Starting up? Considering starting?

Be sure to read http://cdingwyldebums.blogspot.com/2011/08/for-anyone-looking-to-get-started-with.html. You will find load of tips and information...

Now.... Where do you start? (I have so much to say about this, I hope I don't forget anything :S)

The most cost effective option for cding, and will save you THE MOST money are prefolds with covers. There are many different brands of these (which we will get into in another post).. You can get prefolds as cheap as $1/prefold and covers you can get as cheap as $5/cover. You can also find these items gently used and spend even less. When we started cding (not sure if we would like it or not) this is what we started with. We bought one starter pack from Econobum which comes with 3 covers and 12 prefolds for $50. These were the ONLY diapers we had for about 5 months.. They were excellent! We never had any leaks and I fell in love with everything cloth, funny thing was, they were very simple and white. But yet, I loved the crappers out of them.. While and because I'm not crafty and not very good with the diaper arts, I just trifolded them and they worked perfectly that way also. The best thing about prefolds other than their cost, is that when diapers are soiled, you can change the inserts and REUSE to cover, which mean you need less, which, saves you more money.. You change the cover when, a) it smells b) gets poop on it c) when YOU WANT TO! (While hybrids or AI2's are generally a little more pricey, they run on the same principal, they just have much cuter covers and no fold inserts)

The next most cost effective are pockets. Now, with that said, there is a great divide in the cost of pockets. You can get pocket diapers for as little as $5 a diaper, or as much as $30 a diaper. In my opinion, and from trying pockets from each price range I can say, all pockets are really, made equally...
We had some Charlie Banana's which are about $25/ diap.... Micro inserts, elastic on bottom to change sizes... I didn't really like them.. I didn't have any problems with them.. I just didn't like the way you change sizes and they seemed a little small.. We had some Sunbaby which are about $5/ diaper.. Micro inserts.. I loved them, they have hip snaps to adjust for thinner or chunkier thighs.. Great patterns.. Etc..
Now, pockets run you a bit more money. The covers can only be used once, as you stuff the insert inside, so once the insert is soiled, the cover is soiled.. So, you are looking at $60 for 12 with the cheaper pockets, and up to $360 for 12 for the pricier ones..

AIO... Most like disposables, most expensive. AIO are exactly that, All-In-Ones.. There is no folding, no inserting, no stuffing, no nothing. The diapers can be used once before needing to be replaced (once soiled) and again, because of this, you need more. AIO's range from about $20-any imaginable price. So, times that by 12 at least... Depending on how many times a week you want to do washing...

Now, with prefolds, if your little one poops a lot, you may end up changing the cover more than expected, IF it gets soiled, which, you can def avoid once you see where the poop goes when baby goes and adjusting the diaper, folding, inserts, etc accordingly..
With pockets and AIO's you would be changing each change anyways, whether baby poops or not.. So, it doesn't really matter.

Now. with all diapering options there is 1 more option... Sized, or, one sized...
One size diapers are generally sized for babies 7lbs-35lbs, so, birth to potty training. Isn't that great! You can buy diapers that last forever! These are my favourite kinds of diapers to buy. They are easily adjusted and can be used for multiple kids (if you have more than 1 in diapers) at the same time!

Sized diapers are just that, sized, just like disposables. Your babe will grow out of them, and then, require the next size up, which means, MORE $$$$$. I stay away from them, as they don't make much sense to me. Why buy sized when you can get OS and not have to buy more?

Depending on your budget, and how much you want to spend, how many diapers you want, how often you want to do a wash... You could be looking at $50 - unlimited, to start your cding experience. Keeping in mind if you get OS diapers they will last from birth to potty training. Think of the cost saving if you spend $50, $100 or even $300 on diapers you can use again and again when you think of the $$$$ you spend on disposables, which, have no resale value, and can not be used for multiple children! I'd say it's a no brainer!

Suggestions for start up: (Not in any specific order)
1) Go to a local cding shop and ask for their trial pack. That way you can try them out risk free.
2) Buy a prefold pack, they are cheap, and you will know after using these whether you want to continue or not.
3) Buy a couple pockets, see how you like them.
4) Buy an AIO, see how you like it.
5) DON'T GO CRAZY UNTIL YOU HAVE A FEEL FOR WHAT YOU LIKE AND WHAT YOU DON'T! You may be surprised.
6) Have fun and enjoy the experience!

If, you find you don't like cding.... Sell your diaps.. Kijiji has desperate mummas searching for cds!