What You Need to Know Before Using Cloth Diapers
When I was pregnant with my son, my husband and I started using cloth diapers. I was so dedicated to my work that I bought a huge cache worth a couple hundred dollars (an investment ), washed it and hung it up to dry long before the baby was born. So dedicated that we told everyone how dedicated we are.
However, there is not enough dedication to do the actual research required to be successful. (“They have good reviews and they seem simple! Let’s get 20 of them!”) Not committed enough to last longer than four days.
Almost 10 years later, I am here to do for you what I could not do for myself. I am here to successfully help you with a cloth diaper if you decide to do so. (And if you decide to say, “No, I’m good at disposables,” God bless. Fully understand.)
Why bother with fabric at all?
Cloth diapers have become popular again in the last decade or so due to their perceived environmental friendliness and affordability compared to disposable diapers. But there is a lot of controversy about whether cloth diapers are actually much better for the environment (or your bank account) when you consider the water and energy consumption required to clean them, the cost of detergents, and the environmental impact of the materials they are from. manufactured. made.
In other words, if you are using a large new supply of cloth diapers for just one baby, you are probably not helping the environment or your finances in any way.
But parents don’t use cloth diapers just because they think they are saving the environment or their bank accounts. One parent on our Offspring Facebook group, Clovis, sums it up as follows: “The fabric allows kids to feel the moisture that keeps them from sitting in the mud for too long (and makes potty training easier). Many people report fewer rashes. Many people report fewer emissions. My niece blew out all of her disposable items, but the rag didn’t leak. So, there are many reasons for using cloth diapers, not only because of environmental friendliness. “
And you can do something to further limit the financial and economic impact of cloth diapers, such as buying used supplies, using them on more than one baby, and rope drying during the warmer months.
Explore different styles
Disposable diapers can be from different manufacturers, but in reality they only come in the same basic style. On the other hand, fabric comes in many different brands and styles, so it is important to understand some of the terms first.
Cloth diaper sizes vary by diaper type and brand, but here is a general overview of the most popular cloth diaper styles:
Monoblocks (AIO)
They are most similar to disposable diapers. They look like disposable (but much prettier) and you wrap them around the baby and secure them – with buttons or Velcro – just like you would with disposable items.
In AIO, the outer layer is waterproof and the inner layer has an absorbent layer. They usually come in “one size larger” for kids between 12 and 30 pounds, although some brands offer wider size options. The trade-off for the lightness of the all-in-one is that they can take longer to dry and are generally the most expensive option.
Many cloth diaper wearers would like to have at least a few AIOs on hand, especially for use by family members, nannies, or other caregivers who may not have experience with cloth.
Universal and pocket diapers
AI2 diapers and pocket diapers consist of two parts – a cover and an absorbent insert. In AI2, the insert snaps into or fits inside the cover (and some inserts may be disposable). They are more tidy than monoblocs and since the insert is separate it can often be pulled out and reused, making them more economical.
AI2 dries faster than AIO; however, inserts may bunch or move during use, require an extra step than monoblocs, and may not hold feces very well.
The AI2s are similar to pocket diapers with the main difference that the pocket diaper inserts are inserted into the diaper rather than being placed inside the cover. However, you can stuff them with any number of inserts you need, making them customizable. The liner and cover of the pocket diaper must be washed after each use, but since they are in two separate parts, they dry out faster than monoblocs.
Set
Fitted diapers look and work like monoblock diapers, but they absorb everywhere, not just in the wet area. They tend to be great for severe urinary incontinence (and hold neonatal feces well) and are a good choice at night.
However, they require a separate cover to be fully waterproof, although some hybrid fixtures can be used without a cover.
Pre-folds and flats
A pre-folded diaper is a rectangular piece of fabric with an absorbent fabric in the middle. This plus “ballet flats”, which are squares or rectangles of fabric, is what most people think of when they think of “cloth diapers.”
