New to cloth, diapering 3

Hello  I will be new to cloth diapering soon.  I have a 9 month old and will be having twins in October.  I have 3 other kids too so I am very busy.  I was looking at how many diapers I will need and I calculated 12 each day for each of the twins and 10 a day for the one that will be 14 months at that time.  That is 34 diapers a day.  From my understanding, I can wash 24 diapers (pockets and inserts) together at one time.  Is this correct?  I really don't think I'm going to want 68 dirty diapers sitting around to be washing every other day.  Would it be realistic to buy 40 diapers and wash everytime I got to 24?  So it would probably be 2 loads some days and 1 load on other days.

Edited by 5babiesmomma - 02 May 2012 at 4:01pm

I agree with Bree. My 8-month-old goes through 6-8 dipes a day.  What kind of diapers are you getting?  Flats/prefolds? Fitteds?  Pockets/AIOs?

I would personally buy on the lower number side and see If I actually like them. Maybe get some pockets for baby now and see how it goes. I would also keep sposies around. That's just a personal preference on my part though. For tummy bugs, I would use flats. They are the easiest to wash and a little bleach won't hurt them.

If it were me with 3 in diapers I'd have way more than 30 diapers. But I have/had more than that for one in diapers. lol  However, I wouldn't buy all at once. I'd just start small to make sure you love them before going full on with one type. You can always buy a small stash and use sposies along with them until you figure out what you love.

I find 24 to be the perfect number for one in diapers but probably could have gotten by with half that much if I wanted to wash every day.  I'd really go with 3-4 dozen for 3 in diapers, although it can be done with less.  Welcome to the pin, and congrats on the twins!   

Oh, and welcome to the pin!

i do want to add that new pocket diapers should go through the dryer, on hot even. it'll help seal stitching/sewing holes in the PUL or TPU- then you can hang dry mostly or dry low when necessary. my personal preference was natural fibers (such as flats/prefolds) after the baby doesn't need the stay-dry fleece/suede effect of most pocket diapers (starting around 6 months). i'll be having another in June and will use mainly flats/pf's at home (i stay home) and OS pockets when we go out (so that either babe can wear it). best!

Welcome and congratulations! I personally would want way more than 30 diapers with three kids in diapers. Flats or prefolds are a good inexpensive way to boost your stash without breaking the bank and they are very easy to use especially if you pad fold. Starting your nine month old in cloth now will give you an idea of what works for your lifestyle. You mentioned allergic skin so I wouldn't buy too much of the same thing until you know how your baby will react. I started out with pockets but lost the love stuffing them, I still use them but wouldn't want three kids in them exclusively. Honestly I'd rather fold a stash of flats or prefolds than stuff 40 pockets every day. Have you thought about doing a diaper trial with your baby now to get an idea of what you like? Several retailers offer them.