Honestly, I wasn’t ever going to write this post. Hadn’t crossed my mind. Perhaps it is because I have been so caught up in the ultra soft bamboo or the prints-that-make-you-go-awwww or the newest, brightest toy on the shelf. Yep, that’s probably it.
But, it was a comment made by one of you that got me thinking.
“I don’t know why you bother with all of this since Kissaluvs are such amazing newborn diapers. My ideal nb stash would just be these! They are absorbant and contain even the biggest bf poo.”
Kissaluvs were good enough for Paisley, my first cloth diapered newborn. They worked for Sterling. Are they still a good newborn cloth diaper?
Unarguably, yes.
When my mom was here she did a lot of loads of cloth diapers. She saw all the ooey cuteness. Her comment, “my favorite are those oatmeal colored fuzzy diapers you used with Paisley. Do you still use those?”
Kissaluvs cotton fleece fitted diapers are super soft. With the additional booster they are absorbent for long periods. With Paisley I doubled up on the boosters and wouldn’t have to change her in the wee hours of the morning.
Kissaluvs fit under any cover. I have used Imse Vimse, Proraps
I recommend checking re-diaper.com, diaperswappers.com and craigslist.com for used KL0s (Kissaluvs size 0). Buying them new with the recommended doubler makes them the same price as a number of other fitteds. Kissaluvs – and Mother-Ease– always seem to be that brand of diaper you find in the big bag of donated diapers from your neighbor (I’ve never gotten one of those bags :( but quite a few of my friends have).
Oh, and in case you thought Camden was missing out on the Kissaluvs love…he may not look happy but he’s little tushy is cozy.
Staci says
Anyone have any thoughts on kissaluvs size 1? I love them so much I’d love to keep her in them – looks like the new ones are more absorbent?
Autumn Beck says
I haven’t used a KL1 in years but when I did it was very non-absorbent. 1/2 a pee soaked it :)
Hannah says
Thank You for this article…I have been researching like CRAZY for my newborn(coming in June). I’m also new to the whole CDing. So having you write about your experiences is wonderful! Thank you thank you thank you!
tara says
Autumn….help me Out here. Why do people like fitteds? Isnt it like putting on two diapers? Why would someone choose a fitted over an aio?
Autumn Beck says
fitteds are great at containment, absorbency and are cute. they are easy to strip and can be softened up with cd safe fabric softener. you can put a PUL or wool cover over them. wool can be a part of the outfit but yes adding a PUL cover is sort of like 2 diapers. also fitteds are easy to make on your own. aios can be pricier and can take longer to dry.
Staci says
I have to chime in here on my first time mommy newborn diaper experience. Isla was born 12.30.10 at 5lbs 9oz. She has skinny little legs and and took a few weeks to get back to her birth weight (after dropping to 4lbs 14oz). We stuck with disposables at first because the day we got home we had to run out and buy preemie diapers since the newborn ones from the hospital no longer fit – they were too big! I took one look at our CD stash and knew NOTHING would fit yet. I even bought some preemie wraps on amazon for rush delivery. Everyday, as we hauled a bag full of disposable diapers to the trash my heart sank. We are a very low garbage household (we recycle almost everything). I thought she was simply too tiny for any of the diapers we had bought. (even though many of them have multiple snaps to size) But then I realized I was also really intimidated. I grew up babysitting kids with disposables and here I was with this drawer full of gorgeous diapers and was afraid to start using them What if they leaked? What if they were too bulky? What if diaper rash started? What if I spent all this money and all this time researching it and it was simply too hard? My in-laws were NOT going to use them…so I started small…the Rumparooz Lil Joeys. IN LOVE! They are cute, contained everything, so easy to put on! Yayee! It’s been 4 weeks (we are finally alone, the guests have all gone home) and we have started using them exclusively. She is now 7 lbs. (never did use those rushed preemie wraps). Kissaluvs ROCK!!! Sustainablebabyish – AMAZING! And so freakin’ cute. It is a weird transition. Cloth diapers are so bulky and when we change her we no longer see a simple blue line saying this diaper is wet, we have to really check, and by time we do, she is SOAKED. So we’ll get better at this. It was shocking to see the first completely soaked cloth fitted…I guess we just didn’t imagine how much she was peeing! haha Those disposable diapers are tricky! they hide all the wetness! no wonder they say it’s easier to potty train with cloth diapers…I can see when she gets older she is NOT going to be ok sitting in all that wet. We love our organic cotton Imse Vimse wrap (preemie size) and Proraps. I can’t wait to try our BumGenius, Ragababes, Wool covers, and prefolds (still scared of those prefolds! so thick!!) Anyway. I know this post is long-winded. I just wanted to share my experience. Cloth diapering is a leap of faith and it’s this blog that gave me the confidence to go for it. Thank you Autumn and all you amazing mommies.
