Yes. Yes, I do. And I love it! Cloth diapering can be a very rewarding and exciting parenting choice, but it can also be quite intimidating and difficult to get started. I remember when I was first considering cloth diapering I spent WEEKS reading forums, websites, and devouring all the information I could, and even then I often didn't understand a lot of it until I had those diapers in my hands and was trying to use them.
Since then I've had a lot of people ask me about my experiences and opinions, and I'm proud to say that I've converted quite a few ladies to the way of the cloth. (Some of them are so passionate about it now, and know far more than I do. I find myself going to THEM for advice!)
Back in 2009, when I first started getting questions, I wrote an open letter to my friends and family, detailing my research and what I thought about different things. I revised it in 2010 after I had my second child. Now it's 2012, I'm going to have my third baby any day, and I've completely revamped the information into a handy crash-course guide.
I hope you find the information useful, and consider if using cloth is for you! Aside from the monetary and environmental reasons, using cloth can actually be really fun!
There are so many types of diapers. Which is best? What is right for me?
Cloth diapers essentially fall into two categories. Diapers that need a cover, and diapers that don't. The cheapest options are usually the ones that require a cover; The flat-fold, prefold, fitted and contour diapers.
A cover can either be pulled on like underwear, or, more commonly, features snaps or velcro and fastens much the same way that a disposable diaper does. The inner-diaper (flat-fold, prefold, fitted or contour diaper) is what absorbs the baby's pee, the cover is what keeps the wetness in. One cover can usually be used through multiple changes, making it a very economical option.
Covers can come in many shapes, patterns, designs, and sizes; including the handy one-size, which includes numerous snaps so that the diaper can be adjusted. Many one-size diapers can last from anywhere between 5-35 lbs! (Check with the manufacturer for your specific diaper.) Covers are typically made of water-proof PUL fabric. Some cheaper options are known as plastic pants, and, as the name implies, are made of plastic. (Gerber produces a line of very inexpensive plastic pants.) You can also get wool covers, or "soakers", which are surprisingly comfortable (not at all itchy!) and absorbent, but they can also be pricy.
Flat-fold diapers are typically 27"x27" square and require being folded, then fastened with either safety pins or a diaper Snappi. Prefold diapers are sectioned into three parts, with the middle section being thicker, and can also be folded then fastened with a pin or Snappi. Gerber brand prefold diapers are popular for use as shoulder and burp rags. The prefold can also be used without fasteners if used in the Newspaper fold, where it is folded along the three seams and simply laid into a velcro or snap fastening diaper cover. There are numerous options for folding diapers, many of which can be found online through manufacturers websites, complete with diagrams. Flat-fold and prefold diapers are a particularly good option if you are on a budget, as they are relatively cheap and can be used in many ways.
Fitted and contour diapers are another option that require the use of a cover. There's no folding involved, and the diapers resemble disposable diapers or cloth diaper covers. Contour diapers do not feature elastic in the waist or legs, and the wings require being fastened with pins or a Snappi. Fitted diapers do have elastic, and include their own fasteners with velcro or snaps. The absorbancy of fitted and contour diapers can vary depending on the type and amount of fabric used in their construction. Hemp, though more expensive, is also more absorbent than cotton.
All-in-ones and pocket cloth diapers do not require covers, as the outter PUL layer is sewn into the diaper. All-in-ones are exactly what they sound like, an all-in-one diaper. No stuffing, folding, pinning or covering required. They are virtually the same as disposables, except that you throw one in the trash and the other in the wash. They're typically the favored cloth diaper of husbands, baby sitters, grandparents and day cares. One drawback to the all-in-one diaper is that it takes a longer amount of time to dry. Diapers featuring PUL fabric and velcro shouldn't go into the dryer, but be hung to dry. (If you aren't so lucky as to have a backyard, an easy solution is to use a drying rack or shower rod.) Because of the many layers, all-in-ones can take a little longer to completely dry out after being washed.
The final option (which is also my favorite and my recommendation to new cloth-diapering parents) is the pocket diaper. The pocket diaper is similar to the all-in-one in that it does not need to be folded, pinned, or covered, but it doesn't have all of it's components sewn in. As the name implies, there is a handy pocket sewn into the diaper shell. The shell consists of two layers, the outter PUL layer, and a soft inner layer that goes against babies skin. You stuff absorbent inserts and newborn doublers into the shell before placing the diaper on the baby in the same way you would a disposable or a cloth diaper cover. One of the nice things about pockets is that although you have to hang the diaper shells to dry, they dry quickly. You can also easily control and adjust the absorbancy of the diaper based on how much or what you stuff into the pocket. Pocket diapers can be the most expensive option, but I feel that they're worth it for their versatility and ease of use.
