Never Fear, Cloth Diapers Are Here!

With all the craziness surrounding the explosion of the factory in China, what is the number one concern? A diaper shortage. The factory that exploded produced about 20% of America's supply of absorbent diaper cores. I usually keep a few Huggies on hand for diaper rashes, long car trips, visits to the grandparents, or long days at the ball park, but I have NO FEAR of a diaper shortage. Because I'm covered. Or rather, my kids bottoms are covered.

 As of now I have only 1 in diapers during the day (potty training Noah is going SMASHING!!) and 2 at night. Here is the stock I'm working with. Isn't she a beauty? I am an equal opportunity daiperer (is that even a word?) so I have a plethora of cloth and no brand loyalty to speak of. There are lots of companies that I love, diapers that work well, but I like having options.

With the potential diaper shortage what are you options? Do you have a cloth stash to fall back on should disposables disappear from the shelves? Would you consider buying a small stash in case of emergency? This explosion isn't the only disposable wiping threat. If you've ever watched Preppers you know there is a vast array of disastrous circumstances that would befall our planet, country, or local areas. If stores stop operating, do you know how long it would take for their shelves to empty out from looting? No? Guess. Nope. Uh-uh. 2-3 days. That's it. For the entire stock of Wal-Mart, or Target, and your grocery store to be plundered and completely empty. Now, I know that in an event like this diapers might be the furthest thing from your mind, but that isn't the case with your baby. Whatever the circumstances their bottom needs to be fresh. And cloth makes that possible. Besides, even if you had a sposie stash, with no garbage men to come take away your trash where would you store all those stinky diapers??

So, would you consider adding a stash of cloth diapers to your prepping supplies? I'm sure they would look smashing right alongside your basement toilet paper aisle.

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Choose Your Charity - Cloth Diaper Event

The 2012 Choose Your Charity Event

About Our Sponsors

Thinking About Cloth Diapers

Every parent wants what's best for their baby, but lots of us don't have time to do tons of research. With so many great options available today, getting started with cloth diapers shouldn't have to be complicated!

Launched in October 2011, Thinking About Cloth Diapers is a cloth diaper information website that has been designed with cloth diaper newbies in mind.

In the process of laying the foundation for Thinking About Cloth Diapers, Celeste, the founder and author, discovered a number of brands, retailers, and organizations that used their work to help make the world a better place. Impressed with the dedication of these businesses and charities, Celeste started to plan an event that would help build awareness for their worthwhile causes!


Welcome to the Choose Your Charity Event, which runs from October 1 to 21, 2012!

To read more about the awesome charities
you can vote for, click here!

One lucky grand prize winner will receive $200 in cloth diapers and accessories for themself, and a $300 donation to a children's or cloth diaper charity of their choice! The grand prize includes 6 innovative diapers and inserts, plus a wet bag from Funky Fluff and a Cloth Bundle from Bundles and Buzz! There are also many other prizes to be won, and the top voted charity will receive a $50 donation, too! So spread the word and help your favorite charity win!


We are very grateful for the the help from a number of wonderful organizations and businesses who have helped this dream take flight, and we would like to introduce you to a long list of sponsors who have helped make this event so exciting for you, our readers!

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Funky Fluff Cloth Diapers

Funky Fluff was started by 2 moms who were on the quest for the perfect diaper – and when they didn’t find it, they decided to design it.

Take a close look at the Funky Fluff Fusion 3 in 1 diaper. This innovative diaper brings a new level of flexibility and versatility to the world of cloth diapering: with the interchangeable AI3 system, you can use these diapers as an AIO system (perfect for dads!), an AI2 (great for moms!), and a pocket system (easy for daycares!) No matter how you choose to use them, Funky Fluff diapers are convenient and reliable!

Funky Fluff offers both natural bamboo blend and stay-dry diapers, plus diaper pail liners, wet bags, and more! Their fabulous wet bags have two zippered compartments and lots of room for diapers! Our lucky grand prize winner will receive 6 diapers and liners, plus a wet bag!

