Using, washing & storing cloth diapers
Can I use cloth diapers at night?
Can I travel with cloth diapers?
How do I wash cloth diapers?
How do I store dirty diapers?
How do I store clean cloth diapers?
Won’t I spend too much money on water to wash my cloth diapers?
Can I use cloth diapers after vaccinating?

Purchasing cloth diapers
What size cloth diapers do I need to buy?
How many cloth diapers will I need?
What kind of cover should I choose?
Should I choose bleached or unbleached prefolds?
Should I buy newborn sizes or go right to infant/small?
Are AIO’s (All In Ones) really that great?
Are cloth wipes really necessary?

Making the choice to use cloth diapers
Are cloth diapers really better for the environment?
Are cloth diapers really better for my child’s health?
Will my child potty train faster if I use cloth diapers?
How much money will I really save using cloth diapers?
Do cloth diapers contribute to diaper rashes?
Will I need to buy new clothes for my child in cloth diapers?
Can/will babysitters and daycare be willing to use cloth diapers?

Can I use cloth diapers at night?

Yes! In fact, if used properly cloth diapers will work BETTER than disposables at night. Here are two night time cloth diapering solutions:

1. Fuzzi Bunz and 2-3 hemp inserts- simple and easy. Fuzzi Bunz are great for night/nap time.  The fleece distributes the wetness and maximizes the insert's absorption power.  We highly recommend this option- we know how important your sleep is! The fleece also helps Baby to feel dry.  Which leads to the second and more affordable option.
2. Fleece topped hemp doublers and prefolds:  These doublers are meant to go right up against Baby's skin.  You would use these to double a prefold or fitted diaper.  (You can use them in pocket diapers but you are paying for the fleece top and since the pocket diapers already have a fleece top, it would be an unnecessary expense.)

Add a woolly liner and you're set.  The woolly liner maximizes the absorbency of the doubler by repelling the moisture back into the hemp.  Once the hemp is saturated, the wool then begins to absorb wetness.  Only when the woolly liner is saturated does the prefold begin to work.

As for a night time cover, fleece and wool covers are great for heavy wetting.

We do not recommend the following for night time (some may swear by these products for night but in our experience, they are not as reliable as the above)

1. Any kind of print: PUL cover, AIO (All In One) or pocket diaper.  For some reason, the prints just tend to leak!
2. PUL covers in general.  These work great for day time even naps and outings but for night time when sleep- and sanity!- is on the line, we tend to be very cautious!

**TIP! Use one-piece pj's- don't put Baby in jammies with separate top and bottom.  The elastic from the pants often will ride down under the diaper cover and wick the wetness out of the diaper and onto Baby's jammies and bed!  This can happen in disposables too.

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Can I travel with cloth diapers?

Yes!  Short trips out with baby are easy in cloth.  Be sure to have some kind of bag to bring the dirty diapers back home in.  We suggest nylon tote bags since they are reusable.  Bring one full of clean diapers and one empty for the dirty diapers.  If you're worried about quick and convenient, stock up on a 3-6 Fuzzi Bunz to have on hand for going out. 

What about long trips?  Well, it can be done- a lot of families use cloth diapers while traveling!  Bring along 2 big tote bags- one for clean and one for dirty.  (A large trash bag will work too but then we are getting back to excess waste.)  The size of the tote would depend on how long you'll be gone for.  For a week or more, use x-large.  3-6 days, a large should be sufficient.  Just going for the weekend? A medium will do fine.

How do I wash cloth diapers?

There are hundreds of different washing methods for cloth diapers.  Each family has found their own groove and what works best for them.  Our washing instructions are some ways that worked well for us.  Take a little or a lot from them and find your own system!

How do I store dirty diapers?

We recommend a sturdy diaper pail with a locking lid. Use a nylon tote bag as a liner for easy removal and cleaning. Take a small nylon tote bag on outings to bring back any dirty diapers or wet clothing. More on diaper pail options...

How do I store clean cloth diapers?

Anywhere that is convenient! Well, if you’re like me, that's in a clothes basket or better yet, in the dryer!  Some families are much more organized than I and keep their diapers folded neatly in a drawer, basket or shelf. It is really just a personal preference.

