Ready, Set ... Diaper (Part 1)

It's funny how something so basic (such as diapering a baby) can become so complicated. Yet our culture has a tendency to offer consumers so many options for an item that one can literally stand in the pen and pencil aisle of a grocery store for 30 minutes debating on what brand, style, color, etc. is best. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately (for those that like lots and lots of options), the same is true for choosing cloth diapers. No longer is there one style. And no longer do we simply learn by watching. After nearly 3 decades of disposable diapers running the show, cloth diapering has become somewhat of a lost art - something that seems complicated, mysterious, and perhaps even gross. In recent years, however, cloth has made a resurgence as we have learned that, yes, once again, sometimes less is more - and more natural is better. And the good news?  Using cloth is easier than you think.

When I first started looking into cloth diapering, I'm embarrassed to admit how overwhelmed I became. There were SO many options, so many styles, so many decisions. What worked? What didn't? Did friends have recommendations? Luckily, I found an excellent article in Mothering Magazine that discussed in great details the various styles and types of cloth diapering available. I also had a friend who wrote in detail in her blog about her personal experience with cloth diapering. And lastly, my brother had been using cloth for the last 12 months and was able to offer his thoughts on the subject.

Everyone will have a favorite style or brand that they absolutely swear by. My recommendation is to simply pull up reviews online of each style. Most consumers will be very upfront about their likes and dislikes for certain products. I have really only used 2 brands of diapers, so I'm not a very good resource for offering you advice on the "best product out there". I can, however, get you started in what I believe are the basics you will need to begin cloth diapering your little one.

Cover/Shell. This is the part of the diaper that keeps the pee from leaking through the cloth part of the diaper and onto your baby's clothing - or your lap. It usually consists of some sort of soft inside lining and a waterproof outer lining. Bummis, Thirsties, Kissaluvs (as well as many, many others) all make covers. These are designed to fit over a basic cloth diaper. They come in various sizes, or a one-size-fits-all style that has adjustable snaps. The one-size-fits-all usually advertise that they will fit an 8 pound - 35 pound baby. My personal experience is that you will need between 10-15 covers if you simply want to toss them in the laundry and only do the wash 2 times a week. If you don't mind washing more often, you will need less. When Little Bear was really tiny, I used 5 Thirties Newborn Covers, but was doing washes more often than I do now.

Cloth Diapers (prefolds). These are the basic rectangular diapers that some of our mother's probably used. They work great as burp cloths and dust rags, too. They come in various sizes, as well. Depending on how often you want to do laundry will depend on how many you decide to buy. I recommend buying at least 60 if you only want to do laundry 2 times a week. A breastfeeding baby will often pee 15-20 times/day - and with cloth, they will need changing each time. They immediately feel when they are wet and will let you know it's time to change. Cloth diapers are available in cotton and hemp, organic and non-organic. There are many types of prefolds available, with the most popular being the Chinese Prefolds and Indian Prefolds.

Snappies. These are plastic stretchy bands that are used in place of safety pins to keep on the cloth diapers. These are used when you use the cloth diapers to wrap around your baby's bottom and waist. I used them the first 6 weeks (before switching over to the Diaper Cover with Insert). I ordered 5, but imagine 2-3 would do just fine ... if you don't tend to lose things.

OR ...

Diaper Cover with Insert. These are incredibly popular right now. BumGenius, FuzziBunz, and Flip all make a style of insert diaper. They are essentially taking the above two categories (cover and cloth diaper) and combining them into one system. They come with an "insert" that you stuff into the cover, forming one complete "diaper." Supposedly by stuffing the insert into the cover, it helps keep the wetness away from your baby. I know many people that love this diaper style. I have 2 complaints: 1) Little Bear knew immediately when she wet anyways and so we ended up changing her just as often, and 2) you had to stuff inserts into the covers and then remove them - which is very time consuming. I ended up using these diapers like covers, instead. They work great for this, as well, and I no longer have to stuff liners after every load of laundry. If using this system as intended (stuffing the diaper), they recommend you buy at least 36. This is a very expensive investment and many people just simply don't have that kind of money laying around.

YOU WILL ALSO NEED ...

Wipes. I wasn't sure I wanted to use cloth wipes (seemed like it could get messy), but now that I do, I wouldn't ever go back! We bought flannel cloth wipes (about 40 of them) and absolutely love them. I do use disposables when we are out and about, and even then I keep saying to myself that I'm going to change over. The disposables just seem so wet and flimsy after using cloth.

Spray. We bought Kissaluvs Diaper Lotion Potion. I recommend buying one spray bottle, as well as several bottles of concentrate. It is an all natural concentrate that you mix with witch hazel. It smells amazing, feels great on the skin, and Little Bear has yet to have a diaper rash. It also works great to spray on a little bit of cloth to clean out those smelly neck folds that gather sour milk during the first few months!

Diaper Pail. This can be anything, as long as it has a lid that fits tightly. We bought one made by BumGenius and are very happy with it. There are many styles and types out there. Some come with a vent in the lid that have filters in them to help the soiled diapers "breathe". By doing laundry every 3-4 days I have found that smell is never an issue.

Diaper Pail Liner. These are important. We also bought the BumGenius and are very happy with ours. These are sturdy plastic, reusable, washable liners that you place in the diaper pail. Buy two of these so that you can immediately replace one while the other is being washed and hung to dry.

Wet Bags. If you plan on going 100% cloth, you will want to buy wet bags for when you are out and about and don't have access to your diaper pail. These are like miniature diaper pail liners in that they are reusable and washable. Buy two of these, as well, so that you can always have one clean, dry one available. They are small and fit easily in a diaper bag.

Sprayer Attachment for Toilet. BumGenius also makes a good sprayer that is easy to install onto almost any toilet. It's a great invention and you'll be really happy you have it the first few months when baby poop can get a bit sloppy and messy. Simply spray as much poop as you can off the diaper before putting in your diaper pail. It works great and is worth the little extra money you'll spend on it.

If you are a minimalist, I'm certain you can do without several of my suggested items listed above. But I've found that by having some of the "extras" - like the diaper sprayer and Kissalvus Diaper Lotion Potion - it's just a little easier. And everything smells a bit nicer, too.

Ready, Set ... Diaper (Part 2) will be up shortly!