Steph says
Is it normal for the Klo’s to become completely saturated leaving my babies entire bum smelling like pee??? This is the reason why I am not liking the Klo’s… Maybe I am not changing her diaper enough? But this is the same reason why I am not liking the prefolds… But this could also be because I have the cheapo Gerber prefolds…
Autumn Beck says
Yes it is normal for a fitted diaper to become completely saturated. Without a stay dry lining your baby will have the pee sitting on her. You could change more often or choose a more absorbent diaper possibly one with a stay dry lining. You can make prefolds more absorbent by adding a stay dry doubler. (of course, I would first buy a better quality prefold. Gerber isn’t very absorbent) You can make what you have work if you need to. Buying doublers is a cheaper fix.
Susie says
Have you tried the Green Mountain Diapers workhorse fitteds? They are what I have been using this time and I really like them. They are a tad long in the rise, but I have babies with very short rises. They are incredibly affordable and work well. I am also using prefolds, but I can’t quite find a fold that won’t get poop on the wool.
Brooke Matherne says
These were never a favorite of mine. I use them, but I don’t like how wide they are in the crotch area. I can’t remember how they were as far as absorbency goes when my babies were little, but I don’t think they absorb much at all now. I use them only during the day when we are just in fitteds. I just don’t let baby on the couch or a bed in these because the pee goes through too fast. I much prefer using my baby beehinds. I like that they are OS and are so absorbent I will let baby sleep in just this at nap time without a cover and never worry about the sheets getting wet.
Casi says
I know many others have alrealdy said this but “thank you, thank you, thank you” to both Autumn and the many mothers who have shared their advice on this panel and others on this website!! I am new to CDing and had no idea where to start. If I hadn’t read these panels I would have just bought the most highly advertised brand and spent a lot more money. Now that I’ve done my researching and listened to all of you I feel fully prepared and that I saved a lot of money. (Got 25 kissaluv 0s and 4 covers for $200 on ebay) Thank you so much again!!! Love the site Autumn it has been a godsend for me and my family.
Britney says
Tina, you mentioned you use/used Lil Joey’s. I love Rumparooz and really wanted to try out Lil Joey’s this time with my newborn, but only seem to find negative reviews of them leaking. Can you tell me what you think of them and how you liked them? I have small, long, skinny babies (between 6 and 7 lbs)and these seem like they would be very trim and perfect. Having a hard time finding any reviews on them and the majority of reviews state they leak. Thanks!
Also, Autumn, are the Lil Joey’s still working out for you?
Autumn Beck says
I love Lil Joey’s. They get more absorbent the more you wash them. I haven’t had any leaks but I change every 2 hours or less.
Rachel says
I’m starting to stock up on NB CD. How many diaper covers will I need? I have 6 Proraps and 2 Thirsties. Do I need more?
Autumn Beck says
sounds good
Tina says
I’m another who doesn’t have the KL0 love…Our favorites have been Tinkle Traps (a ‘pre-fitted’) and I also like Goodmamas and Lil’ Joeys. The KLo’s are bulky and not absorbant enough (I don’t have the boosters, so this might have helped) for my little guy. He is about 9lbs now and very long/skinny.
