Monday, November 11, 2013

All you ever need to know about cloth diapers


I did a LOT of research when I looked into cloth diapering. I compiled all of that research here. I gathered a lot of information from a bunch of different sites as well as adding in my own information.
Cloth diapering may seem overwhelming at first, but once you've found diapers you like and get into a routine, it's not much harder than using disposables (in my opinion, but I don't mind the extra laundry).



First,

Why Cloth Diaper?
1. It saves you tons of money (were talking HUNDREDS if not THOUSANDS of dollars), especially if you have more than one child.
2. It's environmentally friendly
3. No harmful chemicals next to your children's body
4. Less blowouts
5. Children who wear cloth tend to potty train earlier
6. Cloth diapers are super cute!

There are a few cons:
1. You have to change diapers more frequently (roughly every two hours)
2. Cloth diapering means extra laundry and cleaning off number two messes.


Types of Cloth Diapers (from http://simplemom.net/4-cloth-diapering-choices-defined/):

1. Prefolds and Covers

A prefold is a piece of cloth that has been folded up and sewn to stay that way. A prefold diaper looks like this:

Photo from www.clothdiaperaddiction.com

These are NOT the same as the cheapy brands you can buy at Target or Babies-R-Us; they are far more absorbent and much better quality. You can fasten them on your baby with diaper pins or a Snappi. A Snappi is a little stretchy plastic fastener that has grippers like an Ace bandage. It looks like this:

So, that’s the absorbent part; you still need a waterproof cover (also called a wrap) over the cloth diaper. These are usually shaped just like a disposable diaper, but they are made of a waterproof fabric (usually polyurethane laminate (PUL) – which is more breathable than the old vinyl covers), and they fasten either with Aplix (heavy-duty Velcro) or snaps. There are many brands, but here is one example:

Photo from Imse Vimse

You can just air out the covers between changes, swapping them back and forth, and re-use them until wash day (unless they get poop on them – then, into the diaper pail they go).

Advantages of Prefolds

1. This is the cheapest way to do cloth diapers
2. The prefolds are the easiest kind of cloth diaper to get really clean.
3. The waterproof cover is separate from the cloth, so you can take better care of it and it will last longer. The waterproof covers really shouldn’t go in the dryer or they won’t last as long.

Disadvantages of Prefolds

They are less convenient than some of the other systems because you have more pieces (the diaper, the cover, plus a Snappi or pins). Because of that, other people like babysitters, grandparents, and child-care workers get nervous about it.

2. Fitteds and Covers

A fitted diaper is like a prefold, except that it requires no folding and no pins–it is already in the shape of a diaper (like a disposable), and fastens either with Aplix or snaps. Here is an example of a fitted diaper:

Photo from www.diaperco.com

Grandparents and babysitters tend to be a lot more comfortable with fitteds than prefolds. You still need to use a waterproof cover on these fitted diapers, just like with the prefolds (see the cover above). Besides the PUL covers, another popular choice for is a wool cover. Wool is very breathable, so it’s great for night-time (or anytime, really). Wool covers are expensive, though. Here’s an example of a wool cover:

Photo from Babyworks

Advantages of Fitteds & Covers

1. This is still a pretty cheap way to do cloth diapers.
2. Fitteds are easier than prefolds because they’re already diaper-shaped, and you don’t have to deal with pins or Snappis.
3. The waterproof outer layer is separate from the cloth, which means it will dry faster and last longer.

Disadvantages of Fitteds & Covers

    1. Fitteds are still not as convenient and easy as some of the other systems I will cover next.
    2. Fitteds are not as cheap as prefolds.
     

 3. Pocket Diapers

Pocket diapers can be a little hard to explain. With a pocket diaper, there is an outer waterproof layer made of PUL that is sewn to a cloth layer which goes against the skin, and there is an opening for an absorbant insert. This insert is what holds the liquid. Here’s an example of a pocket diaper:













To wash, you remove the insert and put the insert and diaper both into the wash together. Most brands come with their own inserts, or you can use prefolds or purchase additional inserts. The whole diaper fastens with either Aplix (velcro) or snaps. They are very absorbent.

Advantages of Pocket Diapers

1. This system is easy and convenient–you can have a bunch of diapers with inserts already inside of them at the changing table and in the diaper bag, so you just pull one out and put it on your baby. Babysitters will love it.
2. You can separate the inserts out from the rest of the diaper for washing and drying, so you get the inserts really clean. Then you can dry the inserts in the dryer, and you can line-dry the rest of the diaper, which means it will last longer.

