1. What do I need?  Your Cloth Diaper Layette.

You will need some or all of the following to get started with cloth diapering.

Basic Necessities: 18 - 36 cotton diapers - prefold diapers, fitted diapers or one-size diapers 4 - 8 diaper covers depending on the age of your baby OR 18 - 36 pocket diapers if you are full-time diapering in pocket diapers 2 - 3 small diaper pails or 1 large diaper pail Great Options: 12 - 24 liners or doublers for heavy wetting babies - might be a "must have" with certain fitted diapers depending on the age of your baby 36 - 60 cloth wipes. These are simple squares of flannel or terry that you use with water instead of disposable wipes. 3 - 6 pocket diapers for night time and grandparents (any one who is unfamiliar with cloth diapers) 3 - 6 all-in-one diapers for quick easy changes for babysitters or grandparents (any one who is unfamiliar with cloth diapers) 1 reusable wet bag to carry soiled diapers home with you. 1 - 2 wool covers - great for night time or sensitive skin babies 4 - 12 fleece diaper liners - these act as a stay dry barrier between your baby and a wet diaper 1 roll of disposable diaper liners for when you are out and about or for meconium or general poopies. 2 -3 Snappi diaper fasteners - they are the modern diaper pin!

back to top

2. How many cloth diapers do I need?

There are several factors to consider when deciding how many diapers to buy:

Age of the baby:

newborns and young infants (still frequent pees and poops) will do best with 36 diapers and 6 - 8 covers.  These babies need frequent diaper changes. They will still be pooping at night and will need to be changed. You will be washing diapers 2 -3 times/week. older infants and toddlers (less frequent poops and longer periods between pees) can will do best with 24 diapers and 4 - 6 covers.  Some families use only 18 diapers and 3 covers while others still prefer 36 diapers and 6 covers.  With 24 diapers you will be washing 2 - 3 times/week; with 18 diapers you will be washing every other day; and with 36 diapers you will be washing 2 times/week.

Washing Frequency:

You decide how often you would like to wash diapers.  Some families don't mind washing every other day.  It is simply part of their routine.  18 diapers works well for them.  Others want to wash as infrequently as possible therefore 36 - 48 diapers work best.

Access to washing machine:

If you do not have easy access to a washing machine and you are using a local laundry mat many families find that they may buy 60+ diapers so that they only need to wash once a week.  You will need to take special care in storing your diapers in a pail with a very tight lid.  You will need to wash your diapers on hot to ensure that they are clean after sitting for a week.

Budget:

If you are operating on a tight budget you may want to start with 12 prefold diapers and 2 covers and wash every day. Buy more diapers as your budget allows.  I would be wary of used diapers.  You do not know how they were cared for before you got them.

back to top

3. What are the different types of cloth diapers?

There are many different types of cloth diapers available today.  There are a variety of fabrics and styles that vary with different manufacturers.

Flat Diapers: (AKA traditional diaper, old fashion diaper)

A simple, single layer of cotton flannel or birdseye.  These diapers traditionally required folding and pinning.  Today they still require folding however you have a choice to fasten this diaper with Dritz Diaper Pins or Snappi Diaper Fasteners. An other option is to simply lay it in a Bummis Original Diaper Wrap or a the Bummis Super Whisper Wrap and the snug fitting wrap will hold it shut.  Flat diapers will diaper a baby from birth to potty training.  They are readily available at most major department stores.

Prefold Diapers: (AKA Chinese Prefolds, Indian Prefolds, Diaper Service Quality Prefolds, DSQ)

This is another simple diaper.  It is a rectangle made of multiple layers of fabric sewn together.  The higher quality and more absorbent prefolds have 8 layers of fabric in the centre and 4 layers in each side. It is often described as 4-8-4 layers.   Less absorbent options are available including department store options.  I do not recommend you buy your prefolds at department stores.  They will be a poorer quality than the 4-8-4 diaper service quality diapers.  Prefolds are so inexpensive that it is worth buying quality.  Use these with Dritz Diaper Pins or Snappi Diaper Fasteners and a Aristocrats wool cover or a Bummis Super Whisper Pant .  They are so simple to use folded in a wrap such as Bummis Original Diaper Wrap or a the Bummis Super Whisper Wrap. They come in several sizes with infant (8-15lbs) and premium (15-30lbs) size being the most common.