YaraC says
What would your recommendation be for CDing a larger newborn? My daughter was almost 9 lbs so I think the second one will be about the same. Would you buy some smaller diapers for the few weeks until they hit 10 lbs and start fitting in the one sizes that I already own or try to make do with the one sizes before they really fit.
Autumn Beck says
I think it’s all dependent on your budget and preference. Camden was 9lbs and I prefer the trim fitting newborn diapers. Even if I only get 2 months out of them. But, I am about to start trying out the one-sized diapers on him and I may have a different recommendation :P
Brooke says
Kissaluvs 0 were all I used for my newborns. Paired with a prorap newborn cover and it is the perfect little diaper. I never even looked for anything else, no need to fix what isn’t broken!
Stephanie says
Those are adorable!!! I read a previous post said that they were too small for their newborn?? What (approx) is the weight limit on these?
Also, unrelated question, but I live in a HOT and HUMID Florida climate! I also live in a tiny house with the washer and dryer in the garage. I was thinking of storing our cloth diapers in a dry pail in the garage (with liner), but do you think the humidity and heat would just make the smell unbearable? Is it not even really an option? We were planning on being “every other night” launderers.
Thanks!!
Autumn Beck says
I’d store the diapers in the bathroom. My laundry is in the garage too, not a fan of that set up.
Megan says
KLo sold me on CDing! I was committed to making it work to save some money with my second child, but after I started using KLo, I saw how easy CDing can be. For the first few weeks, I didn’t even need a cover, with the frequency of diaper changes and they’re great absorbency. But I’ll have to buy some more dipes for this new baby and I’m not opposed to trying some different diapers. So thanks for all of your posts and recommendations. You’ve really made CDing so much easier :)
Sommer says
Heather, I read your comment and I have to tell you that my son was the same, he leaked EVERY single night, no kidding, for the first 3 months of his life, until I came across wool covers. I still had to stuff his fitted diapers with 3 soakers so they were just enormous. Even with that much absorbency the entire diaper would be soaked in the morning–but the sheets were dry! The wool was the best thing I have come across in cloth diapering and I have tried lots of different types including things I’ve made myself. We have been using them every night and he is now 18 months old. You should look into wool covers for nights :)
As far as Kissaluvs go, they are one I have never tried, but my son was a big baby. They look very comfy though. Once our guy was eating more solids I preferred a trifolded prefold or my own soakers inside a cover, and that is what we still use with our now 18-month old. Gussets are great when you have a tiny newborn!
Heather says
I think we go through 2-3 outfit changes a day because of leaks, usually right in the folds of his legs. The best combo I have found is a thick soaker (one mad giraffe is the one I like the most so far) with a doubler inside, and tons and tons of changes.
Punia says
I loved, loved these diapers. The kissa’s 0’s were the reason we started cd’ing and why my husband got on the bandwagon. The prefolds were too hard for me and since we saved and budgeted for cloth diapers for 6 months, i was able to get 18 kissaluvs and they worked until dd was 5 months.
one of my best cd investments ever. thanks for the lovely post- reminded me of when ds was a little baby! sigh.
Col says
Do you mind telling me what are the best training pants for a beginning 2 y/o with a speech delay? He doesn’t know how to say when he has to go potty, but as soon as he goes he’ll say, “Ewww” until I change him. He sits on the potty and goes every now and then. I am ready to start trying more with him and am selling a lot of my stash to buy “new to us” trainers, but I know I’ll run into a dilemma with heavy wetting and containing poo because I expect this to take longer than all my other kids. Thoughts?
~Col
Autumn Beck says
I don’t have experience with trainers but the ones that Heather sells on Banana Peels are all good (as far as I’ve heard). I’d start there. I’d keep a few cloth diapers to use at night.
