Looking for much needed cloth diapering advice. Wondering when to start double diapering? My son is nearing the age of (one) and although he is still wearing just a single pinned flat fold diaper during the day which so far is still adequate, Im feeling like it's about time to introduce the ol' double diaper method to his daytime diapering routine. I remember double diapering many of the kids I used to babysit, but every mother had her own way of doing things and it often varied widely from household to household. Some started real early, while others only double diapered at night, and some both day and night. Any suggestions? I guess my concern is that of, not wanting to burden my son with overly bulky and uncomfortable diapers. Right now I'm relying on the traditional rectangle fold pattern for him, with regular pull-on rubber pants over top. Any help will be wonderful!
Is he leaking? If he doesn't leak, than don't worry about doubling up. When he gets to the point that he pees so much it soaks through the diaper, then you need to do something else, but not until. Kathi
^^ yeah, that. I use doublers or double up with the smaller sized prefold diapers when my baby pees too much for the size she is in to absorb it all, but when she's not big enough yet to move up to the next size larger. Both of my girls have a tendency to hold their pee all day long, and then go a ton at once, so it was necessary to use doublers or smaller diapers inside their diapers much sooner than with other kids who pee more often, but less at a time. Hemp diapers are even more absorbent, and we had to use them with my oldest child before she started using the potty because she was not big enough to fit in the next size larger prefold diapers. pull on rubber pants *EEK* I really prefer side snapping covers or velcro wraps. Mostly because I can remember those rubber pants, and how when my mother was potty training me, my grandmother's advice was to put me in smaller rubber pants so I'd want to use the potty instead. They cut my legs and hurt something awful! And they always gave me a rash. I use Bummis during the day and Stacinator fleece covers at night. My oldest child has always been really long and thin and didn't fit in standard size covers without leaks. So I had her diaper covers special made to her measurements by Lisa at www.hunnybuns.com (they aren't any more expensive or take longer to get than those mass produced covers, and you know they'll fit right).
I would double or even triple diaper when my kids started leaking through. My dd Moon needed triple diapers at nap and bed time. She was a heavy nurser and a heavy wetter. Every baby is different. With Moon, I had to change her as soon as she got up. The poor kid looked like a cowboy, and had that funny cowboy waddle with all those diapers on. LOL.
Thank you greatly Dakota's Mom, Mamaboogie, and Maggie Sugar. Your helpful and friendly advice is truly appreciated. Fortunately, the baby hasn't as of yet wet through his rubber pants, but with absolutely saturated, thoroughly soggy, and completely soaking wet diapers each and every morning, it's just a matter of time judging by your advice. Last night I changed him before I went to bed, around 10:30 P.M., he was wet, but not soaked, and then not again until this morning just after 7:00 A.M. His cloth diaper was done. Not so much as a single dry area on it to be had, but again, no leaks. Whew! So far the rubber pants have prevented any flooding of the crib sheets and his pyjama bottoms. However I think I'm pressing my luck on this one. It's so strange that one kid can get away with a single diaper for such a long time, while the next one needs a double before his first Birthday. I have a couple of older, outdated baby care books that have some really helpful pictures in them on how to fold cloth diapers several different ways. It may be in my best interest to prepare early, rather than later, and in the mean time I'm going to look for some second hand prefold cloth diapers for him. Something I have never before used, not even as a babysitter. The important thing here is, I'm learning, thanks to some well experienced moms. Thanks.
I'm really into wool right now. You can make your own wool diaper covers and use them with flats, prefolds or fitted dipes. Wool is great. It's naturally leak-proof (you do need to add a bit of lanolin to the wash), yet breathable. And it doesn't ever stink. Once it drys, it no longer smells like urine. You only need to wash it once every other week or so unless there is poo on it. Here's how to amke your own from an old sweater (2-4$ at your local thrift store) http://www.borntolove.com/frugal-column2.html And I assume you use pins to close your dipes....you need to egt your hands on some snappies : http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=37&products_id=100 They are super awesome! Now I'm just showing off, but here's wool soaker I knitted for my daughter. It's simple if you know how to knit http://img80.imageshack.us/my.php?image=0311060013zt.jpg
Just a thought With my kids ... I used a layer of 2m PUL.... and some organic cotton serpa or hemp fleece for the inners.. I didnt have to double up much, the PUL works great... If u cant get PUL a tablecloth like material works great as a bottom layer also http://www.sewshoppe.com Your Diaper Making Headquarters
Some of the newer pants won't leak no matter what. I would say, if he is that wet, then go ahead and double diaper. I would take one diaper, and fold it in thirds, the long way, and then put that one INSIDE the other diaper, and do that diaper normally. Like a little pad soaking up the pee. There is less to pin, but more between the legs, which is where they need it. Good luck.
Do you really need diaper covers? I'm 34 weeks and getting all the diaper stuff together. I'm going to be cloth diapering, something no one in my family can really help me out with. Everybody's just gung ho about plastic diapers here. So I'm kind of alone on this thing.
Diaper covers for a cloth diapered baby, absolutely. In our house that comes in the way of rubber pants. Everyone has their own ideas as to what a diaper cover should be and for some mothers like myself, it's rubber pants, while for others the more modern variety of fancy diaper wraps and covers made of nylon or polyester with Velcro or snaps are the way. It really boils down to personal preference. Years ago, and not that so many years ago when I still babysat, the kids I diaper changed that wore cloth diapers always wore rubber pants. So that's just what I got used to using and dealing with over the years. To this day I actually still prefer plain old rubber pants to the more modern alternative variety, but that's just me. But do look into some of the other things available out there today. There's lots to choose from, so take your time and enjoy!
Sorry about the two posts back to back, but I overlooked mentioning my intended post. I found two dozen well used prefold cloth diapers at the thrift shop this morning and bought them. No idea what brand they are, but they look more absorbent than the regular flat diapers I have been using. I guess I will know by tomorrow morning if they serve the purpose better than the old ones baby has been wearing. Thanks once again everyone for all of your hints, tips, suggestions, and ideas!