To learn more about the Funky Fluff Fusion 3-in-one diapers, visit
www.funkyfluff.ca!

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Bundles & Buzz

Bundles and Buzz, based in beautiful British Columbia, offers a unique and exciting experience for moms! If you like to discover new brands and save money, then Bundles and Buzz is for you! Bundles and Buzz sells Bundles - an exciting surprise package full of both full-sized and sample size products, as well as discount coupons. And you save money too, because each bundle has a retail value roughly twice the amount that you pay!

The Cloth Bundle contains at least one diaper, plus accessories and special savings! Our lucky grand prize winner will receive a Cloth Bundle, with a retail value of $70, and an actual producvt value that is much higher! Plus, another lucky winner will receive a $20 gift certificate to Bundles and Buzz! Use it toward a cloth bundle, or try out one of their other bundles! In addition to baby, and toddler bundles, they also offer you the perfect opportunity to treat yourself - the Mama bundle!

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Ribbon n Stitches

Ribbon n Stitches is both a cloth diaper retailer, and an amazing cloth diaper charity organization. They don't like to say charity, because they say, "We're not a charity, we're a helping hand. We want families to stand a little taller and feel good about what they accomplish themselves.

They act as a not-for-profit, where all proceeds from the sale of their cloth diapers go towards helping families who can't otherwise afford the start-up costs of cloth diapers. Every penny they make supports cloth diaper charities Fluffy Wishes and Sweet Cheeks, or is used to provide subsidized baskets for families in their local community of Fort Polk, Louisiana! If you plan to purchase cloth diapers, here's a great organization to support with your purchase!

One lucky winner will learn first hand about Ribbon n Stitches' excellent customer service, because they are offering a prize pack, including Rockin Green Detergent and a Fuzzibunz Wet Bag, and a BALM sample!

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Leettle Hands and Feet

Started by Alanna Butterfield, a stay-at-home mom, Leettle Hands and Feet is another wonderful cloth diaper retailer with a not-for-profit model. When Alanna started her business, she committed to turn over 100% of her sales profits to World Vision International, a charitable organization that strives to make a positive impact in the lives of children and families around the world.

Leettle Hands and Feet sells cloth diapers and accessories from their website, www.leettlehandsandfeet.com. They have donated a prize pack including one bamboo diaper, a set of baby legwarmers, and a 32 load bag of Generation Me laundry detergent for one lucky winner.

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BALM Baby

Made in Hawaii, using Earth's most healing herbs and Hawaii's most healing oils, "THE" BALM!, is an all-natural, organic, and cloth diaper safe solution for your baby's diaper rash, eczema, cradle cap, sunburns, bug bites, and more!

Malena Taylor, founder of Taylor House Inc., uses only the highest quality ingredients to produce her body and skin line, soaps, and baby care products, plus essential oils! With a focus on their footprint, this company works hard to package all of their products in quality reusable and recyclable packaging (no plastics!) and all of their shipping materials are recycled or biodegradable.

One lucky winner will receive a BALM! Baby Diaper Essentials Kit, which includes a 2 oz Diaper Balm, a 9 oz. Juice Those Wipes, a 2.7 oz Sanitize Those Hands!, and a BALM!Baby Little One!

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Lil Helper

Lil Helper is a little cloth diaper company with a big personality! Lil Helper was founded in Toronto by college buddies Nader and Mohammed, with the goal of re-introducing parents to modern cloth diapers. They "believe that all babies, irrespective of their situation, deserve the same level of care as we would for our own children", and so they built a business model and a brand that contributes a portion of their earnings to a deserving cause.

For every 3 diapers they sell, they donate a brand new PUL cloth diaper to a family in need through their Baby Do Good program. Stop by their website, to discover their infectious enthusiasm, and to check out their diapers and wet bags! You will have the chance to win two Lil Helper diapers and wipes!

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Smush Tush

Smush Tush is the creation of Kat. Kat lives in Portland, Oregon. She is the mother of two little Smushes under the age of three and a part time pediatric RN. Kat started Smush Tush in Spring 2012 because she believes in cloth diapers. She says, "Nothing makes more sense than saving money and keeping landfills free from everlasting disposable diaper garbage, and, of course, there is nothing cuter than a fluffy tush!"

