Thirsties Therapy Help

First, what is an AIO diaper?

An AIO or All in One diaper means that the diaper is complete, or all in one. The absorbency will be sewn into a waterproof cover.
To use: slide the diaper under baby, and fasten. Voila!
These kinds of diapers are especially preferred by caregivers and new cloth diapering parents for their ease of use. These cloth diapers are the closest to disposables in convenience. Simply wash, put on baby, and repeat.

So why would you choose an AIO diaper over another type of diaper?

1. Convenience
2. Quick diaper changes
3. No extra parts to worry about
4. Ease of use

You may ask why we make different types of diapers if there are AIO diapers. AIO diapers work for many people, but that does not mean that it is the best option for you. They may also be a daytime option only, like our Duo AIO. Thirsties and other manufacturers carry different kinds of cloth diapers for the many different needs and desires of parents and their babies. Some may prefer convenience over cost, and some may prefer cost over convenience. Some may prefer natural fibers over man-made fibers, and vice-versa. You get where I am going here… You will ultimately have to decide what is right for you.

What are the main complaints when using AIO diapers?

1. Cleaning may be more difficult
2. Long dry times (turning inside out may help)

As always, we recommend trying out a diaper before buying a whole stash. Diaper trials may be a great option to see what works for you and your baby.
Mammas, we love to hear from you. Please post your comments with any feedback!
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at support@thirstiesbaby.com

The Diaper Cover and Duo Wrap are both diaper covers. They are made from a polyester fabric that is laminated, making them breathable, yet water resistant. They are soft and pliable, and very comfortable for baby! They both sport the Thirsties double gusset to control leaks. You will need to purchase absorbency to use inside.

Let me tell you a little about both options:

Thirsties Diaper Cover
The Diaper Cover is adjustable in the waist. The Diaper Cover is only available with an Aplix (hook and loop) closure option.  You can use a fitted or fastened prefold diaper inside. Thirsties options include the Duo Fab Fitted, or Duo Hemp Prefold. The prefold will need to be fastened with a Snappi or diaper pins inside the Diaper Cover, to keep the diaper next to the skin and to keep the diaper from shifting. This is very important, or you will have leaks! The Diaper Cover is generous in sizing, so it is to loose to hold a diaper in place without fastening. A fitted diaper has fasteners on the diaper.

Thirsties Duo Wrap
The Duo Wrap is adjustable in the waist and the rise. The Duo Wrap is available in snap or Aplix (hook and loop) closure options.
You can use a fitted diaper, prefold diaper, or insert that replaces a diaper inside. Thirsties options include the Stay-Dry Duo Insert, Duo Fab Fitted, or Duo Hemp Prefold.

These are a preferred choice for thinner babies. You may use a trifold prefold or insert inside the Duo Wrap as the wrap is a trimmer fit, and able to hold the absorbency in place near baby’s skin.  You can reuse the cover or wrap 3-5 times between washings. This means you will need less covers/wraps on hand, and will only need one cover/wrap for every 3-5 diapers.

Please note that our sizing is general, and each baby is shaped differently. Please check your baby’s measurements to determine which size they should be wearing: http://www.thirstiesbaby.com/customer-center/size-chart/

I have put together some packages that will show you what you will need to start cloth diapering – including the accessories. When you are first starting off, it is difficult to know what you will need. The diapers in the packages are enough to last two days between washings.

The Thirsties Duo Wrap and Duo Hemp Prefold is a two piece diapering system. The Duo Wrap is a waterproof cover that can be adjusted at the waist and the rise. The Duo Hemp Prefold is a flat, absorbent diaper. You can either fold it and fasten it on baby with a Snappi or diaper pins and fasten the Duo Wrap over it; or simply trifold, lay into the Duo Wrap, and fasten on baby. You may fold a Hemp Insert into the prefold if additional absorbency is needed.

I have made two charts. One for size 1 and one for size 2. You will not buy both at the same time. The warranty for your diapers starts from the day of purchase, so only purchase the diapers that your baby can wear now.

Size 1:

Product		System	Sizing	Price Each	Qty needed	Cost
Duo Wrap/Duo Hemp Prefold Starter Package 6-18 lbs
Duo Wrap		Cover	1	$12.75	7	$89.25
Prefold		Flat diaper	1	$8.00	20	$160.00
Hemp Insert		Insert	Small	$9.00	2	$18.00
Booty Love		Diaper Ointment	2 oz	$14.95	1	$14.95
Booty Luster		Wipes Spray	4 oz  8 oz	$6.25$11.00	11	$17.25
Fab Wipes		Cloth Wipes	8×8	$12.25	5	$61.25
Diaper Pail Liner		Diaper Pail Liner	One size	$20.00	2	$40.00
Diaper Duffle		Diaper Bag Duffle	One size	$7.25	1	$7.25
					Total	$407.95