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Won’t I spend too much money on water to wash my cloth diapers? 

Not at all!  Our cost analysis breaks down the cost of buying and washing cloth diapers.

What size cloth diapers do I need to buy?

Each manufacturer has a set of measurements and suggested weight for each of their products.  But not all babies fit into these ranges.  For example, a 20 lb. 'thin' baby can fit into a small that is supposed to only go up to 15 lbs.  But a 'chubby' baby may only weigh 20 lbs but need a large to keep her thighs from getting red marks.  This is why a lot provide exact thigh, rise and waste measurements to help those who are unsure.

Another aspect to buying size is how long do you want it to fit your child.  Do you want the diapers to fit well and be trim but perhaps have to buy a new supply in 6 months? Or do you want to have diapers that work, that fit just okay- maybe they need a little tuck and fold here and there but you won't need to replenish your stock for at least a year?

This is really a preferential and budget issue.  A compromise and a good solution is to have one day's worth of smaller, snuggly fitting diapers for those special outfits like jeans that require a trim fit.

How many cloth diapers will I need?

Well, that depends on Baby's age, your budget and how often you want to wash.  (We don't recommend going more than 3 days between washes as the diapers tend to get too stinky. Our diaper pail suggestions contain tips for going longer.)  If you are on a tight budget you may choose to do laundry more often and get away with our minimum diaper quantities.  Some people do this and then can afford to upgrade to a pocket diaper system. 

For those of you wanting the option of line drying, you will want to go with higher quantities as your wash/dry time is increased.

Depending on the age of your child, the amount of diaper changes a day will vary.  Here's a quick chart to help you find the right number of diapers for you:                                         

$$$ Money saving tip! 
You can make good use of your smaller sizes: they make great doublers!

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What kind of cover should I choose?

Our most affordable option for diaper covers are the Bummis Super Whisper Pants.  These are great if you don't mind pins or a snappi.  Bummis covers, snap and aplix closures, are made from PUL- poly urethane laminate.  While they are slightly more expensive than pants, they are still a great choice.  You will need about 3-5 of this style cover per day.  They should be washed after 2-3 uses unless soiled.  How to wash Bummis covers and pants

Both of the above choices are great for regular day time use but not recommended for nights.

Fleece covers are made from micro fleece, another synthetic yet moisture resistant fiber.  Fleece covers are great since they do not need any special washing. In fact, they need to be thrown in the dryer with a fabric softener sheet to keep them repellant.  Fleece diaper covers are an exclent option to use if you have a diaper service. Since they require noFleece covers do need to be washed more frequently than wool but are also great night time covers.  How to wash fleece diaper covers

Wool is a personal favorite.  Wool is able to repel moisture because it contains natural oil called lanolin.  Made with natural fibers, a wool cover actually is cooler and more breathable than any other cover.  Wool diaper covers only need to be washed every 1-2 weeks unless soiled!  You can use just 1-2 wool covers per day making them as cost effective as our Bummis.  How to wash wool diaper covers.

Should I choose bleached or unbleached prefolds?

Again, this is a personal preference.  While the unbleached are better for the environment (the bleaching process produces a toxic byproduct- dioxin) and they tend to be softer some people prefer the cleaner look of bleached.

One thing to consider, unbleached fabrics are much less processed and will therefore have a period of pilling.  Small balls of fibers may be shed off of your unbleached prefolds for the first month or so of their life.  This is normal and should be expected.

Should I buy newborn sizes or go right to infant/small?

This is another preference/budget issue.  I personally like my newborn babies to have securely fitting clothes.  Sure, they would 'fit' into a 3-6 month outfit but do I really want them drowning in it?  Most average sized babies (7-9 lbs) will fit just fine in small/infant size cloth diapers.  But if you want a super trim and secure fit, and your budget allows, you'll want a newborn stash as well.

While most average babies will only be in newborn sizes for 2-3 months, some smaller babies will get plenty of use from these sizes.   And newborn/preemie diapers make great doublers!

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Are All In Ones (AIO’s) really that great? 

