Originally Posted by
quilt1950
Cloth diapers for all three of mine - 1976-1984. Did get to test Huggies, and some Pampers, with the 1st and 3rd. Had to return the USED disposable diapers in a plastic garbage bag at the end of the week, and fill in a chart indicating where the diaper leaked. Glad I wasn't the employee who had to sort through the used diapers!
Disposable diapers are much improved since 1976!
I preferred the unfolded diapers. I could fold them to best fit the baby, it was easier to get out stains, and they dried much faster. There were many times we didn't have time to fold the diapers after they were laundered, and folded from the laundry basket as we used them.
I also remember rubber pants - I thought they were the worst part of cloth diapering. And the safety pins with the click top. I did have a crying baby when I was babysitting once, and it was an open diaper pin. (And NOT a diaper pin I put in)
Goodness me, I wouldn't have wanted that job either! I share the same sentiment as you do regarding folding (proper fit), and I recall on hot days, how I could hang a load of diapers on the line, and it seemed no sooner I had the last diaper tacked to the line, it was time to take them down.
I didn't mind using rubber pants, but when a diaper leaked out the legs and into the pants, you were left with no choice other than to pull those soiled rubber pants down baby's legs, dragging the mess all the way down with them.
I remember my mom using regular, ordinary safety pins for a short time with my baby sister (early 60's), have no idea why, but when the next sibling came along (my baby brother), I was old enough to start changing him, and I remember using proper diaper pins on his diapers. As for babysitting outside of the home, proper diaper pins were always used.