All your cloth diapering questions will be answered here! If you don't see your questioned answered here, e-mail me and I'll do my best to help you.
Cloth Diapering FAQ's:
Why choose cloth?
How many diapers do I need?
What kind of diapers should I buy?
What kind of covers should I buy?
What do I use for wipes?
Help me understand the lingo!!
How do I wash my diapers?
What do I do with dirty diapers?
What is the difference between diaper fabrics?
Wool Wrap FAQ's
Why choose wool?
How do I care for my wool wraps?
Why are your wraps so inexpensive?
Cloth diapers are cheaper that disposable diapers. Cloth diapers are better
for our environment. Cloth diapers are better for your baby because they don't
contain harsh chemicals like disposable diapers. Cloth diapers are more comfortable
for your baby. Cloth diapers are CUTE!!!
Seriously though... it can be hard to make the switch to cloth if you've been
using disposable diapers, and sometimes you need a good "nudge"
to get you going. So, consider this:
The average baby will go through about 3,000 diaper changes in the first year
alone. The average child doesn't potty train until they are at least 2 1/2
years old. So... that's roughly 7,500 diaper changes! If you use disposable
diapers, the cost of the packages doesn't go up as you change sizes... but
did you know that you get fewer and fewer diapers each time your baby advances
to a new size? That means that using disposable diapers gets more and more
expensive as time goes on! Not to mention the THOUSANDS of dollars worth of
diapers you will be dumping into land fills. Cloth diapering does involve
an initial up front investment. You can spend anywhere from $50 to get started,
to several hundred dollars. The bonus is, that once you make that initial
investment you can use your diapers over, and over and over until your baby
outgrows them, and as your baby grows, you can slowly add in new diapers and
covers in larger sizes as needed. Most well made cloth diapers and covers
will long outlast your baby's needs, and can either be saved and used for
little brothers or sisters, or resold since cloth diapers and covers hold
a lot of their value if kept in good condition! Keep in mind too that the
funky gel stuff in the middle of disposable diapers (ya know, that stuff that
leaks out ONTO your baby when the diaper gets wet) is poisonous and has been
known to cause cancer in rats. Medical professionals are also linking it to
fertility problems in adults. Yikes! There are no known health risks associated
with clean, 100% cotton cloth diapers! :)
Not sold yet? Head back up to the menu and check our some more FAQ's!
As an admitted cloth diapering addict... I can assure you the real answer
is: AS MANY AS YOU CAN GET YOUR HANDS ON! LOL! In reality, you don't need
quite that many (but do stand forewarned... cloth diapering is so much fun
it's addictive and you just want more and more and more!)
For a newborn, you can expect frequent wet and poopy diapers (especially with
breastfed babies who often poop and wet with each nursing). It would be a
good idea to have at least 3 dozen diapers, and 6-12 covers. With that many
you can space out washing to every 2-3 days.You can get away with fewer (I
wouldn't go below 1 1/2 dozen and 6 covers), but the more you have the easier
it will be in the beginning! For older kids who don't need changing as frequently
anywhere from 1 1/2 dozen diapers (and up) and 6 covers and up is adequate.
The initial investment may leave you a bit sticker shocked... but trust me...
when all you have to buy for 3 months worth of diapering is an $9 bottle of
detergent... it will be well worth it. And of course, the cute environmentally
friendly and naturally diapered bottoms!
What kind of diapers should I buy?
Ask 6 different cloth diapering Mommas and you'll get six different answers!
Ask my one year old son, and well.... he'd rather go naked right now so I
guess we better not ask him!
Personally, I like a combination of prefolds and fitted diapers. Prefolds
with wraps are great for around the house, they're a bit bulky, but they're
great all purpose diapers.It takes a little practice to get the hang of getting
them to work, but in time, it will come like second nature! Fitted diapers
are great for a day out on the town! They're trim under clothes, easy to use,
and are just so dang cute (ya know, since people always stop and ask me what
I'm using it's nice to have cute diapers... !). Fitted diapers are also really
nice when you want to let your baby's bottom air out, but don't want puddles
and messes everywhere! Just put on a fitted dipe without a cover, and your
little ones bottom will get LOTS of air circulation (great for when baby has
a rash, or it's real hot out). Fitted diapers are also VERY easy to use, great
for in the beginning when you're getting used to cloth, and great for Dads,
who... let's face it...just seem to be diapering challenged!
