Cloth Diapering...so expensive..advice??

ebay is a great resource, but you can also get started very inexpensively with the "old fashioned" chinese prefold cloth diapers (new ones will need to be washed several times for max absorbency) and some high quality covers. I would start slow...even if it means doing more laundry in the short term to figure out what works best for you.

There is a TON of information online, just Google, "cloth diaper comparisons" or "cloth diaper reviews".

In the short term, leave your little diaperless as much as possible--just lay him on an absorbent mat. Also, have you considered that it is the wipes?

Good luck. I had to go to disposables when I returned to work and we had a hard time finding a good one, as well. You also need to consider this when you are looking for childcare...many places are not accomodating of cloth diapers.

There are lots of WAHMs that make great diapers that are cheaper. The diapers you are talking about (Bum Genius, Happy Heiny's, etc.) are great and worth the investment, but if you're not ready for that, then don't do it.

A much more economical choice is to use prefolds and covers. Depending on where you go online, you can get good Chinese or Indian prefolds (stay away from the Gerber ones in walmart. they're not worth your time!) for $18-24 plus shipping, and you can get away with 3 or 4 PUL covers (at around $10-11 each). The 20 month old will probably need "regular" or "premium" sized diapers and you could do 12, and the babiest baby needs "infant". These will last until 15 lbs (or more if you just trifold in a cover). The littlest will need about 18, and you'll probably be washing every day or day and a half.

Prefolds are the cheapest way to go, but they are not "stay dry" like pockets and AIOs. Perhaps you can start off with a couple of the bigger name ones and mostly prefolds, and slowly add to your stash.

Keep looking on craigslist. I recently sold 24 infant Chinese prefolds (diaper service quality) for $40, no shipping. They are there, you just have to keep looking!

Also try www.clothdiapernation.com and www.diaperswappers.com They are cloth diapering and natural parenting forums where people discuss CDing, and there is a For Sale Or Trade (FSOT) section. You'll have to register, but it's a good way to get deals. Cloth diapers can be sanitized, so used is an ok solution.

Please send me a message if you have any questions. I have cloth diapered 3 children. One is out of diapers (except at night), my 21 month old is still fully in diapers, and my baby (3 months) is also. I've used all kinds of diapers. My daughter wasn't in cloth until 4 months, but the new baby has been in cloth since Day 1. I have lots of experience and would happily answer questions.

Have you thought about calling a cloth diaper service? They pick up and deliver to your house every week so you don't even have to wash the diapers. They are usually about the same price as disposables. Do you live in the Houston area?

My kids had the same issues, all three. I bought cloth diapers but actually found that the allergy wasn't with the diapers but with the wipes. I switched to wash clothes as 'wipes' and Pampers Sensitive which worked out just fine. I did have to do a few days of cloth every once in a while but it wasn't bad.

Send me a private email, I do have some cloth diaper stuff I'd be willing to part with and I know some other ladies that might have some too.

You could sew your own!

Do you have any old flannel sheets or receiving blankets? They make great diapers. You will just need a cover. There are some great free patterns online. Wool Knit covers (soakers) make great inexpensive, breathable, waterproof covers.

If you don't sew or knit OR have time to learn how - Try to find someone at church or a neighbor/relative to sew/knit for you. Just buy all of the supplies, print the patterns, and bake cookies/brownies and ask for a favor! ;-)

youtube.com has some great video's on how to sew and knit.

Yard sales or Salvation Army/Goodwill are great places to find used flannel sheets for the diapers. You will also need some Microfiber Towels for the diaper insert. Walmart has microfiber towels in the auto section pretty cheap. Then all you will need is thread, velcro, and elastic which is all inexpensive.

God Bless!

I'm not sure if the diapers you are referring to are fuzzi bunz, but if they are you can get fuzzi bunz seconds for around $12. Just google "fuzzi bunz seconds" and the site will come up. I agree you should let the baby be diaper free while at home and he is just laying around. Absolutely start out slow with cloth. Spend $40 or $50 here and there to try different brands and see what works for your family. I found that prefolds and covers were great while my son was very young, then we he started crawling we switched to pockets because I needed him to stay dry for longer. The prefold/cover combo is also the least expensive way to go. If you have to stick with disposables for a while, try using cornstarch baby powder to increase the dryness factor. Hope this helps!

I used a diaper service. It was no more expensive than disposable diapers, which you already have budgeted for. The diapers are picked up once a week, new ones are dropped off, and they smell so good. My little one had no problem at all with these, but did with disposables.