I have had several hits on my past cloth diaper reviews and thought it was time for an update. I’m going to give a basic overview on “how to” cloth diaper as well as some basic information on different styles of diapers. If you’ve researched cloth diapers you’ve noticed that there are literally hundreds of brands and various styles on the market. Selecting the right cloth diaper for your family can be a daunting task without a little help and encouragement.
First, let’s look at the various styles of diapers. I will list the basic diaper styles and the abbreviations will be in parenthesis. Most cloth diaper websites will use the abbreviation to describe diapers. Some have “keys” that help explain abbreviations, but most do not. Knowing this will help greatly.
Prefolds (PF) – Prefolds come in two forms, bleached and unbleached. Bleached means simply that, they have been bleached. They are white in color and will require only a few washings before the initial use. Unbleached means they are “raw” and still have all the natural oils of cotton. They are beige in color and they will require several washings in very hot water to strip the oils from the diapers. Once the oils are stripped they are said to be more absorbent than an identical bleached diaper. Prefolds require minimal folding, fastening by either pins or a snappi, and a waterproof cover. (Snappi’s are a fun pin-less way of fastening the diaper. Personally, it’s my favorite way to fasten PFs.) There are four popular kinds of PFs, Chinese Prefolds (CPF), Indian Prefolds (IPF), Diaper Service Quality Prefolds (DSQ), Green Mountain Diaper Prefolds (GMD). Most DSQ PFs are CPFs or IPFs. CPF and IPF are very similar in the fact that they are both very absorbent and last forever. In my opinion IPFs are softer on the skin. GMD PFs are said to have a better cut for most babies than the typical rectangular shape of most PFs. Prefolds are the most economical choice for cloth diapering. Using only prefolds from birth to potty training could run you under $300 total. That is including the fasteners, covers and diaper sprayer too!
Fitteds – Fitted diapers are diapers that require a cover. They are simply a cloth diaper without a waterproof outer layer. Fitteds allow more air flow into the region and are said to be excellent at holding in newborn breastfed poo.
Pockets – Pocket diapers are the most popular on the market. When ready to use, it looks just like a disposable (known in the cloth diapering world as sposies). There is a waterproof outer layer and usually a fleece inner layer to keep that stay dry feeling. In the back of the diaper is a pocket and inside the pocket lies an insert. The insert is the absorbent layer inside the diaper. When it is time for washing the diaper the insert is removed and after drying it is replaced for use again, commonly called “stuffing” the diaper. One cool thing about Pockets are that several of them come as One Size Diapers (OS). This means that the diapers will fit your child from 7-35 pounds.
All-In-Ones (AIO) – AIOs are just like disposables. They are the simplest cloth diapers on the market. They have the absorbent layer and waterproof layer sewn together and require nothing else, not even stuffing.
Price: When looking at cloth diapering price does place a factor for most of us. It is wonderful that once they are purchased you don’t have to worry about any other expenses (unless you become addicted to trying different dipes!). But the upfront cost does hit you hard. Prefolds are by far the cheapest way to cloth diaper. Even after purchasing covers and fasteners, from birth to potty learning (PL) cost under $300 which is the most cost economical choice. Pocket diapers are probably the second most cost economical choice. If you get a OS Pocket that takes you all the way practically from birth (depends on the size at birth) to potty training (depends on the size there too), the cost would be around $400-$500 total. Fitteds typically come next, but after purchasing covers to go with them are about the same price if not the same as most AIOs. AIOs are the most expensive, you are paying for convenience. And these vary greatly in price. Having your child in fitteds with covers or AIOs from birth till they’re potty trained could cost from $700 all the way to $1200. I know, that seems like a lot of money, and it is. Yet even the costliest cloth diaper is still cheaper than purchasing sposies from birth up. I have estimated the cost of sposies at 25 cents per diaper from birth up would be around $1845. That is if your child uses the same amount of diapers per day mine does and is potty trained by 2-1/2 years. And mind you that is not the price of an expensive pampers or huggies diaper and it is not including the cost of disposable wipes.
*Side note: Most people have a variety of cloth diapers. Some use prefolds at home and pockets or AIOs when they go out or have a sitter come over. Others just like having choices of different styles to use. The choice is up to you. The prices used above were estimates washing every 2-3 days at package rates.
