Are you considering using cloth diapers for your little one, but feeling overwhelmed by all the options and information out there? This guide is for you and has everything you need to know about cloth diapering your baby.
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Benefits of Cloth Diapers
Cloth diapering your baby has so many wholesome benefits when compared to disposable diapers. You can have a lineup of beautiful hand-selected diapers, that you can use over and over again, simply by buying your stash once and washing them. When you use cloth diapers you will send less garbage to landfills, and not spend so much of your hard-earned money on throw-away diapers. Cloth diapers are healthier for your baby, as long as you use and wash them properly, and you get to decide what sits next to your baby’s precious bumper! Lastly, having a stash of cloth diapers on hand means you will always have diapers for your baby if the stores run out. Thinking about how to be more self-sufficient when it comes to diapering your baby can help you in a pinch later.
Cost-Saving
Making the switch to cloth diapers can lead to significant cost savings over time. Especially with the rise of inflation, families are looking for ways to cut monthly costs, even if it means doing a little work. Upfront cloth diapers are expensive, but if you get a stash for a great price, on sale, or second-hand, it really adds up if you stick with it.
Typically, you will spend about $6-$35 per cloth diaper, and need about 24 diapers (more or less) per child. That brings a total to around $200-$900 on cloth diapers and accessories, depending on where you got your diapers from. The nice thing is you can reuse these same diapers for years, especially if you have another baby or two! You can also resell these diapers when you are done with them! Whereas disposables you spend about $0.23 per disposable diaper, using about 6-10 diapers per day. On average you will use around 8000 disposable diapers by age three, per child. So from having a newborn to potty training your toddler, that brings the cost up to over $1800 to diaper one baby with disposables. I don’t know about you, but I could use an extra thousand dollars for other things.
Self-Sustainable
We have seen how easily a world event can change what our stores have available or not. It also doesn’t take very much for a blip in the shipping industry to bring a discouraging sight of empty shelves. For the first time many households, in recent years, have started thinking critically about being more prepared. Even in the face of unexpected job loss, or major financial stress, switching out a few things, like your disposables for cloth diapers, can be a comforting self-reliant method of sustainability. Having a cloth diaper stash means you will always have diapers on hand, no matter what happens.
Less-Toxic, Healthful Benefits
Cloth diapers are holistically gentler on your baby’s delicate skin when properly used and washed. What changed my view from using disposable diapers exclusively was seeing the inner plastic layer sticking to my baby’s body. It didn’t take very long until I started wondering what chemicals made up the diapers I was using, for example, how they hold so much liquid. Our skin is also very absorbent, which makes you wonder about what exactly is good next to your baby’s skin. I even wonder about how it might affect their fertility and long-term health while sitting in disposables all the time. More and more people recognize that plastics are not lending to a nourishing lifestyle either and are ready for better natural options.
Incorporating cloth diapers into your baby care routine not only promotes self-sustainability and cost-efficiency but also prioritizes the well-being of your child. Even if more families cloth diapered some of the time, there would be less garbage sent to the landfills, more money saved, and prepared families in case diapers were not available. Even if it took a little extra work to make it happen, you’d reap the beneficial rewards.
Types of Cloth Diapers
Cloth diapers have come a long way, offering a variety of modern options to suit different needs and preferences. Let’s delve into the world of cloth diapering and explore the different types available.
Covers – Shell For Pre-folds
Covers are a classic choice for many parents, and can double as swimmers. These diapers are simply the outer water resistance shell, made with a bonded coat of PUL or TPU (which all cloth diapers have, except wool diapers). You would use fabric inserts or prefolds (fabric folded into thirds, secured with pins) to act as the absorbent part and your diaper cover as the shield. Covers are the most affordable, and easiest-to-clean diaper option.
All-in-One Diapers
All-in-one diapers are a convenient option for those looking for simplicity. These diapers feature an all-in-one design with the absorbent layer sewn into the waterproof cover, eliminating the need for stuffing or folding. They are as easy to use as disposable diapers, making them a popular choice for busy parents. While all-in-one diapers offer convenience, they are more expensive, harder to find, may take longer to dry compared to other types, and may lead to more rashes from not washing out well and being made from polyester inserts. If you can wash and dry them thoroughly, you’ll enjoy this diaper!
Pocket Diapers
Pocket diapers consist of a waterproof shell with a stay-dry liner that has a pocket opening. The absorbent inserts are stuffed into this pocket, allowing you to customize what your baby needs. Stuffing the inserts into the pocket can be a bit time-consuming. I personally use pocket diapers, and just leave mine in its special laundry basket and stuff a diaper when I am about to change my baby. However, this diaper is a nice option when pre-stuffed for quicker hassle-free changes.
With these different types of cloth diapers available, and so many nice cover designs to choose from, you can pick the one that best fits your lifestyle and preferences. Whether you opt for the traditional simplicity of pre-fold diapers, the convenience of all-in-one diapers, or the versatility of pocket diapers, cloth diapering offers a self-sustainable and natural option for your little one.
Cloth Diapering Tips
Cloth diapering can be so very rewarding. However, to make the most out of this experience, here are some essential tips, my top recommendations #affliates, and some encouragement, to ensure your cloth diapering routine goes smoothly and effectively.