Kat donates $1 from every Smush Tush sale directly into a Morale Fund for the unit she work on at the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland. She works in an Intermediate Care Unit, which is a step-down unit from the Pediatric ICU. Most of her patients suffer from congenital conditions, brain tumors, extreme developmental delays, and trauma incidents. These extremely sick kiddos do not see much in funds from the community like other units do, and she felt an immense need to help.

You can check out her custom diapers in her Etsy shop, and be sure to like her Facebook page to keep up with all of her custom releases!

Smush Tush is donating a custom pocket diaper of the winner's choice. The winner will be able to pick outer and inner fabrics and will work directly with Kat, the owner of Smush Tush, to pick out a totally custom creation!

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The Little Bee Company

Founded in Pennsylvania by Jona Heise, The Little Bee Company developed the slogan "Bee Changed and Change the World". And that's exactly what they are doing, one diaper at a time.

For every diaper purchased, another one is donated to an orphan in need. Through their diaper drops, The Little Bee Company is attempting to improve sanitary conditions in orphanages around the world, and also make people aware of the orphan crisis that exists! You can read more about Little Bee Company's mission here.

The Little Bee Company sells newborn, one-size, and swim diapers, and has diaper colors that represent the home countries of children in need - Japanese, Russian, Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, Africa, China, Cambodia, and of course, at home in the US. One lucky winner will receive a Little Bee Company one-size diaper in Russian Sunflower, a bright, happy yellow!

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Glow Bug Diapers

Glow Bug Diapers' founders, Sarah and Neta, started their own diaper company after becoming frustrated with the high costs of the cloth diapers that were already on the market. They understand that many parents find cloth diapers intimidating because of the cost to get started, and so they launched a cute line-up of quality, affordable diapers.

This Canadian-based company sells diapers in packs of 12, rather than individually, and offers girl, boy, and gender neutral print sets. Glow Bug Diapers will be offering one of their diapers to one lucky winner! Winner's choice of gender neutral, boy, or girl!

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Eco Parent Magazine

Eco Parent is a Canadian print magazine catering to eco-aspiring and eco-savvy parents. Published quarterly, it is their mission to give you the knowledge and inspiration you need to make better, healthier choices for your family! Eco Parent offers both a digital and a print version (printed on a matte environmentally-friendly paper), and it has excellent articles, photography, and content! One lucky winner will get to try out Eco Parent with a free subscription (print if you reside in Canada, or digital if you are from the US).

Eco Parent has also offered a special subscription discount to all Thinking About Cloth Diapers readers. For a limited time, you can save 20% off the cost of an annual subscription to Eco Parent with the code: thinkingaboutcloth.

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Nature Bumz

Nature Bumz is a Canadian cloth diaper retailer based in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

In December 2011, they undertook a huge initiative - putting together cloth diaper starter kits for the Salvation Army and Hannah House Maternity Shelter, in a project they called Operation Bumz Child. With the support of their customers and suppliers, they were able to donate more than 250 cloth diapers, plus accessories, to these worthwhile causes!

One lucky winner will receive 2 Fuzzi Bunz Diaper Talk diapers thanks to Nature Bumz!

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We would also like to thank all of the retailers who have purchased advertising space on our Charity Profile pages, helping us to raise the money for the grand prize cash donation!


Lagoon Baby, from Vancouver, BC


Babyrama Canada from Ajax, ON


The Ninety Ninth Monkey from Brooklyn, ON


From the Stash from Simcoe, ON


All About Baby Boutique from Greensboro, NC


Take a Walk on the Green Side from Newcastle, ON

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If you haven't already, click here to check out the profiles of
the cloth diaper charities you can vote for!

For your chance to win, and to place your vote for your charity of choice, please fill out the Rafflecopter form below!

Only open to residents of Canada and the US
Ages 18 or Older Only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank-you for your support!

Please click here to forward this page to a friend!