Wipes: For wipes, I recommend picking up three dozen infant washcloths and using those as reusable wipes. Use the solid colors on their bum and the prints on their hands and face or however you choose to do it. At home, keep a small container of wipes on the back of the toilet (it can be a decorative container) and when your child poops simply go to the bathroom grab two wipes and run them under some running water (I always use cold water). Then you’re ready to change the dirty dipe. When you get ready to go out on the town, simply pack two wipes per diaper and wet them, ring them out and fold them to fit into a container (I use one of the travel disposable wipe containers, it’s a good size to fit eight wet washcloths). Then you are ready to go out! Using reusable wipes will save you money too. And it’s funny, after using these terry wipes, it seems disgusting to me to use a thin disposable wipe!
*Side Note: You will need a wetbag. A wetbag is simply a waterproof bag you can put your used diapers in while out on the town. (Most cloth diaper stores carry them).
Laundering: Let me first say that everyone who cloth diapers has their own method of laundering their diapers. There is no perfect system. Each city has a different type of water whether it’s hard of soft and each child has different reactions to different detergents, so take this as just a guide you could tweak to fit your personal needs. I run all my diapers in a hot wash/cold rinse cycle with high water level and a double rinse. I use 1/2 the recommended amount of detergent for a small load (even if it’s a full 24 diapers plus wipes) and a 1/2 cup White Vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser. (If your washer, like mine, doesn’t have an automatic double rinse option just turn it to the rinse and spin section one more time without adding anything. And if your washer does not have a fabric softener dispenser you can use a downy ball.) Then dry. You can use a clothes line or a dryer. (Never use fabric softener on your dipes, it will make them less absorbent). If you experience staining, simply hang them or lay them outside to dry in the sun. The sun will remove the stains, it has bleaching effects! [washing instruction were edited in March 2009.]
Diaper Ointments: Make sure you use diaper rash ointments that say they are safe for cloth diapers. Otherwise you might use an ointment like Desitin which contains fish oil and yes, your diapers will all come out of the washer and dryer smelling like fish oil. My favorite cloth diaper safe rash ointments are from Northern Essence. They have a rash salve for minor irritants and a better butt(er) cream for more severe cases. They are excellent! [Diaper ointment section added March 2009.]
*Side Note: For a diaper pail, you can use a trash can with a lid or a purchase a large wetbag. It doesn’t have to be anything special, whatever you currently use, unless it’s a diaper genie, will probably work.
So what does it look like? That’s a good question, what would cloth diapering look like in your home? Well, that depends one what style works best for your family. But I think you really want to know what you’re going to do when your kid poops! It’s not a scary thing, I promise. If your kiddo is strictly breastfed, there is no need to rinse or dunk a diaper. Breastfed poo is water soluble. Once your kiddo is getting some other nourishment into their system, I suggest you purchase a Mini Shower (aka diaper sprayer). They are about $30, which is a lot, but they are wonderful!!!! I could not sing their praises loud enough, but they are a must IMO. With a diaper sprayer, you hold the diaper above the water in the toilet and spray the poop off. That’s it! It’s done! If done properly you won’t ever touch any of the poop and nothing else in the bathroom will get wet.
My advice: If you are serious about cloth diapering, look at various styles online or at a local cloth diapering store and try to decide which would work best for your family. Once you have it narrowed down, purchase one of few styles and try them out.
Here are some websites that might be useful:
www.diaperpin.com Gives basic info, has diaper reviews, has forums, this is a HUGE resource.
www.clothdiaper.com Has really great prices on basic diapers (no fancy colors or prints, but good prices).
www.abbyslane.com Has great package deals available.
www.diaperjungle.com Has a detergent chart for laundering your dipes.
www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com Has a diaper ointment chart which tells you which ointments are safe for cloth diapers.
www.jilliansdrawers.com Has a gently used selection (when available) which could be really great for someone starting out who doesn’t want to invest a lot on trying things out.
www.mtdiaperstore.com Has good unbleached Indian Prefolds.
www.greenmountaindiapers.com Has the GMD PFs.
Also there are companies who allow you to try different diapers and there is always ebay or craigslist. Also, if you think you have found the diaper for you, google it and make sure you’re getting the best price and shipping charge for it.
I know that’s a lot of info to absorb, but it really is not a complicated process at all. Once you get the hang of it, it will become second nature and everything else will seem weird. So don’t get discouraged if at first you do not succeed. Try, try again!!!
*Warning: Once you begin cloth diapering you will slowly but surely become more and more aware of environmental issues and become more and more GREEN in all areas of your life. (It’s a fun experience!)