All-in-ones and pocket diapers come in many sizes, including the handy one-size, which adjusts to fit your baby.
When I started cloth diapering, I bought my entire stash with just one-size pocket diapers. I chose them for the versatility, ease of use, and longevity of fit. The brand I chose is Bum Genius, and I highly recommend it. (Here's a cute blog entry I found that outlines all the reasons why. Honestly, though, MANY diapers lines fit these same qualities!) My oldest is three and a half years old, and a late potty trainer. He's a little large and tall for his age. I don't know his exact weight, but it's close to 40 lbs, so I recently had to upgrade to a large size pocket diaper. (I chose Fuzzi Bunz for this, because of it's weight range, and so far I'm very pleased with it. They're quite soft on the inside!)
For a long time I only used those pocket diapers, buying more of the same BG's (Bum Genius) when our second baby came along after only 17 months. After a while I started to branch out into fitteds, using an empty pocket diaper shell as a cover, and I enjoyed those. I'm about to have our third baby in four years, and I've started collecting a few sized diapers in girlie patterns and prints, and prefolds with various cute covers, to use with her. A few of the covers and prefolds are medium or all-in-one sized, and so I've tried them out on our second child (now two years old) with Snappi's and have enjoyed a lot of success with them.
In the end, there's no right or wrong cloth diaper choice. It comes down to what works with your situation. Consider your budget and who will be using the diapers, but don't be dissuaded or discouraged! Sometimes even the firmest naysayers will come around to loving cloth diapers after a little education and time! Many day cares are now open to the use of cloth diapers, provided you wash them yourself.
I recently found a great chart, complete with comparisons, descriptions, and example photos, at babycottonbottoms.com
What the heck is this Snappi you speak of?
It's the modern alternative to safety pins. Check it out.
How many diapers will I need?
When my first baby was born, I had 24 diapers, and I found myself washing every two or three days. Newborns go through about 12 diapers a day, and the number gets fewer as they get older, so I just accounted for a 2 day newborn rotation and knew that I’d be able to wash less frequently as he got older. Most companies recommend that you don’t go beyond 3 or 4 days, regardless of the size of your stash, because the smell likes to stick after that. When my second was born I added 12 more diapers to the stash, because my first was a bit older and no longer used as many on his own. Since they were one-size and adjustable, the boys were able to easily share.
If you are using diapers that require covers, you'll probably need one cover for every 4-6 diapers.
How do I use and care for my diapers?
I like to stuff my diapers as soon as they come out of the wash so that they’re ready to go when I need them. (It doesn't always work that way, but I do try.)
When it comes time to change your babies diaper, just go about it like you normally would. Place him on a sturdy, clean surface, and open that bad boy up. Clean the baby as usual. If you are choosing to use disposable wipes, throw them away separately. If you are choosing to use cloth wipes, you can toss it into the diaper pail with the cloth diapers.
I take the insert out of my pocket diaper as soon as the diaper comes off, and drop them both into the diaper pail. (You can’t wash them with the insert in, because it gets all bunched up and doesn’t rinse or dry completely. I learned that the hard way.)
I usually know that it’s time to wash when the can is almost full and I have at least three diapers per child in my stash. I just pull out the bag and use it to carry and dump the dirties right into the washing machine, then I’ll put a new bag in the can. I use trash bags in a regular trash can (complete with lid and pedal) but you can use any type of pail you want. A lot of companies also offer wet-bags to line your pail with, which are washed with the diapers and reused. They're supposed to contain the smell and moisture of the diapers more effectively. (Plus, it's better for the environment.)
The washing instructions for different brands vary slightly, but they’re all pretty close in theory.
First you do a cold wash, using ¼ of the detergent manufacturers recommended amount. This removes the gunk. Then you do a hot wash, again using ¼ of the detergent. This sanitizes and kills anything that is left over. Next you do a final rinse and spin, on whatever temperature you like. This gets rid of all the leftover detergent, because if there’s any left it can make your diapers less absorbent and irritate baby’s skin.
Then the diapers go to the dryer, sans any sort of fabric softener or dryer sheets, which can also mess with the diaper. Diapers and covers that feature PUL fabric or velcro should be line dried. You want those puppies to be in tip-top shape for as long as possible! I didn't do this with my original stash, and after a year or so my velcro all needed to be replaced. (Luckily the PUL on my shells survived!)
There's some debate as to the use of bleach, but many manufacturers (and myself) feel that a little added bleach every once in a while is just fine. I do it about once a month. This just helps to freshen up the diapers a bit. If you have problems with staining, you can also dry them in the sun, which helps to deodorize and naturally lighten stains.