Shaped Diapers:

Another simple diaper that is narrower in the middle than the edges.  It is usually hour glass shaped.  It can be fastened with a Snappi Diaper Fasteners or held closed with a Bummis Original Diaper Wrap or the Bummis Super Whisper Wrap.

Fitted Diapers:

The first modern cloth diaper.  These diapers fasten with hook and loop (Velcro, Aplix etc) or close with snaps.  They have elastic at the legs and typically at the back. For absorbency have several layers of fabric sewn inside of the diaper called a soaker. These diapers do require a waterproof cover such as the Aristocrats wool cover, Bummis Super Whisper Pant and the Bummis Super Whisper Wrap.  They are available in sized options such as the unbleached fitted diaper and in a one-size option such as the Snug to Fit Supreme. Fitted diapers are fantastic at holding in liquid poo.

All-in-One:

Just as the name suggests this diaper is all-in-one with the absorbent material and the waterproof material sewn together.  They typically close with hook and loop (Velcro, Aplix etc) or close with snaps.  They are very easy to use.

Pocket Diapers:

The newest addition to cloth diapers.  This is a great upgrade from the all-in-one diaper.  There is a waterproof outer layer, a micro-fleece inner layer (the layer next to your baby) and the absorbent material is a removable insert. The insert is removed to launder the diaper.  This allows the layers to get very clean.

The brilliance of this diaper is that you can add more than more insert to make a more absorbent diaper that will still get clean! These make a fantastic night time diaper.

back to top

4. What are the different types of cloth diapers covers and wraps?

There are many different types of cloth diapers covers available today.  There are a variety of fabrics and styles that vary with different manufacturers.

Plastic pants: (AKA vinyl pants or rubber pants)

Old fashion diaper covers.  They are stiff and scratchy.  They don't allow for good air flow and will eventually crack and fall apart. 

Pull up pants:

These are generously cut diaper cover that pulls on. Some varieties have snaps at the sides of the cover (side-snap covers) to make changing messy diapers easier. It is available in many fabric such as nylon, polyurethane laminate (PUL), wool, fleece and vinyl.  These are great with any fitted diaper especially for the generously cut Snug to Fit Supreme one size diaper.  They also work well with Prefold Diapers and a  Snappi Diaper Fastener.

Wraps:

Diaper wraps are snug fitting diaper covers that usually close with hook and loop (Velcro, Aplix etc) like the Bummis Original Diaper Wrap or a the Bummis Super Whisper Wrap or close with snaps like the the Bummis Super Snap.  They are available in polyurethane laminate  (PUL), nylon, and fleece.

back to top

5. How do I decide which cloth diapers are right for me?

There are many factors to consider when deciding on which cloth diapers will be best for your family. Most cloth diapering families have a combination of different types of diapers.  They may prefer the convenience of a pocket diaper for night time, babysitters or while out of the house and use a combination of fitted diapers, prefolds and covers during the day. 

It is a good rule of thumb to try several different types of diapers and different types of covers.  They all fit a little bit differently.  You may be surprised which diapers you prefer.

Here are some other factors you may want to consider:

Age of your baby:

There are several factors involved with age:

• newborns and infants need to be changed frequently.  Some families love Prefold Diapers for this stage as they are inexpensive and can later be used as spit up cloths and doublers.  
• in some families their baby will reach 15 lbs very quickly.  My daughter Margaret was 15lbs by 3 months whereas other babies don't reach 15lbs until they are almost a year old.  Again Prefold Diapers or a one-size option such as the Snug to Fit Supreme   are great choices.
• newborns and exclusively breastfed infants have very runny poop.  A fitted diaper such as the unbleached fitted diaper and a cover are a great choice.  Since both the diaper AND the cover have elastic at the legs and back the poo has to get past both of these barriers before they reach your baby's clothes.
• babies who no longer poo at night will benefit from the Happy Heiny's Pocket Diaper . These make the simplest night time diapers on the market.
• older babies and toddlers want fast diaper changes. Prefold Diapers and wraps make quick changes.  I also liked using a fitted diaper with the Bummis Whisper Pant.  I would put the fitted cloth diaper on my toddler, they would then stand up and step into the cover.  They loved to be more actively involved in their diaper changes.  The Bummis Whisper Pant also helped to prevent toddlers from undoing their diaper.
• if you are switching to cloth with an older baby who has been in disposables they may be more comfortable in the Happy Heiny's Pocket Diaper . Some families have found that their baby's skin has become conditioned to disposible diapers and the pocket diapers help while their skin adjusts to being in cloth diapers. 