Some are, and some are not!  We are still in the process of finding an AIO that we can really stand behind.  They're convenient, that's for sure. But they are not always reliable; they do not last as long as other diapers and they can wash up poorly.  Our suggestion is to use Fuzzi Bunz.  One extra step- inserting an absorbent material- and they are an AIO that can be trusted.

Are cloth wipes really necessary?

No but they are cost effective and actually easier!  Imagine you’re done changing a poopy cloth diaper and you have a pile of disposable wipes.  What do you do with them?  Throw theim in the trash?  That’s gross and a bio hazard.  Flush them?  Not a good idea.  Cloth wipes go right in the diaper pail with the dirty diaper. 

TIP! Make up a gallon or so of your favorite wipe solution.  Every few days, poor some over fresh and clean cloth wipes in either a disposable wipe container or a Rubbermaid-like container.  Tip upside down to be sure and saturate all the wipes.  Put a container at all of the most commonly used changing points in the house and you’re set! 

Cloth wipes work great on older children, on dirty hands and faces and even to wipe down high chairs!

Are cloth diapers really better for the environment? 

Absolutely. Did you know that one baby will need over 6,000 disposable diapers for a 2 1/2 year diapering period.

Disposable diapers are made of a waterproof polyethylene outer layer, with an inner layer of wood pulp and synthetic polyacrylate (a super-absorbent crystal), along with a water-repellant liner. Many brands also use fragrances and perfumes in their diapers.

To acquire the wood pulp for disposable diapers, one billion trees world-wide are cut down per year. Read more

Are cloth diapers really better for my child’s health?

Absolutely.  There are chemicals in those super trim, super absorbent disposables that are sucking the natural moisture out of your baby's skin!  Read more about your baby's health

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Will my child potty train faster if I use cloth diapers? 

Yes!  When a child feels wet after urinating they will be more motivated to stay dry.  Also, it ‘clicks’ earlier on that ‘this is what peeing is!’ 

How much money will I really save using cloth diapers? 

Lots.  We figured you’ll save up to $1500 for the first child and over $2000 for each subsequent child you cloth diaper.  Sounds too good?  Read more

Do cloth diapers contribute to or prevent diaper rashes? 

Sometimes both.  While disposables contain chemicals that most babies have some degree of sensitivities too, they do pull the wetness away from Baby's skin. Unfortunately, most parents who use disposables abuse this and leave their children in wet diapers for far too long.  Babies should be changed when they are wet! 

Cloth diapers tend to keep us on our toes a bit more.  So while the urine stays up against Baby's skin in cloth, the lack of chemicals and a quick changing Mama tend to keep rashes at a minimum. 

If your child is struggling from rashes do to the exposure to urine, try Fuzzi Bunz.  Designed by the mother of a very rash-prone child, a layer of non-absorbent micro fleece creates a barrier between the wetness and the baby without the use of chemicals. We carry many natural diaper creams and ointments that are wonderful at healing and preventing diaper rash.

I've never heard of an instance when a child has had to use disposable diapers because cloth was giving them a rash. Often, it's quite the contrary. If ever a rash was due to the exposure to urine or detergents, a solutions is found either by switching brands, fabrics or laudering practices.

Did you know that In 1955, 100% of American babies wore COTTON DIAPERS, 0% wore disoposables. In 1991, only 10% were in cloth and 90% in disposables. In 1955, 7.1% of American babies experienced DIAPER RASH while in 1991, the numbers were 78%!!

Will I need to buy new clothes for my child in cloth diapers? 

Perhaps.  Cloth diapers are not known for their trim fit- in fact, just the opposite.  There are definitely better styles of clothes that fit better like onsies, jumpers, rompers and overalls.  If you are concerned about those Gap jeans fitting, try Fuzzi Bunz.  When used with a hemp insert, they are as trim as a disposable.

Cloth diaper friendly clothes can be found at Hannah Andersson; some are even made with organic cotton!

Can/will babysitters, daycare be willing to use cloth diapers? 

While legally daycares and church nurseries should respect your wishes to cloth diaper, not all do.  Most will require a note from your doctor stating that your child has an allergy to disposables.  My thoughts on this?  Aren't disposables FULL of poisonous chemicals?  Aren't all humans allergic to poisons?  Find a CD supporting pediatrician who will back you up and stand your ground!

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