Choosing a detergent is important. Pretty much any detergent that’s hypo-allergenic or marked “free and clear” will be safe to use. This guarantees that they’re free of enzymes, fabric whiteners, fabric brighteners, fabric softeners or anything scented. (All of which can jack with your absorbency.) Here's a chart from pinstripesandpolkadots.com that shows a lot of different options with their pro’s and con’s. I have used All Free and Clear, Tide Free and Clear, and my own detergent made from Ivory, Washing Soda, and Borax, and haven’t had any troubles with any of them.
Another thing that you may occasionally have to do is strip the diapers. If you notice that you’re having absorbency or leaking issues it’s most likely because of A: poor fit or B: you’ve got a bit of detergent build up. It’s easy to fix. You just run a super hot wash without any soap. You may notice bubbles in the water, and that’s a good thing. It’s the soap escaping the diaper. Run one or two hot washes, and then rinse, rinse, rinse. It should solve any problems.
What if I accidentally wash them in something that I shouldn't have?
My diapers were accidentally washed with fabric softener a few times, so I was dealing with a little build-up and smell issues until I discovered a great solution: Dawn dish soap! Wash your stash once in hot water with one teaspoon (for high efficiency machines) to one tablespoon (for regular washing machines) with original liquid Dawn (blue formula) and up to 1/2 cup bleach in the wash cycle. Do at least two additional hot water washes with no detergent to completely rinse the diapers clean. This is an extreme version of stripping the diapers, but it worked like a miracle. The horrible smell that had clung so feverishly to the diapers disappeared like magic.
So what about the poop?
This is usually the first question that curious parents and parents-to-be ask, and it's a perfectly legitimate question. After all, poop is gross.
If you breast feed, then you don’t have to do anything. Breast milk poop is water soluble, and your diapers will get perfectly clean in the wash. (Don’t worry about disinfecting your washer. If the diapers are clean, your washer is clean.) If you use formula or have moved on to solid foods and therefore have solid poops, you’ll just want to knock it (if it's solid enough) or rinse it into the toilet. You can do the old fashioned dunking, or you can invest in a sprayer.
I didn't start out with a diaper sprayer, but once I finally gave in and purchased one I realized I could never go back to not using it. Pretty much every CD site and user I’ve talked to recommends having one. You just hook it up to the water in your toilet and hang it from your tank. The most popular sprayer is the Bum Genius Diaper Sprayer, and it's also the one that I have. It makes removing poop from the diaper a snap.
A lot of people balk at the idea of removing the poop from the diaper, but let's look at it logically. You're not touching the poop, and you've JUST wiped the exact same poop from your babies bottom. It's really not that big of a deal.
I've also used my diaper sprayer to rinse off soiled clothes, muddy children, (while they stand in the tub next to the toilet) vomit covered pillows (EEW) and training potties. It's pretty handy!
What other accessories or products should I consider?
Just like the large wet bags for your diaper can, most cloth diaper lines offer a portable wet bag for your diaper bag. It's cloths answer to the plastic grocery bag, and does a wonderful job of transporting your soiled diapers home while containing the mess, moisture, and smell. They come in various sizes and prints, and can be washed with your diapers when needed. I recommend getting one or two.
They also make odor removers that you can use to spray on the diapers or in the pail. I’ve given them a try, and they're nice if you're formula feeding or have a particularly aromatic pooper, but they aren't a necessity. There’s also a product out there called dio disks. They sit in the bottom of your pail, and are meant to help with deodorization. I've had very little success with these. An air freshener works just as well. (And much more cheaply!)
Another available product is the disposable diaper liner. It’s a thin liner, like tissue paper, that lies between the diaper and the baby. Most are flushable, so you can use it to just dump the poop into the toilet without having to mess with any water. You'll can also use one if you need to use any bum rash cream, to protect the diaper from the cream. (Although, most cloth diapered babies rarely experience any rashes!)
I prefer to lay a thin strip of cloth or a spare prefold into the diaper to easily protect the fabric from being coated with rash cream, which will mess with it's absorbancy. Rash creams work by wicking the moisture away from babies skin. Once the cream comes in contact with the diaper, it does the same thing, redirecting the wetness and causing the diaper to be ruined and lose absorbency.
Remember to also consider whether cloth wipes are for you. They are a very economical choice to make, and ideal if your little one is sensitive to chemicals or fragrances. You can purchase a wipes solution in a spray bottle, or even easily make your own out of water, baby soap, and baby oil. You can also soak the cloth wipes (or even just baby wash cloths) in the solution, leaving them in a wipe warmer until needed.
I've used them and like them, but I feel that disposable wipes are both easier to use when out of the house, and more effective at cleaning up dirty bottoms. (Or sticky hands and faces, whatever the case may be.)
What is this all going to cost me?