Pre-pleats can be folded around the baby and secured with pins, Snappis or Boingo fasteners. Pre-pleats come in a variety of sizes, and ballerinas really fit one size fits all. Both options are versatile in how you fold them, and even what you use them for (you can use them as burp rags or cleaning rags when you’re done using them as diapers).
They take a little more skill and practice, at least in the beginning until you get the hang of it, but they are also inexpensive, absorb moisture, and are easy to clean. Note that you will need a separate diaper cover for the pleats and ballerinas to make them waterproof.
For more information on the different types of cloth diapers, materials, pros and cons, visit Fluff Love University .
How to clean them
There is a reason why disposables were invented from the beginning, and not just because we are a naturally wasteful society. This is also because dirty diapers are disgusting. And dirty diapers that you can just throw away are less disgusting than dirty diapers that you have to clean yourself.
But many parents who use cloth diapers on our Facebook group swear that cleaning them isn’t such a big deal. If you know what you are doing.
To begin with, it should be noted that cleaning cloth diapers for breastfed babies will be different from cleaning those who are bottle-fed or eat solid foods. EcoRI News ‘s Liz Kay explains:
In breastfed babies, bowel movements are water-soluble, so for the first few months we put diapers in a wet bag until the day of washing. Bottle-fed infants and children old enough to eat table foods have more solid waste. At this point, you can use a diaper dispenser – imagine the one next to the mixer in the kitchen sink, only this time attached to the toilet cistern – or insert flushable liners inside the diapers to catch any solid waste. We use washable paper liners and we wash and reuse them if they are just wet.
Now, before starting your own diaper cleaning routine, check out the recommended washing instructions for your particular brand of cloth diapers. They will have the best advice on how to most effectively care for their product (and not following their instructions could void any warranty you have).
Generally speaking, most parents who use cloth diapers wash them roughly every 1-3 days. After that, they will start to stink and stains will appear on them. You can use a mild and effective detergent recommended for cloth diapers – many common detergents can cause build-up that can reduce absorbency or even cause a diaper. rash.
You may need some sort of wet bag for storing dirty diapers (it is good to have a few different sizes, especially if you do the diaper rags on the go). We personally bought Planet Wise bags in three different sizes, and even though we only dressed on fabric for about five minutes, I still have these bags and use them for other things many years later.
Do you know what is the best cleaning accessory? Cleaning . Several parents on our Facebook group agreed that if you can afford it, local cleaning is the best way to optimize the entire system, especially in the beginning. Team member Jen says:
Ours was amazing. They came and showed us how to use them, helped us after the baby arrived, when we were worried not knowing if we were doing it right, they gave us a trash can and liners to collect dirty diapers, provided covers (we also used our own cases based on the recommendations of our friends) they collected dirty ones and returned fresh 2 times a week so nothing stinked, we had unlimited liners so we never ran out. And we never had to wash!
Remember that you do not need to go to the “exclusive”
This tip comes from Facebook group member Dorothy: “I just want to say it’s okay if you only work with CDs (cloth diapers) part-time! We do CDs during the day and use disposables at night / on vacation / if I really need a break. This last scenario hasn’t happened yet, but I appreciate having disposable supplies in its size in case of an emergency. “
Just as it is perfectly normal to combine breastfeeding with formula feeding, you do not need to think of cloth diapers as the only way you can use diapers. This was probably my own downfall; I was disappointed, tired and depressed, and I gave up.
You don’t have to be like me. Balance is good. Want to use cloth diapers at home, but throw on disposable ones to make life easier when you go out with friends? Do it! Take your time and choose the system that works best for you.
Final Notes
A couple of thoughts to wrap up our big discussion about cloth diapers. First, before you decide on a specific cloth diaper system, check with any childcare providers you will be using for their policies, experiences and comfort levels. Most providers will be happy to accommodate your needs, but it’s best to check first.
Finally, it is important to recognize that while cloth diapers are probably the more affordable way to use diapers in general, they also require a large upfront investment, making this option much less affordable for low-income families. For families looking to try cloth diapers but can’t afford the price tag, Mom Loves Best has great information on how to find a cloth diaper bank in your area.