There are benefits and drawbacks to all the different kinds of diapers on
the market right now. I'll go through a brief description of my personal thoughts.
If you get confused by the lingo, see the above FAQ explaining what all these
crazy diapering terms mean!
Flats- I tried flats... and man, they were just too complicated! Trying to
fold a great big flat diaper to fit on a wiggling little baby who's mad about
laying there naked is not fun (doing it in the middle of the night... well...
let's just not go there). However, a dear friend of mine swears by them for
newborns! She loves them for the exact reason I didn't... she loved being
able to fold them into any shape she needed for her babies.
Prefolds - I like prefolds, but I would strongly suggest only investing in
diaper service quality prefolds, or other high quality WAH made prefolds.
I tried the cheaper birdseye ones, and they aren't worth the plastic they're
packaged in! The "foam" core doesn't absorb worth a darn. We use
them as changing table pads now. I really like Gerber DSQ prefolds. They're
well priced, very absorbent, readily available, and so far... very, very durable!
Prefolds are easy to use with a diaper wrap, but I never got the hang of pinning.
The full size ones are way to big for newborns (and I had a 10 1/2 pound newborn),
so, for little bitty babies I suggest Chinese prefolds (they come in a variety
of sizes). I've never used them, but everyone seems to love them!
Fitted - Fitted diapers are fun, easy to use, and work great! Their absorbency
depends a great deal on what is used to make them. The store bought fitted
dipes I've used have been pretty worthless without a good doubler (or two)
in them. However, there are tons of WAH Moms (myself included) who make really
nice and very absorbent fitted diapers. Velcro or snap closures are a matter
of personal preference. I've found that Velcro snugs up for a better fit.
Although, snaps are nice (if they fit your baby) because there's no scratchy
Velcro. Fitted diapers are very easy to use (Dad proof even), and a simple
(and CHEAP) pull on cover can be used over them making them just as economical
as prefolds (considering that good diaper wraps can be pricey)
All In Ones (AIO) - These are the big guns of the diapering world! Cover and
diaper all rolled up into one bomb proof easy on, easy off package. I have
never tried AIO's (though I have 6 on order and will update this as soon as
I get them and try them out), but have heard mixed reviews. When it comes
to convenience, they can't be beat. However, they are generally very expensive.
I've heard lots of complaints that, by nature of their design, AIO's tend
to leak more than diaper/cover combinations. I've also heard that it's questionable
as to whether or not the inside layers get really clean, since gunk can get
caught against the waterproof layer.
What kind of covers should I buy?
Again, this is one of those personal preference kind of questions. Around here we use a combination of pull on pants, wraps, and wool wraps. You may just have to experiment and see what works best for you. All the same, here's my take!
Pull on Pants (POP's) - This old fashioned stand by is still a vital part
of cloth diapering in my opinion. POP's are cheap, they work great, and they
fit over just about any kind of diaper. I love POP's over fitted dipes, a
friend of mine uses them over pinned prefolds. There are a TON of great fabrics
available from fleece to nylon, however I would suggest avoiding vinyl (like
the Gerber pants).
Front closing snap/Velcro Diaper wraps - Gotta love these guys! Thanks to
Velcro/snap wraps, the need to pin prefolds has been eliminated. I couldn't
live without my Velcro wraps (Bummis specifically, they're great!). Velcro
wraps are very adjustable, and can be snugged up for a fit that will hold
a prefold in place. *IF* you can find a snap wrap that fits your baby well,
the same results can be achieved with them as well. The only drawback is that
not all wraps will fit over all fitted diapers.
Side snap wraps- I'm not too big a fan of this concept. Side snap-wraps don't
generally snug up enough to allow for not pinning prefolds, and again, not
all snap wraps will fit over all fitted diapers. In my opinion, this limits
their functionality.
What do I use for wipes?
