I wanted to make a blog totally dedicated to cloth diapering because I know how overwhelming it can be when your first getting into it!
First thing is first..
You will need to find out which kinds of diapers you like...there are All in ones(AIO) which is basically a disposable because there is no pocket or insert to mess with. However these diapers are pricy and take longer to dry. And you cant really customize them like you can pocket diapers(ill explain that in a sec)
Pocket Diapers
As you can see the name is literal. There is a pocket that you put an insert in. Most diapers come with a microfiber insert. However you can buy more or different kinds to use. You can also double up on inserts for long trips, or for over night heavy wetters. We use help inserts for bed time and they work well!
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| Hemp insert |
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| Microfiber |
Pocket diapers are the most commonly used diaper and most people love them! The deed is done and then you remove the insert..spray it if its poopy and then put it in your diaper pail which is covered with a pail liner. We just use a normal trash can with a pail liner. And have 2 pail liners...because they have to be washed so I have one back up to replace the dirty one.
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| Pail with pail liner |
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| This is the brand we have and love! |
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| Notice the diaper sprayer^^^^^^ |
There is also the old fashion cloth diapers and those are called prefolds. You know those amaaazing gerber burp clothes that everyone uses!? Well that is an old fashion cloth diaper..the gerber brand is pretty infamous for cloth diaper use just because they aren't very thick. You can use a prefold OR insert...not microfiber though because microfiber cannot be placed directly on babies skin..but something organic like hemp could be, anyways you either use the prefold and fold it with a snappi or just lay an insert into a cover.
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| cover for prefold or insert |
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| another cover for insert of prefold |
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| how to fold a prefold? |
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| the end result after folding...held together with a snappi, you could also use safety pins.after that just put on the diaper cover and your good to go. |
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| A prefold on a toddler |
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| An example of an insert in a cover..you could actually use the cover multiple times and just put the insert or prefold into the wash after the baby does their business...unless the cover gets dirty of course. |
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| You can also use a wool cover with a prefold...we dont have an experience with wool covers...but they are great for diaper rashes! |
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| this just a picture of an acutal prefold laid out |
Prefolds would be the best way to save money, however they arent always the most practical. We like to use them around the house typically...
Okay so now that you know the basics on the different kinds of diapers
Its time to explore the different brands!
Not every brand offers AIO's and not every brand offers pocket diapers. I am going to focus on pocket diapers because that is what I know...
Your have your major brands which are FuzziBunz and Bum Genius. We have some fuzzibunz but I have never used Bum Genius. FuzziBunz can come in a One size diaper which means the diaper would work from baby to toddler or the perfect fit which comes XS, S,M,L and XL.
Advantages of the one size diapers are the cost savings...you buy one set of clothe diapers and your done. A disadvantage to some would be the fluffy butt..they do cause a little ghetto booootay.
The perfect size advantage is the fit is a bit better, but I actually like the fluffy butt:) most of the time. We use our pefect fit when we go places and Eli wears jeans because his jeans fit best with the perfect fit. The disadvantage would be having to buy diapers in every size.
We have alot of size medium fuzzibunz...because they are in this size the longest out of any of them.
the majority of our diapers are onesize diapers...but we do have some perfect fit.
Off brand diapers...
A few brands I know that alot of people love are the sunbaby diapers...and the lovely pocket diapers..these are two brands that you can google:) They are both pocket diapers and are only offered in the onesize. I think that the sunbaby diapers are very comparable to the fuzzibunz!
Before you buy a whole stash of diapers I would maybe get one or two of a couple different brands..that way you can feel them and compare them for yourselves...my suggestion would be to buy a fuzzibunz and a sunbaby diaper and put your baby in them and see which one works best! We have about 24 sunbaby diapers and the rest are fuzzibunz(we have 36 total)
Once you have your diapers
Its time to prep them!!! Which is simple...you basically just keep washing them about 10 times should do...its a known fact that the diapers are more absorbant after being washed multiple times!
How to wash them? You will need a cloth diaper detergent (google it)
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| We use this...and you can get it on amazon:) |
Send your diapers through two cycles - a COLD/COLD wash or a COLD rinse or soak, and a HOT/COLD wash. If you are experiencing odor problems, 2-3 drops of Tea Tree Oil or 1-2 squirts of Bac-Out Stain & Odor Eliminator can help. Be aware that using too much of an essential oil in your wash routine may begin to cause repelling in your diapers. (Water and oil don't mix!)
Over time you might notice leaks or a urine smell on your cloth diapers which means it is time to strip them...I am going to send you to a different website to go over the entire stripping process!!
Randomness...
When you are out an about...its really no different than a disposable...you change the diaper and put it in a wet bag then put that in your diaper bag!
