Cloth Diapering 101

So you want to cloth diaper -- how wonderful!

I think cloth is an EXCELLENT choice - for the health of the planet and also for health of baby

Unsure how to get started?

Overwhelmed by all the options and information?

YUP SAME -- I knew I wanted to cloth diaper but didn't know where to start

I did a whole boat load of research, and with the insight of a close friend who endeavored to cloth diaper just before me, I jumped on the cloth diaper train

I hope this article will serve in place of that informative close friend I was lucky enough to have

I am now cloth diapering my second child and I still absolutely LOVE them

This article has been written as a guide to help demystify the process of cloth diapering and fuel your confidence

YOU CAN DOOO IT

Get Ready for the CUTEST Diaper Butts -- Cloth

First Things First

What are the different types of cloth diapers?

1. All-In-One (AIO) Cloth Diapers - As the name suggests these diapers are basically a reusable version of the disposable diaper. A water proof cover with a sewn in absorbent liner - no lining or stuffing diapers required!

2. All-In-Two (AIT) Cloth Diapers - These diapers are similar to the All-In-Ones, differing in the liner either snaps in or lays in, which means that you can use the same cover for multiple changes. Once the diaper is soiled you simply remove the soiled liner and replace with a clean dry one! Saves money in having to buy less covers. Some AIT are sized, but many are one size which means that the size of the cover is adjustable.

3. Pocket Diapers - The style we went with! Pocket diapers are 2 part diapers - a cover with a pocket and a liner or insert that is stuffed into the diaper. Probably the most popular type of cloth diaper, from what I have gathered. The insert allows you to adjust for absorbency needs of your little. The covers are generally "One Size" which means that it is adjustable as baby grows. Generally these covers fit from 7 - 38 LBS.

We went with a One Size Duo Diaper - This allowed us to be able to stuff the liner into the diaper, or lay it in the diaper. This combines the ease of use of the All-In-Two and the adjustable absorbency of the pocket diaper.

The company we bought our diapers is AMP Diaper Co. A Canadian company (LOVE) based in Winnipeg MB. Check out this link for the diapers we decided on (after ALOT of research) AMP One Size Duo Pocket Diapers - AMP Diapers

4. Hybrid Fitted Diapers - These diapers come sized. They are a fitted diaper without the waterproof outer cover. There are many companies who have combined the All-In-Two liner system into these to increase absorbency and decrease drying times and bulk of the diaper.

Next Up? - Liners

If you decide on an All-In-Two or Pocket Style Diaper, you're going to need to purchase liners along with your diapers.

There are a lot of materials that liners can be made of

Cotton (Natural Fiber)

Hemp (Natural Fiber)

Microfiber (Synthetic)

Bamboo (Essentially Synthetic)

When deciding what liners to go with I would first assess what materials you want against babies skin, and then second I would assess affordability and absorbency

Depending where you purchase your diapers from, it is likely that the company will also sell liners compatible with the covers

Just be sure to look into what materials they are manufactured from so you can be the most comfortable with your investment!

Okay - Once decided on type, How Many do you Need?

To determine how many cloth diapers you need, some simple math is required

First you need to determine how many diapers a day your baby uses, below are averages for your reference

New Born (0-3 Months) - 12-14 Diapers a Day

Infant (3-9 Months) - 10-12 Diapers a Day

Baby (9-18 Months) - 8-10 Diapers a Day

Toddler (18 Months-Toileting) - 6-8 Diapers a Day

Depending when you plan to start cloth diapers, right from New or from 3 months onwards, 6 months onwards etc...

Then multiply by the number of days you plan to have between washing

For Example: You wash diapers every 3 days, for a 3 month + baby [12 Diapers a Day x 3 days = 36 Diapers]

36 Diapers if you're doing an All-In-One or Pocket Style Diaper

36 Diapers needs 36 Liners

Personally we purchased a few extra liners for our diapers -- 36 covers and 48 Liners

We purchased 36 2 layer Hemp/Organic Cotton Liners and 12 3 Layer Hemp/Organic Cotton Liners

Why? This allowed us to experiment with absorbency, generally using 2 layer during the day, 3 layer at night. We did have a period of time with our first where we would stuff the diaper with a 3 layer, and lay in a 2 layer for additional absorbency overnight!

If you're doing an All-In-Two style diaper you would need less covers, one for every 3-4 changes. So 12 covers and 36 or so liners - I would probably get a few extra for surprise poops or heavier soil days!

