Are there any cloth diaperers in the house?

Happy Sunday, everyone!  

I was wondering if any of you use (or have used) cloth diapers with your babies?  They've come a long way since the days of folding & pinning.  My husband and I want to use cloth while we're at home, and disposables when we're out and about.

Once we're "in the clear" so to speak, I want to start stockpiling so I won't have to spend a massive amount of money all at once.

Is there a particular brand that you've tried and liked?
Where do you buy them for a reasonable price?
What were the pros and cons of cloth?

Thanks a bunch, I appreciate it.

Hi, I feel the same way, and although this is our first, everybody I have spoke to and research I have done, I think I will invest in Kushies Ultra. They are not super heavy, and apparently aren't that hot, and you don't have to have a plastic outer pant with the ultra brand.
I will be interested in others input as well!

I really loved Nanipoo diapers, and I liked their prices too. http://hyenacart.com/nanipoo/index.php?c=9 She however doesn't seem to have any diapers listed, but they were my favorites when I was cloth diapering.

I think they are super adorable and fun as well as addictive, LOL Just whenI had more kids I found it difficult to keep up on the laundry, which is why I stopped and gave my diapers away to an abused woman I knew. (Yes I reported and everything, just was out of my hands.)

I liked AIO (All In Ones) the most.

Here is a list of some Momma Made cloth diaper sites http://www.amitymama.com/directory/Category/Cloth-Diapers/

Have fun!

I've used Fuzibuns one size with my twins since they were about 8 lbs. Thery're 15 months and 23 lbs now and we're still using the fuzibuns. It's saved us so much money.

I have a stash of about 40 diapers, most bought for super cheap in gently used condition from Diaperswapers.com (great resource if you haven't already joined.)

I don't suggest buying too many before the baby is here, different diapers fit differently on each baby and you may end up stuck with some you don't like/leak/don't fit well.

There are a few websites that offer "try before you buy" packages on cloth diapers. If you're interestd I'll try to find the link for you.

That would be so helpful!  I appreciate it!!

Myself and several other moms in my local Moms of Multiples group used this trial and LOVED it. Once I found a brand/style I liked, I returned these and bought ones that I knew would be a perfect fit for my twins.
Hope it helps! Cloth diapers are so much easier than I ever imagined and they are SO CUTE.
http://www.jilliansdrawers.com/products/clothdiapers/tryclothfor10/tryclothfor10

From the website:
The best introduction to cloth diapers on the web since 2005!  Try a great variety of popular, trusted, NEW cloth diapers for only $10!  Order by 3:00 PM EST, M-F, and we'll ship your trial program the same day!

Step 1: Pay a deposit of $151.09. (Decide to keep the diapers after the trial? We'll refund you $10!)
Step 2: Try all the diapers.  Wash them, use them, fall in love with cloth diapering!
Step 3: Mail the diapers back to us after using them for 21 days. (Yes, the 21 days starts when you receive the package, not with your order date!)
Step 4: Receive a refund of $141.09, regardless of whether the diapers are stained or not. This is not a store credit, but an actual refund!

I cloth diapered my now 4.5-year-old when she was littler and I'll CD this one too, at least at home (I might do disposables when we go out too, although if this one poops like my daughter, cloth might be necessary full-time because it catches those liquidy breastfed baby poops really well, LOL.) 

I have a bunch of Fuzzibunz from my daughter that my friend and I are putting new elastic in.  Cloth is awesome but you sometimes have to replace elastic - my daughter wore them for a long time and then they were in storage so the elastic crapped out.  And I've bought about half a dozen one-size pocket diapers, a few different kinds.  Rocky Mountain, Bumgenius, Wahmies, and Tweedle Bugs, I think that's all.  I also bought several Econobum one size diaper covers to use with prefolds. 

The one size diapers theoretically work from about 8 pounds to 35, but I think they'd look mighty silly on a newborn.  I plan to just use covers and prefolds until the baby fills out a bit and then I'll use the pockets.

At any rate, everyone is different and I think it's fun to buy different types of diapers and see what works.  Some people like a uniform diaper stash.  Diaper Swappers might be a good option - I skip it because my DH is anti-used diapers, LOL. 

I'll do a quick pros/cons list for you too.

Pros

My daughter had chronic rashes that cleared up instantly in cloth, even though it's not as dry-feeling as disposable. 

I didn't feel like I was wrapping a poopy present for future generations every time I changed a diaper (haha!)  I did use some disposables so I don't want to posture as a hardcore environmentalist, but despite what some diaper companies say (cough cough Pampers) I do believe cloth is easier on the environment than disposable any day.

Cloth is really cute.  You can get fun patterns (upcoming baby has monkey diapers, cow print, and funky colors) and a little cloth butt is adorable. 

Cloth holds some value.  If you buy decent diapers, you may be able to resell them for a good amount of what you paid.  Disposable doesn't work that way, of course! 


Cons

It can be hard to find pants that fit over cloth, especially if you have a chunkster.  There are certain brands that run bigger, though, so it's not the end of the world.  But jeans and khaki type pants are difficult.

Occasionally you'll get buildup or repelling or funny smells with cloth you need to troubleshoot.

Some people are bothered at the idea of dunking or rinsing.  I am, so I use a stiff plastic spoon and scrape off the poop.  It's a little gross but no worse than potty training. 

You do have to keep up with the laundry or the pee diapers really stink.  If it's really hot where you are and you don't use A/C, you may need to wash daily. 

Cloth diapering can be addictive - some women really overspend on them.  If you are a shopaholic, just check yourself before you overbuy or overpay.  They are just poop receptacles, after all! 

Good luck, I think you will like cloth.  It's pretty easy and I think it's worth it if you have the time and energy.

Wow!  Thank you SO much for this post... it is really helpful!  I never even thought about things like finding pants that fit over a cloth diaper.  This is why it's good to talk to moms who have "been there!"  Thanks again!!

You're welcome - sorry it is a massive post!  As for pants, I think Gymboree, Carters, Hanna Andersson and Target's Circo brand are some of the best for fitting over cloth diapers.  The Children's Place, Walmart and Baby Gap run a lot slimmer in my experience.  My daughter was deliciously chubby as a baby so I had to buy big pants even before I put her in cloth.  Also, if you have a girl, even baby and young toddler pants are sometimes "bootcut" and tight on the thigh and loose on the ankle, which I think is WAY silly and those don't fit well over cloth.  Goofy!   You'll want to look for more sweatpants style pants, usually with a cuffed ankle and loose in the thighs. 

I never had a problem fitting any sleepers over cloth diapers, and sizing up usually worked for onesies.  I think there are even onesie extenders you can buy, too, to give a longer rise for cloth butts or long-bodied babies.

 I am planning on cloth diapering but having some disposables on hand in the event we encounter a caretaker who won't cooperate. :P

I plan on taking a trip here to this place called DiaperLab up near Boston to check out what they have. I am thinking I might do a mix of prefolds with those cool diaper clips (and just have covers) and some all-in-ones. We'll see.