Question by made you look is mommy to three: Would you do this in this situation – cloth diapers?
For my twins I am going to be using Bum Genius 3.0 or 3.0 organic cloth diapers. How hard are using cloth diapers and would you do it for twins?
Also any tips on how many I should buy and how to clean them properly would be nice!
Best answer:
Answer by Hovis
people like my mum swear by them and i guess in the long run you save a fortune! however its up to you are you the kind of person who deals with pooh well coz u have to scrape them, soak them and then bung em in the washer as for twins you need as many as possible just incase!! but in the long run u will save some cash
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
I have been using cloth diapers for almost 1 year now with my 1yo son, and at night cloth pull-ups with my 5yo daughter.
They are extremely easy to use (I use BG AIO’s and 3.0′s among others). They have stretchy tabs and velcro if you get the velcro ones or snaps if you get the snap ones, so they go on *just like a disposable*. If you get the 3.0′s or organic ones, you will most likely have to buy diapers again. No midnight trips to the store to buy diapers because you ran out, and no more money spent on them.
I would definitely use cloth for twins, you have to change the same amount of diapers anyway.
How many you buy depends on how often you want to wash. You want to have about 12 diapers per baby per day, so about 24 per baby per day. So if you want to wash every day, I would say at least 24 diapers, more if you want to wash every other day.
Washing them is very easy. If you get the velcro ones, you just attach the velcro to the laundry tabs ( it keeps the hook part of the velcro to sticking to the other diapers), remove the insert, and put in your diaper pail. Then when you wash, just dump the diaper pail into the washer, do a cold soak, followed by a hot wash with a tiny bit of detergent, and a double rinse. You can then either hang them to dry of dry on low in the dryer.
Also you might want to look into cloth wipes too. They are much easier than disposable wipes with cloth diapers.
ETA:
Here are some facts on the chemicals that are in disposable diapers:
Disposable diapers contain traces of Dioxin, an extremely toxic by-product of the paper-bleaching process. It is a carcinogenic chemical, listed by the EPA as the most toxic of all cancer-linked chemicals. It is banned in most countries, but not the U.S..1
Disposable diapers contain Tributyl-tin (TBT) – a toxic pollutant known to cause hormonal problems in humans and animals.2
Disposable diapers contain sodium polyacrylate, a type of super absorbent polymer (SAP), which becomes a gel-like substance when wet. A similar substance had been used in super-absorbancy tampons until the early 1980s when it was revealed that the material increased the risk of toxic shock syndrome.3
In May 2000, the Archives of Disease in Childhood published research showing that scrotal temperature is increased in boys wearing disposable diapers, and that prolonged use of disposable diapers will blunt or completely abolish the physiological testicular cooling mechanism important for normal spermatogenesis.18
I just got Flip diapers made by Bumgenius. It isnt too bad for one baby. I got a bucket, Planet Power detergent… hmm power something it has low residue build up. I use the sprayer on the dish sink to spray the poo down into the bucket with cold water it gets the stains out, then hot water..
anyway. I just got a start up kit right now with 2 covers and 6 stay dry inserts BUT I need about 6-10 more inserts really as it takes a day or more to dry. I live in an apt so I dont have access to a washer or dryer.,
Anyway, so far no leaks or anything. I like it, plus they give you 30 days to return them if not satisfied
I am going to be diapering my first born in cloth diapers, home made mostly. But I learned today that you actually have to sanitise them or you could cause infections. Thats why most parents use a diaper service. Luckily my mom knows how to clean them properly and will be washing them for me. But I am plan to use disposables over nights, and while traveling. Good Luck!
if you have the time to clean them they are great, you will probably need around 14 -16 each baby everyday. i used them and swear by them i was always scrubbing them and washing them though!
i have a bucket with a lid i fill with hot water in the morning with nappysan for sensitive skin about 1/2 cup full , then just clean as you go.. make sure your bucket has a lid as well to stop any little odors that may get out!! i have a dryer which i found so easy to dry them they come out fluffy.
i would do 2 nappy washes for the first 3-4 weeks ,then 1 every week after that. with twins you will need to do extra.
and they do save heaps of money.
Consider buying disposable liners which will catch the majority of the “mess” in soiled diapers and decrease the staining/cleaning.
Do not use dryer sheets/fabric softener on cloth diapers. It decreases the absorbency (you are not supposed to use those products on towels, either, for the same reason). Line dry them- and the sun is also a good stain bleacher.
Avoid washing in detergents. There are a variety of alternatives you can use instead, such as vinegar, lemon juice, etc.
I would not avoid cloth diapers just because you are expecting twins. In fact, I would be more likely to, so as to avoid DOUBLE the cost of disposables.
Cloth diapers are quite easy- gone are the days of folding, safety pins and plastic diaper covers. Todays cloth diapers go on just like disposables, and aside from the load of laundry are just as easy to use.