The One-Size Cloth Diaper Debate

I think that all of us parents can agree that saving time and money is an ideal goal for anything.  We're already running around like crazy and wasting our precious resources on something that doesn't make our lives easier?  Insanity!  

When it come to cloth diapering, one might assume that buying "one-size" options is the money saving way to go - these diapers can "grow with your baby," right?  Well... maybe.

 

The basic idea behind a one-size cloth diaper is that, through a series of snap closures, you can adjust the way the fabric is secured around your baby - this allows for a hypothetical 8lb baby to fit into the same diaper as a hypothetical 30lb toddler.  But does it really work as easy as that?

In my experience, I've only dealt with BIG babies.  My son was born weighing in at a burly 9lb 4oz, and my daughter at a slightly more modest 8lb 0oz.  Even under those circumstances - where the newborn was actually larger than the typical minimum weight for a one-size diaper (8lbs) - the diapers were far too bulky and just not practical at first.  My kids used newborn specific cloth diapers for at least the first month, if not a little longer.

I currently have a two month-old (the daughter I mentioned earlier) and she's only just now wearing the one-size diapers from our stash.  She's about 12lbs now - and in my experience, the 12lb mark is generally the smallest that I feel confident with.  A poor fit (i.e. a too big diaper on a too small baby) can lead to leaking, and, in the words of my idol Sweet Brown:

What brands work best on small babies?

There is some variation on the sizes of one-size diapers... as odd as that sounds.  I've found that buying the "cheapy" brands off of eBay (try this link) generally results in slightly tighter fits - of course, they will also fit tighter as your child grows, so they won't last as long.  Snaps on these are also lower quality, so buy at your own risk.

If you want to be sure your diapers are either locally made or if you're a "name brand" kind of parent, the Rum-A-Rooz OS diaper fits a lot more snug on my kids than others and has a really adjustable fit around the legs if your baby has "thunder thighs" like mine did/do.  Kawaii Baby OS diapers are a great option for parents on a budget - these work okay as well, though still a bit bulky on a 12-13lb baby.

What does a OS cloth diaper look like on an infant?

This is my daughter in a Kawaii Baby OS - as I mentioned above, she weighs 12lbs now.  This diaper, hypothetically speaking, should fit an 8lb newborn... and to be honest with you, I can't buy into that.  Yes, there are smaller adjustments to the fit at the waist and thigh than what she's wearing here, but you'd force that poor newborn into doing the splits with all that bulk - Do you see what I mean? 

What Cloth Diaper Is Right For You?

One thing that can be exceptionally overwhelming about jumping into cloth diapering is the VARIETY.  When you're buying disposables, it's simply a matter of size.  Some moms have preferred brands, but otherwise it's a very simple process of selecting a number, usually 1-6, and taking the diapers to the check-out counter.

Cloth diapering, however, has a myriad of options that, at first, can be extremely hard to understand.  How do you know what to buy if you've never done it before?  While you'll need to research TONS of different topics (detergents, wipes, prep, etc), it's often easiest to start with one simple question: What types of cloth diapers can I buy?

Flats 

These are, as you many have guessed, flat diapers (think "old school" cloth diaper).  They are a sheet of absorbent fabric that you fold and fasten around your baby.  These come in a number of different fabrics, most commonly hemp and cotton.  They are inexpensive for the most part, but also require accessories in order to function.  With flats, you are dealing with just a sheet of fabric - it's not waterproof and it has no closures or fasteners to hold it together.  Nowadays, flats are most commonly used with snappi (or similar) fasteners and waterproof diaper covers.

Shopping resources for Flats:

Prefolds 

Much like flats, prefolds are a sheet of absorbent fabric that is folded and fastened around your baby.  They are different from flats in that they come "pre-folded" (hence the name).  Typical prefolds have a central panel that is much thicker than the outer sections, providing additional absorbency.  As with flats, prefolds need a few accessories in order to work as a diaper, given that they are not waterproof and have no closure to hold them together.  Snappi's and waterproof diaper covers do the trick with these as well.

Shopping resources for Prefolds:

Fitted

Another form of cloth diaper that doesn't have a waterproof layer, fitted diapers are generally made from the same materials used for flats and prefolds: cotton, hemp, etc.  These, however, actually LOOK like a diaper.  Where flats and prefolds need to be folded and fastened into shape, fitted diapers come already shaped, have closures, and are available in different sizes to offer a good fit for your baby.  You would need to place a waterproof cover over the top of a fitted in order to avoid leakage.