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Choose Your Charity Diaper Contest

  As a follow-up to the Cloth Diapering 101 post, I wanted to let everyone know about an exciting awareness event that will be happening round the blogosphere in October. The Choose Your Charity Diaper Contest aims to get the word out about cloth diaper companies that go above and beyond in their morals, charitable focus, and giving back. You will be introduced to company after company whose motivation is to bring about positive changes in the world.

  I would love for everyone to get the word out via Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and word-of-mouth. Heck, send a snail mail letter if you think it will get someones attention! Let me know who your favorite cause-focused diaper companies are, and I will be writing reviews for mine and sharing them with you very very soon. Here's to having a positive impact with the choices we make!

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Class Is In Session: Cloth Diapering 101

My first big leap into the world of green was deciding to cloth diaper my oldest son. He was about a year old and I heard other mom's buzzing about the new styles of cloth diapers. They were throwing around words like pockets, stash, fitteds, longies. I was curious, but completely confused! It took me quite a while to decipher all of the abbreviations and slang terms and feel like I had a good base knowledge about cloth. So while on a trip to see my grandparents (sans Hubby) I started researching and purchased my first diaper set! It was called something different at the time, but it gave me the bug and I've been hooked ever since! I've cloth diapered all 4 of my kiddos, and its a passion, an obsession, and sure to empty your Paypal quick!

 So here is my gift to you. Cloth diapering 101. Everything you need to know if you're considering making the jump, or have already lept but feel like you're free falling. 

CLOTH DIAPERING 101

Hybrid gDiaper

What are my options?

• All-in-one's - Also known as AIO. This is as close to a disposable diaper as you can get. They are full ready to go and have either snaps or velcro (aplix) to close. You just put it on, and take it off when it's dirty. Easy peasy.
• Pockets - Similar to an AIO, but you select the type and amount of absorbency that you want. You choose the type of material that works best for you and can add more inserts to bulk up for nighttime, or slim it down and decrease the amount of inserts for a slimmer daytime fit what you baby will be changed more often.
• Fitteds & Covers - Fitted diapers are similar to an AIO in that you don't have to stuff them, they are all ready to go in the absorbency department, but you do have to use a waterproof cover with these. That can be either PUL (polyurethane laminate - used when talking about the fabric that has been backed with PUL to make it waterproof), fleece covers, or wool. We'll get into the specifics of covers in a bit.
• Flats, Contours, & Prefolds (PFs) - These are similar to the diapers that our mom's and our mom's mom's used. Flat and prefolds are rectangular cloths that you fasten with pins or a snappi (a modern answer to all the thumb sticking that diaper pins caused in years gone by). These obviously need covers as well, and your options are the same as with a fitted.
• Hybrid - No, not a Prius, a diaper. A Hybrid has a waterproof washable shell with either disposable or washable inserts. You lay the insert in the shell, when baby goes to the bathroom you flush, compost, or trash the disposable inserts, or put the washable ones in your pail. Then add a new clean insert to the shell and you're ready to go again, until the shell becomes soiled. 
• Covering options - There are several options here. You have PUL covers that snap or velcro, fleece made into soakers (underwear shaped), shorties (shorts), or longies (pants), or wool made into the same. 

If I'm going to cloth diaper, what do I need?

