Cloth Diapers?!

Yes! Cloth Diapers! *smile* When we found out we were pregnant with our first daughter we were just starting re-payment on school loans, we were both working, and enjoying life. Before we were married, we had discussed that when we had children I wanted to be a stay-at-home-mom and wife. Praise God my husband agreed with me! *smile* So, that happened much sooner than we had planned since our first was a surprise *smile*, we knew that we needed to learn to live off one income and still pay off our debt. I never had a stigma against cloth diapering, so I started looking into it to help save on the cost of having a new baby.
Since I was going to be at home, I figured washing an extra load of laundry here and there would be well worth the savings. I didn't know how easy it would be at the time, because I had the old pins and diapers concept in my brain, but I was willing to get my hands a little dirty if need be. Thank God I don’t have to get messy anymore now that I know what I am doing. So I want to share these experiences with you so that you can learn from my mistakes. *smile* Actually, it is nowhere near the work that I thought it would be. I have learned that it is all about perspective. If you do not want cloth diapers to work for your family, then they are not going to. If you think they will work for you and your family, then they will. Our expectations help set our course.

Just like there are different disposable diaper brands, and everyone has their favorite for their babies’ body style and so forth, it is the same way with cloth diapering. Some styles and brands work better for one baby and momma that might not work for another. There is no difference in that comparison between cloth and disposable *smile*. Now there are a LOT of types of cloth diapers out there. There are different styles, brands, types, etc. So I am going to share with you my experience of the types that I know and have used and why I like or did not like them. At the end of this post there will be links to other sites that go into further explanation of all the different types of pro's and con's that might make another type I didn't really talk about or mention that might work better for you and your babies. *smile* So let me tell you about some of the different types of Cloth Diapers (CD).

Our cloth diaper stash! We even bought a few more I need to add!

TYPES:

All-in-Ones (AIO) ~ All in One diapers are the closest thing to disposable diapers in my opinion. The outside waterproof cover and inside absorbent inserts are sewn together to make a one piece CD. Just like disposable diapers, each diaper change you need a new diaper. The pro’s of the AIO are that these are easiest to use, especially for dads who are hesitant, babysitters or daycares who might not want to learn how to cloth diaper, and if you are out or on the go. The con’s of the AIO are that you need a new diaper with each change, therefore you need more of this type of diaper which does not make it the most cost effective choice. Also, when washing and drying this diaper, it can be harder to thoroughly clean them, and they take longer to dry since everything is sewed together in a one piece CD.

Pockets ~ Pocket diapers are the next closest thing to disposable diapers. These are similar to the AIO, except instead of the inserts being sewn into the diaper, there is a pocket where you stuff the inserts into. Personally I like pocket diapers more than AIO because they are easier to launder. Since the inserts come out of the pocket they are easily cleaned and do not take near as long to dry. Also, if I need to I can use the Pocket Diaper as a Cover as long as the inner cloth of the pocket diaper isn’t wet or dirty. They are also cheaper than AIO’s. Personally my favorites that we have tried are the ALVA Babies and are a more affordable than other Pocket diapers.

Fitteds ~ There are many different types of Fitteds that I have seen. I would say the majority of them are very absorbent. However, Fitteds do not have a water proof lining so we use a cover over them or plastic training pants you can get at most places. Some ladies I know also use fleece or wool covers which they love. Some of the ones I have I love and others that I have, I do not. We use them mainly as our night time diapers, when we go out, or on long car drives.

Covers/Prefolds/Inserts/Doublers ~ Covers are the waterproof outer covering of the diaper that is usually made out of Polyurethane laminate (PUL) and One Size. I personally LOVE covers because they are so versatile and very affordable when paired with prefolds and inserts. There are lots of brands of covers and they come in MANY different colors. So they are great to pair clothes with. Also, they do not need to be changed every time you change a diaper. If your baby just wet their diaper, then take out the wet insert or prefold, wipe of the cover, and put in another insert or prefold. If your baby has a dirty diaper and it didn’t get on the cover then you do the same, wipe off the cover and change the insert or prefold. However, if the cover gets dirty then you just change the whole diaper. Personally, my favorite covers are the FLIP covers. I prefer snaps and one size (which we will cover both in a minute). The FLIP cover has the most snaps on it I have seen of any other diaper, which makes it the most versatile for any size baby. Plain and simple, I have had NO LEAKS with FLIP covers, which is a huge plus and I am very happy with. Also the FLIP cover fit my infant, which can be hard to find a diaper that will fit babies littler then 8-10 lbs. We also have Econobum covers. Until your baby is at  least 15 lbs, I don’t think these fit well. But once they are that size, then they fit fine. However, they do not have as many snaps on them as the FLIPS so you can not make them as small. My toddler wears them and they fit great. I think the Econobums are great for bigger babies and toddlers. However, I do not think there cover is made as well as the FLIP cover, but they are still good. We have had our covers for almost 2 years and they are still in good condition, even the elastic on the legs has not stretched out.

