My Cloth Diaper Stash

  When my husband and I found out that we were expecting, we talked about ways we were going to HAVE to save money. I would be quitting my office job and coming home. We would take a big cut in our income. I knew right away that I wanted to cloth diaper.
  My mom had cloth diapered some of my younger siblings part time. By part time I mean that if she was going to be home and knew that she would have time to wash the diapers, she would cloth diaper for those days. For her it saved money here and there. (One of my little brothers loves the cloth diapers though, and would much rather where those every day if she lets him!) For my husband and I though, I see it as more of a necessity. I plan to cloth diaper nearly full time. I do have three bags of disposable diapers at this time. They were all given to me as gifts at my baby shower. I have one size newborn, one size one, and one size two. I am going to do my best not to open and use them, but I know that there may come times where the convenience may outweigh the cost for a day! Crazy days do happen!
   I have read so many different blogs and websites trying to find the best diaper options! I am going to share what I have found here and give links so that you can also find these items.

Here is my Diaper Stash (so far!)

I have 3 snappi's and 2 diaper pins. (Diaper pins and one snappi were a gift from a friend, and I got the other two off of ebay) 

 I have 6 OsoCozy Birseye Unbleached Cotton Flats that were given to me, and after reading about how economical flats are, I ordered 12 more! Flats will fit from newborn through potty training.

 Flats are just square, thin, absorbent 27 x27 in cloths. There are so many different folds that you can do with them. I have watched many different Youtube videos, and can't wait to try out the different folds on my baby! Once I know better about which ones work, I will share them here. Above is one of the folds. (I am definitely not an expert yet, give me some time on a real baby!)

 This is the diaper above with the snappi holding it together.

 This is a Thirsties cover (also given to me by a good friend.) 

 Here is the flat diaper from above inside the cover.

 I also have another Thirstie's cover in the hoot print. (Which I think is adorable!) I will have to let you know whether I think the Hook and Loop or Snaps are better once I have experience with them on my baby! I also have the Hoot print cover in the next size up for when she outgrows this one. (Both were purchased off of ebay.)

 I have three Swaddlebees Capri covers in size 1. These are real high on the cuteness factor! 

I have 12 Green Mountain Diaper Clotheez Newborn Prefolds. The Newborn size has the orange edge.  (6-10 lbs)

 I also have 12 Green Mountain Diaper Clotheez Small size Prefolds. They have the yellow edge. (10-15 lbs)

 Here is a newborn prefold with the snappi. (It looks like it will be super easy to use these! I am sure I will get better at using the snappi once it is on a real baby too.) 

 I have two Thirsties Hemp inserts for adding to the diaper for if the baby needs something extra absorbent! (given to me by a friend)

 I have a BUNCH of these. These are cheap pocket diapers from China. These are the primary diapers my mom uses, so they were the first ones I started buying. The best place to buy these is on ebay. Some sellers have them pretty expensive, but if you watch, you can find them for under $2 with free shipping. They have multiple sizes, but unfortunately are a little too bulky for a newborn. The covers I have above will work till 16 lbs. After that, I plan to use these pocket diapers.

 Here is one all unsnapped so you can see that it does get alot bigger. These are definitely economical, but they are not completely waterproof. You do get what you pay for. With my younger siblings, my mom would put a waterproof cover over their diaper, or she would just change frequently.

 Like I said, I have a bunch, and they do come in pretty colors!

 Here is the inside of one. They are very soft inside.

 Some of them come with a microfiber insert. I have since read that microfiber, although highly absorbent, is actually not good to have up against babies skin. It will actually pull moisture out of their skin and dry it out! That is why you put it in the pocket of the diaper.

 Here is the insert partially inside the pocket. I only have 10 microfiber inserts, and I have heard alot of people say that they did not care for them, so I have not purchased more yet. I plan to experiment, and see what works before getting to many more of anything!

The prefold diapers that I showed up above also are supposed to make great inserts for these! I can fold them and use them just like I will for when she is a newborn, or I can just set it inside the diaper like the picture above.

Last of all- here are two receiving blankets picked up for next to nothing at a yard sale. I plan to cut these up to make my cloth wipes. I will cut them and sew the edges to prevent fraying. 

Below is the complete list of what I have. Some of them are linked so that you can go straight to the site they came from.

12 Newborn size Green Mountain Diaper Prefolds 

18 Osocozy Flat Diapers from ItsyBitsyBums

12 Small size Green Mountain Diaper Prefolds

1 Thirsties hook & loop closure  Cover – purple size 1 (My friend bought this for me from ItsyBitsyBums, but you can use google shopping to find the best price on the different covers. You may be able to do better on prices.) 

1 Thirsties snap closure Cover – blackbird size 1

3 Swaddlebees Capri Covers – swirls, tweet & baby blooms size 1  (I purchased these straight from Swaddlebees because they had a discount code for your first purchase if you liked their facebook page. It gave me $10 off. I couldn't beat that anywhere else!) 

2 Thirsties Hemp Inserts (My friend bought these on ItsyBitsyBums)

Pocket Diapers off of ebay

 Microfiber inserts

1 Thirsties snap closure Cover – blackbird size 2

I know that I will gradually be adding to my stash as I find what works, and what doesn't! Since this is our first baby, and we plan to continue to cloth diaper our other children, I know that what I purchase is not just a one time purchase, but a major investment. 

It's all part of the cloth diaper journey. :)

A New Journey

  Today, I am embarking on a new journey. The past year and a half has been full of new journeys. Fourteen months ago, I married my wonderful husband - beginning a new journey as a wife. Eight months ago, we found out we were expecting our first child. Its a girl, and we are looking forward to welcoming her into our lives within the next few weeks. I have begun a mommy journey. I have learned so many things over the past few months especially. I have learned healthy ways to deal with problems in pregnancy. I have learned alot about healthier eating, and living on a really tight budget! I have gone from working, to staying at home. During this past year, my husband and I started our own online business. I am learning how to help him with it and be the encouraging, supportive wife that he needs. Owning your own business is a journey in itself! Staying at home has brought on all sorts of changes. I am learning ways to better take care of my little family. Ways to save money and be healthier! I have learned so much of this from the blogs of other women. I decided that maybe I should share. My experience won't match any of them. I learn little bits from all the women in my life, but what you see here is what I am trying, learning, experiencing and finding to work for me.
  So here I am... on my newest journey as a blogger!