Introduction to Cloth Diapering

I have to admit, I was skeptical about using cloth diapers when I was pregnant with my first baby.
I thought it was gross, and complicated learning to fold the diaper and pin it and cover it, etc.

So I googled compostable diapers, just to see if there was anything out there. I came across gDiapers. I bought a few, and tried them on our newborn since they worked like disposables but you could flush them down the toilet, or compost them.
They are more expensive than disposables, but I was willing to pay in order to benefit the environment.

After a few months, my husband and I were annoyed that we kept having to rinse the poopy waterproof liner in the sink by hand - gross! You can throw them in the wash, but the more you do that, the faster they break down.
So I started researching cloth diapers, and I think what first caught my attention was how stinkin' cute they are! They look adorable on those little bums! And, they are so soft, they feel like they would be more comfortable then putting my baby in paper and plastic pants lined with chemicals.

BONUS : they're cheaper! Until you get addicted, and need to buy every adorable print and colour... but even then, you can sell your old diapers, and get some money back!

So basically the easiest cloth diapers to use (or to leave with someone who isn't familiar with cloth) are either All In One Diapers or Pocket Diapers.

All In One Diapers work exactly like a disposable, except it's made of cloth and you wash and reuse it. It is already waterproof, so no need for a cover. Just wear and wash.

Then you have 'Pocket Diapers'. They essentially work the same way, except you need to 'stuff' them with an absorbent insert.

Once they are 'loaded' with an insert, you just wear and wash like a regular diaper. The benefit of 'stuffing' the insert inside the diaper, is that it virtually looks the same as a disposable, making it easier for those unfamiliar with it.

Another option, and a bit cheaper, is to just lay the insert on top of the waterproof pocket 'shell', and then only change the insert when wet/soiled. Thus you would be using less 'shells', which are more expensive than the inserts.

TA DA! Another money saving point of a pocket diaper is that you only need two sizes, because they are so adjustable. If your baby has chunky legs and a narrow waist, you can snap it accordingly. There are even One Size pocket diapers, where you snap the rise to fit your baby from newborn to potty pro.

C'mon, how cute are these? They are even cuter on!

So, now that you've used a cloth diaper, what do you do with it?!

If it's solid, shake it out into the toilet, and then put it in your diaper pail replacement (I'll explain in a minute). If your baby is breastfed no need to pre-rinse, as breastmilk is completely water soluble.

You store it in a 'wet bag'. Don't let the name fool you. You do NOT have to soak the dirty diapers. PLEASE. I mean you can, but then you have poop soup, and no one wants that.

So, you put your dirty diaper in this bag, and when it's full, empty the entire contents (and the bag too if you so desire. I don't throw it in every load, but now and then, or if I can visibly 'see' the need to).

Also, this bag hangs on the back of doors, etc. so it's not taking up any floor space. They come in a variety of patterns and colours that are sure to coordinate with any nursery or main floor decor.

Ours is hanging in the hallway between our kitchen and front door, since that is where our washing machine is. No one ever knows it's there, and it holds in odours.

Okay, let's be honest. Sometimes the kids on solid food don't always produce 'solid' stuff on the other end. In that case you can do a couple things, after you've done your best to shake off anyone who will cooperate:

1. Dunk it in the toilet - GROSS!!!! I never have and never will!

2. Run a pre-rinse cycle on your washing machine when washing the dipes. (so just store it as is, and when it's time to wash, run a pre-rinse cycle, or a really short cycle with no detergent before a full cycle with detergent).

3. Hook up a diaper sprayer to your toilet tank. A diaper sprayer looks like this

Basically a mini shower head.

4. Use a disposable 'liner'. Usually when kids start solids, their soiled diapers become more routine and you usually know when they are going to go, or you can put one in all the time. A disposables liner looks like this

You can see it's flushable because of the weave. However, I've had these things go through the wash (because I forgot to take it out because it was just a wet diaper), and they survive the washer and dryer - I've heard of moms reusing them.

Now, you can use disposable wipes. However, I found that contributed to the 'ewww' factor because you have to pick the wipe out before tossing the diapers in the wet bag so they don't go through the washing machine. I'm not sure how the chemicals in the disposable wipe would do in a load of diapers, or what it would do to the diaper.