And Finally Wet Bags & Washing

There are many ways to store your soiled diapers between washing - in a closed diaper pail with a lid, an open diaper pail with no lid, or in a wet bag

I started with a Dekor Plus Diaper Pail, lined with a wet bag but have since moved to a large wet bag hanging from the change table

Our Wet Bags -- Button Closure Handles Make it Easy to Hang

Why?

Well I found that closing up the soiled diapers didn't keep the smell inside for one, and I felt that it made the smell worse because they were closed up?

Maybe I'm wrong but that was my experience

We use these wet bags hung on the end of the change table, and just change it out with each wash

We use the pocket diapering system so when I remove the soiled diaper from baby, I remove the liner from the diaper pocket and put both cover and liner (separately) in the wet bag

I don't find it smells offensively at all

When it comes to wash day I just take the wet bag down, and push the bag inside out into the wash - pushes all the diapers in and I don't have to double touch any of the dirty diapers!

Seamless!

Lots of Cute Patterns! https://amzn.to/4ikzKwr

When we are out and about -- I pack covers, liners and a travel wet bag to take soiled diapers home in.

When we get home I empty the soiled diapers into the big wet bag and throw the small wet bag in as well!

Washing Cloth Diapers

While babe is super small, and if they are exclusively breastfed, babies poop is water soluble and will wash out in the washing machine, no problem

If baby is formula fed, and once baby is older and eating solids you will have to rinse any solid waste out before it goes into the washing machine

SUPER HACK -- A Bidet Sprayer attached to your toilet. Simply take the soiled diaper to the toilet, spray off the solid waste and flush it down!

Get It Here -- https://amzn.to/4iLOe8n

Once you find your routine for washing, it'll be nothing to stay on top of diaper laundry

I generally wash my diapers every 3 days -- I just take the wet bag down and push the bag inside out into the wash - pushes all the diapers in and I don't have to double touch any of the dirty diapers

My Wash Routine:

1. Run a "Quick Wash" Cycle, with cold water, 1/2 scoop of washing soda - this rinses the diapers really well and helps ensure there is no stains

   
   

2. Add Soap, I use Country Save - its absolutely excellent. Turn on "Heavy Duty" wash cycle, hot water and add an extra rinse (if this is a function on your washing machine)

   
   

   I also add a very small amount of bleach to each wash as well, 1/4 cup or less. This has saved me from having to strip my diapers (a process of soaking the diapers in diluted bleach to remove yeast and ammonia build up). This small amount of bleach in each wash, in combination with Country Save Laundry Soap has eliminated the need to strip diapers for me!

   
   

   Check out this link for a list of detergents safe for use with cloth diapers, they also have more extensive information on washing your diapers and stripping. Finding a process that works well for you is important! -- Detergent Index | Fluff Love University

3. Lastly, I run a high heat timed dry for an hour to dry the diapers. In the summer months, an economical option is to line dry your diapers, the sun naturally bleach's them and they smell ever so FRESH when line dried.

   
   

Storing Clean Diapers

With my first, I used to fold and stuff the diapers as they came out of the wash.

I then stored the stuffed diapers, neatly buttoned and arranged in baskets on the shelf of the change table

Now? I store the liners and diapers in bins under the change table and stuff as I go

My dear friend I referenced earlier had a beautiful dresser that was used as her change table and she kept her pre stuffed diapers neatly in the drawers beneath

Anyway that works the best for you, you can sort em and store em -- easy access is really the only must have

Level Up Your Cloth Diapering with Reusable Wipes!

I combine cloth diapers with reusable wipes for our low tox, eco friendly diapering routine

I love our cloth wipes just as well as our diapers

https://amzn.to/4cdla7n

I make a Homemade Wipe Solution (link with formula coming soon) that gently cleans babies bottom and moisturizes without worrying about any of the chemicals and harsh detergents in conventional, disposable wipes.

I purchased 3 sets of these Organic Cotton Wipes, in a Amber Glass Pump Bottle I put my wipe solution and then just pump it on and wipe away at change time

The combination of cloth diapers, reusable wipes and homemade wipe solution has resulted in my baby literally never having diaper rash

Each set of wipes comes with the perfect little carrying case, when I go out I just tuck a few wipes in there, pump some solution on them and good to go, on the go!

If there is ever a bit of redness I use a small amount of Aquaphor Baby Healing Ointment, which is safe for use with cloth diapers and works magically

And that's a WRAP (or a Diap ;) )

I hope you have found this information even the least bit informative

Questions? Comments? Experiences?

I'm HERE for it -- Please share anything and everything in the comments below

With Love,

Katie

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