I will move on to inserts and prefolds. Inserts are used for absorbency. The inserts I have are made of Micro-Fiber. I have heard some babies react to Micro-Fiber, however my oldest daughter has sensitive skin and she does great with the material.  Personally, I think they are easy to use. We have the FLIP inserts. We used them solely before our daughter started crawling around and wasn’t a heavy wetter. As she got more mobile and started peeing more I doubled them up or use my prefolds. I use my inserts with my covers and pocket diapers.

Prefolds are also used for absorbency. The prefolds we have are cotton and are rectangle shaped. They can be folded differently to fit your baby’s size and needs. These are what most people imagine when you think of what they used in the past with diaper pins. However there are more versatile ways to use them now. Some momma’s say that these work best with their newborns and they put little plastic pants over them, but I still love my FLIP covers and inserts for newborns. Personally, we have Econobum prefolds, which I LOVE for when they start wetting more and walking. They are very absorbent in my opinion. We also have Gerber 6 ply prefolds and Gerber 3 ply prefolds. The Gerber 6 ply prefolds have held up well in the laundry, but are the least absorbent of our prefolds. The Gerber 3 ply prefolds did not hold up to the laundry at all and were not very absorbent even as an infant. I would not recommend anything less than a Gerber 6 ply prefold.

We also have a couple types of doublers. Doublers are made to double with an insert or prefold for extra absorbency. You can use one or two or however many you need. The great thing about doublers is they are made so that they do not add a lot of bulk to the diapers.

The Material for Prefolds, Inserts, and Doublers can be made out of many things. Mainly microfiber, cotton, hemp, bamboo, and Zorb are the ones that I have heard of. Each material has a different type of absorbency and thickness.

What I love about the Covers with Prefolds, Inserts, or Doublers is that they are interchangeable. You do not have to have one system for it to work. We have a hodge-podge of systems that work together and one isn’t the ‘right’ way. We have learned what works for each stage in our daughter’s life and it is easy to switch them around. 

Snappi’s ~ We just got these for our little girl in the oven. Everyone kept saying that they work well with the prefolds. And since I like versatility and we will have two in diapers, I wanted more than just the flip covers to fit her while she is an infant. Basically instead of using pins, you use what is called a Snappi. It is a three point prong system, like a ‘Y’, that holds the prefold together from the sides and the middle. It is easier and much safer than the diaper pins in my opinion. So I am excited to use these.

Sized Diapers ~ Sized Diapers are exactly that. They are sized to fit the baby. For example there is XS, S, M, L, XL. Each ‘size’ diaper fits a different weight category just like disposable diapers.

One Size ~ One Size is a one size fits all diaper or cover that fits a baby from infancy (most brands normally start at 8 lbs.) to toddlers and when they are potty trained. Personally, One Size diapers are my favorite because they are most cost effective and you do not have to have lots of different diapers because of different sizes.

Velcro/Hook-N-Loop ~ Velcro or Hook-N-Loop is one way that the Diapers stay closed. Several people I know love Velcro because they say it is easier to use than snaps. However, I find they are the same as far as ease of use. Personally I do not like Velcro because it wears out much faster in the wash and I have already had to re-sew Velcro on some diapers that I have only had about 6 months. Also, when laundering with Velcro if the Velcro comes up or is not properly closed then it sticks to all your other diapers or cloth wipes and causes more wear and tear than it is worth. However, this is more similar to the disposable diapers if that is what you are looking for.

Snaps – Snaps are exactly that, snaps. They are little metal or plastic/nylon snaps that are on the Diaper or Cover that hold the diaper closed. Personally we only have Diapers and covers with Plastic/Nylon Snaps and they are the ones I love and recommend. There is no wear or tear in the laundry and they are just as easy to use as Velcro. Also, your baby has a MUCH harder time taking of the snaps, my daughter is almost 2 and just learned how to pull of the snaps when she was able to pull the Velcro off a long time ago. I have not heard good things about the metal snaps. I have heard that they rust, fall off, and get to hot in the dryer if you choose to use the dryer. I personally think the Plastic/Nylon snaps are more common and preferred over the metal snaps.

