FuzziBunz

I recently switched Rose to cloth diapers, and it has been going very well. When I was pregnant and in the early days of Rosie's life, it just seemed way too gross and too much work to even consider. Then as time passed and I started to feel better, I began considering it as a worthwhile alternative to forking out $55 dollars a month for disposables, wipes and the special trash liners for her diaper pail (especially because we must buy formula!). So I did some research. I talked to a few moms in my church. I thought about the fact that legally you're supposed to flush the contents of disposables before trashing them, even though no one does (lol). I considered the thousands of diapers Rosie would go through. I thought about how the best disposables (Pampers) are also the most expensive, and neither Bobby or I are impressed with Costco brand. I considered the cost of water, electricty, and detergent (still less than disposables) and then bought a nice "start-up" kit.

I'm starting with some of the least-expensive diapers: cotton prefolds and covers. Prefolds are the absorbent layer that you (easily) fold over the baby, secure with a snappi (think of those little clips that hold an ace bandage on) and top with a thin waterproof cover (that closes with velcro). Unlike disposables, I have never had an issue with leakage or those infamous "blow-outs" you hear about. I have to change Rosie pretty frequently, but it's actually no more than I changed her disposables. I didn't let her go as long as possible in the disposables, because I didn't want her sitting too long and too close to that gel-like stuff that absorbs pee.

I also bought two Fuzzibunz "pocket" diapers, which are high-end in cloth diaper land (they really reduce the bulk factor). They are built just like a disposable, with a soft flannel lining and a waterproof outer shell. Between the lining and the shell is room for "inserts" made of microfiber or hemp, which absorbs the baby's pee. I've been using this for overnights with great results. Before there was only one diaper (Pampers) that would barely get her through the night, but when she wears the Fuzzibunz she wakes up and can even have her morning bottle before a change. I'm going to slowly build up my stash of Fuzzibunz - I like the one-size version, which can grow with Rose (I just adjust the leg elastics and waist tabs).

Finally, I am using baby wash cloths as wipes. I only need one per change, and it's way more effective than disposable wipes. I keep them in a plastic container that used to store cereal. Now, I mix up some water, baby soap, and lavendar essential oil and pour it over the washcloths, then just toss them into the cloth diaper pail.
Anyways, I know it will get gross as time goes on and Rose eats solids. I'm okay with that. Saving a ton of money and being able to pull fresh diapers out of the dryer in the morning is worth it!