Disadvantages of Pocket Diapers

1. They’re a little more expensive than the first two options.
2. Pocket diapers rarely use natural fibers in the layer that’s against the skin–it’s usually some sort of polyester microfiber which is designed to wick moisture away from the skin. For many people, that is fine, but some people prefer to stick to natural fibers. There are natural fiber pocket diapers available, but they are hard to find.

4. All-in-Ones

An all-in-one is just what it sounds like – the waterproof layer, the absorbent layer, and the layer against the skin are all sewn together in one diaper. It’s diaper shaped, and it fastens with Aplix or snaps–super easy, it’s essentially a reusable disposable! Here’s an example of an all-in-one diaper:

Advantages of All-in-Ones

1. This is by far the easiest and most convenient system of them all! The grandparents will barely know the difference.

Disadvantages of All-in-Ones

1. All-in-ones are the most expensive of the diapering systems. We’re talking between $16-20 per diaper, maybe more. There may be a lot of up-front sticker shock, but you will still save money in the long run over disposables, even if you ONLY use all-in-ones and nothing else. You can re-use them for the next baby and save even more!
2. These are the hardest kind of cloth diaper to get completely clean.
3. They take the longest time to dry

5. An "All in Two" diaper, or AI2

An AI2 diaper consists of an outer waterproof shell (similar to a diaper cover) and an insert that gets put into the shell and lies directly against your baby's skin. Some inserts attach with snaps or Velcro, and some get tucked under flaps in the cover.
The shell has elastic around the legs and waist and fastens with snaps or tabs. The insert is made of absorbent material. Some inserts are topped with a stay-dry fabric for your baby's comfort.

Image from nickisdiapers.com
When your baby needs a diaper change, you can just swap out the insert and keep the same shell (unless the shell got soiled, in which case you change that too).


That covers all the major cloth diapering systems. As I mentioned, there are a few variations, but for the most part this is what you need to know in order to decide which system will work best for you.


One Size vs Sized Diapers (from http://www.theclothdiaperwhisperer.com/2009/01/one-size-vs-sized-diapers.html):


“I personally love one-size diapers and my product of choice is the bumGenius, hands down. At our house it is the first diaper I pick, my hubby picks, and my 11 year old daughter picks when we are changing Riley.

To be honest though, for the first 2-3 weeks a one size diaper, even the bumGenius one size diaper is big for an average size newborn (of 7-7.5 lbs).

At our house we used the BumGenius AIO Diaper in size XS for the first 3 weeks. Now you can use the BumGenius One Size Diaper but it will be a bit bulky, especially for those first few days/weeks.

Why do I think the tendency towards one size diapers? I think more people with the state of the ecomony are really trying to cut costs any way they can. Also, we are finding that new customers using cloth diapers (that were disposable users before) are looking to the one size for their first purchase.

On the flip side there are some absolutely wonderful sized diapers on the market like the Fuzzi Bunz. Fuzzi Bunz is the original pocket diaper and is our 2nd best selling diaper after the BumGenius.

Basically a one size diaper fits baby best once they are 9-10lbs thru 35 lbs. Happy Heiny's One Size diaper is a great one size if your baby is still in diapers after 35 lbs as it is more generously cut and has a 4th snap row so the rise (or height) of the diaper is higher than that of the bumGenius.

Remember, every baby is different and what work on one baby can work totally different on another baby. I think the one-size vs. sized diapers discussion is very similiar to the aplix (velcro) vs. snaps in that it is truly a personal choice. My advice is to do what works best for your baby, your family, and your budget.”

Photobucket






Cloth Wipes
I made my own wipes using one yard of velour found at Joanns:

I cut mine 8in x8in and I got 28 wipes from the yard. The great thing about this material is that you don't need to sew it! It doesn't come unraveled (I've used mine for over a year and it hasn't frayed at all).
You can also buy some online. I like using a spray bottle full of water and a tablespoon or so of baby soap to get the wipes moist.
Here is a youtube video on how you can fold them to dispense like disposables:



Liners:

Liners are often made of paper, fleece, or other fabric.
Disposable liners protect the diaper from creams or lotions, and they make it easier to deal with poop. If the liner is flushable, you can lift out the liner with the poop on it and flush the whole thing down the toilet. If the liner's not flushable, throw it away after dumping the poop in the toilet.
Cloth liners also protect diapers from creams or lotions. When creams or lotions are used, cloth liners need to be washed separately from the diapers, since they can reduce diapers' absorbency (unless they're specifically formulated for use with cloth diapers).

