Try Cloth Diapers Risk Free

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Like Tweet

Retrospect; My Advice on Buying Cloth Diapers

When my dad does something, anything, no matter what it was, he does it 150% percent. Scuba diving? He bought the most expensive scuba gear and equipment! Metal detecting? Yep, he had a fancy schmancy metal detector. Muscle cars? He owned a 1969 Hemi Super Bee (commonly referred to as his “retirement”). I even created a stand-up routine that lasted more than 10 minutes highlighting some of his many “hobbies.”

Alas, I am very much my father’s daughter! My mom and I have a long standing joke: “Mirror Mirror On the Wall... I am my father after all!”

Therefore it was no surprise when I finally succumbed to my incredible urge to cloth diaper that I would become the cloth diaper aficionado I am today. Despite being my dad’s twin, there’s one thing I’ve learned from him that has always proven beneficial; RESEARCH BEFORE you buy!

I spent DAYS (not just a few minutes here and there over the course of a couple days, but hours upon hours) pouring over all the cloth diaper options available (at the time). Reading reviews, analyzing the pros and cons of just about every diaper option and brand, deciphering detergents (what was and was not recommended), laundry routines, you name it, I did the research on it!

Finally I settled on purchasing the bumGenius One Size 3.0 pocket diapers. So I spent another two days comparison shopping. I was determined to find the best possible price (I’m all for saving money whenever possible especially on such a hearty investment as cloth diapers). I quickly discovered Kelly’s Closet had the best package deals (and still does in my slightly biased opinion). I decided on the Shop and Go package (comes with virtually everything you need to get started - diapers, wipes, wet bag, diaper sprayer) and purchased a few additional diapers to have a plentiful stash.

After using the bumGenius diapers I was SOLD on cloth diapers! I also used prefolds and diaper covers in the early weeks because I wanted to “save” my pocket diapers from wear and tear! Yes, I know these are just diapers and they’re meant to get used - but I’m VERY particular about keeping my things looking nice and brand spakin’ new for as long as possible!

It was not long before I branched out and tried other diapers such as the Happy Heinys One Size diapers (thanks to the Happy Heinys/Baby Frenzy Fashion Show we were able to participate in here in San Diego last year). Then I ordered a couple of the Blueberry One Size diapers and I fell in love with those diapers - the diapers fit great, snaps are easy to use and the hemp combination insert is super absorbent.

Needless to say all of the amazing sales Kelly’s Closet offered only fed my addiction! Seriously, how many of you have the strength to say no to a diaper sale? I can’t imagine many of you raising your hands! (Yes, believe it or not I was just an ordinary Kelly’s Closet customer before I became the cloth diaper guru many of you rely on for tips, advise, and recommendations.)

Now, of course, I have a new excuse for buying and trying every new diaper that comes out because, after all, I have to be able to know what I’m talking about when someone asks about a particular diaper, right? All in the name of customer service! At least that’s what I try to tell my husband when he sees the changing table and two closets overflowing with diapers! *Sheepish grin*

What, if anything, would I have advised myself back then when I was a “newbie”, knowing what I do now? Hindsight is always 20/20, eh?!? I would definitely advise buying a sample of various diapers that interest you most. At least this way you’re not putting all your eggs in one basket! While I love the bumGenius One Size 3.0 pocket diapers I quickly discovered there were other amazing diapers I wish I had given a try first before investing so much in one diaper.

14 comments:

Upstatemamma said...

I cannot resist sales - especially when I actually need something. Then it's all well, this way I will on;y pay the shipping once. :)

willbanks family said...

this is my exact advice too! when we were pregnant we decided on cloth diapering, our problem was we were 'inbetween homes' and were in an apartment with no washer/dryer and taking my fluff to the laundry matt was not an option! so we settled on the gdiaper system, 'flushable insert' was all we focused ond my research stopped there and we invested a good amount in this system. Well, after 6 weeks we were in our new home fully equipped to do fluff laundry and a random google search lead me to Kelly's Closet...so here I am now 4 months into a cloth diaperin adventure and I now owm at least 3 of EVERY system that is sold!

EG said...

That is quite a plentiful diaper stash you have there!

I'm with you, I spend roughly 9 months researching cloth diapers and double strollers. I reported all my findings to my husband, who said something along the lines of, "That's fine, whatever you say.
'

But then I decided to go back to work so I just sold all my cloth. Oh well.

Love my double stroller, though!

EG said...

And PS - bumGenius 3.0 were absolutely the best on my little guy for the 2 weeks I used them. They were the trimmest when snapped all the way down and never leaked.

s.lange said...

I had the exact same experience. Tons and Tons of research, and then buying all BumGenius! Now I read blogs and want to try every different diaper out there, and I have to set a monthly allowance for diapers or we wouldn't eat!

Megan said...

I feel the same way. I bought BumGenius 3.0's. Now that my son is 18 months and constantly pulled off his diapers, I have come to hate hook and loop closures. I wish I had more snap diapers.

The Eco Chic said...

I L-O-V-E the pics of your pretty storage baskets! I'm still trying to find a good way ti display all that pretty fluff!

Jenney said...

I wholeheartedly agree with you! I have a friend who is soon to have a baby and has decided (YEAH!) to cloth diaper. She wanted to know what I thought was best and did some of her own research and was going to buy a bunch. I advised her to buy one or two of a few recommended kinds/sizes and see for herself and her baby what worked the best. Then she didn't have regret diapers.
Oh how I hope I have a little girl next because there are SO many cute diapers I am dying to try...I mean...um...you know, my BABY will need to use.

Out of the Box into the Kitchen said...

i too have branched out from just fuzzi bunz. i keep wanting to try all the new ones but i don't think my husband would agree! so im happy with our os pockets!

MommyCharland said...

I have just now decided that i would be using cloth diapers on our little boy (due the 1st of Jan) I have been looking at many and of course i looked at the packages and then i thought well i want alll kinds i dont want just one kind and 4 colors. *HAHA* So i have started to buy as of today and few different diapers from Kelly's Closet, I LOVE her website it is the BEST.

But one question if someone could e-mail me or something and let me know how you all store you diapers in a nice,neat and organized way. I have been alot of people using the baskets but i dont know where to find them??????
Thank you all so much Im so glad i have join into the cloth diapering.

thejepps said...

I love trying new diapers and looking for the next best thing, but I do always find myself going back to my BG's and Fuzzi Bunz.

Cloth Diaperer Extraordinaire said...

Mommy Charland: I believe the baskets from my changing table were purchased at Pier 1. However, you can usually find an assortment of baskets at your local thrift store, Ross or Marshall's (not sure what you have in terms of discount department store type places), etc...

Following are links to several blog posts about storing cloth diapers and what myself, as well as some readers do/use:

(I've since made a few changes to the changing table - removed the toys from the small baskets and used them to store more diapers)

Everything Has Its Place

Mission Organization: Cloth Diaper Storage

Super Organized Busy Mom

More Way to Organize

Little Bit of Organizing and a Lot of Believing

I hope this helps!

MommyCharland said...

WOW, I thank you so much for the repost back to me, It really did help. THANKS

Arizona Girl said...

Its so easy to latch to one diaper brand and say "this is it". I did try a bunch at first and after trying them out I decided on a brand. But after spending my budget I found about a bunch of brands I wish I had tried too. Maybe I'll find some extra funds to use from our budget.