changing diapers

We’ve used Kushies all-in-one cloth diapers since Jack was born. That was the first thing I was introduced to and never really looked around to see what other options were out there, as far as cloth diapering. Since the Kushies have long been losing their water-proof layering, and the kids (esp. Abigail) have been developing pretty bad rashes whenever wearing them, I decided to seek help, especially since there’s another diaper-wearer in the works. Thanks to a couple of friends who have offered advice, Pittsburgh Cloth Diapers and the internet, I think I’m now equipped with a plethora of useful info. And we’ve to decided to at least try prefolds with covers as our main diapering system, barring I can get the hang of it all.

For covers, we’ll use a mix of recycled wool (wool sweaters, mostly from Goodwill that I’ll sew into soakers, longies, etc.), homemade knits, and pre-mades or gently used at a discount (I’ve already scored several on ebay). I may even try sewing some of my own diapers, but I’m holding until some of my motivation returns. I have been EXHAUSTED lately and have been using most of the kids’ nap times for that very purpose. Last week, I did manage one productive day of transforming one recycled sweater into two soakers and one pair of longies– and was surprised to find how easy they were to make. Store-bought wool covers can be upwards of $30 or $40. One $3sweater made three. They are my first, so they’re rough around the edges, but they turned out usable and kind of cute (I used the soakers and longies patterns found here).  The bottom soaker, I messed up and sewed the waist on the outside of the body, but it’s still a clean edge and looks alright.  It’s not a baptismal gown.

And, to help replenish our new cloth diaper stock, I sold what was still in fair condition (12) of the Kushies (being fully explicit about their stained, worn and leaking condition) and got more than $100. WHO would want these? Just take them off of my hands.