www.incontinentsupport.org

Hi all,
For those of you who don't know, I have hit a point where the attends I have been getting from medicad just are terrible, and I can't use them anymore. It is not a problem with absorbency, but rather fit and comfort. I have tried other products from my supplier, but the only one that comes close to the one that I have used before are the Attends 8. All other samples they sent me are cheap and rip off easily and aren't worth my time. Attends 8 is a possibility, and I probably will call my supplier and tell them to just go ahead with that. But I have questions about feasibility of using the toilet. It seems that diapers with poly back and tape tabs as a general rule aren't as easy to slide up and down. The good news is the special needs camp that I work at happened to have a surplus of diaper donations, and I found 2 cases worth of Tena ultra with the bags sealed! It was like finding gold. They will last me a month or two if I use them wisely. I will also check other places like the local st Vincent DePaul.

This brings me to the point of this post. I would be negligent if I din't consider cloth. I have experimented using a prefold from Baby Pants, and found them complicated, not to mention bulky. I have been doing reasaerch and I think that using the Purity Flat flold gauze with the origami diaper fold would be the least complicated, and flat diapers cost less than prefolds do. I realize this means wearing more layers, but I think it would be a good beginning point. I also found Birdseye flat on adult cloth diaper company. One huge avantage to flat folds is that they are highly customizable. They also are easier to wash and dry. Another turnoff for me regarding cloth was that the pins were hard to get through on a prefold. Are flat folds easier to pin? I am considering using toddler size snappis since I have read that they stretch easily. I think I might find them easier and safer than pins.

How would I double or triple diaper with a flat cloth? Would I lay two diapers out on top of each other and do the fold? Or would I take the second and fold it and put it in the center?
My main concerns with cloth are will my skin still feel wet and would they be bulky. What should I do for plastic pants?

I wish there was a way to sample cloth diapers before you buy, because It would save me from having to buy them only to decide I don't like them. But maybe I can buy one or two and use them as soaking pads on an unerpad.

I wouldn't be considering cloth at all if the Medicaid products weren't so poor quality. I have also considered in investing in cases of confidry and abena, and just using extedne wear all the time. However, that would mean a larger cost in the long run.

By the way, unless you guys respond to this post within the next few hours, I won't be able to respond until tomorrow or next week.

Thanks in advance.

Peace out!

Rob

Rob,

Good decision. I only recently began transitioning to cloth diapers for night, so I understand what you are going through.

Before you buy, the most important consideration is the size of the flat diaper. Do not buy the smallest size that the tables on the site say should fit you - you will find it almost impossible to pin the wings. Initially I made the mistake of buying a flat diaper too small to properly fold. Also, there was not enough material left at the side of the legs where leaks occur for side-sleepers.

Choose your fabric. Gauze material absorbs pee the fastest. Birdseye is next, and a little more durable. Flannel is very durable but very, very slow to dry.

Do note that flats often are available in different layers of fabric, such as 2, 4, or 6 layers. You can choose to fine-tune the absorbency by choosing the layers. Remember, that as you are not buying prefolds, you need to have extra layers for absorbency.

Now I buy the 44" square gauze purity flats from Adult Cloth Diaper. I also buy the ACD prefolds. That leaves me the option of using a flat diaper inside a pre-fold when I need extra absorption, such as after that second beer.

Just lay the two flats on top of each other. Fold to your desired pattern. Please note that you only need to pin the outer diaper, not both together.

Don't forget to buy pins. They do not need to be giant diaper pins. The oversize pins actually are much more difficult to push through the fabric.

You must wear plastic pants over cloth diapers. Cloth will wick - that is its beauty. However, that means that if part of the wet diaper is not covered by the plastic pants, pee can wick onto the bedding. Some plastic pants intended for disposables will not fit over cloth diapers.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

--John

Rob,

Just looking for an update on your experiment with washables. Now that you're home from camp, how are you doing?

Hey Patrick,

Thanks for asking about me. It makes me feel cared for and appreciated I haven't had a chance to buy any cloth diapers yet, because I'm waiting until my first subbing payday.. which only makes sense since i just spent 90 on a case of Northshore care, and 34 on 2 bags of Attends Breatahble extra absorbent.. Not to mentoion last month i spent way too much on gas, and had to replace my brakes.. costing me over 400... so.. I'm waiting a while to try cloth. But I fully intend to try that option though. Especially after last night... I got up to use the bathroom.. only to not make it to the toilet before i started wetting.. and the attends 8 i was wearing was saturated to the point of leaking a little bit. I'm thinking to myself.. I won't have that issue with cloth!

Patrick, what do you do about cloth not keeping wetness from the skin? do you pony up on the barrier cream? how does that work?

Peace out!

Rob

I try to keep myself well-shaved; I apply a barrier cream after each time I shave, and use zinc oxide ointment and cornstarch powder at as many changes as possible.