Cloth Diapering 101

Cloth diapering may be confusing at first glance.  There are many different diapering systems, and within those systems are numerous brands that each has its own uniqueness.  However, understanding the basic cloth diapering systems is the first step to choosing which style of cloth diaper is best for your baby.  Below is a description of a majority of the cloth diapering systems.

Flats & Prefolds:  These are your traditional cloth diapers and the least expensive.  They are a rectangular piece of fabric, which may have a thicker, more absorbent layer sewn down the middle.  They require special folding techniques to fit the baby.  These days, you don’t have to use the pins, though.  Some people use pins; others use no fastener at all; but most use a new product called a Snappi that quickly grasps the fabric together.  Prefold diapers require a diaper cover.

Contours: These diapers are a thick piece of fabric in the shape of an hourglass.  As their name states, they are contoured to the shape of the baby’s body.  Contours are usually held together by a Snappi, and they require a diaper cover.

Fitteds: These diapers look more like a disposable diaper—with elastic around the waist and legs.  Some have removable inserts/liners/doublers/soakers, which increase absorbency.  Fitted diapers are usually held together by plastic snaps, Velcro, or Aplix (a newer type of Velcro that holds up better).  They require a diaper cover.

All-in-Ones (AIO’s):  This style of diaper is perfect for daycares and babysitters.  These diapers have the absorbent material and the diaper cover combined into one diaper.  They take longer to dry, but do not require any assembly.  AIO’s are held together by snaps, Velcro, or Aplix.

All-in-Twos (AI2’s): These are hybrid diapers—a combination of fitteds and AIO’s that allow for quicker drying times.  They are also good for daycares and babysitters.  AI2’s have the cover and some of the absorbent material combined like an AIO, but there is usually a removable insert like a fitted diaper.  AI2’s are held together by snaps, Velcro, or Aplix.

Pocket Diapers:  Pocket diapers are a modification from the AIO.  They are similar to a diaper cover, but their inner layer is soft (to be against baby’s skin), and the outer layer is usually a type of waterproof material.  They have an opening between the two layers to “stuff” absorbent material.  Pocket diapers are held together by snaps, Velcro, or Aplix. These diapers are the most expensive.

Inserts/Liners/Doublers/Soakers:  These are extra pieces of cloth that may be added to any diapering system.  They come in all shapes, sizes, absorbency, and materials.  Some have fleece-like fabrics to help baby’s waste roll off more easily.  Additionally, there are thin, flushable paper liners that are especially helpful during the messy meconium and transitional BMs.

Covers:  They are not just your “plastic pants” anymore!  Covers come in a variety of fibers, including fleece, nylon, wool, and synthetic materials, such as PUL.  They are reusable for many diaper changes.  A cloth-diapering baby will need between 2 and 6 covers.  Covers are held together by buckles, snaps, Velcro, or Aplix.

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Why choose cloth?

Cloth diapers are convenient and easy to use.  Your cloth-diapered baby will still need her diaper changed as frequently as a baby in disposable diapers, but you never have to run out to the store to buy more!  Cloth diapers are not your grandmother’s cloth diapers; with so many different styles and brands to choose, you can determine your comfort level and cost.  You will have a greater initial cost to buy cloth diapers, but they will be an investment for the future; cloth diapers can be reused for subsequent children, used as rags, given away, or resold.

They are more environmentally friendly.  Throughout a baby’s life, he will need 6,000-10,000 diaper changes; he will need either that same number of disposable diapers or 40-100 cloth diapers.  Disposable diapers take 250-500 years to decompose in a landfill, and approximately 1 ton of garbage is generated by each baby using disposable diapers, which are the 3rd largest consumer item thrown in the waste system.  The choices you make will affect future generations by teaching your baby to be more environmentally aware even at an early age. 

It is healthier for your baby.  

·   Cloth-diapered babies have less diaper rash.  In a 1998 study of American babies, 78% of them had experienced diaper rash, and 90% of the babies were using disposable diapers.  However, in 1955 before the advent of disposable diapers, only 7% of all babies had diaper rash.

·   A 1999 study linked the chemicals in disposable diapers to asthma; however, cloth diapers showed no signs of increased asthma.

·   Potty training may be easier when using cloth diapers.  This is because cloth-diapered toddlers can feel the wetness.

How many diapers will I need to buy?

This depends on how often you plan to wash the diapers and what kind of diaper you plan to buy.  Some diapers are one-size-fits-all, while others may have 2-5 different sizes from preemie to potty training.  If you plan to wash everyday, the newborn baby will need 12-20 diapers in the newborn/small size.  As the baby gets older, the number or diapers needed per day may decrease.  A toddler may use only 7-12 diapers per day.   If you are using a diaper system that requires covers, your baby will need 2-6 covers per day, depending on how often you plan to wash and depending on the age of the child, with newborns requiring the most.

How do I wash and care for cloth diapers?

Every cloth-diapering parent cares for her diapers differently, just as each person launders her own clothes differently.  Some manually prewash, others don’t; some dunk, others just flick; some store them in a wet pail, others store in a dry pail; some use bleach and stain removers, others use the natural sun to bleach; some wash everyday, others wash every 2-4 days.  For odor control, some use a scented odor disc, while others use baking soda, vinegar, tea tree oil, lavender, or potpourri.  Most diapers should not be laundered with fabric softener, as it causes build-up, which decreases absorbency and waterproofing and may cause odor build-up.  Use a baby-friendly washing detergent, and follow the diaper maker’s washing instructions, which will depend on the type of fabric used.  Despite all of the differing methods, it is best to start simply and increase care as necessary.  If you still want to use cloth diapers but don’t want the hassle of washing them, a diaper service may be right for you; a diaper service will pick up your soiled diapers and replace them with fresh ones.  This option will be more convenient, but it will cost more than home laundering.