An Introduction to Cloth Diapers
"People still use those?!"
That was a question I asked when I first read about cloth diapers on a Babycenter forum a few years ago. My son was then about a year old and I had no idea what a cloth diaper was. In fact, a few moths prior, someone donated a bag of baby clothes to me and there were a few prefold diapers in there. I had no idea that was what they were, and thought they were just burp cloths.
I have come a long way since then, from buying different types of diapers online to making my own stash, to selling them. Sewing cloth diapers has educated me greatly on fabric types, and being a WAHM (Work at Home Mom) has introduced me to some wonderful communities of fellow cloth diapering moms online. Now, years later, I am still passionate about cloth diapering and am glad to answer some common questions and give some advice on how to begin.
First, some FAQs:
Why cloth diaper?
The most common reasons for cloth diapering are all very good ones: the environment (waste, chemicals, etc.), saving money, sensitive skin problems and even sometimes a little of the "cuteness" factor thrown in (seriously, fluffy bottoms are the cutest). The financial savings are significant, especially if you use the cheaper options, as I did. For a nice chart on the costs of diapering a baby, click here.
What are all the different types of diapers?
Here is a quick run down:
What do I need to buy?
If your main reason for cloth diapering is to save money, and if you do not have a large amount of money to spend on a startup stash, you might need to start with the less convenient option: flats and prefolds. This is what I did in the beginning, and still use with my second child. Flats and covers at first, then added a few inexpensive pocket diapers. There are PUL covers and wool; both are waterproof, and I will be adding more information on those later. Some good sites to look around for deals are etsy.com, ebay.com, hyenacart.com and various Facebook swap/resale groups. AIOs and AI2s are convenient and very helpful to have around for babysitters; they cost more but are worth it, even if you can only have one or two rotated in your stash.
That was a question I asked when I first read about cloth diapers on a Babycenter forum a few years ago. My son was then about a year old and I had no idea what a cloth diaper was. In fact, a few moths prior, someone donated a bag of baby clothes to me and there were a few prefold diapers in there. I had no idea that was what they were, and thought they were just burp cloths.
I have come a long way since then, from buying different types of diapers online to making my own stash, to selling them. Sewing cloth diapers has educated me greatly on fabric types, and being a WAHM (Work at Home Mom) has introduced me to some wonderful communities of fellow cloth diapering moms online. Now, years later, I am still passionate about cloth diapering and am glad to answer some common questions and give some advice on how to begin.
First, some FAQs:
Why cloth diaper?
The most common reasons for cloth diapering are all very good ones: the environment (waste, chemicals, etc.), saving money, sensitive skin problems and even sometimes a little of the "cuteness" factor thrown in (seriously, fluffy bottoms are the cutest). The financial savings are significant, especially if you use the cheaper options, as I did. For a nice chart on the costs of diapering a baby, click here.
What are all the different types of diapers?
Here is a quick run down:
- Flats - large square piece of fabric, usually birdseye cotton or can be made from flour sack towels and any type of lightweight, thin cotton. It is folded up by the caregiver in the shape of a diaper and pinned together on the baby. Requires a waterproof cover to avoid leaks.
- Prefolds - a diaper similar to a flat diaper, but does not need to be folded by the caregiver. It still needs to be pinned together, and requires a waterproof cover to avoid leaks.
- Fitted - a diaper that is sewn into the shape of a diaper, does not require folding or pinning. Usually snaps together using plastic snaps, or is attached with aplix/touchtape. Requires a cover in order to be waterproof.
- Hybrid - a fitted diaper with some type of semi-waterproof layer. It is not completely waterproof, but will usually hold in moisture without a cover more effectively than a tradtional flat, prefold or fitted diaper.
- Diaper Covers - waterproof barrier between the diaper and clothing. Many covers today are made out of PUL (polyurethane laminate), which is wipeable, washable and usually features a snap or aplix/touchtape closure.
- Wool Diaper Covers/Soakers - wool is a wonderfully effective material for diapering. When it is lanolized, wool is naturally water-repellent, self-cleaning and is breatheable. Many times, wool covers are designed as soakers (pull-up shorts), longies (long pants), or even skirties (skirt with shorts or pants underneath).
- Pocket Diapers - waterproof PUL diaper with a stay-dry inner and a removable insert that you stuff into the pocket lining. Features a snap or touchtape closure and does not require a separate cover.
- All-in-One (AIO) - waterproof PUL diaper with all of its layers and inserts intact and sewn into the diaper. Does not require a separate cover or inserts. Features a snap or touchtape closure.
- All-in-Two (AI2) - waterproof PUL diaper with removable inserts that snap into the diaper and can be detached for quicker drying. No stuffing into a pocket, does not require a separate cover, and features a snap or touchtape closure.
What do I need to buy?
If your main reason for cloth diapering is to save money, and if you do not have a large amount of money to spend on a startup stash, you might need to start with the less convenient option: flats and prefolds. This is what I did in the beginning, and still use with my second child. Flats and covers at first, then added a few inexpensive pocket diapers. There are PUL covers and wool; both are waterproof, and I will be adding more information on those later. Some good sites to look around for deals are etsy.com, ebay.com, hyenacart.com and various Facebook swap/resale groups. AIOs and AI2s are convenient and very helpful to have around for babysitters; they cost more but are worth it, even if you can only have one or two rotated in your stash.