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Hello, I am completely new to CD. While I have read good things about ME diapers, I do not think that their website provides much guideance to someone who is completely clueless. I have just ordered their introductionary offer for the Sandy's diaper (not sure if I picked hte best fabric choice, but this is just a trial). Here's what I do not understand:
1) Which of the fabric choices is best for most babies?
2) You do not use a liner at all times, correct? These are meant just for extra protection at night, longer outings and things like that, correct? Is that how you use them or do you use a liner at all times - just to be on the safe side? Or does that get too bulky during the day?
3) Where does the liner go in the Sandy model (I have not seen the diaper yet)? Just lay it inside the diaper or is there a pocket or something to keep it in place/prevent it from bunching up?
4) Would it make any sense to combine different fabrics? Eg. would you want to buy organic cotton and then combine with a bamboo liner?
5) Any recommendations for our specific situation: We are currently using disposables and my son doesn't get any diaper rashes with the combination of diaper/cream, but he has eczema so there's some concern of what touches his skin (should be as soft, so the eczema on his leg doesn't get aggrevated) as well as some concern of him overheating (ideally breathable & lightweight). And in case it makes a difference, my motiviation for trying CDs is that I hope that it will make potty training easier down the road.
6) Any must-have accessories you would recommend for CD?
Thanks for your insights!
Regards,
KC |
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Hello, and welcome to the wonderful world of cloth-diapering! I hope that you'll soon be singing its praises, too. :-)
1) There's not really any one best fabric choice. I would guess that the majority of ME users stick with the traditional cotton/poly (the poly lends durability, but the fabric is woven so that the poly is all interior, not touching baby as all), as it is has the longest track record and is anecdotally the most robust. Bamboo is lovely and soft, but does take longer to dry, and there is some question as to its long-term durability. ME does guarantee their diapers to last through a child, so don't let that scare you off, but the cotton/poly usually goes well beyond one child. The stay-dry fabric is a polyester layer that wicks moisture away from baby's skin and makes clean-up easier. If you want those benefits, I would save your money and use cheap fleece liners instead (more on that later). In your case, with your son's eczema, I would probably stay away from the polyester, in case that aggravates it. Someone else will have to comment on how organic might feel/act different from the standard cotton/poly?
2) Correct; most people do not use an additional absorbant liner except for times like naps, nights, etc. The exception to this would be that the OneSize (OS) has a slightly lower absorbancy than the L Sandys, and some heavy-wetting toddlers (my DS#1 was one) need a liner with each diaper for a while (DS#2 never needed that with the OS, so this is very child dependent, and from what I gather, the exception, rather than the rule).
**side note here--the term "liner" gets used for different things. There are absorbant liners, as the ones that you're talking about, and there are also non-absorbant liners, typically made of stay-dry fabric ($$), or cheap fleece. These don't absorb, but can be placed in the diaper to keep baby's skin dry, reduce staining, and make solids clean-up a little easier. These are completely optional. Esp. given your son's skin, I might experiment with fleece liners to see if they help or hurt the eczema cause. Maybe someone with that eczema experience can comment further?
3) In the Sandys, the liner just lays into the diaper. For the L, at any rate, it is the same size as the liner sold for the OS; it just doesn't have the snaps. Don't worry, it will stay in place just fine. My afore-mentioned heavy wetter needed a liner even in a L Sandys, and I didn't have problems with the liner bunching. Typical usage, however, is for those longer stretches, which tend to be inactive, anyway, so this isn't something you should worry about.
4) I think you'd order different fabrics only if you're curious, or want to get certain benefits from your fabric choice. I had mostly unbleached regular diapers, but did have one of the stay-dry, and one of the bamboo, just for curiosity's sake.
5) The Airflow cover, which is likely what will be coming with your Sandys diaper, is great for breathability.
6) There are lots of optional accessories, but you really only need the diapers and covers and a place to store them while they're awaiting washing (do not store used covers with dirty diapers). |
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Just to add to what aavt said...
1) Like was already mentioned, there's no one 'right' fabric, they all have their advantages & disadvantages. I would also guess that the standar poly/cotton is the most popular, it's the 'traditional' choice I guess you'd say and also the most economical one.
I'd say the organic cotton is probably for someone who wants to make the most eco-friendly choice possible since it's grown with no pesticides. The organic cotton is also 100% cotton (no polyester at all) and many moms prefer having no synthetic fabrics near their baby at all so prefer this. Since it doesn't have poly the organic cotton may be slightly less durable and it's a little less stretchy.
The bamboo is also the trimmest choice. Bamboo absorbs more than cotton so ME can make their bamboo diapers just as absorbant but trimmer than cotton.
Which fabric is best for you really depends on what you're looking for and what's important to you. If budget and resale value are your priorities then the poly/cotton is probably your best choice as they're the most economical and most durable (which means either better resale or better longevity for future children). If the ultimate in naturalness (is that a word? LOL!) and eco-friendliness is your top priority then perhaps the organic cotton is for you. If super softeness and trimess is what's most important for you, then perhaps the bamboo is best. Some also have a mixed stash, different fabrics (or diapers) for different times or different needs. Or maybe some might want to start with x-small or small bamboo Sandy's for the ultimate in trimess on their newborn (since that's when most diapers seem their bulkiest and also when they outgrow those cute little outfits the fastest, plus it also allows them to kind of ease into the added bulk of cloth) and then switch to regular cotton for the next size up. Or some might have a whole stash of regular cotton since it dries fastest with just a couple bamboo diapers to use for outings when their little one is likely to be wearing a cute little outfit that may otherwise be too small.
6) As was already mentioned there are few absolutly 'must-haves'. That said, homemade fleece liners are cheap and easy to make. Find an old fleece receiving blanket or buy some cheap fleece and just cut to the size/shape you want. No sewing needed because fleece doesn't unravel. Another thing I'd recomend if it's in your budget is a diaper sprayer. Not a 'necessity' but it sure makes poopy diaper cleanup easier!!
Oh, and one last note that could make your life much easier depending on your son's age etc... If he's exclusively breastfed then you don't need to do anything to the poopy diapers. Breastfed poop is water soluble and hardly stinks (compared to the 'real' stuff anyway) so you can just throw it in the pail as is. Then on wash day you just do a pre-rinse to rinse out most of the nasties and then wash as usual. Most people do pre-rinses anyway so it's no extra trouble. Once he's on formula or solids, it's a whole new world and you do have to get rid of most of the poop before putting it in the pail, but if you're not there yet then take advantage of it while you can!!
Karen. |
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