Sorry for the Hiatus! We're back!

My little one arrived 6 weeks ago and I've been taking a LOT of pictures! I hope to get them all organized so I can post. Look for a newborn diaper comparison, and a one-size comparison as well as a hybrid comparison.

We are off to pick up my 6 year old this weekend and we'll be using cloth the whole time. I'll report back how it goes!

Considering traveling with hybrids? Here's a peek at Grobaby!

So we're still waiting on baby girl to make an appearance. Thankfully she's still hanging out at almost 36 weeks. Of course, this makes it hard to do a cloth diapering blog since I have no one to try the diapers on, but I thought of something that might be helpful so here we go!

Are you traveling and considering a hybrid system? I really love the Grobaby biosoakers (I have tried them on my 4 year old). They have some elastic in them that seems like it would keep messes inside a bit better than the Gdiaper insert or FLIP (since both of them are flat).

SO what is there to consider when traveling. I think the #1 consideration is SPACE. Flying? Well, space and weight is going to be an issue, especially if you are flying one of the airlines that charges per bag. If you can order biosoakers and have them shipped directly to where you are traveling, I highly recommend doing so. Bring your shells and it won't take up any space.

If you are driving and space is your only concern (not weight) The biosoakers box is approx the size of a size 3 or 4 package of diapers, yet there are almost twice as many biosoakers than disposables per package. (50 vs. 35)

The shells themselves also take up very very little room. This is a stack of 10 shells.





















And here's one preloaded:

Mom's milk boutique is giving away diapers

When they reach 3000 on facebook!!
www.momsmilkboutique.com

Woohooo!!

Some of my favorite places to buy fluff!!

I have purchased from a lot of different retailers online. Some of my favorites are:
www.momsmilkboutique.com
www.giggle-britches.com
www.cottonbabies.com
www.nickisdiapers.com

There are some places that carry exclusive items that I've needed, but shipping is expensive and SLOW. I try not to order from them unless I absolutely have to.

Suggestions on topics!

If you or anyone you know would like to see certain things covered, please please let me know!

I plan to do a diaper bag segment-including pictures of a few bags I have here and what I can stuff in them. I have several bags including:
Vera Bradley (I have a few of these)
Old style Lands End backpack
New style Lands End Do-It-All
Lassig Diaper Backpack
I possibly have a Fleurville Mothership coming in a trade

I plan to do a One-Size comparison post, when the little one arrives. I MAY do one w/ my 4 year old (she's about 32 pounds) just for comparison sake.

There will be a few "Traveling with Cloth" segments- as we plan to take a few trips in the next year (including a 10 day trip to California in November, should be an adventure!!)

But please, let me know if there is something you'd like me to cover, or if there is a specific product you want reviewed :)

Different types of cloth diapers

One of the most confusing parts of using cloth diapers is ALL the different TYPES of diapers available!! Parents researching cloth are often completely overwhelmed by the various diapers. Here's a list of different diapers available. Here are the most common. Here are some really awful pictures, and apparently blogger hates me because it's chopping my pictures in half. I'll try shrinking them more...

Flats- these are 1 layer, usually square. What our Grandmas used on their babies. Fold up to fit the child. There are LOTS of different folds, and once you get it, it's not that hard to do. There is a learning curve, but these diapers are one-size and economical. A wonderful choice if you are willing to learn. They also wash and dry very easily and are great for travel. You can fold them up and lay them in a velcro cover and it's just as easy (but much faster drying) than an All-In-One.
















Prefolds- I think these are what most people think of when they think "cloth diapers". The are usually a rectangle, and you fold them to fit your child. The come in several sizes, and now several companies are offering "special" sizing. These are slightly less intimidating than a flat, and can also be folded to fit in a velcro cover.













Fitteds/prefitteds- These have elastic in the legs (and usually in the back) and can come in several closure types including velcro, snaps and pinnable/snappiable. They come sized, or one-sized and are made from everything from flannel to organic bamboo velour and cute prints. Easier than prefolds (no folding) BUT still require a cover.















All-In-One (AIO)-As the name indicates, this is an all-in-one type diaper. No cover needed. The outer is usually waterproof PUL (comes in lots of colors), the inner can be made from anything absorbent. The absorbent soaker is usually sewn in to the diaper. Some times they have a stay dry top, a hidden soaker and a waterproof outer. They are as easy as a disposable, but have the disadvantage of being harder to get completely clean and they take awhile to dry.




















All-In-Two- Sometimes these are listed as AIO's, BUT the difference is that the soaker typically snaps out, leaving a waterproof shell. These usually dry slightly faster than an AIO.

Pockets- These are similar to an AIO, but have a pocket in the front or back to "stuff" with something absorbent. Typically, the diaper consists of a waterproof outer, a stay-dry inner and some sort of "stuffing". The benefit to these is that they dry faster than an AIO and you can customize absorbency.





















Hybrid- These are similar to an All-in-two, lay or snap in a soaker to the shell (which can be reused if not soiled). They usually have some sort of disposable soaker option as well. More on these later.

There are a few other options, but these are the most commonly used and talked about on diapering forums.

So what can you expect from me?

From now until DD is born (that's Dear-Daughter for those that don't know internet/forum lingo) I plan to take pictures of some of the newborn 'stash' that I have waiting for her. I'll compare sizes (xs vs. small) for those diapers that I have both sizes and give impressions, but none of the real reviews will come until after she arrives (unless someone is dying to see a NB diaper on a cabbage patch kid).

Some diapers I have waiting in the wings include:
bumgenius bamboo fitteds
bumgenius AIO (xs)
XS fuzzibunz, small fuzzibunz (which BTW are HUGE and won't fit for awhile)
XS very baby AIO's
Green Mountain diapers (GMD) orange edge prefolds (some of which I've made cuter w/ fabrics)
Wonderworks XS AIO's (I think these are discontinued, but they pop up used on FSOT on diaperswappers.com
XS Magic-All AIO's
Megaroos extended tab infant prefolds

I also have a handful of One-Size diapers including:
Bumgenius OS pockets
Motherease OS fitteds
Fuzzibunz OS pockets
GEM cloth OS snappiable fitteds
Disana Tie-Nappies
Precious Dignity Shamrocks

And those newfangled "hybrid" systems including:
Gdiapers
Cottonbabies FLIP
Grobaby

I've totally spent all the diaper money already, and there are several others I'd love to try, but for now they'll have to wait until I can get some more money together (but of course, I don't NEED any more diapers!!)

I'll also (eventually) show how to fold a prefold and how to fold flats. Leave me a comment if there is something specific you'd like to see!