Having cloth diapered with my first child, I can personally attest to how much money it saves and how easy it really is to do. [Learn why I cloth diaper] Most moms who cloth diaper will tell you that it becomes a sort of addiction; you learn to truly love it. It did, however, take me a while to find my groove and it didn’t come without its frustrations.
So I wanted to give you a step-by-step of how to get started if you are interested in cloth diapering, and hopefully I can save you some of the headaches I went through! I promise in the end you’ll be so happy you made the switch.
How to cloth diaper: Step one
Get to know your options.
This is the most difficult step in that it requires a lot of research. There are several types of cloth diapers out there, and you’ll need to find what system works best for you. Some of the different types include:
- One-Size diapers: These are designed to grow with your baby, usually utilizing snaps to transition sizes. They will fit most babies from 10 pounds to potty training. Most of these diapers work in conjunction with inserts. Inserts come in several levels of absorbency and fabric type, so you can customize your baby’s diaper based on how heavy they wet.
- All-In-Ones diapers: These diapers are the easiest to use because they mimic disposable diapers. They consist of an outer waterproof layer sewn to an inner layer of fleece or cotton. They are usually the most leak-proof, but they are also the most expensive.
- Pocket Diapers: These are constructed similarly to all-in-ones, but there is a pocket where you place an insert between the inner and outer lining (instead of the insert being sewn in, which allows for more customization based on how heavy your child wets).
- Prefolds: These are the “old school” diapers that your parents may have used. They are rectangular pieces of cotton that have been “prefolded” for absorbency. You can either wrap them around your baby and secure with pins or snappis, or trifold it and lay it inside a diaper cover. These diaper require the use of diaper covers, but they are also the cheapest version of cloth diapering available. I have had a lot of success using these tri-folded inside my covers!
How to cloth diaper: Step two
Test drive or decide on some diapers.
Now that you know what’s available, it’s time to test drive some diapers. You could purchase one of several types of diapers and use trial and error, or even grab some starter packs (see how I began cloth diapering).
One of the greatest options I know of is to do a trial run of several types of cloth diapers for only $20… Jillian’s Drawers will send you a trial pack of 12 diapers of different types and brands with a deposit of $160 (plus $10 in shipping), you use them for 21 days, send them back used, and receive a refund for $150. So for $20 ($10 for the trial pack, $10 for shipping), you can test drive the best cloth diapers available on the market and decided which you like and want to purchase for long-term use. You can even decide to keep your sample pack if you wish and receive 10% off the price.
Something you should know… Most newborns will not fit into regular one-size diapers (those that are meant to grow with your baby). One-size diapers are meant to fit babies starting at 10 pounds. It took my daughter a while to reach 10 pounds, so these didn’t work for us in the beginning. There are several types of newborn diapers available for purchase, and Jillian’s Drawers also has a trial pack for newborns. Hopefully when your 21 day trial is up, your baby will be about ready to fit into regular one-size diapers and you can purchase a set that will last you until potty training.
When you are ready to purchase your diapers, here are some sites that I have used with success:
- Jillian’s drawers
- Kelly’s Closet (check the “coupons” tab before ordering, they always have deals going on)
- Mom’s Milk Boutique: (Shipping is free for orders over $25)
How to cloth diaper: Step three
Plan your setup
Where will you put your diapers? Will they be easily accessible when you have one hand holding up legs in an effort to keep them out of poop? Will you be able to grab them quickly without even looking when your son’s powerful stream is spraying your arm, the floor, and basically everything within a 3-foot radius?
I have a changing table with an opening underneath where baskets fit (the table is from Ikea.com). One basket contains disposable diapers (we use these occasionally when I run out of cloth on laundry day, or if she is being watched by someone uncomfortable with changing cloth), and another holds waterproof covers. Then I have two stacks of inserts folded in half next to the baskets. All of these are within arms reach and quick to grab.
You also have to think about diaper creams, baby powder, wipes, etc. I keep all of this to the left of my table within reaching distance (this makes sense for me because I’m left-handed). To the right of the table are my two diaper pails (one for disposables/trash, and one for cloth diapers/cloth wipes).
Experiment with your set up. You will quickly learn what works for you and what doesn’t.
Those are the basics of getting started with cloth diapering… Now that you have your diapers in place and ready to go, read How to cloth diaper: Part II, which covers handling dirty diapers, nighttime diapering, and caring for your diapers.
Let me know if you have any questions in the comments below; I’m happy to share!
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