Tuesday, September 8, 2009

My Diaper Stash Vs. My Dream Stash (Plus a few fun photos!)

Yesterday I decided it was finally time to take my budgeted diaper money, find some labor day coupons, and build our cloth diaper stash. Internet shopping for cloth diapers is a bit tricky, actually, because there are numerous brands and tons of online stores, but none of them carried all of the brands that interested me. I didn't want to pay outrageous sums in shipping, so I went with shops that had discounts that covered this cost and/or free shipping. My current diaper stash keeps my budget in mind and I think we'll be happy with it (for now), but I also have a dream diaper stash. I thought it would be fun to share the two:

My Beginner Diaper Stash:
Most articles I've read suggest a good 18 to 24 diapers for a baby Ezra's age. In order to keep within my budget, I aimed for the 18 diapers range, so I could have a few "fancier" diapers to go along with the prefolds. I weighed the pros and cons of one-size vs fitted diapers and decided that I'd rather have the convenience of one-size over the re-sell value of fitted. So, for now, my stash will consist of the following:

7 Bumgenius 3.0 One-size diapers. They had a buy 6, get the 7th free sale recently. Now that I've used them a bit more and double stuffed them for sleeping, I really like them. Some moms hate hook and loop (velcro), but I feel like the fit is snugger and they take less time than snaps. Just a personal preference. You can buy these just about anywhere, but I purchased at www.diaperdaisy.com.

3 KCK One Size Diapers. The reviews for this diaper are all outstanding, plus you support a WAHM when you purchase these. They are pricey, but seem like a terrific addition to your stash. You can also purchase the pattern and materials at http://kaylasclothkits.com, but I didn't feel like an experienced enough seamstress for this. (Maybe in the future).

1 Thirsties Duo Wrap: Great cover for pre-folds and fitteds. Purchased from www.diaperdaisy.com.

2 Wonder Wraps One Size Diaper Covers: One size, so I couldn't resist it. Purchased at www.kellyscloset.com.

Swaddlebees Chinese Pre-folds 6-Pack (Large): Reviews said these get softer and more absorbent each time you wash them and that they're simple to fold. This is not my favorite way to diaper, but you truly can't beat the price! www.kellyscloset.com.

2 Bamboozles 2: I love fitted diapers and really liked the Thirsties Fab Fitted, but you would need to purchase so many different sizes. I discovered these bamboo fitted diapers that only require the purchase of 2 sizes at www.punkinbutt.com. I'm excited to try them!

1 Woolly Liner: Wool covers are in the $30+ range generally, so I decided to try this liner with my other diapers to provide extra absorption at night.

2 Snappis Fasteners: These clever inventions help hold the prefold in place without the use of pins! You can buy these anywhere cloth diapers are sold.

24 Flannel Wipes: Purchased these at www.punkinbutt.com and plan to make my own solution and keep in an air tight container wet. I'd like to get a wipes warmer, but would only pay for one at a garage sale. Anyone have one they're no longer using?

Fuzzibunz In-and-Out Diaper Bag: This awesome bag hangs on my laundry room door. I put the wet and soiled diapers inside until washing day (every other day). When I'm ready to do laundry, I simply unzip the bottom, let the diapers drop in, then drop in the bag and wash it too. None of those wet pails everyone imagines! Purchased at www.diaperdaisy.com.

Small Planet Wise Wet Bag: This little bag goes inside your diaper bag to contain soiled diapers (smell and all) on the go. I want a wet/dry bag, but need to try this one and budget for the larger one first.

Regular Tide: I would like to try some of the detergents specifically made for cloth diapers, like Rockin' Green that came with my Diaper Daisy trial, but this works for now.

My Dream Diaper Stash:
Fitteds and Sized Diapers seem dreamy to me, but the up-front cost is just too prohibitive for me right now. If cost wasn't an issue, I would still get one-sized, but I'd want a nice stash of fitteds and sized AIOs. I'd also get alot more of everything. If I could have any diaper stash I wanted, I'd purchase the following:

Bumgenius 3.0 and Smartipants one-size pocket diapers
Rumpster, Oh! AIO (Supposed to be the cadillac of cloth diapers)
Drybees AIO Hybrid (velcro)
Drybees AIO Fleece Nighttime
KCK One Size
Thirsties Fab Fitted
Thirsties AIO
Wool Covers
Kisssaluvs Marvels (One size fitted, but $25 a piece and still need a cover)
Some Blueberry Diapers (just because they're so cute)
Planet Wise Wet/Dry Bag
Bidet to rinse diapers
Punkinbutt Cloth Wipes Starter Package

And ("finally!," my mother is thinking) some pictures of the kids from today:

Ezra discovered the cozy coupe the other day. Ella gave him a ride. I decided to find the little foot rest and let him try it on his own.
He loved it!
There's so much to play with and he loves the key and steering wheel.
My little driver.
Honking the horn.
Love him leaning out the window!
Exhausted at the end of the day and waiting on Dad for dinner, I set fussy Ezra by Ella on the couch while she watched "Kipper." I looked over and they were holding hands. So cute!
Sister giving more spontaneous love!

This is what you look like at 5:30 pm when you've had a total of maybe 50 minutes of naps all day (despite mom's efforts).

2 comments:

TeamOSM said...

Oh, I wish I had known you were looking for a wipes warmer! I just sold mine to Kid to Kid. =(

I love this post! I think if cost weren't an option, I would probably do sized diapers vs. OS. I just couldn't justify the cost. I think I will love the OS's that I have, but I wonder about the washing wearing them out.

Mindy said...

Thanks, Lisa! I did read that, if you take good care of your OS (and air dry when you can), they should hold up.