So far, the best thing I've found are wash clothes from Wal-mart! You can
buy them in bundles for $5.00. Stack them next to your diapers, or have them
presoaked in a plastic container full of water. Diapers wipes made out of
two layers of flannel, or layer of flannel and a layer of terry are also very
nice. I keep a plastic container (Tupperware, or an old disposable wipes container
works well...anything that will hold water and has a secure lid) on our changing
table with water in it for wipes. The dirty wipes can just go in your diaper
pail with your diapers and get washed with them! If you want to get creative,
there are lots of diaper wipe recipes! People put baby oil, vinegar (I do
the vinegar, helps cut down on bacteria and neutralized urine), mild baby
soap, scented essential oils, etc in the wipe water!
Ever feel like your reading a foreign language on diapering web sites or
message boards/lists?
Here's a quick break down of all the terms I can think of off the top of my
head!
Flat- large flat square (usually gauze) diaper that can be folded into any
shape then put on baby.
Prefold - rectangular shaped diaper with a sew down thicker "prefolded"
middle soaker panel. Generally folded in thirds, then put on baby.
DSQ - Diaper Service Quality, usually in reference to the quality of a prefold
diaper. DQS's are thicker, more absorbent, and generally higher quality.
Fitted - Fitted diapers usually have elastic at legs and back, are shaped
to fit (much like a disposable), and have Velcro or snap closures.
All in One- an all in one is a diaper and cover "All in one"!
Wraps- Wraps are diaper covers made out of a wide varieties of materials,
all waterproof (or in some cases water resistant) designed to go over a diaper
and contain moisture and messes! Most are shaped much like a disposable, and
have elastic at the legs and back for a good fit.
Pull on pants- just that... pull on pants can be made of many things and are
designed to be pulled on over a diaper.
Wool Soakers- Made of 100% wool, this form of diaper cover is one your grandmother
probably used! Soakers have come a long way since her generation, but many
are still made in the traditional pull on pants style. There are also wool
soaker wraps available (by me, and other WAHMs) which combine the great qualities
of wool, with the easy use of a wrap!
Soaker- generally the middle absorbent area of a diaper. Often made out of
multiple layers of absorbent fabrics like flannel and terry.
Doublers- a doubler is generally made of several layers of absorbent fabric
and designed to lay inside the diaper to add extra absorbency for heavy wetters
or over night.
WAHM - Work At Home Mom! Generally in reference to WAHM made diapering products!
WAHM made stuff is the best! :)
Washing is easier than you think! At least is sure turned out to be easier
than I though it would be. Here is what I do, and my dipes come out clean
and fresh!
From a dry pail I:
Put the machine on the longest wash cycle, add in detergent. I use cold water.Throw
all the diapers and covers into the washing machine (be sure to unfold prefolds
so they'll wash well).After the first cycle is finished, I pour plain white
vinegar (it helps balance the pH, disinfect, remove odors, and leaves dipes
softer) into the fabric softener dispenser and run the diapers through another
wash cycle to rinse make sure everything is rinsed out of them. If your machine
doesn't have a fabric softener dispenser built in, you can put vinegar in
a Downy ball!After that, I either line dry the diapers (I always line dry
my covers) or throw them in the dryer! Line drying in the sun will help "bleach"
out stains! Amazingly, this really works. DON'T use bleach or other harsh
chemicals on your diapers. You'll shorten the life of your diaper, and run
the risk of giving your baby diaper rash. DON'T use liquid fabric softener,
or fabric softener sheets! They leave a build up that reduces the absorbency
of your diapers!DO use a mild detergent. I like All Free & Clear. It's
cheap, and works good! Avoid detergents that utelize enzymes as cleaning agents.
I've heard multiple results that the same enzymes that attack stains on clothes
will also attack baby bottoms and cause horrible rashes! Dr. Bronners is also
wonderful for diapers. It is a pure castille soap that comes in wonderful
scents and leaves diapers feeling incredible soft! It's generally only available
at health food stores. I fill the cap from a regular bottle of detergent half
full of Dr. Bronners and add it to a second wash cycle for my diapers when
they need a little fluffing up and softening.
What do I do with my dirty diapers?