Emily D says
Col-
I am just starting training with my dd who is 21mos and doesn’t talk much either. I bought a couple of Otter Puddles, and while I haven’t used them enough to say for sure, they seem like they would hold in poo quite well. I’m not so sure about heavy wetting, so far I have felt wetness on the outside (which is actually what I want) but I haven’t prepped them fully. I would use a diaper or at least a cover over the trainer if I was going out. As far as the nto talking, I’ve used signs with both my girls which has worked great (just patting the diaper area as a sign to change, make a fist and twist side to side to say potty). I also read a book called Early Potty Learning which was super helpful for pre-verbal children (my other daughter was trained by 22 mos using their methods).
Rachel says
I really liked the snap-ez pocket trainer for my bedwetter. I stuffed it with contour hemp inserts for a trim and super absorbent “diaper’. They also make a cotton trainer so baby can feel it. Great Trim it (fits like undies) , easy to pull up and down and has side snaps for messes. Not poffy at all like so many cloth trainers are. The size 3 fit my 40lb five year old very well (he is on the small side, with a tiny bum).
Heather says
I don’t have KL0 love either, I have a super soaker though and I have not found ANYTHING that doesn’t leak. We have BG bamboos, a bunch of GM-style fitteds, KL0 and they all leak on my 3 week old. I use Thirsties and Bummis covers. He was 7lbs at birth and 9lbs at 2 weeks. At night I have to tri-fold a prefold the wrong way to make it thicker and stick it inside his fitteds and then put my biggest cover over that just to minimize gusset leaks. I am so looking forward to getting the money for a stash of pockets/BGOs.
Punia says
heather, if the KL0’s, BG’s and the GM fitteds all leak for you, i doubt the pockets will work either. some kids are just heavy wetters and yours may be one. try Hemp diapers- prefolds or fitteds with a wool cover- that may be the best solution. the pockets are only as absorbent as you what you stuff them with~
Heather says
I am SO intimidated by wool. I like pockets because you can make them more absorbent if you need, I have some play all day inserts that I just LOVE for my DD at night, but I have not tried with my chicken legged NB. I have only tried a Bum Genius Organic one sized AIO with him and we seemed to have good luck with it, but I have yet to really build my son’s stash for him. Before I invest in a stash I plan on having him try out his sister’s Rocky Mountain Diapers, Rumparoos, and BGOs.
Autumn Beck says
If he can wear BG Elementals then those pockets won’t be a problem. Rumparooz will fit great.
Punia says
pockets and fitteds are two very different styles of cd’ing. if you prefer pockets, so be it! both are great but sometimes one doesnt work for some people. i prefer fitteds with covers as that is the most fool proof solution for leaks for us :)
if you ever decide to try wool, kissaluvs makes the BEST and softest wool covers.
KH says
Not the only one Amelia, I never liked KL either. They were too bulky for my taste and always leaked. I like good old flannel fitteds. They’ve never failed me yet.
Dana says
I have to agree. Kissaluvs are the best newborn diaper. Even my DH loved them. I was able to purchase two stashes prior to the birth of our little one and was so glad to have so many (I have at least 15-20 of them with about 5 or so covers. With a newbie, that’s definitely a wash every other day at the very least). I never had a blow out with these and I could easily monitor poops and soaking wet pees in the first few months. I also 2nd the person who said that prefolds with a cover are good. Tri-fold and place in cover – viola!
Sarah says
I’m so excited to read this! This is my first comment, but I’ve read your awesome blog for a few months now. We have used CD (Fuzzi Bunz one size and a bunch of hand-me-down Green Acres Designs pockets, all with hemp inserts – she pees through anything!) with our daughter since she was 14 months old and she’s now 21 months. We’re expecting baby #2 in late July and I’ve already been picking out what I want for newborn fitteds! My main reason for using cloth is to save $, though the green factor and cuteness factor are right up there too. So I wondered why anyone would buy anything other than Kissaluvs if they wanted fitteds since they seem so great according to everyone. That’s what I had already planned on purchasing, with maybe a few Kawaiis and Mutts to add in if I can swing it. So glad to hear that they are worth it. Can’t wait to use them! My daughter already likes playing with the one I have.
Debbie says
I have never cloth diapered a newborn, I started cding when my son was about 5-6 months old. I love the advice on newborn diapers though. I’d like to try the KL0’s with a nice cute wrap. Your son is a super cutie! Almost makes me want to have another cutie pie.
