Cloth diapering essentials
I want to start this post by saying that I don’t believe cloth diapering has to be all or nothing. If you are nervous about diving in full time or hesitant to spend the money up front to create your stash then I’d recommend starting small. Substitute 1-2 diapers a day, or only do it during the day, or use disposables when you are away from home and/or need a break from cloth. Do it in a way that serves your family best. When I first started cloth diaper my son I had absolutely no idea where to start when it came to what type of diaper I wanted or what things I truly needed to make our cloth diapering journey successful. Luckily I had a few friends and family members in my corner helping me with decisions and giving me advice on items that maybe were not necessary and things that do in fact make cloth diapering easier. I’ve compiled a list of items I’ve tried and/or use daily as a full time cloth diapering family and have linked them at the bottom of this post for you. These are all items I have used and would recommend to anyone starting cloth diapering. It should be noted that you do not need all of these things for it to be successful. When it comes down to it, all you really need are diapers, absorbency, somewhere to store dirty diapers, and a way to wash them. The rest rest is simply to make it easier for you
Diapers:
I’ve tried a handful of cloth diaper brands and have learned that not all diapers are created equal. The diapers that I tend to grab the most usually have one or more of the following qualities; a tummy panel especially if your are having a boy (iykyk), athletic wicking jersey, double gusset leg elastics, natural fiber inserts, and obviously an adorable print. When looking at the lining of the diaper I personally steer clear if microfiber because it tends to hold smell and isn’t very soft on babies skin. I prefer natural fibers inserts and covers with athletic wicking jersey. Amazon has some great affordable options for cloth diapering. If you can’t spend a lot on diapers and inserts starting there will be just fine. I’ve linked below my favorite affordable diapers found on Amazon. They are still part of our rotation and are holding up very well. If you are willing to invest a little more money for a little better quality I recommend Stout House pockets and absorbency, Lighthouse Kid Co’s AIO, Grovia, Kinder Cloth Co pockets, Little Mountain Cloth Co, and Ecoable fitted diapers.
Is newborn size worth it? If you are wanting to cloth diaper as soon as you baby is born than investing in newborn size diapers would be a great option. However if you are waiting a few weeks or even a month I’d recommend saving your money and maybe investing in some diapers with a larger weight range. Companies like Lighthouse Kids Co. offer two sizes of diapers. Their signature size fits my newborns very well and continue to fit great until they’ve reached the max weight of that diaper. With my first son I used one size pocket diapers from when he was about four weeks old until potty training and they worked great.
Absorbency:
The type absorbency you use is a matter of preference and what works for your kid. Microfiber inserts are a great cost friendly option but they do tend to hold smells and stains a bit more than natural fibers. Some kids do fine with synthetic fibers against their skin while others might get more redness or even rashes because of the fibers. Microfiber absorb very quickly but has a tendency to leak when compressed. Natural fiber inserts specifically cotton are fantastic at absorbing. Layering a bamboo insert over a cotton insert will give you both quick and lasting absorbency. Cotton fitted diapers, hemp cotton doublers, flats and wool covers are great overnight options because they give extra absorbency for the long stretches between diaper changes. For daytime you typically do not need as much absorbency. A four layer hemp cotton or a four layer bamboo may do the job great. Its recommended to change reusable diapers about every 2 hours during daytime wear.
Storing soiled diapers:
We store our dirty diapers in a closed diaper pail and wash every 2-3 days. The pail I have linked below is the one we use. I haven’t ever noticed a smell. Some other methods of storing dirty diapers are in a hanging wet bag, in an open air laundry basket, or in a tub or sink. I may sound redundant at this point but it really is up to you and what works best for your routine.
Washing:
What a solid wash routine looks like is often a very hot topic. Lots of opinions on what the best way to wash your solid diapers is and not every one agrees. I recommend following the instructions that your specific diapers come with and then adapting it to your washer and regime. I’ve linked below the diaper detergent brand I use and swear by as well as a bidet and bucket we use when spraying off diapers over the toilet. We typically wash every two days, line dry in warm weather, and tumble dry when needed. *Be sure not to tumble dry covers on high heat or you could compromise the water proof shell.
But what do you do about the poo? For breastfed babies you actually don’t need to rinse it off before putting it in the washer. Breast milk is water soluble so it can go into the wash right off the bum. However, many people, like myself, still opt to rinse the diaper over the toilet before washing. For toddlers and babies that eat any food or drink formula you will need to rinse off all the solids into the toilet before washing in your washer. You can do the dunk and swish method, use a bidet, or get lucky and just have one that plops right off into the toilet with no leftovers. They make disposable bamboo liners that you can lay inside the diaper which can help make this clean up a little easier for you.
Tips and tricks
If your diapers are staining, lay clean wet diapers in the sunshine for a few hours and watch the magic happen!
If your diapers seem to not be holding has much or starting to smell try stripping them - basically a long soak in detergent and extra rinse
Pull your inserts out of your shells before putting them in the pail so when it comes time to wash you can just dump straight into the wash without touching anything.
If your going on a trip and using disposable diapers put a shell over top to help protect your little ones outfit from the inevitable car seat blowout.