Size 2:

Product		System	Sizing	Price Each	Qty needed	Cost
Duo Wrap/Duo Hemp Prefold Starter Package 18-40  lbs
Duo Wrap		Cover	2	$12.75	3	$38.25
Prefold		Flat diaper	2	$8.00	14	$112.00
Hemp Insert		Insert	Large	$9.00	2	$18.00
Booty Love		Diaper Ointment	2 oz	$14.95	1	$14.95
Booty Luster		Wipes Spray	4 oz  8 oz	$6.25$11.00	11	$17.25
Fab Wipes		Cloth Wipes	8×8	$12.25	5	$61.25
Diaper Pail Liner		Diaper Pail Liner	One size	$20.00	2	$40.00
Diaper Duffle		Diaper Bag Duffle	One size	$7.25	1	$7.25
					Total	$308.95

Please choose from the two charts depending on what size your baby is. Weight and age recommendations are general, so please take a look at our sizing chart for your baby’s measurements.

Please send me an email at support@thirstiesbaby.com if you have any questions!

~Sonya

Investing in cloth diapers is not only for the sake of the environment or health, but also for financial savings. There is no way around it – babies need diapers… unless you live in the jungle and baby doesn’t wear clothes…. Due to input from you, our wonderful Thirsties fans, I am going to attempt to show you how it is possible to build a cloth diaper stash with an investment of $288.50. Now this will be the cost for the diapers and the covers. This does not include cost for water, energy use, detergent, or other diapering items. You will have to be creative for the diaper pail, wipes, and any other diapering items you wish to use. Ideas:

5 Gallon Bucket with a lid for a diaper pail.
Water for use with cloth wipes.
Cloth Wipes made from old flannel sheets, etc.

The most budget friendly diapering system is prefolds and covers. Our products include the Thirsties Duo Wrap and Duo Hemp Prefold. This is the modern take on the age old diapering solution. Let’s take a look at these products:

Thirsties Duo Wrap	Thirsties Duo Hemp Prefolds
Waterproof, adjustable cover	Absorbent, flat diaper

You can fold and fasten the prefold around baby with diaper pins or a Snappi for fuller coverage, or trifold and lay into the Duo Wrap.

This combination offers: Affordability, durability, absorbency, softness, trimness, and natural fibers.

How many diapers and covers do you need?

A single Thirsties Duo Wrap or Thirsties Diaper Cover can be wiped clean and reused several times before requiring a full washing.

Covers:
Newborn-9 months: 1 wrap for every 3 diapers
9 months-18 months: 1 wrap for every 4 diapers
18 months to potty: 1 wrap for 5 every diapers

Diapers:
Newborn: 20-24 diapers
6-12 months: 14-18 diapers
12-24 months: 12-16 diapers
Potty Learning: 4-8 diapers

So to cloth diaper with a budget under $300, you will need:

Size 1 (newborn to 6-9 months): 10 diapers and 4 wraps

Size 2 (6-9 months to potty training): 7 diapers and 3 wraps

Size 2 (6-9 months to potty training): 6 diapers and 2 wraps

Our numbers are usually twice this, as most prefer to wash every other day. However, it can be done for less if you wash your diapers every day. Keep in mind, you will wash your covers only if soiled or about every 4 uses. If the cover is soiled, you can hand wash it and hang to dry immediately for the next use.

Now, you may say that is a typo above, but it is not. You may need 2 sets of size 2 diapers/wraps. I want to be real here. If you wash a cloth diaper every day, they will have been washed 365 times in a year. If your baby is potty training at 2.5 years, then they will be in the size 2 for approx. 20 months. Most diapering products last for about a year or 180 washes. They can last longer if excellent care is taken, so for that sake, we will say that you will need 2 sets. Now, you only want to buy the items that you need immediately, as the warranty for these items expire a year after PURCHASE. If you purchase them a year in advance, then the warranty will be void before you start using the diapers.

Cost:

Duo Wrap minimum retail price: $12.25

For 4 size 1 and 5 size 2 wraps, your cost would be $110.25

Duo Hemp Prefold minimum retail price: $7.75

For 10 size 1 and 13 size 2 diapers, your cost would be $178.25

Grand total: $288.50

Keep in mind that this is the bare minimum, but it can be done! You will need to take excellent care of your diapering items in order for them to last as long as possible. You may want to hand wash your covers, and always line dry them to extend the life.

Note: If you chose to buy used diapers, or find them on sale, the cost would be less.

If you have any questions, you can send them to me at support@thirstiesbaby.com.

~Sonya

With 6000 – 8000 diaper changes from birth to potty training, disposable diapers can cost anywhere between $2000 – $3000.

The cost savings of cloth diapers depend on how long your baby is in diapers, what diapering system you are using, and how many children you will use the diapers for. If you use your diapering products for more than one child, your savings multiply!