Drying method:

• line drying: stick to flannel diapers such as the unbleached fitted diaper and the Snug to Fit Supreme.  The Happy Heiny's Pocket Diaper are also great for line drying.  Prefold diapers do not quilt up as well when line dried and terry diapers will eventually become stiff - just like your towels do.
• automatic dryer: works well with all cloth diapers.  The thicker all-in-ones and fitted diapers may take a very long time to dry in the dryer.  Pocket diapers and flat diapers will try the fastest.   At the end of the day it is still less expensive to have a slightly longer dry time than to purchase disposables.
  

Ease of Use:

This is a very personal decision.  You are going to invest in your diapers.  This is an upfront cost unlike the much higher cost of disposable diapers which are often concealed in the grocery bill.  Be honest - if you know that you are likely to stop using cloth diapers if it has several steps then choose the easiest method.

• most convenient: all-in-ones are hands down the easiest cloth diapers to use.  They go on just like a disposable diaper.  There is no separate cover to worry about.  When it is soiled you simply put the entire diaper into the diaper pail. The downside is they are not as absorbent enough for some babies and they take a long time to dry.
  
• convenient: Happy Heiny's Pocket Diaper are just as easy to use as all-in-ones.  The only difference is that once it is soiled you need to remove the insert and put the diaper and insert into the diaper pail. 
  
• good: fitted diapers such as the unbleached fitted diaper are a good option.  The diaper and then a separate waterproof cover is needed during each diaper change.  The covers do not need to be washed every diaper change.  If they are not soiled the cover can be aired out and reused.
• good: one-size option such as the Snug to Fit Supreme. They work just like a fitted diaper and cover but their is an addition set of snaps that change the rise of the diaper.  This allows it to fit a very small baby to a toddler.
• okay: Prefold Diapers and wraps.  The Prefold Diaper requires a simple tri-fold and then is laid inside of the diaper wrap.  The diaper is then placed on the baby and the wrap holds the diaper in place.
• a few more steps: Prefold Diapers fasten with Dritz Diaper Pins or Snappi Diaper Fasteners and then a cover.  The diaper is placed on the baby and then fastened closed with the  Dritz Diaper Pins or Snappi Diaper Fasteners and then either a wrap-style cover is used or a pull up pant.  The benefit to this option is you can easily get a good fit on any sized baby.
• even more steps: flat diapers and wraps.  The same as a Prefold Diapers and wraps but with more folding.
• the most steps: flat diaper and Dritz Diaper Pins or Snappi Diaper Fasteners and then a cover.  The same as a prefold and Dritz Diaper Pins or Snappi Diaper Fasteners and then a cover but with more folding of the diaper.

Are you using cloth diapers from birth?

• try using a one-sized diaper such as the Snug to Fit Supreme.  It will be a bit bulky on a tiny newborn but the single set of diapers will fit until todderhood. You simply need to purchase sized diaper covers.
• use inexpensive Prefold Diapers and wraps for the first few months and then switch to a medium sized diaper.
• buy a full set of sized diapers starting from small and use them on subsequent babies or resell them.  High quality fitted diapers and pocket diapers keep a high resale value.

Are you switching your baby to cloth diapers?

• If your baby is already over a year old then you may want to use inexpensive Prefold Diapers and wraps for the last few months that he/she will be in diapers.
• If your baby is 15lbs or more then try the 15 - 30 lb size fitted diapers or a one-sized diaper such as the Snug to Fit Supreme .  The medium Happy Heiny's Pocket Diaper is a nice choice as well.

Know that you have read all of this - take a deep breath - I know it seems like a lot to learn.  I remember, when I was pregnant, the first time I walked down the baby isle at the grocery store it was overwhelming.  With a little bit of experience - it began to make sense.  Cloth diapering isn't harder than using disposable diapers - it is simply different. The benefits to you, your baby and our planet are well worth a little extra effort.  Once you have your diaper stock - you will love the look of your baby's little cloth diapered behind! 

back to top