Cloth Diaper 101
We have cloth diapered for almost 8 years! But . . .
we kinda cheated because we used our fav local diaper service, Do Good Diapers. It was time for us to do our own dirty work but we will definitely use their diaper stripping service. Now that we’re on our own, I took stock in what we had and what I knew I had liked over the years, and hated.
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Wool covers
I love them. The lanolizing is an extra step and yes, a big poop in them is a pain to clean up, BUT, they are so great on their skin and super absorbent. I bought these two but had a couple of these as well. You’ll need to get some lanolin to re-seal the waterproof nature of the wool.
Prefolds
Go for thick, people, because they will break down over time and who wants pee running out starting early? I snagged a dozen of these, pre-washed and dried them and they’re ready to absorb.
Just because sometimes if I know it’s a poopy time of day, these can be easier to wash, I also bought a half dozen pocket diapers.
Inserts
We used to use a double insert for night diapers a few kids ago and those ones were pretty well worn so I selected a package of these to slide inside the pocket diapers. They’re charcoal bamboo and super absorbent.
Disposables
And these are our night diapers. They RARELY leak and are compostable. They also never result in a diaper rash so we use them on trips, too! Yes, she is in a size 5 pull-up. They’re easier on and off and more absorbent.
Diaper Bag for Pail
This sucker holds a bunch and then we drag it downstairs to wash. We’re doing diapers every day or two. It’s not a big deal because we have these new high efficiency washer & dryer units and are already doing laundry all the time anyway!
What works for you?
The way I convinced my husband to do cloth was All In Ones. We started slowly buying when I caught a good sale and now have a tidy little 3 day stash. Mostly Bumgenius, Blueberry Simplex, and Thirsties, (almost all organic cotton) but because of the aforementioned sales, it’s a pretty random hodgepodge. For prefolds (my husband might not like them, but I do!), inserts, boosters, etc, we love Green Mountain Diapers. They have great prices on organic cotton and hemp! I wish I had used cloth with my first, but I’m so glad I’ve found it now.
All in ones are so great!
Flats! By the time kid two was eating significant solids we were all flats all day (disposable at night). They washed amazingly. So fully rinsed! So so so fast to dry! Like these: https://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/pages/flat
(Our little ones were little and started on the toilet early, so maybe not as much to hold in, but they held well and doubled up easily.)
Love it!!
We used Naty diapers exclusively! Cloth wasn’t an option at daycare BUT they are willing to save our Naty diapers and we bring them home with us every night to save for a weekly pick-up. In the Bay Area there’s an awesome service called EarthBaby and they have their own industrial composting facility for Naty diapers. (It only takes 14 days for them to fully break down!!) Each week they pick up our soiled diapers and deliver new ones. PRAISE!!!
Gosh I love Naty!!
Bumgenius Freetimes!!
I also used prefolds in the first few months when I could use the same cover a few changes in a row.
Yes! That helps.