Cloth Diapering 101

Sharing is caring!

Cloth diapering is beginning to become a popular option for parents looking to save money on baby necessities. You could say that it’s making a come-back, after all cloth diapers were used up until recent history and are still used as the norm in many parts of the world.

Don’t get me wrong, the convenience of disposable diapers is a nice commodity and we still use them on occasion, however, they quickly rack up the monthly budget!

So let’s discuss a few reasons why cloth diapering is a great choice!

1. They are reusable! This saves your wallet in the long run. We have been using the same set of cloth diapers for 3 kids (soon to be 4)! Not only have we saved hundreds of dollars (if not more) but it’s SO nice to not have to remember to buy new diapers because our stash is running low! It’s actually a convenience to be able to just wash and reuse the same set of diapers each week! This mama is grateful for anything that helps take the mental load off one more thing to remember to add to the grocery list!
2. They are better for the environment. Did you know that it takes 400 years for 1 disposable diaper to decompose? Yikes!! Imagine how many diapers are currently filling up our landfills around the world!
3. They don’t contain the chemicals and toxins of disposable diapers. This is something that I’ve more recently been made aware of. Disposable diapers (and wipes) contain toxic chemicals in them that then get transferred through the skin when worn. This is will depend on the brand of course, however, the money you’d have to spend buying organic baby diapers would quickly make you want to start using cloth diapers anyway (the leading diaper brands actually contain the most toxins).
4. Less chances of allergic reaction or diaper rash. This actually leads right back to #3. Many parents have issues with their babies having allergic skin reactions and rashes to specific brands of diapers and wipes. It’s not uncommon to hear a parent share that they could only use specific brand of diaper or wipes with their baby due to reactions. This is likely due to the toxins and chemicals found in the diapers and wipes themselves. Using cloth diapers eliminates this problem and stress. (If it continues to be an issue even when using cloth diapers I would take a look at the wipes and detergent that you are using and see if changes need to be made).
5. They help to contain blowouts! Rarely do we have to worry about cleaning up blowouts from clothing and car seats! Cloth diapers contain those messes much better than disposables do! I will add a disclaimer that cloth diapers can leak through with urine more easily if not changed in a timely manner but it’s an easy clean up compared to a number 2!
6. They grow with your baby! Most cloth diapers are designed to be adjustable so they fit from infancy through potty training! No need to worry about buying new sizes unless you’re going from newborn size to a typical cloth diaper size!
7. Babies/toddlers can’t take them off. If you know you know! Once baby hits a certain age they become master of being able to take of their diapers! The nice thing about cloth diapers is most of them fasten with buttons and babies and toddlers can’t undo them! Believe me when I say it’s a nice convenience!
8. They are just plain cute! Cloth diapers can be found in a wide variety of colors and patterns and are just plain adorable in comparison to disposables!

When we first discussed cloth diapering I was delving into researching cloth diapers, care, etc and let me tell you I was in a state of overwhelm! There are so many different options and advice out there and it can be difficult to weed through and know where to actually start! I’m going to try and narrow it down for you to make it easy to digest and give you a starting point.

The first thing is to know that there are a few different types of cloth diapers. I have the 3 main type listed below!

Pockets– These have an outer cover with a pocket on the inside that you stuff with an insert made of microfiber, bamboo, or other material. These are the most common type of diaper and the one we prefer.

Covers with pre-folds– Pre-folds are a large rectangle shaped piece of fabric that you wrap and fasten around baby’s bottom. Similar to what you think of with old cloth diapers fastened with safety pins! Only these can be fastened with plastic clips instead of safety pins. The covers go over the pre-folds and are generally a water proof type material. The great thing about this option is that you can change the pre fold and reuse the same cover throughout the day as long as the cover isn’t soiled. I find these are a great option for newborns and younger babies. The older baby gets and the more they start wiggling during diaper changes the harder I find these to get fastened!

All-in-One— These diapers have their cover and insert connected together so they don’t separate. They’re nice in that it’s literally an all in one piece and doesn’t need assembled. These do typically cost more. I have yet to find them sold in sets so buying them individually can add up very quickly! They also take a longer drying time than the other two options.

When starting to look for cloth diapers I highly suggest checking into local Facebook groups or Facebook Marketplace for pre-loved diapers. This can be a great way to start a diaper stash for a lower price! Give them a good wash and they should be good to go! Just be cautious that you’re not over paying when buying a used set!

Another great option is Amazon. You can find sets of 5-7 diapers with a travel wet bag for as low as $30-$40 per set! Some of our favorite brands have been Alvababy, Mama-koala, Wegreeco, Simple Being (these have a double gusset that really help prevent leaks and fit really well on younger babies), Nora’s Nursery (these are more pricey for a set but SO soft!). If you’re having a baby shower add these to your registry or start a cloth diaper fund!

A few things to keep in mind when starting to cloth diaper:

1) Wet bags- When purchasing diapers also be sure to purchase both travel size and full sized wet bags. These will be used to store dirty diapers until you wash them. We don’t have an elaborate system for dirty diapers. We just keep a wet bag on the floor but you can also place it in a laundry basket or hang it on a hook.

Tip: If using pocket diapers, take the insert out before placing in the wet bag. Then you can just dump the bag into the wash without having to worry about separating them!

2) Diaper Ointment- Most diaper ointment or rash creams are not cloth diaper safe as they contain chemicals that will clog the fibers and not wash out. Be sure to look up cloth diaper safe ointments. Coconut oil is our favorite diaper ointment to use! It has antibacterial properties and is cloth diaper safe!

3) Detergent- Use a good clear and free detergent. Avoid using fabric softener and dryer sheets as these both have chemicals that will coat the diaper material and not come out (it’s a good idea to just ditch them both anyway and use vinegar and dryer balls instead!). Avoid using bleach on the diapers and inserts.

4. If you’re planning to start cloth diapering from the beginning you’ll need newborn sized diapers as most newborns won’t yet fit into regular sized cloth diapers even when on the smallest setting. We typically just do disposables until they fit into the cloths because they need changed ALL THE TIME and newborn sized cloth diapers are usually pricier and harder to find. Although, I’ve started seeing some sets on Amazon and might go ahead and purchase a couple sets for our next baby!

5. Night time- You can add an extra insert to a pocket diaper for extra absorption at night time to help prevent leaks. We typically just do a disposable at night as they hold leaks better and then we don’t have to worry about changing outfits and sheets constantly in the night!

6. Let’s talk poop! If your baby is exclusively breastfed and only consuming breast milk then you don’t need to rinse the diapers before washing! Breastfed baby poop is water soluble and won’t hurt your machine (crazy to think but true! And such a relief those early months). Once baby is taking formula or eating any solids you’ll need to rinse the poop from the diapers before washing. We just clean ours in the toilet and make sure all the poop is off then toss it in the wet bag! You can buy sprayers that attach to your toilet to make this easier if you choose.

7. Wash routines- Washing cloth diapers isn’t complicated but does have an extra step. Feel free to look up more information on wash routines but here’s our simple one. We toss the soiled diapers in the machine on a pre-soak cycle using warm water (no detergent). Then we wash the diapers on a heavy cycle with hot water and a normal amount of detergent. I typically add in an enzyme booster as well. After washing I toss mine in the dryer to dry. That’s it! We wash ours about every 4 days or so.

That’s really the gist of it! I hope sharing my simplified version of cloth diapering was helpful! While cloth diapering really isn’t complicated once you get into the routine of using them. In fact I think the research part of cloth diapering is much more complicated than using them! I know it seems overwhelming at first but as with anything practice makes perfect! You got this Mama!!