Well, until wash day you have to store them! :) I use a cheap plastic diaper
pail with a lid. We use a dry pail for several reasons:
1. SAFETY! I have small children and many small animals. Drowning is a leading
cause of death for little kids, the last thing I want sitting around my house
is a bucket of water!
2.) The ick factor... I don't like the idea of all my dipes soaking in dirty
water for days! And can you imagine if it were ever tipped over?
3.) Dry pails are easy
4.) Dry pails don't smell <with a tight lid>
5.) Dry pails don't require heavy lifting and hauling of buckets full of water!
So, basically I have a pail next to the changing table, all dirty diapers,
wipes, and covers go into the pail until wash day (which is generally when
ever the pail starts to overflow!)
For breastfed babies with soft stools, no pre-rinsing of the diaper is necessary.
Just throw the soiled diaper in the pail, and wash as normal.
For older babies who are eating solid foods, and have more solid stools, just
dump the poop in the toilet and throw the dipe in the pail! Cloth or disposable
liners can make this job much easier!
What is the difference between diaper fabrics?
Flannel, fleece, sherpa, interlock, knits, wovens... boy it can get confusing for the layman who doesn't make habit of living at fabric stores. Here is a quick run down of some of the more popular diaper fabrics, and their attributes.
Flannel - Flannel is the staple fabric for diapers. It's soft, sturdy, absorbent, and luckily for us comes in a ton of cute prints and pretty colors.The best flannel available is called 'Super Flannel' because it is double napped. Meaning, both sides are fuzzy soft and it is very thick. Regular flannel <most print flannels> is single napped, meaning one side is fuzzy, and one side is flat. They are usually lighter weight than super flannel. Most flannels are 100% cotton, but some can be a blend of natural or synthetic fibers. The only drawback to flannel is that over time the 'fuzz' will wear away and it won't be as soft anymore. It takes a LONG time for this to happen though!
Knits - Knit fabrics are generally very soft <think t-shirt fabric>and can be either 100% cotton, or a blend of synthetic and/or natural fibers. Knits can be absorbent if they are heavy, but they generally aren't as absorbent as flannel. They also don't wear as long. Knits can be prone to runs or snags.
Interlock - Interlock fabrics are slightly stretchy like a knit, but are more sturdy and durable. Most interlocks that I've seen are100% cotton. I really like interlock fabric. It's soft, and generally a real nice weight. Plus, it comes in tons of cute prints that often feature neat textures as well!
Sherpa - Sherpa is a very soft, heavy pile terry. It's very nubby (like a plush teddy bear), and very absorbent. It's generally mostly cotton, with a bit of poly in it. Sherpa is very sturdy, doesn't loose it's soft fuzziness, and is great as the inner layer of a diaper, and in the soaker area.
Birdseye - Birdseye is a fairly thin, but absorbent cotton fabric. A diaper must contain many layers of birdseye to be absorbent. Can be used as an outer layer, or as the soaker pad.
Fleece - Fleece is 100% polyester fabric that is super, super soft! It is renown for it's ability to pull moisture away from the skin and help little bottoms stay dry. It DOES NOT absorb anything!! It is wonderful as the inner layer of a diaper, and for topping doublers, but must be paired with other absorbent fabrics. It is very sturdy, but also a bit thick and can become bulky.
Micro Fleece - Micro fleece is just like regular fleece, but thinner which helps eliminate the bulk problem!
Velour - Velour can be a blend of fabrics, but is predominately polyester. It is very, very soft and makes a wonderful inner liner for a diaper.However, it isn't particularly absorbent.
Terry Cloth - Terry is, well, terry! Like a towel! I personally don't care for terry as any of the outer layers of a diaper, but so far I've found that it makes the absolute best soakers inside the diaper! Very absorbent.
Stretch Terry - Stretch terry is generally much softer and thinner than regular towel terry because it is a cotton/poly blend. Depending on it's weight, and fiber content, it can be nice and absorbent. I like lining diapers with stretch terry, although I've found that it does pill a bit.
