So, you're new to Dillicious Dipes? Or new to cloth in general? Here's all you could need to know... Or at least I'll do my best to let you know all you need to know :)
If you are like most people or anything like we were when we started cloth diapering, you soon realise there is SO much to chose from and so many different options, types, brands, and opinions about cloth diapers. It can be very intimidating and overwhelming and unless you have a close family member or friend who uses cloth, you may find yourself researching for hours only to find that you still feel like you have no clue, lol
Well, not to worry... I was the same way and now can tell you, honestly, that it gets MUCH easier, so stick with me here while I tell you all I can about Dilllicious Dipes and help you get a little more familiar with cloth diapering in general the way I do it. This may not be what all ends up working best for you, but this is what works best for us, so that's all I have to go off of :)
If you are anything like me after doing some research into Cloth Diapers your first thinking is I just want the cheapest and simplest option available, right? So, we got the cheapest pockets and AIO diapers we could find and started our journey. Very shortly after we purchased them I begin getting more into the cloth diapering community and found out about WAHM (work at home mom) diapers and begin expanding a bit. We tried everything and every brand I could get my hands on to try to find something I loved and that actually was cute, affordable, and actually worked for my kids. (We started out with 3 kids in diapers at once, so it was very much a dive right in and get as many as we could process). Shortly after trying all types of cloth diapers and all kinds of brands, I figured I'd try my hand at making my own, since I still had yet to find the right fit and the right type of diaper that worked the best for us. Soon, after making lots for friends and for us, my husband encouraged me to send out some testing diapers to other Internet CD friends to get some feedback.
This is how Dillicious Dipes was born! Since the first testers were sent out in May 2011 there have been many changes and things in an attempt to make what we think is the best diaper out there. The one thing that has not changed is the type of diaper. The hybrid fitted is what I began making when I first started and it still is what I make today. It is for sure what we think is the best option for breath ability, absorbency, and ease of use!
What goes into a Dillicious Dipe and What is a Hybrid Fitted?
If you are like most people who first start checking out cloth diapers you may have found all kinds of info about the different types and probably think "What in the world would anyone want a diaper that isn't water proof?"
Well, I'm here to tell you after months and years now of trying all kinds of diapers fitted type diapers are the absolute best!
So, what then is a "hybrid" fitted?
It's a water resistant alternative to a traditional fitted diaper. The is a core of a poly fleece in the shell of the diaper, that allows for the same breath ability of a traditional fitted, but acts as a water resistant barrier for the outside to help keep the moisture inside longer.
The hybrid fitteds still will require a water proof cover to be completely water proof, but I've found that my kids can go for hours without feeling damp on the outside cover free. Most days while at home the boys will just run around in a Hybrid fitted and t-shirt :)
All Dillicious Dipes Diapers are made as Hybrid Fitteds, as they always have been. So, what exactly goes into making one?
Well...
The outer "shell" of the regular diapers is constructed of either a knit or woven print (The actual fiber content of these outer prints may vary).
The inner core of the shell is a poly fleece.
And the inner fabric is a super soft Cotton/Poly Velour (80% Cotton/20% Poly), Organic Bamboo Velour (70% Bamboo/28% Organic Cotton/2%poly), or a poly Minky (100% poly).
The top insert is always topped with a coordinating inner fabric (matching the shell).
The inserts are all constructed using a combination of the Highest Quality Heavy Organic Bamboo Fleece (70% Bamboo/ 30% Organic Cotton) and Organic Hemp Fleece (55% Hemp/45% Organic Cotton). These two fabrics combined have an amazing absorbency capacity, but still using only natural fabrics to do so.
Also used in our diapers are poly-resin snaps, labels, and poly-thread.
In the "Dill Dreamers" (the ultimate night time solution) the shell materials are different.
Including an outer of a specialty fleece (100% Poly), an inner core a classic poly fleece, and an inner material of a micro-fleece (100% poly).