Whenever you're ready, try cloth wipes. They are SO much easier and much less GROSS!

I bought a couple packs of really thin wash clothes from Zellers.

I keep them in a wipes case.

I just use water. But I do want to make up a bottle of wipes solution. There are a few recipes out there. Some people do water and Teatree oil, or water and lavender, water and baby oil, or water and a little baby soap.

My stash is a bit low now that Miss E will be using the potty like her big sister soon. That is another WONDERFUL aspect of cloth diapering - EARLY potty learning!

Miss C could feel and recognize she was going around 15 months. I was due with Miss E in a month and all the books and articles said not to teach her the potty until after the little sibling arrive so she wouldn't regress. Now that I'm expecting Baby Boy when Miss E will be 16 months, I think I will still give it a try, just to see. I don't want to prolong it and give her mixed messages about going in her diaper.

So those are the bare minimum basics.

As for washing routine. Everyone has their own, and the diapers come with instructions. But you MUST use additive free detergent. No perfumes, dyes, scents, or fabric softener. Allens Naturally is the BEST. You only use 1/4 of the normal amount of detergent for top loading machines, and only 1/8 of the amount of detergent if you have a front loader. I have only used one bottle of Allens Naturally over 2 years of cloth diapering, and I'm still not done it! That stuff lasts!

So you do a pre-rinse. Wash Hot. Wash Cold. And an extra rinse if you have a front loader, because they are too efficient and won't use enough water.

You can get all this wonderful stuff from Modern Eco Family, a great online natural parenting store, both owned and operated by a Canadian Mama! :0)

There is a great Cloth 101 page on that site as well:

What You'll Need

As many cloth diapers as you want. The more you have, the less loads of laundry you do (25 should get you about 5 days, depending on your baby). Many people start out with 10 and work up their stash.

1 Large Wet/Dry bag. - for storing your clean and dirty diapers. This is your diaper pail replacement. When it's time to wash, just empty the bag into the machine, throw in the bag too, wash and reuse! No need to come in contact with poop.

1 Small Wet/Dry bag. - for the diaper bag.

Extras

Cloth wipes - can be soaked in wipes solution or just water and kept in a wipes container. Can be washed with diapers. This is actually easier than disposable wipes because you don't have to pick out the poopy wipes before throwing the diapers in the wash.

Baby bum spray/cleaner OR mini squirt or spray bottles (Dollarama) with water or your own wipes solution (2 T. baby oil, 2 T. baby bath or shampoo, 2 cups boiled water, then cooled)

All In Ones - The Closest to Disposables - Dad and Daycare friendly!

These diapers do not require any folding, pinning, or an extra diaper cover. An AIO is virtually the same as a disposable, except that you can wash and reuse it. They can be bought in sizes (newborn, S, M, L) or in One Size (OS) and adjust the size as needed (or used on more than one child).

AIOs take the longest to dry because everything is already sewn in. You can't dry the pieces separately. Some AIOs have a pocket for optional stuffing with extra absorbency. These are great for heavy wetters and overnight. You do need to buy the insert separately. 

Inserts

The most absorbent inserts are hemp and bamboo. These materials are not bulky but have maximum absorbency, keep baby's skin dry, and are very soft.

Pockets

That said, you could also use Pocket diapers. They look similar to AIOs except they have a pocket for stuffing with an insert. As long as you have them "preloaded", many daycares and other caregivers are happy to use them. Pocket diapers dry much quicker than AIOs because they separate into two pieces.

Flats & Prefolds

These are large square pieces of hemp, bamboo, or cotton fabric. They require folding and fastening. They can be held together with a "snappi" (which is a three pronged T shaped clip, with clasps on each prong to hold the three ends together) or safety pins (both sold separately). Then you put a waterproof diaper cover over the flat/prefold.

Fitteds

Fitted diapers are essentially the same as flats or prefolds, except it's already sewn into shape, and held together with snaps or velcro. Although they resemble AIOs, they still require a waterproof diaper cover.