Woven fabrics - Most cotton, or poly/cotton prints are woven fabrics. They are thin, and totally nonfunctional in a diaper for anything other than a really cute outer layer! I love using woven prints as the outer layer on diapers, but they must be paired with other absorbent fabrics. Wovens generally provide the widest assortment of fun prints.
Hemp Fabrics - Hemp can be found in a variety of fabric forms, and is purportedly very, very absorbent. I haven't used it, so I don't have first hand experience!
There are many, many reasons to choose wool. I'll hit on a few of the reasons
I like it so much!
First, wool is all natural and from a 100% replenishable source. Sheep are
raised by farmers and sheered year after year for the duration of their life
(no, sheering doesn't hurt the sheep!).The hair from the sheep is then turned
into wool fabric. Natural, untreated wool still contains the lanolin (body
oil) of the sheep. Most wool that I buy, because it was previously a garment,
has had the lanolin removed. That's NOT a problem though as you'll see later!
Second, wool BREATHES!!!! Wool was the first thermal fabric. It helps you
stay warm in the winter, and cool in the summer. Unlike many other "plasticy"
substances used to make diaper covers, wool has an open weave that allows
air to pass through to your baby's skin which will keep little bottoms healthier!
Third, wool is SUPER absorbent! More so than any other natural fabric. Wool
can absorb more than 3 times it's weight in water... and still feel dry to
the touch! It's amazing stuff! What this means for your baby, is that even
if your little one has a wet diaper... the soaker will continue to absorb
moisture and let it evaporate away helping your baby stay comfortable and
dry longer (which is great over night). The really amazing thing is that a
"wet" soaker will still FEEL dry on the outside (unless it's just
totally soaked because baby needs changing badly) and keep clothes, sheets,
and parents dry!
Fourth, the wool I use is very soft! I love putting a soft, cuddly cover on
my little one.
How do I care for my wool wraps?
Wool care is easier than you may think! Your wool wraps will be sent to you lanolized. Adding lanolin back to wool (lanolin is a natural oil produced by sheep that helps water proof their hair, which while on the sheep would help keep them dry!) increases it's waterproof capacity.
When you notice that your wraps are getting less water proof, they probably
need to be lanolized. The following is the method I use:
***Note - you only need to use a LITTLE bit of lanolin! A little goes a long
way!***
Pour liquid lanolin into a small cup with water, or, if using solid lanolin
add it to the cup as is. Put a little bit of soap (liquid dish soap, like
Dawn, works best) in the cup of water (this will help the lanolin to disperse).
Heat in the microwave until solid lanolin dissolves, and the water is quite
warm.
As the lanolin water is heating, fill a sink (or pot on the stove, any waterproof
container big enough to hold your soaker(s) fully submerged) with hot as you
can get it from the tap water. Pour your lanolin water into the larger container
of water and swirl it around making sure it disperses well into the water.
Put your soakers (make sure they are CLEAN first!) into the water and submerge
them. Squeeze them gently to help work the lanolin into the fibers. Let them
soak for at least 20 min. Occasionally stirring and squeezing them. Make sure
the whole soaker gets covered in water!
Once they have soaked for as long as you can stand it (no longer than over
night), gently ring them out, then run them through a gentle machine wash
or hand wash them. Hang them to dry!
After that your soaker will again be ready for weeks of use! You DO NOT need
to wash your soaker after every use! If it's just wet, hang it to dry. The
soaker can be used over and over until it begins to smell (as gross as that
may sound, it really isn't in reality!). If your soaker gets pooped on, you
can spot wash it.... or do a thorough washing if the mess is too big. Hand
washing wool soakers is the best way to care for them, although, gentle machine
washing is ok as well. Always use cold water to reduce the risk of shrinkage!!Always
hang to dry!
Why are your wraps so inexpensive?
I offer wraps for less than most commercial wool soakers/wraps because I
make them out of recycled wool fabric from clothing I find at thrift stores.
The clothes I use are very high quality, and the wool fabric is absolutely
gorgeous, soft, and tightly woven (often times hand woven).
When selecting fabric, I'm very picky about the quality and it's suitability
for use as a wool diaper wrap.
So, because I buy for less, I can sell for less and still offer a very high
quality product!