- So, what do I choose?
- How many diapers do I need?
- What else do I need?
- Prefold/Flat Fold
- Fitteds
- All-in-Ones (AIOs)
- Pockets
- Baby Wipes
So, what do I choose? TOP
This is really a matter of personal preference and budget. But many
people have a variety of different systems in their stash. For
instance, you may use prefolds at home, fitteds at night and AIOs for
outings and babysitters. Please feel free to contact us for a free
consultation.
How many diapers do I need? TOP
How many diapers you need depends on a variety of factors including the
age of your child, how often you wash and how many diaper-aged children
you have in your household. If you plan on washing your diapers every
other day, you obviously will need twice as many diapers than you would
if you washed every day.
A simple formula for someone who has 1 child
in diapers and plans on washing every day would be: 10-12 for newborn
and 6-8 for older babies.
Keep in mind that regardless of whether your
child is in disposables or cloth diapers, you should change your
child's diaper every 2-3 hours for maximum comfort
What else do I need? TOP
I recommend purchasing two wetbags for storing your dirty diapers in.
While one wetbag is in the wash, you can continue to put soiled diapers
in the other bag. I also recommend a diaper sprayer to make cleaning the
"poop" off dirty diapers much easier. Some people also like to purchase
extra inserts or doublers for added absorbency. The bottom line is
start off small and see what you like and what works best for your
family. You can always add to your stash later. What works great for
one family may not be the best solution for your family.
Prefold/Flat Fold TOP
Prefolds and flats are rectangular pieces of cloth that need to be
folded to fit the baby and then pinned, Snappi®'ed or set into a
waterproof wrap without using a fastener. The difference between a flat
and a prefold is that a flat diaper is one layer of cloth and a prefold
has layers sewn into the middle for absorbency. Prefolds and flats are
actually pretty trim fitting compared to other systems hence they are
the easiest to launder. This is by far the cheapest method of cloth
diapering. Prefolds and flat folds require a diaper cover for
waterproof protection. Check out the Diaper Hyena at http://www.thediaperhyena.com/diaper_folding101.htm for a cloth folding tutorial.
Fitteds TOP
Fitted diapers are disposable shaped diapers with elastic around the
legs and waist for a snug fit and either snap or velcro closures.
Fitteds work very well at preventing leaks and they're more absorbent
than prefolds or flats. But, remember, more absorbency means more bulk.
It's a trade off. Keep in mind that fitteds need a separate waterproof
cover. Fitteds are more expensive than prefolds/flats but some prefer
this system regardless for its convenience and ease of use.
All-in-Ones (AIOs) TOP
All-in-ones are similar in style to the fitteds except that they have a
waterproof layer sewn right into the diaper and a separate cover is not
needed. They're truly all in one and most similar to disposables. This
system comes in handy when you have a busy toddler who doesn't like to
lay still for a diaper change. An AIO (all-in-one) can be changed as
quickly and easily as a disposable. They are more expensive than other
options but convenience may be worth the extra cost to some. AIOs are
the diaper of choice for most Dads and babysitters.
Pockets TOP
Pockets are a relatively new invention. They have a waterproof outer, a
fleece inner to wick moisture away from baby's skin and a pocket to
stuff absorbent inserts. Pockets are nice because you have the ability
to customize the absorbency. You may use extra inserts for nighttime
and less for daytime diapering to keep trim under clothing. Once
stuffed, pockets function just like an All-in-One.
Baby Wipes TOP
While you're at it, why not use cloth wipes? They work so much better
than disposable wipes and all without the chemicals and the waste. It's
no more work since you're already washing diapers and I actually find
it easier than paper wipes. You can even make your own special wipe
solutions. Check out my information below on making your own wipe
solutions.