New Cloth Diapers ~ When we started Cloth Diapering I did not want to get used diapers. Please do not be offended my fellow CD Momma’s because I have sense learned, *smile* but I used to think, “I wouldn’t buy used panties for my kids so why would I buy used diapers?” I know this is a horrible thought now, because I have learned to wash, strip, and care for CD’s. But I wanted the best for my baby and at that time, I thought that it was best. Now if you are reading this and feel that way, it is okay. Don’t get me wrong. I have been there. *smile* If you want to buy brand new diapers, there are lots of places you can buy. However, you will be paying full price. You can buy Online, at Babie’s R Us, at local Diaper Shops, and other places in your area you can google. There are lots of momma’s who make CD’s and they have websites and pages you can look for.

Used Cloth Diapers ~ As I said, I have converted to used CD’s. They are more affordable and as long as they are still in good condition, then they are just as good as new. However, if you are getting a Cover or a Diaper with Elastic in it, please make sure that you know if the elastic is stretched or not, because that can cause leaks. Also, if check the snaps and Velcro to make sure they are in good condition and intact. You can get Used Diapers Online at different website and pages or groups such as facebook or Craigslist. You can also get Used Diapers at Local Diaper Shops. Most Diaper Shops that I have heard of have New and Used Diapers. Also, you can check out Diaper Swap parties in your area. BEFORE you use the Used Cloth Diapers you need to ‘Strip’ them so that you know they are clean before you start using them. These directions are below in the Washing and Laundering Section.

Here is a web site that gives more information, pros, and cons into types and accessories of Cloth Diapers.

·        http://www.diaperpin.com/clothdiapers/article_differentsystems.asp

BEFORE YOU BUY:

Before you buy Cloth Diapers, see if you can get your hands on some CD’s. Check our Local Diaper Shops where they might have some you can go and look at hands on. Also, Diaper or Fluff Parties in your area are great ways to learn more and see some in person. If you have a friend who CD’s maybe you can ask them if you can see their stash and how they use them. Ask them the Pro’s and Con’s and what works best for them. If you ask questions you will learn a lot about what might work for you or not.
Also, there are a few websites that will let you ‘try’ out a variety of cloth diapers for a limited amount of time. You pay a deposit fee and then when you send the diapers back you get almost all your money back. I have known a few people to do this and it helped them choose which diaper system and types worked best for them and their families. For example my husband is different than most husbands; he prefers covers and prefolds over AIO’s and Pockets. I would never have known that if he wasn’t able to try them. Here are a few web sites that you can get more information.

·        http://jilliansdrawers.com/products/clothdiapers/tryclothfor10/tryclothfor10

·        http://www.diaperlab.com/index.php

MORE INFO:

How many CD’s will you need? ~ Well, that all depends on what type of diaper you choose to buy. If you buy AIO’s, Pockets, or Fitteds, you will need a new diaper for each change. As far as Covers I suggest at least 2, max 3, a day per child. The reason being is you do not need to change the cover unless it gets dirty. We have had a few days when we needed 3 covers in one day because my daughter had diarrhea and her covers kept getting dirty so they needed changed. As far as the prefolds and inserts you will need a new one for each change. As far as doublers you will need them when you baby starts wetting more at night and long car rides and things like that. If you do not want to get doublers, you can double up with inserts and prefolds or intermingle the three with what works best for your baby.

As an infant I would say your baby needs at least 12 diapers a day. As they get to be toddlers they might need 6-8 diapers a day. So if you are getting sized diapers you will need to have more of the smaller ones for a day than the larger ones for a day. If you are getting a One Size Diaper then you can probably average 8-10 diapers a day, your preference, and just wash sooner if you need too.

Also, another factor into figuring out how many diapers you will need is on how often you plan to wash and launder your diapers. Some momma’s I know want to wash everyday. This makes for more laundry; however it cuts back on how many diapers they need. Personally I wash every 2-3 days and I need 2-3 days worth of diapers.

