Conference moira::parenting_v3

    I always buy the store brands, K-Mart, Ames, Shaws, Alexanders,
    Toys-R-US.  I really like them and they are a lot cheaper the the name
    brands.  I just bought some of the Ames brand and paid only 6.99 vs
    9.99 or 10.99 (Huggies, Pampers, Luvs).  
    
    The only time I have had a real problem was when Katlyn has a bad
    stomach virus.  They had a tendency to leak when she would have a BM
    (if that is even what you could call it, it was like water).
    
    	Robin

    We use the store brand all the time.  Tried Huggies but had
    leaking problems with them -- they weren't cut to the same shape
    as David is.
    
    As for the "small" diapers -- there are ways to fold the diapers
    so they're "sized down."  Do you have the big square cotton
    flannel ones or the rectangular ones with the thicker stitching up
    the middle?  The rectangular ones can often be folded in half
    across the middle, then turned sideways for a very small baby. 
    I'm not going to try to explain the "kite fold" for a square
    diaper if you don't need it . . .
    
    --bonnie

    No problem I can remember with the Store or "generic" brands.  You may
    occationally get one with a sticky tab that won't work, but tape works
    wonders there.  About the only time I'd get a name brand if if they
    were on sale and with the coupon were the same or lower than the store
    brand.
    

    We always use the flat fold diapers...in other words, they are not
    pre-folded, but just one big rectangular piece of cloth, and then you
    fold them to the size you need. Worked for us for all kids, and the
    original diapers that we bought for Josh almost 6 years ago, are still
    being used now (slightly less white, but perfectly serviceable!).
    
    Our experience with store versus name brands...
    Store brands are usually just fine, and certainly much cheaper. But, if
    your child tends toward leakiness in BM's, the Huggies or Pampers, with
    the little "leak barriers", really are a blessing. I imagine it
    wouldn't be too awful long before the store brands catch up with this
    latest innovation, though.
    
    --dave--

    The only problem I had with the store brands (and this went for Luvs
    too !) was with the "Ultra" type that had the gel in it - My older son
    was allergic to the gel and would break out in a terrible rash. My
    caregiver at that time kept "forgetting" (she is history for other
    reasons) and would then wonder why he would keep suddenly getting a
    rash !!!!! 

    Kate,
    
    I buy the cvs brand disposable diapers for my daycare lady and use
    either pampers or luvs at home(because my mother in law buys them for
    me).  I have found that the cvs brand works just as well as the others
    and they are soft and even stop messy bm leaks too, at least they have
    so far with Alexander.  They cvs brand is only $7.99 compared to what
    the others cost.  You might want to check out Sears for the small cloth
    diapers.  My girlfriend and I were in there a few weeksago and I
    thought I saw some in there, they also have the valcro diaper covers if
    you are interested.
    
    I also have a breast pump that you can have free of charge.  I only
    used it twice and it is clean and still has the bottle also.
    
    If you are interested in it, please let me know either my sending me
    mail at either LUNER::TRUMPOLT or ASABET::Trumpolt or call me at
    223-7153.  I work in the Mill.
    
    
    Liz

    I use CVS or Caldor brand and they're really fine, though you cannot
    easily reattach the tape.
    
    As for cloth diapers, the prefolded ones can indeed be folded slightly
    smaller to fit inside a diaper cover for an infant. Just takes practice
    again :-) (I'll need it too, come August!)
    

    Have you tried Raschelle's?  Since they have a section with "premie"
    clothes maybe, and this is only a guess on my part, they have some sort
    of "premie" size cloth diapers.  I do remember seeing the real tiny
    plastic pants there.
    
    Lyn

    Maybe we got the wrong store brand disposables, but they leaked
    even when Eric just peed.  Then while driving to Virginia, he
    did a mess and it ended up all over the cloth car seat.  Seemed 
    the next rest area was miles away!  That was a year ago and it
    seems his stools are not as loose as they used to be, so it may
    not be much of a problem anymore.  Still, I'm too chicken to try
    them again.  We just get the brand names when they go on sale.
    
    Donna
    

    The only store-brand I've tried recently was Toys-R-Us.  Toys-R-Us
    brand in Manchester, NH are $7.99 compared to Pampers, Luvs and Huggies
    which are $9.99.  I bought the store brand once -  dealt with BM leaks 
    and morning wetness for a week or so.  Since I usually always have
    dollar off coupons given to me by caring relatives - I go with the 
    brand names.  For the $1.00 difference Pampers work best for us.  
    
    I will admit I haven't tried any other store brands, but since I'm
    going to have two in diapers (newborn expected in August) I might try
    some of the previously recommended store brands.  
    
    Tricia
    
    

    FWIW - I used store brand - usually Demoulas/Market Basket brand.  My
    youngest has been out of diapers for a year now, but we did have a
    foster baby for 4 months.  I used the Demoulas brand on him and found
    them to be improved over the last year and they worked just fine for
    us.  We also used cloth at times with him - daycares usually require
    disposable.
    
    Things are changing though - when my niece was born last month they
    used cloth on her at the hospital.  I was impressed - but I'm glad I
    don't do their laundry!
    
    -sandy
    

    I too use CVS diapers, and I think they work just as good as
    named brand.  The only problem I have with them is (as a previous
    noter pointed out) that I cann't reattach them.  The tapes are
    really sticky, you cann't open the diaper without tearing it.
    They cost $7.99 about $2 cheaper than the named brand.
    
    Wendy

    		Pampers was best for my little boy. I've tried
    		all the others,they just never came close to
    		pampers. I've been real lucky as far as getting
    		coupons for pampers. Another idea would be to
    		buy one package of no-brand for daytime and use
    		the pampers for night time/traveling. While on
    		the diaper subject,I also favor Ames brand baby
    		wipes,they're cheaper than Baby Fresh but works
    		just great. I stay away from the tub type wipes,
    		they fall apart easily,no fun when you need to
    		fix up a #2 mess in a hurry.
    

Biobottoms
800-???-????

This mail order firm recently went to an 800 number.  I've entered the 
regular toll number in this conference before.  Check topics on mail order
or diaper covers.

I have a few dozen and really liked using them for the first 4-5 months (I 
have a large child).  Yes, the big ones can be folded but they are a lot of 
bulk if you are using the high quality thick diapers.

=ss

    Thanx for all your suggestions.  I kind of think I'll be doing
    what .13 suggested, once we make The Great Switch from cloth
    to disposable when I go back to work -- store brand during the
    day, name brand for nighttime/naps.  
    
    Anyone besides me remember the good old days when you didn't
    need a "diaper strategy" -- you just wrapped up the kid's butt
    in something?!?