit underneath them. They've been very helpful when I've had questions about their products.
The cloth diapers you buy at Target and Wal-Mart are better suited to be burp cloths rather than diapers. Look on craigslist for some better quality used diapers and thick doublers (inserts). Or you can go to Peapods (they have wonderful thick inserts that we used for nighttime (and during the day) and I love their prefold unbleached cotten diapers. If you buy new prefolds you have to wash them 4-5 times before using them the first time, otherwise they won't be at their peak of absorbency. You can also buy diapers on EBay but you have to research a bit to be sure you are getting decent quality at a good price.
I agree with the others that the Gerber cloth diapers or the ones you find in Target or Wal Mart are not good diapers at all. I'm sure they are polyester, and thats not absorbant at all.
You will need to find Chinese Prefold diapers, and make sure you aren't using a laundry soap that is building up on them. We use Charlies soap (www.charliesoap.com) and it washes clean, made only from washing soda and coconut oil, so it leaves zero scent and it doesn't build up on diapers.
Erin suggested cotton babies, thats a GREAT site, thier prefolds are fantastic, I have a dozen of them and love them. You will need to wash and dry prefolds about 4-5 times until they are nice and fluffy and reach thier full absorbancy. Also, when you dry, do NOT use dryer sheets, they will make your cloth water repellent.
Another site from a woman I know is www.naturallifestore.com she is super nice and willing ot help, she sells prefolds for a great price! Also www.mysweetpickles.com is a good site.
We used Fuzzi Bunz, prefolds and Bummis covers, and a few WAHM diapers for both our boys and never had a problem. I think alot of hte leaking is the diaper you are using (the Target/WM/Gerber dipes) and also possibly your washing routine could be causing buildu p that is making the idapers water resistant.
The tri-folds sold at Target/Walmart etc. really are not suitable for diapering. They're better as burp clothes. I would go to Peapods on Selby in St. Paul and buy their "Diaper Service" quality tri-folds. I think they are about $19 for a 12 pack. If you want to order on line there are plenty of websites...cottonbabies.com is one. diaperpin.com can give you many other recommendations. Another option I've used from cottonbabies.com is their microfleece inserts and an insert cover that wicks moisture away...they are a little more expensive but they should work with the g-pants too. Good Luck
You might also consider trying out some of the cloth training pants since your daughter may only use the pants a short time. Imse Vimse has some nice cotton ones that have an internal poly lining and come small enough for 18 month olds.
I also highly recommend Comfybummy.com. They have great notes and advice about the products to help you decide which product will work best for you and your child.
Comfybummy offers sample packs for you to try diapers and will send you pieces of the material. They are actually local in Excelsior but I don't think they have a store.
