www.incontinentsupport.org

Hey all,

I have been researching flat cloth diapers, and in the past i simulated to the best of my ability a 44 by 44 flat by using my fleece blanket. I came to the conclusion that the origami fold wasnt pratical. Figuring that the extra material on the blanket was throwing me off, I went to Goodwill and bought 2 bedsheets so that i could cut them into 44 squares. The first "diaper" was pretty close to 44 by 44.. there was maybe an inch extra on 2 of the sides. it seemded to fit Ok.. but I still ran into the probelm of how to pin it so the hips are supported and it stays tight. The only alternative I can see for the Origami fold is to buy a snappi. JD, you said you used a modified angel fold when you wear flats alone. could you describe please?

So, so far, until i master the folds that would be practical for the gauze flats, I am leaning away from them. Yes they are cheaper, but are a lot more complicated it seems. In a few months I might revisit the flats with snappis.. but for now Ill try out other products. I am somewhat afraid to use the medium gauze by itself since i wasnt able to fold it in the middle.. so i dont know if it would be absorbent enough to stand up to more than one wetting.


Peace out!

Rob

Rob,

I have learned that what I am doing to fold my diapers is sometimes called a newspaper fold. With diaper(s) flat on bed with insert(s) on top, fold the two sides in toward the center to overlap the insert. Next fold the bottom 1/4 - 1/3 of the diaper upward. Then spread the fabric at the top of the diaper to form the wings. Pin on the diaper.

This fold is only a little bit different from an angel wing fold but it leaves a bit more width at what becomes the top front of the diaper (which becomes the waist) once pinned on. I find that this makes it easier for me to pin.

I hope this helps as sit is more difficult to explain than I expected.

--John

I found in the past that I could pin on a cloth diaper really tight when lying down, but as soon as I moved around enough or got up that it would feel looser. After pinning it on, try standing up and re-pin it tighter.

The science behind this is that when lying down gravity pulls your body mass horizontally (and spread out across your hips). Pinning a diaper on tight will conform to this mass configuration of your body. However, when you stand up, gravity is now pulling your body mass down- which is now perpendicular to your hips. There will no be a little less mass around your hips, which is what caused your once tight diaper to feel more loose.

Also, a cloth diaper will stretch out the longer you wear it, and the wetter it gets. This is also made more apparent as it gets heavier from being wet and gets pulled down more by the increased gravity. It's just rocket science, that's all. So re-pinning is pretty well just going to be needed.

Alternatively, you may want to consider snappies or boingos. They are elastic diaper pins that can keep you diaper on tighter for longer.