Washing and Drying Your Diapers
To maintain your cloth diapers for longevity and the health of your baby’s skin, it is important to wash and dry your diapers properly. Start by rinsing off the solid waste into the toilet before placing the diaper in a Cloth Diaper Wet Bag in a closed pail. I highly recommend a Toilet Diaper Sprayer. It’s honestly a game-changer. Wash the diapers every two days to prevent odours and stains. Use a cloth-diaper-safe Natural Laundry Detergent and avoid fabric softeners (even vinegar) or bleach. Also, don’t be compelled to over soap your load of diapers, it might be dirty, but it will wash out, and you don’t want to wreck your diapers! Opt for a cold pre-wash followed by a hot wash cycle, and do two more rinses (or cycles) to ensure all detergent residue is removed.
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Different Inserts
Your inserts are the absorbent layers in your diaper, and you’ll typically need two to three for each diaper. Microfiber inserts often come complimentary with most cloth diapers, they are quick to absorb, but they don’t wash well. Try to use natural fibres such as hemp, bamboo, or unbleached natural cotton. Bamboo inserts are highly absorbent and soft on baby’s skin. Hemp inserts are another popular choice due to their durability, absorbancy, and they lend to a “trim” less bulky diaper because they are so thin. Boosters are used for times you need your diaper to stay on your baby longer, like bedtimes. You will want to change your diapers every hour or so during the day, as often as your baby needs it. Experiment with different insert materials to find the right combination that works best for your baby’s needs.
Leaking Concerns
A misconception about cloth diapers is they are less effective in preventing leaks compared to disposables. However, when fitted properly, cloth diapers are excellent at containing messes and leaks. With the snaps you can adjust the size of your diaper, there are stretchy guests around the legs and back, so your cloth diapers should be snug around your baby, reducing the likelihood of leaks. Additionally, the use of inserts and boosters can enhance absorbency, making cloth diapers a reliable choice for leak protection. Cloth diapers do need to be changed more often than disposables, as they do not use chemicals to absorb, but you should be changing your baby when they are dirty anyway.
On-The-Go Routine
Cloth diapering on the go is a bit intimidating when you’re away from your set-up at home, but there’s a way to do it! You can use a small wet bag to bring with you. When your baby needs a change your dirty diaper get’s snapped tightly together (to keep everything in) and processed once you’re back home. There are thin Bamboo Disposable Diaper Liners you can use inside your diaper to quickly remove heavier messes. A liner might not be the most sustainable or cost-effective idea, but I say if it keeps you cloth diapering your baby with joy then use what you need to get it done!
Rash Solutions
This is where I want to offer some grace. You can try different creams that are cloth diaper-safe (like this one: MotherLove Cloth Diaper Balm), and add a disposable cotton cloth to your diapers just in case. However, I understand that just might not work for your situation. When my son had eczema I did not get to cloth diaper him for months because those creams were not made for cloth diapers. I needed countless diapers, and just time to protect and heal his skin in the way I could (maybe you’ve been there too). (If you are curious how we did that naturally without steroidal treatments, see my Instagram for more details.) With any medical issue that keeps you from being able to properly use your cloth diapers, just remember that we are doing it for our kids and nothing else compares to serving their needs.
A Note About Poop
When I told a few people that we were cloth diapering our babies, I typically received the response “Wow, I could never do that”. I know why people say that, and it’s because even though we admire the work of cloth diapering babies, no one wants to deal with the poop! As mothers, we know that a healthy baby is a pooping baby, and we can’t wish poop away. If we are invested in what goes into our baby’s mouths, we got to be happy about the fact things must come out. It really isn’t that big of a deal either, when you realize the stink is only for a moment (and you are already changing dirty diapers), to achieve the bigger picture. Whether it’s to save money, throw less away, or give your baby a less-toxic environment next to their bums, your why matters.
Conclusion
Cloth diapers offer a traditional solution to our modern problems. Where disposable diapers just fill up our garbage bins, waste our money, and make us dependent on a convenient system that might not always be there or healthy to use. By choosing cloth diapers, you get to provide a comfortable and chemical-free option for your baby’s delicate skin. With a wide range of styles, materials, and designs available, finding the perfect cloth diaper and the right routine makes cloth diapers so much more enjoyable than ever. Just remember to wash your diapers every two days, and not use any harsh detergents or creams on them, so they will last for years and years to come!
If you want to see an in-depth look at “How to wash cloth diapers” see my post HERE.
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This page contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Cloth Diapers
Covers- Nora’s Nursery Cloth Diaper Cover
Pockets- Nora’s Nursery Cloth Pocket Diaper
Pockets- Nora’s Nursery On The Farm – Pocket Cloth Diapers
AIO – GroVia Cloth Diaper AIO
Inserts
Nora’s Nursery Cloth Diapers Bamboo Inserts
OsoCozy Cloth Diaper Cotton Doublers
OsoCozy Cloth Diaper Organic Cotton Prefolds
Essentials & Accessories
Nora’s Nursery Wet Bags for Diaper Pail
Nora’s Nursery Travel Wet Bags
Bamboo Disposable Diaper Liners
Rockin’ Green Cloth Diaper Natural Laundry Detergent
Molly’s Suds Baby Liquid Natural Laundry Detergent
