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Better4Baby: What kind of one-size diapers should I get?

Better4Baby: What kind of one-size diapers should I get?: "I see this question a lot so I’m thought I would throw my two cents into the mix. What kind of one-size diapers should I get? What are the ..."

What kind of one-size diapers should I get?

I see this question a lot so I’m thought I would throw my two cents into the mix.

What kind of one-size diapers should I get? 

What are the kinds of one size diapers systems are you considering using. 

There are four main types: 

Snap down rise adjustment: 

By far these seem to be the most popular kind on the market.  Most brands of these claim to fit 12 pounds and up.  And therefore will not fit most newborns.  I found my skinny legged 10 month old (he was that old when I started my cloth diapering journey) did not fit well in snap down rises. He seemed to change sizes from week to week (both bigger and smaller size changes) and leak if I didn’t catch the size change.  Often this would happen to my husband who did not really understand how the snaps worked for the most part. 

Button hole elastic adjustment (in the legs and sometimes waist as well): 

These have quite a bit of adjustability to them, and can often fit a newborn all the way to potty training.  I’ve tried one button hole adjustment system and I am currently working out the best way for these to fit on my now 22 month old.  I must admit I do not love the way they are fitting on him but they do not leak it is more of an aesthetic thing for me.  I just dislike the way they look in the front on him.  But I believe this is very much because of him being a skinny boy. But I have contacted the maker and she has offered to give me some tips and I am holding judgment until I see if it will make difference.

Elastic/rope toggle adjustment (in the legs): 

These, to me have the most adjustability.  Most of these systems will fit a newborn, right up to until potty training.  I tend to use these more often out of all my other diapers. But my current favorite brand does not often come in snaps. So I converted mine as my baby, ok toddler, likes to take his diaper off and the snaps prevent him from doing this (for now). 

Fold down rise adjustment (with or without snaps): 

These can be very similar to the snap down rise but differ in that they are folded down at the top rather than snap down rises that fold down under the Velcro/Aplix or snaps used to close the diaper.  These are also very versatile and some brands do clam to fit newborns but may be very bulky for quite a while. This I have not used in a small form when I received the ones I have my baby already fit into the largest setting so I don’t have any real personal experience with them. 

So if you have a new born or a small baby keep in mind some one-size styles won't fit for a while. You may want to buy a few size small or x small to use before you will be able to use your one size diapers.  But for larger babies, 3 months and up, most one-size diapers will fit great.

Sized diapers also have a place as well.  I have 4 large all in ones I use with a hemp doubler for overnights.  And I’d love to have small and extra small diapers for my next newborn.   But I see most sized diapers as a waste of money.  Why should I have to buy a new size every time my baby grows a bit? 

Better4Baby: Nursing in public: Why I don't cover up.

Better4Baby: Nursing in public: Why I don't cover up.: "I've been asked many times by non breastfeeding friends what they should do when they see me nursing my little one. 'Where should I look? ..."

Nursing in public: Why I don't cover up.

I've been asked many times by non breastfeeding friends what they should do when they see me nursing my little one.  "Where should I look?  Why don't you put a cover on? Why not go into another room?"

My reasons are personal ones and it may be different for other people but for me at least, my answers to the previous questions are this:

Where should I look? 

At me, the baby, or where ever you are comfortable looking.  As long as you are not trying to stare down at my breasts, we'll be fine. 

Why don't you put a cover on?

Because my baby never liked it when I tried to use one, when he was a newborn he would cry and scream when he was covered or in the dark.  We literally had to sleep with the lights on for the first few weeks of his life or there would be no sleeping.  So a cover was abandoned quite quickly as he would not nurse as soon as I put it on he would let go and cry.  When he got older he just threw it off anyway so what's the point then?

If you use a cover that's great for you but not everyone can or wants to.  After all it is another thing we have to keep in that already overflowing diaper bag.  LOL

Why not go into another room?  (Notice I didn't say bathroom, my friends know that would be gross to ask anyone to eat in there, including babies.)

I am not trying to make you uncomfortable.  I just need to feed my baby and I don't want to have to leave what we're doing or our conversation to go be board for 15 to 20 min.  By the time I get back I will have likely forgot what I was doing or saying.  So why not do it now and get it done. 

What I use to Cloth Diaper

I did not spend a lot of money on my cloth diaper stash.  I wish I could, mind you, but I did not.  When I was pregnant my mom bought me a name brand set of prefolds at a nationwide chain store.  Research about these told me they were nearly useless when it came to absorbing anything (especially pee).  Plus at that time I knew nothing about prepping diapers.

When I begin to research cloth diapers more I read on one of the forums I was in, that you could use old receiving blankets as flats.  Well I had a ton of these and being as broke as I was I researched this option more.  It turned out that any mostly cotton blanket could be folded and made into a flat diaper.  But these need covers.  And I was not about to buy any rubber pants. 

A friend of mine told me she used to cloth diaper her son and still had everything but there was mostly only newborn sizes.  She looked through her stuff and found she had a medium cover and lent it to me to use along with 2 one size pockets.  So I started looking at folding styles.  Found one that worked for me and went full speed ahead. 

Along the way I have picked up 4 all in ones (great for daddy or baby sitters), 2 fitteds, 2 of my own covers (friend has hers back now), a few hemp doublers and am always searching thrift stores for cheap receiving blankets (50 cents or less). 

Why did I stick with the blankets?  Because used ones are cheap and they have cutes prints unlike the birds eye cotton flats I’ve seen. 

Better4Baby: We're going Live!

Better4Baby: We're going Live!: "We are very excited to announce that Better4Baby.com went live today! Please send a link to your friends and family and remember we will be..."