Fitteds

So no pictures today as I'm at work (using my time wisely), but the blog is littered with pictures of the kids in fitteds. I'll add some to the post at some point.

A fitted is a formed diaper (with elastic in the leg openings and back) with no outerproof layer. So basically- just like a disposable but requires a cover.

You might ask- why would I want to use that if I still need a cover? Well, you can use them without covers at home if you want to change frequently. Also, they are MUCH easier to wash and keep clean than an all-in-one diaper which has a waterproof outer. I frequently use our fitteds at home with just a tee or a dress for M. The kids ALWAYS wear fitteds at night because that's the only real way I have discovered to keep them from leaking out when they're in one diaper for so long.

I feel that each cloth diapering system has its place. When we are going somewhere I rarely use fitteds because I feel it's too many pieces to keep track of for changing and such, but I do it occasionally. It's definitely easier than changing a prefold!

There are about a million different kinds of fitteds. Some are all one piece, some have snap in or lay in "soakers" that you place inside the "shell." The point of this is to make drying time less when adding more absorbency. The diapers that are all one piece tend to dry very slowly (like 2 dryer cycles) and hold on to stink after washes.

Here are a couple of mainstream brands (I do not use any of these brands but I have tried them all at one time or another):

One piece:
Thirsties Fab Fitteds- velcro
Kissaluvs- snap

Two piece:
Baby Beehinds- snap and GREAT for nights
Tiny tush- snap

There are also those fitteds which do not have closures. I find these the most adjustable but they do require pins or a snappi as before. These are my fav. Not all fitteds are "sized." You can find many that adjust from newborn (or close to) to about 35 lbs!

Fitteds are pretty easy to make yourself which is a plus. There are a million different fitteds made by work at home moms (wahm's). Fitteds range from about 8 dollars a piece upwards of $60....the fitteds I use are all WAHM made except limited edition ones you can't buy anymore. My favorite place to buy these products is http://www.hyenacart.com/. Warning- this can cost you a LOT of money....

There are also what are called "prefitteds" which are prefolds converted into fitteds with elastic in the legs and such. They are pretty economical and just like prefolds- you can beat the ease of washing them! Prefolds are more absorbent than you think (or than you have heard from your grandma). We have a ton of prefitteds that we used to use exclusively on M and I had some nb ones for G. This is my favorite WAHM to make prefitteds.

I think next post we'll discuss covers because prefolds and fitteds are the diapers that require them. See you soon!