Love Me Some Cloth Diapers..and I want you to also!! (giveaway)

A little bit of this blog is about being green. I haven't really talked much about my green living lately but I do try to be green! A major way of me keeping our family green is using cloth diapers! I first got the idea to use cloth diapers when Avery was born in 2007. We researched the idea a bit but didnt take the plunge.  I think in all honesty after lightly researching it, B and I thought the cost was the same, but now we know different! I decided to take the plunge and purchase cloth diapers this go around. I am extremely glad we changed our mind and have become a full cloth diaper loyalist with Eisley! While I am only 8 months into cloth diaper I feel like I know enough to help anyone new to cloth diapering with questions!! 

cloth diaper stash

All the information you will find can be extremely overwhelming but it really isn't too hard with all the resources that the internet has to offer. Lots of mommy bloggers have wonderful opinions and have tried the brands to let you know how they really feel! Don't let people tell you that it is crazy hard because all the amazing diapers you can get now are much easier than they use to be. 

The most important part of cloth diapering to me, is having a place that is organized and ready for you each time you need a diaper. Without this you might get a little frazzled and think disposables are easier and give up. I never thought I would say this but cloth diapering is just as easy as disposables but without all the nasty chemicals on your babies butt! Before Eisley was born I had it setup one way and have switched it to make it a little more convenient for us (I still use the basket for all the diapers, just looks prettier like this for the picture!)

before and after cloth diaper organized station

Today I am just going to talk about the actual diapers, in the future I will talk more about the things I use to aid in cloth diapering but the important part is the diapers!! 

My diaper stash consist of 15 bumGenius Elementals, 5 bumGenius 4.0, 2 GoodMamas,1 FuzziBunz Perfect Size for my everyday use. When Eisley was a newborn I used organic prefolds with covers, bumGenius All in Ones in size XS and S. Here is how I would rate my everyday stash: 

bumgenious elementals, organics

bumGenius Elementals: These were the first diapers I bought and take up most of my stash.

  • Pros:  I love that these are organic, can be used at any age and are all in one, no stuffing required, everything was ready from the start. 
  • Cons: Take forever to dry, stains seem to stick a little more but nothing a really hot day cant beat.  Some leaks at the legs if they are not put on just the right way. Very stiff when air dried. A bit pricey. Bulky

bumGenius 4.0: Decided to try these out when they were introduced in July and I must say I love these. Number two on my list! 

  • Pros: They can be worn with no insert once they get closer to potty training stage or you are home. You can stuff them with a couple inserts to help keep a long night from leaking.  Stay soft even when air dried. Slimmer than others.
  • Cons: Stuffing can bunch up, which can cause a grumpy baby (doesn't happen much though). Not as easy as the AIOs but once you get the hang of stuffing you are good to go!

GoodMamas: I am a recent convert to these beauties. I love just about everything about them! They are my new number one!

  •  Pros: I love how the snaps fold over each other. When you have a tiny little peanut like I do you will learn to love this feature! The are probably the softest material I have ever felt, I can only imagine that any baby would feel like royalty in these babies! These absorb very well and the outside snap makes it easy to add inserts, not stuffing required. Tons of cute fabrics to choose from but they go fast on Fridays, so you must be quick! Great if you use wool covers..wool is amazing it keeps stuff dry and is super breathable! A great cover to use with these is the Little Beetle, or check Etsy, lots of local mamas use make some great wool soakers!
  • Cons: A cover is required, which isn't that big of a con but a cover built in would be great! They take a little time to dry but not as bad as the elementals.  A little hard to find and build a stash with unless you have a local vendor or the site is stocked well. Price is high but well worth it. At night they can get really wet and I feel like I am touching a lot of pee when I take them off. 

FuzziBunz Perfect Size:I dont really know much about this diaper. E is super small and this one doesn't seem to fit her right no matter how hard I try. I know that FuzziBunz are very popular and I think if your baby is average or above in size than these are good to go!

I have tried a few other brands such as the Flips and sent them back. They just didn't work for us and we had some issue but thank goodness to Kellys Closet for an amazing return program! My advice is always look at the return policy, your might find a brand that doesn't work great and want to try another. Do not stock up your stash until you are able to see if you like a certain diaper, some diapers just dont work on all babies. Its really can be trial and error. I love Goodmamas and you might hate them, you never know! 

I tried all my diapers out on Avery before Eisley was born so it really helped out! She was pretty much potty trained but I was able to really see how much leaks could happen at night! You might also find a friend what you like! Another great resource for me was my local cloth diapering store, Happybottomus, they were very insightful and have classes on how to cloth diaper!

So on to the giveaway! Because I love cloth diapers so much I am going to giveaway an bumGenius 4.0 Stay Dry Diaper! I really think when it comes down to it this is a great diaper for anyone to have and the price is great!

Here is how to enter:

1. Leave a comment on if you cloth diaper or not and if you do what is your favorite kind?

2. Become a fan of Cooking Up A Family on Facebook, or let me know you already are one and leave a comment that you are a fan. 

3. Google Friend Cooking Up A Family, just click the join this site on the toolbar, and leave a comment letting me know you are a friend. 

You have until next Thursday December 9th to enter the giveaway by 11:59pm!

(Nobody in this post that I have linked up with knows who I am, they haven't asked me to provide any opinions they are all mine and the giveaway is from me)