When I first started using cloth diapers my biggest motivator was cost. Our finances were pretty tight, and I wasn't looking forward to the added cost of diapers each month. Luckily we had a little in savings and some very generous family members that helped us start our stash.
The brand (Bum Genius) and type (pockets) that I went with are some of the nicer and more expensive options out there, but usually only by a few dollars per diaper. Because I chose a one-size diaper I also didn't have to reinvest every time my babies grew into the next size. I was able to use the same diapers until my oldest hit about three years old, when most babies typically potty train.
I did the math when I bought them and they were about $18 a piece, but I was able to buy a set of 3 for about $53. So the total invest was $424 for 24 diapers. It sounds like a lot, but when you figure the cost of disposable diapers, and the frequency of purchase, cloth diapering pays for itself and makes you money back!
For example, when I did my research a box of size 1 Pampers on Amazon.com was $24.69. Newborns go through about 12 diapers a day, so a month of diapering with disposables will set you back $88.92. This amount will lower when your baby is older and you are changing less often, but the cost of diapers goes up with the size. Let's assume that most babies will cost around $80 per month.
If you diaper for 2.5 years, 30 months, you'll spend around $2400. That's $1,976 beyond the cost of the cloth diapers!
The cost of detergent is pennies. You could spend about $15 for one bottle of detergent, which does 96 loads of laundry. You only use 1/2 the normal load amount for each time you wash diapers. That comes out to 192 uses. If you do diapers every three days, you can expect 10 sessions in one month. $15 divided by 192 uses. So that 7.8 PENNIES for every session of laundry. 7.8 x 10 sessions per month = 78 PENNIES per month. Times 30 months equals $23.43 for detergent... ever. So.... $1,976 - $23.43 = $1,952.57 in savings.
I suppose that you have to factor in the cost of electricity and water as well.... Each session of laundry takes two and a half wash cycles. 2.5 x 10 = 25 extra wash cycles a month. The average nuclear family with 2-3 kids is going to go through my estimate of 3 or 4 batches of laundry a week. 4 batches x 4 weeks = 16. So what you need to do is take the portion of your water and power bill that you normally spend on your washer and dryer and times that by 2.5 (25 is close to 1.5 times 16 + your normal bill of 1.) When you consider that most of your water bill comes from showers and your dishwasher, I'll give a very generous and large estimate that you're tacking on $10 a month for water and power. $10 x 30 months = $300. $1,952.57 - $300 = $1,652.57 in your pocket.
Your numbers will vary, obviously, depending on what kind of diapers and how many you buy. (Or if you become addicted to collecting all the amazing designs out there.) But the point is the same: It's much, much cheaper than disposables.
Why else should I use cloth diapers?
What, the huge monthly savings wasn't enough for you? Alright. How about...
- They don't have chemicals, additives or fragrances, so they're more gentle on babies bottom.
- They're real fabric, not a paper fabric, so they're very soft and comfortable. They also have all that extra padding, so chronically falling babies have something soft to land on!
- They're amazingly better for the environment. No one knows how long it takes for a disposable diaper to decompose, but it is estimated to be about 250-500 years. Disposable diapers are the third largest single consumer item in landfills, and represent about 4% of solid waste. Over 300 pounds of wood, 50 pounds of petroleum feedstocks and 20 pounds of chlorine are used to produce disposable diapers for one baby EACH YEAR. (Real Diaper Association.)
- Also from the Real Diaper Association: "In May 2000, the Archives of Disease in Childhood published research showing that scrotal temperature is increased in boys wearing disposable diapers, and that prolonged use of disposable diapers will blunt or completely abolish the physiological testicular cooling mechanism important for normal spermatogenesis." Now, I don't really know what that means, but it sounds suitably scary to me.
- Cloth diapers create the cutest little round baby bottoms, and come in some ridiculously adorable prints and colors. Who needs diaper covers, when the diapers themselves are so freakin' cute?
What brand is the best?
I know I've mentioned a few in here, and over the years I've collected a few others as well, but there's SO MUCH out there, most of which I've never experienced. (I'll be sure and post a photo and list of my stash once the Crash Course is up!) There's a lot of "commercial" brands, and even MORE brands that are produced by some amazing WAHM's (Work At Home Mom's). Just shop around, google, research, read reviews, and find what you love. Two online retailers that carry a wide variety of brands and have good reputations are Cotton Babies (which is also where I've made most of my purchases) and Diaper Junction.
If you're looking to find some WAHM lines, check out Etsy or find a b/s/t (buy/sell/trade) forum; they're pretty popular on Facebook. You can also find quality used diapers that way.
I hope that I’ve answered all your questions! If there’s anything that was confusing or that I didn’t cover, or if you have any other questions I hope you’ll feel free to ask me. Or, if you have anything to add, please do! I'm by no means the ultimate expert, I'm learning all the time.