So, basically it is a mathematical equation. First figure out how many diapers you will need per day based on the type you want to get. Then multiply that by how many days you are going to launder. For example: My toddler on average wears 6 AIO’s a day and I like to over plan, so I am going to say I will wash every 3 days. That means I need 18 diapers for about 3 days worth of diapers. Another Example: My little bun in the oven is going to be wearing covers and prefolds. As an infant, I am planning on changing her diaper at least every 2 hours, so I am going to say I need at least 12 diapers for 1 day. Multiply 12 prefolds/inserts by 3 days of laundry means that I need 36 prefolds inserts. Also, I am going to be using covers, so I need 2-3 a day. I am going to say 3 because I like to over plan. 3 cover per day multiplied by 3 days to launder is 9 covers. So for my infant I will need 9 covers and 36 inserts/prefolds. I hope this makes sense. *smile*

Diaper Creams ~ This is one thing that is VERY different from disposable diapers and cloth diapers. You should not use Diaper Creams with Cloth Diapers. It coats the diapers and makes them less absorbent. Also it is not good for the material of the diapers. If you do forget and use Diaper Cream with your cloth diapers you will need to Strip your diapers to deep clean them. I will tell you how to do that in the Wash and Launder Section below. There are some Diaper Creams that I have heard about that you can get at your local health food store that is compatible with Cloth Diapers. However, MAKE SURE the product says it IS compatible with Cloth Diapers. It will save you a headache, believe me. *smile* Personally, we use Olive Oil in our home if we need a diaper cream. I have several friends who use coconut oil as well. Both work great and have great properties for baby’s skin. However, ever since we started using Cloth Wipes with our Homemade Wipe Solution we have not had anymore rashes or a need for Diaper Cream. I will be sharing about that in another blog.

Diaper Sprayer ~ Before I go into how excited I am about our diaper sprayer, I would like to share my back story on how I cleaned dirty diapers before the wash. Basically when I started CD’ing I didn’t know anything and I was learning and figuring things out on my own. When my first daughter was little and she had breastfed poop, I washed the diapers out in our kitchen sink with the sprayer. I didn’t really like doing that because I didn’t want my kitchen sink where I cooked dirtied with my baby’s poo. Then I switched to washing in out in the bathroom sink but quickly got tired of cleaning out the small drain. Then I rinsed in the bathtub, but once again, the drain we had was weird and I had to keep cleaning it (some of my friend say it goes down there bathtub drain fine). So I was on to the next best thing. I finally got a bucket and filled it with water and vinegar and put the dirty diapers in it to soak. Cleaning out the bucket was a little messy, but I could take it outside and dump the bucket and only had to touch the diapers from the bucket to the wash. This worked for me until my girls poo became more solid. Then it wouldn’t all come off the diaper and the bucket soaking wasn’t working as well for me. So I would get plastic bags and like dog poo clean the diaper. Not long after that I learned that you can ‘dunk’ your diapers in the toilet by holding the ends and not get your hands as messy, because the force of the dunking pulled of the poo if it didn’t just drop in the toilet. I dunked my diapers for a long time. Then I got a diaper sprayer! It is not perfect, because the toilet we have at this apartment doesn’t work the best with the BumGenius Diaper Sprayer we chose. But, my amazing husband jerry-rigged it and it works! Normally, Diaper Sprayers connect to the hose at the back of the toilet in a ‘Y’ type system. The easiest way to clean your diaper is to that I have found is to put it against the side of the toilet to help hold the bottom part of the diaper while you hold the top part and then spray down the diaper until it is clean. I have been using it and I love it. My hands do not get dirty anymore, but I do recommend keeping a bucket or the diaper pail next to the toilet so that if the Diaper still drips once you have finished spraying then you don’t have to carry it across the house. I learned that one the hard way too. *smile* So, I vote a diaper sprayer is my favorite so far. Honestly though, it is finding which method works for you and going with it.

How to store your diapers while waiting to be laundered ~ There are many ways to store your diapers while they are waiting to be laundered. Personally, we were given a Diaper Genie Elite II at our baby shower for our first and we use that. We used to buy bags for it, but have sense learned that the smell stays in without the bags. So we just drop in our cloth diapers like we used to. Now when I go to do laundry, I wipe out the Diaper Genie instead. It is more cost effective that way and honestly easier since I do not have to mess with the bags. We also have another diaper pail that we use, the Safety 1^st Easy Diaper Saver Pail. Personally it is my favorite. *smile* I have friends who use small trash cans with lids or pails under their sink or wet bags.

Also, the wet diapers just go straight into the diaper pails. I clean the dirty diapers after I change them and then put them in the Diaper Pail. I do this with all dirty diapers, including breastfed diapers. I have friends who rinse out all of their diapers, wet and dirty, and keep them in their bathtub until the end of the day or put them straight into the diaper pail. I also have friends who do not rinse breastfed dirty diapers. They put them in the wash the way they are when they wash the diapers and just do an extra wash or rinse cycle in the beginning. I prefer to have my rinsed before they go into the wash. To each his own, *smile* that is one of the great things about Cloth Diapering is that it is so diverse. You do what works for you and your family.