To cloth diaper, you will need:

Diapers:
Newborn: 20-24 diapers
6-12 months: 14-18 diapers
12-24 months: 12-16 diapers
Potty Learning: 4-8 diapers

Covers:
Newborn-9 months: 1 wrap for every 3 diapers
9 months-18 months: 1 wrap for every 4 diapers
18 months to potty training: 1 wrap for every 5 diapers

Thirsties Duo Diaper:
Use from birth-to-potty and save $617 + over the cheapest disposables!

Waterproof pocket diaper. (No cover needed.) This diaper offers: ease of use, convenience, adjustability, trimness, absorbency.

You will need between 20-24 size 1 and 14-18 size 2 if washing every other day.

Cost at $18.50 MSRP = $629 – $749 + Thirsties detergent + washing costs ($633.06) = $1262.06 – $1382.06

Thirsties Duo Wrap:
Pair with Thirsties Duo Hemp Prefolds and save $907.19 + over the cheapest disposables!

Waterproof, adjustable cover and absorbent prefold diaper.  This combo offers: Affordability, durability, absorbency, softness, trimness, and natural fibers.  Prefolds can be trifolded for ease of use. You only need 1 Duo Wrap for every 3-5 prefolds.

Cost at $12.75 & $7.00 MSRP = $365.50- $459.75 + Thirsties detergent + washing costs ($633.06) = $912.80 – $1007.05

Pair with Thirsties Stay-Dry Duo Inserts and save $907.19 + over disposables.

Waterproof, adjustable cover and absorbent insert.  This combo offers: affordability, ease of use, trimness, and absorbency.  Stay-Dry Duo Inserts lay right into the cover. You only need 1 Duo Wrap for every 3-4 Stay-Dry Inserts.

Cost at $12.75 & $7.00 MSRP = $365.50- $459.75 + Thirsties detergent + washing costs ($633.06) = $998.56 – $1092.81

Pair with Thirsties Duo Fab Fitted Diapers and save $487.18 + over the cheapest disposables.

Waterproof, adjustable cover and absorbent, adjustable fitted diaper.  This combo offers: adjustability, pliability, absorbency, softness, and excellent leak protection. Aplix or snap closure. You only need 1 Duo Wrap for every 3-4 fitted diapers.

Cost at $12.75 & $17.00 MSRP = $705.50- $879.75 + Thirsties detergent + washing costs ($633.06) = $1338.56 – $1512.81

Thirsties Diaper Cover:
Pair with Thirsties Duo Fab Fitted Diapers & save $343.44 + over disposables!

Waterproof, sized cover and an absorbent, adjustable fitted diaper.  This combo offers: Softness, absorbency, adjustability, and excellent leak protection.  Duo Fab Fitted Diapers offer Aplix or snap closures. You only need 1 cover for every 3-5 fitted diapers.

Cost at $11.50 & $17.00 MSRP = $750.50 – $932.50+ Thirsties detergent + washing costs ($633.06) = $1383.53 – $1565.56

Pair with Thirsties Duo Hemp Prefolds and save $854.44 + over disposables!

Waterproof cover with absorbent prefold diaper.  This combo offers: Absorbency, softness, pliability, trimness, and leak protection. Prefolds used under sized covers will need to be fastened with pins or a Snappi. You only need 1 cover for every 3-4 prefolds.

Cost at $11.50 & $7.00 MSRP = $410.50 – $512.50 + Thirsties detergent + washing costs ($633.06) = $1043.56 – $1145.56

Thirsties Fab Wipes:
Switching to washable baby wipes is clearly a simple solution to put an additional $175 + back in your pocket!

Washable baby wipes. Soft and easy to use.  You can use plain water to wet the wipes or a wipes solution such as our Thirsties Booty Luster.

Cost at $10.75 MSRP = $64.50 Wipes are washed with diapers so no extra detergent/washing costs are added.

Disposable wipes cost about .04 a diaper change. At 6000-8000 changes, that comes out to $240 – $320 for disposable wipes.  I am sure you can find a use for that extra money in your pocket, and Thirsties is happy to help you do so!

You can find all of our products on our website: http://www.thirstiesbaby.com/products/

Cost comparison is determined by retail price of Thirsties products and estimated cost per load for washing diapers. Thirsties detergents are estimated at .49 a load.  2.5 years of diapering x 182.5 loads a year = 456.25 wash loads x .49 a load = $223.56  *Energy cost, water cost, and cost of washer/upkeep is estimated at about .90 a load. 182 wash loads a year x 2.5 years = 455 wash loads x .90 a load = $409.50 Total cost for detergent, energy, water, and washer cost/upkeep is estimated at $633.06.

Product price and information sourced from www.thirstiesbaby.com
Energy and water cost information sourced from http://www.csgnetwork.com/laundrycostcalc.html