Well, potty training for now and we’ll see what the future brings ;0)
Stephanie says
Sorry if my question is dumb but I’m starting to look into the whole CD world for my first baby due in May…..Where do you buy NB CD? In my small world all there is is babies r us, that said, do you bring them to the hospital are nurses cool with that?
Autumn Beck says
If you go to the My Recommendations tab I have each recommendation linked to a store. I think you need to check with your hospital (??) I don’t have much experience with that area. Sterling was a homebirth transfer and for the few hours we were there he never left us and we used cloth diapers.
Britt says
Amelia … you’re not the only one. My daughter was 9lbs 14 oz at birth and we started with small covers and the regular sized unbleached prefolds & some homemade fitteds. We had a few bf poo leaks in the very beginning of our journey with the prefolds but I think that was more my fault (not prepping them in hot enough water). I like looking at newborn cloth, but can’t imagine actually buying it.
Kim says
I never liked the KLo’s either….my son wet them way too fast and was soaked in like 1/2 hour so I sold them. They are soft and in theory, great, but didn’t work for us. Our favorite newborn diaper by far is Tots Bots Tiny Fits.
Tiana says
Honestly, I still love prefolds for newborns. I’ve never actually had a preemie (all of my babies were born “late”), but preemie sized prefolds and covers work the best for me. I can’t imagine spending any more than that on diapers that they’ll only wear for a few weeks.
Simone, I’d like to join your Freecycle list!
Chris says
I’m using Kissas on my baby – she was born over 8 lbs and at 3 months old she’s still wearing her size 0’s. It won’t be much longer, but since I bought them used (from Jillian’s Drawers) I feel like we have gotten our money’s worth for sure. The only reason she won’t fit them much longer is that she is too long in the torso.
My husband loves them. He could never get the PFs quite right and always ended up with leaks when he tried them.
DoulaCindy says
I guess I’m another one that was never in love with Kissaluvs. I had quite a few and used them with my other children. But this time around I bought some BumGenius xsmall and they were my favorites! I also had some thirsties, but I just felt like my daughter stayed so wet in the fitteds. I much prefer the AIO’s. Glad there are many choices out there though!
Brooke says
The BumGenius xsmall and the thristies you used and loved, were they covers or were they AIO’s?
Janet says
Our first diapers were Kissaluvs Size 1 that I got off of Craigslist. (My son was 9lbs7oz at birth). I had done the research and decided that these were what I wanted. They worked great the first few months, especially under the Super Brite covers. I found as he grew he needed more absorbency, but while these ones fit, they were the go to diaper for us.
Jennifer says
I read in a review that they become stiff and rough after a few washes. Did you experience this?
Autumn Beck says
Not that I recall but with fitteds I will add a bit of natural fabric softener every so often so soften them up.
Punia says
detergent residue is what makes any diapers stiff. My Kissa’s have stayed soft and wonderful through two babies. HTH
Heather says
I thought this was going to be about prefolds… I never liked klo’s either. But I can’t wait to bust out my prefolds and thirsties when baby #3 gets here in June!
Shiree says
That’s funny. I had a donated bag of kissaluvs and Mother-Ease. And they ARE my favorite diapers and covers.
Kat says
I’m actually a PF fan with covers for newborns. They are only tiny for a couple of months and then they out grow them and you spent all that money on just newborn diapers. Orange edge GMD prefolds all the way! Cheap solution for such a short period of time until the pockets fit better.
Simone says
I actually got over $300 worth of Mother-Ease bamboo diapers and training pants from Freecycle for FREE!!! I couldn’t believe it when I picked them up and saw the brand they were, I felt like I had ripped her off, lol.
amelia says
I guess I’m the weird one who never had the KL0 love. But then , my dd was born too big for them :( I could see how they’d be great for teeny babies, but not for my big girl! I was very happy I had mostly prefolds for my newborn stash since they could just be layed in the cover. Yep, the prefolds didn’t reach around her belly either!