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| wet bag! |
You also have to remember you cant use normal diaper rash cream with cloth diapers....if you use google a whole list of creams you can use will show up:) We love the california baby...its a little pricy but we rarely use it because Eli doesnt really get diaper rash!
If your cloth diapers start getting stains you can sun bleach them!! It really works:)
Cloth diapering is way easier then alot of people think, and its not nearly as gross as alot of people think!
One random fact I wanted to share....
A few years ago the substance in tampons that was causing toxic shock syndrome was removed from tampons.......HOWEVER it is still used in diapers....isnt that odd?
" Using chlorine to bleach paper releases dioxins, which are one of the most potent cancer-causing chemicals out there. Dioxin exposure can also cause reproductive problems - and disposable diapers put dioxins right next to your baby's reproductive organs. Those little gel beads that absorb the liquid can actually cause asthma and airway restriction."
You can sell cloth diapers and earn at least 60% of what you paid...which is not to shabby!! On average a person will pay 2500 dollars for paper diapers...and for pocket diapers they say 1500 but it can be done for much cheaper....we have invested about 450 dollars into our stash( we did not buy it all at once)
http://www.pootersdiapers.com/cloth-diapering-essentials/
MUST HAVE'S:
- CLOTH DIAPERS - See our list of How Many Cloth Diapers to Buy - Quantity: Varies by age & type of diaper
- INSERTS or DOUBLERS (for extra absorbency. Cotton = Good, Bamboo = Better, Hemp = Best) - Quantity: 3 to 5
- DIAPER PAIL LINER or LARGE WET BAG (for storing dirty diapers) - Quantity: 2
- DIAPER PAIL or 13 GALLON TRASH CAN (for use ONLY with diaper pail liners) - Quantity: 1
- DIAPER RASH CREAM - See our list of Recommended Cloth Diaper Rash Creams - Quantity: 2
- DETERGENT - See our list of Recommended Cloth Diaper Detergents - Quantity: 1 - 10 lb box every 5 to 8 months
NICE TO HAVE'S:
In addition to the items listed above, there are a few other things you may consider puchasing to make your cloth diapering life a little easier.- WET BAG (for storing dirty diapers on the go) - Quantity: 1 Small
- DISPOSABLE DIAPER LINERS (for ease in changing dirty diapers on the go) - Quantity: Varies
- NIGHTTIME CLOTH DIAPER COMBOS (for keeping baby dry thru the night at 6 mos+. PUL = Good. Fleece = Better. Wool = Best.) - See our list of Recommended Cloth Diaper Nighttime Combos - Quantity: 3
- WOOL WASH or LANOLIN (for cleaning wool items) - Quantity: 3
- WOOL DRYER BALLS (to soften diapers, remove static & dry cloth diapers faster) - Quantity: 2 pairs
- BAKING SODA or TEA TREE OIL (to kill odor causing bacteria in your diapers and in your diaper pail) - Quantity: 2
- RLR LAUNDRY TREATMENT, CALGON, or OXYCLEAN (to help clean diapers in hard water areas) - Quantity: Varies
Okay I hope that I was able to help anyone who is curious about cloth diaper out...its a great way to save money and your babies hiney:) Not to mention whats cuter than a little fluffy butt!:)
If anyone has any questions please leave them as a comment!! Oh and I apologize for any typos...I do not have time to go back and proof read this tonight!
Until next time,
Michelle
I have just a quick question, I have been very interested in cloth diapering (but I still have to get my family on board) I saw you have a sprayer attached to you toilet, what do you do to get all the poop off the diapers if you're out somewhere? sorry i'm a bit cloth diapering dumb.
ReplyDeleteaw no problem! So a good way to think about it is like this...its the same as disposables!
ReplyDeleteWhen my daughter was in diapers( we did not use cloth with her) and we were out some where and I didnt want to stink up my friends house with her yucky diaper...I would put it in a little baggy..that sell them every...there just good smelly bags. And then put that bag into a wet bag..like the I posted a picture of! I usually just keep a walmart bag in my diaper bag..then put it in there..and then into the wet bag...when we get home ill spray it off and put it in the diaper pail:)
I hope this helped:) if you have any other questions dont hesitate to ask:)
sorry im back with more questions! where did you get your diaper sprayer? and do you have to use a wet bag in your diaper pail? or can u stick to using a disposable garbage bag? how many pocket diapers do you usually go through a day? i have a 6 month old who goes through about eight disposable diapers a day, how many diapers do you think i should buy in total?
ReplyDeleteHey I am just seeing this comment!!! I hope I am not to late to help...I dont see why you couldnt use a disposible garabe bag! Newborn to about 6 months we went through about 12 a day after that id say about 7-8 a day:) the total number of diapers you need depends on how often you want to do laundry...the more you have the less often...Id say the bare minimum would be 24-36
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