The top insert is also topped with the micro-fleece which helps keep moisture pulled away from the skin, but still remaining in the inserts for those long overnight hours.
We also offer "Dillies", which are a much cuter than store purchased undies option. The Dillies are always made of a knit print fabric (fabric content will vary), a hidden band of underwear grade elastic, labels, and poly-thread. These are all sewn and not serged to make sure there are no rough edges against the skin.
What about sizing? Which is best for MY kiddo?
Dillicious Dipes offers three regularly sold sized diapers.
The "Gherkin" which is Dillicious Dipes Newborn Sized Diaper. These are recommended for babies 6-15lbs.
The "OS" which is the classic One Size Fits Most option. These are recommended for babies 14-35lbs.
And the "BDD" (Dig Daddy Dill) which is the Toddler version. This is recommended for 25-45lbs.
Dillicious Dipes are also available in Side Snapping Sized versions, with the option for front elastic or no front elastic.
NB:
7-16 lbs
Small: 8-22 lbs
Medium: 14-30 lbs
Large: 20-40 lbs
X-Large: 30-50 lbs
The "Dillies" are also available in many sizes (see Size Chart below) and have the option for a faux fly or not.
So, How exactly do I take care of these things once I have them?
One of the biggest questions asked when anyone cloth diapers is how do you wash them and store them? Well, here's our wash routine. Everyone will have a slightly different way or process for doing this, but this is what works best for us.
Everyone stores the dirty diapers a little differently, but we use a lidded trash can and a garbage bag. They do make reusable pail liners, but for us they just never worked well. We do reuse the bag two times though. The second pic above is how they travel down to our washing machine :)
Dump them in!
First is two COLD rinses. This is to get any excess poop off that was not flushed in the toilet.
After the rinses are done, we throw in a color catching sheet and a tablespoon of cloth diaper safe detergent. (Our personal favorite is Crunchy Clean)
Then comes the HOT wash.
After the HOT wash has begun, in mid cycle I switch the temps on the washing machine, so I can get two WARM rinses instead of the default of a cold rinse.
Then, it's time to throw them in the dryer on medium heat and it normally will take two cycles. We do sometimes line dry instead, but with two babies still in diapers we just do not have enough diapers normally to wait that long, lol
Then, you must have a little helper to get them out of the dryer and to help sort :)
There are all types of washers and types of water and types of poop and types of laundry soap, but this is the routine we use that works the best for us.
We do normally every other wash add a couple drops of Tea Tree Oil (TTO) to the wash cycle along with the soap to help keep away the ammonia and stinkies!
How Many Diapers does one baby actually need?
Well, obviously this is open for debate considering I do know people with well over 300 diapers for just one child and also people with only 20 for a child. This is really a lot about personal preference and budget and how strong your addiction becomes, lol
I personally have never clothed diapered a Newborn, but normally people tend to average out around 20-30 per baby with washing every other day. This is accounting for a diaper change around every two hours.
After the NB stage normally there are about 6-8 diaper changes a day. So, with washing every other day 20-25 would be just fine.
During potty training and Toddler stage normally diaper changes will become less frequent around 4-6 a day. So a small stash of even just 15 diapers at this stage would still leave you able to wash every other day.
Obviously these are just estimates and some babies will go through many more or many less, but this is just a low end idea to help give you if you are a first timer!
SO....
NOW I know everything about Dillicious Dipes...
Where do I buy them? (And other helpful links)
Dillicious Dipes are sold on on Hyenacart here:
You can Find Dillicious Dipes on Facebook here:
A helpful link on how to use the BDD inserts and the Snap Down rise:
If you have ANY QUESTIONS, Comments, Concerns, or just would like to say hello or chat please feel free to contact me anytime via the message button on the FB or via email at dilliciousfluff@yahoo.com
Thanks SO much for reading and lots of LOVE from our DILLICIOUS family to yours <3