• Diaper Pins/Snappi - If you're going to use flats, contours, prefolds, or some fitteds you will need a way to fasten them. I think everyone knows what a diaper pin is, but if you haven't delved very far into the world of cloth you're probably not familiar with snappis. It is a pinless diaper fastener that is made of non-toxic stretchy material. There are teeth on each of the 3 ends and these teeth grab hold of the diaper fabric and hold it in place.
• Diaper Sprayer - No matter what phase of diapering you are in, a diaper sprayer makes life so much easier! It looks like the same sprayer you use in your kitchen, and it acts much the same, but this one attaches to the plumbing for your toilet. Instead of the old method of sloshing, dunking, and swirling poopy diapers you simply spray them and be done!
• Wet Bags/Pail Liners - For disposables you use something like a diaper genie to contain the never ending stream of dirty diapers. When you use cloth you need either a hanging wetbag or a diaper pail with a liner. These are made of the same waterproof materials that pocket diapers are, and are tossed in with your regular diaper loads. There are small wetbags to go in your diaper bag, large ones for daycare or babysitting situations, and hanging bags for... well... hanging. LOL
• Inserts & Doublers - If you plan to use pockets or AI2s you will need something to stuff them with. These are called inserts. They are made of microfiber, bamboo, or hemp. Microfiber is the most common, the cheapest, the quickest absorbing, but also holds the least amount of liquid and tends to harbor more bacteria. Bamboo and hemp are woven with cotton or terry and are more trim and absorbent than microfiber, but they absorb slower. I like to combine a hemp or bamboo insert with a microfiber for the best of both worlds. Doublers are added to the inside of a diaper to boost absorbency. They are usually very trim 
• Cloth Wipes - You're saving money, lessening waste, and using materials that are better for your baby when you cloth diaper. So why not take that a step further and use cloth wipes right along side. It's really simple to make your own wipe solutions, you control the ingredients, and you NEVER have to send your husband to CVS at bedtime because you just used your last wipe and someone has a poopy diaper. Not that I've ever had to do that or anything. Not me. Nu uh. And as a little bonus, they are really cute! Look at THESE from Frog Loves Monkey on Etsy.Wouldn't it be fantastic if cloth wipes teamed up with burp cloths at baby showers?

Look at these adorable GREEN wipes!!

                                                            What if I have a problem?

Chances are, you will. But that's ok, because there are solutions!

• Diaper Rash - Even cloth covered bums get rashes, but you do need to be mindful of the creams you use. You don't want buildup on your diapers that will repel, because then you will end up needing to strip your diapers. Speaking of stripping

• Stripping - No, no, no. Not that kind. But man alive... look at those... ahem, back to diapers ladies. Periodically through your cloth diapering career you will need to strip your diapers. If they start to repel, get any sort of buildup on them, smell of ammonia - these are all signs they need a good stripping. Many a mom has given up cloth because of stripping woes, but with Dawn dish soap, oxygen cleaner, bleach, and vinegar thrown in my rinse cycle I haven't had a problem yet!
• Yeast - This is probably the worst problem to have with cloth diapers. Yeast infects your baby and it infects the diapers. Step 1 is to treat your little one both topically and dietary, as yeast originates from their body. Then you have to get the yeast out of the diapers or they will reinfect your baby. I use the same routine as for stripping, but with some tea tree oil thrown in the wash for good measure. Make sure to wash with HOT water!

Say Whaaaaa?!

 Cloth diaper speak can sound akin to pig latin, so here's a guide, courtesy of Diaper Swappers, to help you through. If you're searching for dipes and stumble on a word or anonym you don't know, come to this post, push ctrl + f, and type it in. If it's not in this post either comment and ask me, or EMAIL ME! I would love to help!

3SR: 3 Step Rise

A
AI2: all in two , usually has a snap in liner
AIO: all in one diaper
AP: Attachment Parenting
APLIX: brand of hook and loop similar to velcro

B
BOV: bamboo organic velour
BKT: burly knit terry
BN: Brand New
Bump: Putting “bump” into a post is a way to move the thread back up to the top of a forum
BV: bamboo velour

C
CBOS: Cotton Babies One Size insert
CD: cloth diaper
CM: chubby medium
Colorway: The color of the yarn
Contour Diaper: Contour diapers are usually hourglass shaped with no folding necessary. Just lay them in a wrap or diaper cover
CPF: Chinese prefolds
Crunchy: is like super nutty...not what our modern day society considers normal. It's like an alternative to saying you're nuts! It's kind of used for natural, earthy, or renounced lifestyles, because these kind of things seem so strange in a modern world full of 'conveniences'

D
DSQ: diaper service quality
DWR: Durable Water Repellent (a brand of spray used to re-waterproof diapers)

