The Cloth Diapering Maze: Just Getting Started with Cloth Diapers?

You have decided to cloth diaper, but aren’t sure where to start in the cloth diapering maze?  Getting through this decision is the most difficult part of cloth diapering.  After this, it is a piece of cake! 

There are a few questions you should consider before you purchase your cloth diaper stash:

• Do you prefer the easiest cloth diapering system possible?
• Do you want the most economical choice?
• Do you have a heavy wetter and need to adjust absorbency?
• Would you like the diapers to last through multiple children or would you prefer to purchase one batch of diapers for each child?

STYLES OF CLOTH DIAPERS

By far, the easiest is the All-In-One cloth diaper (AIO). AIO’s have the absorbency and waterproof outer shell built into one diaper.  They basically go on and off like a disposable with either hook-and-loop (like Velcro) or snaps. There is no stuffing and it is difficult for even inexperienced diaper changers to misunderstand these (great for reluctant spouses or grandparents). Advantage: unbelievably easy.  Disadvantage: you need to change more often if you have a heavy wetter.

The most economical choice by far is to go with prefolds and diaper covers.  Prefolds are what most people think about when they think of cloth diapers. If you choose this route, snappis are something you will want to consider.  They help tremendously to keep the prefold secure and minimize leaks. Even if you decide to go with a different cloth diapering system, you should always have a few prefolds around for extra absorbency in pocket diapers, for the first few days before the umbilical cord falls off and then as burp cloths. Advantage: the least expensive cloth diapering choice.  Disadvantage: a bit more work than other styles of diapers and need to be changed more often.

Pocket diapers have a waterproof outer layer sewn together with either a microfleece or microsuede inner layer to create a pocket to "stuff". You then "stuff" the pocket with any style of insert, a prefold or anything else absorbent.  Advantage: the fleece/microsuede layer next to your baby keeps them nice and dry further reducing any chance of diaper rash. You can also customize the absorbency level.  Disadvantage: they require a few extra minutes to stuff.

One Size Diapers VS. Sized Diapers.  Why on earth would you choose a sized cloth diaper when there are one size cloth diapers on the market? The main advantage that sized diapers still have over one-sized cloth diapers is that they will generally last longer because each child will be in them for a shorter period of time compared with one sized cloth diapers.  For example, a baby may be in a size small cloth diaper for 3-6 months whereas the same baby would be using a one size cloth diaper everyday or every 2 days for ~3 years. Additionally, the small sized diapers tend to fit newborns a bit more snugly and without adding any bulk. A nice middle ground that many people decide to do is to get either prefolds and covers or size smalls in AIO’s or pocket diapers but then purchase one size cloth diapers for the medium and large diaper stages.

Now that you know most of your choices, how do you decide?  First decide which type of closure system you would like to try: aplix (like Velcro), snaps or hooks.  Next, decide if you would like to try some sized diapers or one size diapers.  A nice compromise is to try one of a few styles of cloth diapers before you buy your entire cloth diapering stash.  That way, you get a chance to see which ones fit perfectly on your baby.

How many cloth diapers to purchase?

At birth, your baby will need to be changed frequently.  You will usually go through ~10-12/day.  Somewhere around the age of 4-8 months, diaper changes will phase into ~6-9 diapers/day.  This further decreases as time goes on and your child starts to learn about the potty.

More cloth diapering questions?  Email info@simplewondersdiapers.com for prompt responses to all inquiries.

Sultana Jefts is the owner of www.simplewondersdiapers.com.  She lives in Olympia, WA with her husband and 2 energetic kids.