S.S.
(I actually posted this about a week ago to another mama... and I don't have time to write it all out right now, so I hope you don't mind! it's everything I would have said to you :))
Yayyyy!!! Welcome to cloth diapering! You're gonna love it. At least I know I do...
I've been cloth diapering my son since he was three weeks old. (he came five weeks early, I wasn't prepared...) and I have tried nearly every brand. Here's my two cents.
My absolute FAVORITE brand is Sustainablebabyish (http://sloomb.com). The method is fitteds and wool. Which was intimidating for me at first, but once it took hold... Holy cow, watch out. Sbish offers fitteds and os snapless. I prefer the os snapless for a couple of reasons... They are softer, easier to put on (even with pins!), and they give you more life... considering they are one size. The wool is AMAZING. Easily the best on the market. Soft, thick... and will not leak even if it hasn't been lanolized yet. I use these with my now five month old son every night and I have yet to change a sheet in the middle of the night. They rock. The only bummer is they are a bit on the expensive side... but if money isn't a concern... This is easily the best brand/method on the market.
My second favorite diaper is the Bumgenius Elemental AIO... These are my diaper bag diapers. LOVE THEM. The only thing to be wary of is that they need a TON of washes before they are absorbant. I didn't know this at first and was very disappointed considering they are expensive! Now I have a whole stash of them... and love them. They are SUPER easy.
Gdiapers I used in the very beginning... They leaked ALL THE TIME. I got rid of them pretty quick. I liked them because they were one of the only brands that I could access at my local babies r us... but they are cheaply made and they don't fit that great.
Kissas are ok. I have a few in my stash but they aren't the first ones I reach for. In fact, they are usually the ones my son wears if I've been slacking on laundry.
As for laundry... Washing diapers is NOT a full time job. If you're a tad Type A like myself, you'll do one load a day. Not a big deal. Some of my Cd'ing friends do laundry every other or even every couple of days... and sorting and folding diapers? totally relaxing after a long day of babyness... I have used Rockin' Green Detergent... Not a fan... I'm using a regular ole' free and clear now... The Rockin' Green did absolutely nothing for ammonia... even with the "Funk Rock Ammonia Bouncer"...
Wet Bags... Get a TON... I use them ALL the time. I have one in every diaper bag and I agree with one of the previous posts that Planet Wise makes some great bags, but they can be a tad spendy as well. I have quite a few from Essie Designs on Etsy. Excellent quality and she'll ship your order super fast... Not to mention, adorable prints.
As for pail liners... I've been using the kissaluvs pail liner... Not doing so well right now... I'm currently on the hunt for new pail liners, but I may just settle for using door hanging wet bags... I have a couple from Fuzzibunz that are fantastic. They have zippered bottoms so I don't have to mess with them when I toss em' in the wash. Just unzip and toss the bag in. LOVE.
Since my son was born five months ago... We've traveled out of state twice for extended periods of time all the while cloth diapering. I didn't use disposable inserts or anything. It can be done. It's a tad overwhelming the first time... but it just gets easier.
Please feel free to message me if you have any other questions... and seriously, welcome! I hope you have as much fun as I do... I never thought I'd be so into changing my kid's diapers!
S.
Oh and p.s. some other brands to check out... GRO-VIA (fabulous AIOS)... Fuzzibunz (excellent starter diaper)... Rumparooz... All excellent options...
One more thing... Grandma El's Diaper Cream is excellent. No more rashes and it smells AWESOME...
oh and we do have a sprayer.... The best thing about the sprayer is it has gotten my husband involved... He loves using it. Boys and their toys I suppose...