E
EBF: exclusively breastfed (you’ll see in reference to how a diaper holds EBF poo)
EC: Elimination communication:[/b] it is where babies don't wear diapers and the parents watch for cues that they are about to pee or poop and take them to the restroom. Lots of mamas swear by it (and it is practiced exclusively in many third world countries).
EO: essential oil
ETA: edited to add
EUC: excellent used condition

F
FFS: free for shipping
Fitted: Fitted diapers are used in place of prefolds or contours. They require a diaper cover or wrap, however they are cut in an hourglass shape and have elastic around the legs and waist and have either snaps or hook and loop fasteners
FL: front loader (washing machine)
FLAG: fits like a glove
FLAM: fits like a mitten
Flat: a diaper that is typically 27"x27" square, single ply diaper to fold
FMFM - For Munky From Mommy http://www.hyenacart.com/formunkyfrommommy
FOE: fold over elastic
FPP: funded PayPal
FRB: Flat Rate Box
FBE: Flat Rate Envelope
FS: for sale
FS: front snapping
FSOT: for sale or trade
FT: for trade
FUC: fair used condition

G
GN: gender neutral
GUC: good used condition

H
HC: Hyena Cart www.hyenacart.com an online store “A collection of earth-friendly shops”
Hemp: hemp is made from the inner bark of the hemp plant. It is becoming increasingly popular for use in diapers because of its durability, absorbency and natural anti-microbial properties
HTF: Hard to find
Hyena: term for hard to get, popular diapers that are stalked by diaper hungry moms


I
IDNO: in desperate need of
IDSO: in desperate search of
IHA: I have available
IPF: indian prefold
ISO: in search of

L
LN: like new

M
M/L or ML: medium long (size usually the same as a medium except for the rise
MM: Malden Mills (Brand of fleece)

N
NB: newborn

O
OC: organic cotton
OCV: organic cotton velour
OS: one size - a diaper that usually fits a child from birth up until about 35 lbs
OV: organic velour

P
PF: prefold - diapers with a center strip thickness - they still need to be folded to fit the baby
PL’ed: Potty Learned or Learning
PP: PayPal www.paypal.com
PPD: postage paid (you'll see this when a price listed includes shipping)
PSA: public service announcement
PUL: polyurethane laminate, a material used to make diaper covers/wraps, the outer of many pocket diapers or AIOs

Q
QD: quick dry

R
RLR: is a laundry additive that softens the water and helps remove/prevent build for people who have hard water.
RME: Revolution Money Exchange A new company that is competition for Paypal.

S
SAHD: stay at home dad
SAHM: stay at home mom
SC: suedecloth (stay dry inner folds)
SS: side snapping
Stalking: is waiting around for a product to stock. People ask for stalking help to have better odds at scoring items on HC
STM: ship to me, as used during co-ops and presales where you have to pay to have your item shipped to the person running the sale and then again to have it shipped to you.
Stripping: this is when you have detergent buildup in your diapers and you must run multiple hot rinses until the bubbles are gone

T
TBW: The BabyWearer
TDF: to die for
T&T :Turned and Topstitched (some people prefer this as opposed to serged edges on fitteds)
TTO: tea tree oil

U
UBCPF: unbleached chinese prefolds
UBIPF: unbleached Indian prefolds
UC: used condition

V
VGUC: very good used condition
VHTF: Very hard to find

W
WAHD: work at home dad
WAHM: work at home mom
Wagon: Going on the wagon is choosing (or being forced to choose) to not buy anymore diapers. It is a term used often with drinking alcohol. If you have been drinking a lot, you say that you are “going on the wagon” and then you stop for a while
WIO: wool in one -AIO with a wool cover rather than fleece or cotton
WOHD: work out of home dad
WOHM: work out of home mom
Wool Soaker: A wool soaker is basically a diaper cover made exclusively of wool.

Y
YPA: you pick all
YYMN: Your yarn my needles

Great, now I want fluffy mail.

Fantastic! You can go to any number of sites to buy new diapers or you can hit up Diaperswappers for some quality used diapers at a bargain price. If there is something you want to know about that wasn't covered here, ask away. Happy diapering!

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