WASHING & LAUNDERING:

‘Prepping’ New Diapers ~ Whenever you buy new diapers they come with instructions on how to prep them before use. Basically they need washed 4-6 times in the hottest water your washer has to open the materials fibers for max absorbency. Then you dry the diapers if instructed to seal the fibers before use. Another way to prep your diapers is to boil them on the stove for about 20 minutes instead of washing them. This saves a lot of time!

Washing Cloth Diapers ~ First I would like to point out that there are several ways to wash your diapers. I am going to share with you how I wash our diapers. Also, please keep in mind that I rinse dirty diapers before I put them in the wash. I have a top loader washing machine.

When I start my laundry I bring both my diaper pails to the washer. I make sure all Velcro is closed so it does not snag other diapers. If you are washing anything other than cotton or microfiber with the Velcro then I would wash the Velcro separately because it does not wash well with my bamboo wipes and I have heard it is not easy on other materials as well. Pull the inserts out of your pocket diapers and put them in the wash. Put your AIO’s, Fitteds, Covers, Inserts, and Doublers in the wash. And open your prefolds if they are still folded and throw them in the wash. Then I wipe out my diaper pails.

First Wash: I wash COLD and put it on a HEAVY load. Then I add my ECO’s

            Laundry Detergent and about 1 cup of vinegar.

Second Wash: Since my diapers are basically clean, I wash on HOT and put it on

a MEDIUM load. Then I add 1 cup of vinegar and ½ cup of Hydrogen Peroxide.

Laundry Detergents ~ You want to be careful with what type of detergent you wash your CD’s in. The detergent you choose needs to be free of Enzymes, Fabric Softener, Brighteners, Scents, and Dyes. These things make Cloth Diapers less absorbent because of build up and eat at the material of the diapers shortening their life span. Below are two different websites I have looked at to help me make my decision in what Laundry Detergent to use. You can also make you own, but I have not tried that out yet. *smile*

·        http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/detergentchoices.htm

·        http://www.diaperjungle.com/detergent-chart.html

Drying Cloth Diapers ~ The best way to dry your cloth diapers is to line dry on a clothes line or put them out on a blanket on the lawn. The reason is because the dryer is harder on the materials, like all clothing, and line drying will extend the life of your diapers. The dryer melts the water proof lining and breaks down the elastic of the diapers over time. However, realistically, I know a lot of people who use the dryer and I personally use the dryer the majority of the time. However, I DO NOT dry my PUL Covers or Plastic Pants because the dryer will quickly shorten their life span. I just put them out in the living room to dry for a couple hours and they are good.

Stains on Cloth Diapers ~ The best way to take stains out of diapers is to put them out in the Sun. The Sun is a natural bleach and whitens where is touches the diapers. The sun also kills bacteria where it touches. Another way to take out stains is to put hydrogen peroxide on the stain. Also, you can put lemon juice on the stain and let it sit for a bit before you wash it. These are all safe ways to lift stains on your Cloth Diapers without compromising your diaper.

‘Stripping’ Cloth Diapers ~ There are several ways to strip Cloth Diapers. You should strip your diapers every few months to clean them of build up, whenever you buy used diapers before you use them or if you didn’t know and used a Diaper Cream on your Cloth Diapers. You can try stripping your diapers if the smell funny or are leaking too. There is no wrong reason that I have heard to strip your diapers. It is basically cleaning them back down to just cloth with no detergents. I will share with you how I strip my cloth diapers and then other ways that friends strip their diapers.

Personally, I put my diapers in the wash on HOT with a little bit of dawn soap. The dawn soap is in the first wash cycle only. I continue to wash them on HOT until there are no bubbles or soap suds in the rinse cycle. It usually takes 4-6 washes for the soap suds to be gone.

I have friends who strip their diapers with bleach; personally we do not use chemicals on our diapers once I learned how hazardous they are. Also, I have friends who use baking soda or vinegar to strip their diapers. Some friends also add Teas Tree Oil or Lavender Oil to their first load. Tea Tree Oil is a natural anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal. Lavender Oil is a natural disinfectant.

So, ladies and gentleman. I hope this mini novel gives you more information about cloth diapering, and takes away the fear or doubt of trying something new. Cloth Diapers are really so much more healthy for our babies, not just economical. There are so many chemicals in disposable diapers such as dioxins, sodium polycrylate, tributyl-tin, volatile organic compounds and more. This article gives more information:

• http://www.livestrong.com/article/111348-chemicals-disposable-diapers/

So saying all this, enjoy! I hope you have learned something that is helpful and beneficial for you and your families!