Diaper pails and liners:

Diaper pails come in a variety of sizes and shapes. If you want, you can even use a regular garbage can. I would encourage using one without a lid. This is because allowing airflow decreases the odor (I know it seems backwards).
Diaper pail liners are made of the same waterproof material as cloth diapers (PUL). They keep the moisture contained and can be washed along with your diapers. It's good to have two of these. That way when one is drying or in the wash, you can have the other in your pail liner.

Wetbags:

These waterproof bags are great to have in the diaper bag when you're out and about. Wetbags come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are big enough to hold a couple of days' worth of diapers, and others are small enough to carry in your diaper bag for changes on the go. They can be used for other things besides wet diapers too (wet swimsuits or soiled clothes).
I got mine from a stay-at-home mom (she sells on ebay and hyenacart) I like her wet bags and pail liners because they cost less than most brands and are good quality: http://www.ebay.com/sch/529baby/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686 or www.hyenacart.com/529baby

Diaper sprayers:

A diaper sprayer is used to help rinse poop from a diaper into the toilet. It's similar to a kitchen sink sprayer, hooks up to the toilet's water supply line via a hose, and typically hangs on the side of the toilet tank.
A diaper sprayer isn't necessary, but it does make rinsing a poopy diaper easier.
When it's time to rinse your diaper, pick up the nozzle, hold your diaper over the toilet bowl, and spray the poop down into the toilet. Some sprayers have options like anti-drip technology and safety locks (a good idea if you have small children in the house).
Not all plumbing can accommodate a sprayer, so it's a good idea to check the directions before purchase.
A bonus: Diaper sprayers can also be used to rinse out potty chairs.


Washing Cloth Diapers:

If it’s a pee diaper, you can just throw it into the diaper pail. With the poopy ones, you need to flush the poop down the toilet, unless your baby is exclusively breastfed–then it can still go straight into the wash. You can dump into the toilet, flush a diaper liner, or you can use a sprayer attached to the toilet to spray it off.
You need to wash about every two-three days, or you risk the growth of bacteria. You also shouldn’t use detergents that leave residue behind–no softeners or scents–it should be totally clean-rinsing or it can cause build up on your diapers effecting their absorbancy.
Here are a couple of sites that rate different detergents:

Personally, I use Arm& Hammer Sensitive Skin because it can be found in the grocery store and it's fairly cheap. It isn't the perfect diaper detergent, but it works well for us.

They also say that it is good to use the same soap for all your laundry so you don't have remnants of the non-cloth-diaper-safe detergent in your washer when you do a load of dirty laundry.

Now to the actual washing:

COLD pre-wash/rinse
HOT wash (this is where you add the soap. The heat is what kills the bacteria)
COLD rinse
Extra rinse (to be sure all the detergent is washed out)

I line dry everything. It's best not to put PUL (the waterproof material) in the dryer because it breaks down the laminate of the material causing it to loose its waterproof attributes over time.

Stripping your cloth diapers:

Every once and a while, cloth diapers may loose their absorbency, start to repel, or really smell. But have no fear! There is a way to combat these issues. It's called stripping your diapers.
Here is an excellent video explaining how to do so:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPv1F8XHDs0

I use ¼ cup of bleach to attack the ammonia problem every couple of months (or when my diapers start to smell).  Some diapers say not to use bleach, but BumGenius encourages it with their diapers. I use it on everything but my wetbags. 
If you don't want to use bleach, there are special soaps out there that you can use to attack ammonia problems (like Rockin' Green) or some people use vinegar instead of bleach. I haven't used these methods personally, so I'm not sure how effective they are.



Buying diapers:

When I chose cloth diapers, I looked at the different types (prefolds, fitteds, pocket, all-in-one's, etc.) and decided which I thought I would like best. I then looked off of Amazon for the different brands of those types of cloth diapers so I could see the average consumer ratings and prices.
I started off by buying a few different brands and tried them out. Once I knew which diaper I liked best, I bought enough to last me a day and then slowly built up my “stash” until I had enough for two days (I have a total of 20 diapers now).
Different sights also have sales too (I signed up for their newsletters so I know when their sales are (they usually have sales and promotions on holidays). I like to buy from Nickisdiapers.com. I have also bought from cottonbabies.com (they make the BumGenius diapers) and http://www.kellyscloset.com/ There is also a cloth diaper stores, but they aren't in every town. The pro from buying online is that they usually have free shipping on diapers and they don't charge tax. Nickisdiapers.com and kellyscloset.com offer reward points (a point for every dollar you spend) and when you reach a certain amount of points you can get a certain amount of money off of a future purchase!

My personal favorite diaper is Bumgenius 4.0. It's a one-sized pocket diaper. I find pocket diapers are the easiest to clean when you have a #2 mess.


I hope this information helps and I hope you enjoy cloth diapering as much as I do!

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