Shopping resources for Fitteds:

Diaper Cover / Diaper Shell

A "cover" lacks any absorbent layers and is just the shell utilized with flats, prefolds, and fitted diapers in order to make them waterproof.  Most covers are made using TPU and PUL, synthetic fabrics that come in a variety of patterns and colors, and have either velcro or snap fasteners built into them.  Used alone, these would do nothing for your baby - they absolutely must have an absorbent diaper under them in order to function.  These can be purchased in specific sizes, or in adjustable "one size" options.

Shopping resources for Covers/Shells:

Pocket

Pocket diapers have a waterproof shell with closures and a soft inner liner, typically microfleece, that then needs to be stuffed with a diaper insert for absorbency.  Inserts come in a variety of fabrics and you can generally swap out most inserts and use them for multiple diapers, or use multiple inserts at a time for added absorbency.  Most brands offer pocket options in single sizes and "one size" adjustable options.

Shopping resources for Pockets: 

 

All In One (AIO)

This diaper is the most similar cloth option to a disposable - this is because it's waterproof, absorbent, and has closures all in one piece, with nothing to add, stuff, or layer.  Like pockets, AIO's can come in single sizes and "one size" adjustable options.  These are also, generally speaking, the most expensive of the cloth diaper options on the market.  Another downside is dry time - because these diapers have layers of absorbent material and the outer shell all connected together, they will take longer than other cloth diapers to dry after washing.

Shopping resources for AIO's:

All In Two (AI2) / Hybrid

All In Two diapers are, in my opinion, a kind of cross between a pocket diaper and an AIO.  They look a lot like an AIO, but their inner absorbent layer can be detached and replaced.  While that might sound A LOT like a pocket diaper, AI2's outer layer can often be reused once the soiled insert is detached, where a pocket diaper (and an AIO) must be completely replaced at each diaper change.

Shopping resources for AI2's:

The Importance of Cloth Diaper "Prep"

If you've looked into cloth diapering, even just a little bit, "prepping" is probably a term you've seen A LOT of.  But what does it mean and why is it so important?

What is "Prepping?"

Cloth diaper prep is, simply put, the process in which you take a brand new diaper and prepare it for use.  Depending on the type of diaper and the fabric involved, the actual process of prepping your diapers will vary.  What does NOT vary is the fact that some form of prep should take place - covers, AIO's, AI2's, pockets, fitted's, prefolds, flats, inserts, soakers, doublers, etc. should be prepped before you put them on your baby.

I'll do my best to keep things simple, so I'll just add that "prepping" a diaper for use involves WASHING that diaper, usually multiple times, prior to actually using it.  This washing process increases the absorbency of your diapers and cleanses them of any irritants left over from the manufacturing process.  So... How do you prep a cloth diaper?

Like I said, it varies.  A great deal of this variance is related to the fabric of your diapers.  If you want to keep the thought process simple, you can (with a few exceptions) say that diapers made of natural fibers are prepped differently from those made with synthetic material.

Natural Fibers

When I say "natural," I mean fabrics like hemp, bamboo, cotton, etc - These have a naturally occurring oil in the fabric when you purchase the material new.  This oil makes the fabric more water resistant, which is something you do NOT want your diaper to be.  When prepping these kinds of natural materials, you'll want to wash this oil out of the fabric through repeated washes.  The prepping process is also training the material to absorb liquid, which makes it more effective as a diaper.

Cotton and hemp are also popular materials for prefolds - this type of cloth diaper requires a lot of prep in order to get the fabric ready for use, specifically related to absorbency.  When you buy a brand new prefold, it looks like a very thin sheet of fabric - by washing your prefolds multiple times, a process called "quilting" occurs, where the fabric of the prefold begins to thicken up and increases in absorbency.

Synthetic Fibers

When you consider man-made materials used in cloth diapering - like microfiber, TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), or PUL (polyurethane laminate) - the prepping process is less "involved" than with natural materials.  Because these are man-made materials, they do not have any "naturally occurring" oils to worry about and they are engineered to be absorbent from the get-go - these materials just need to be cleansed.

 Because these materials are man-made, however, you do need to pay attention to your method of washing these.  TPU, for example, is recommended for washing only in medium/low temperatures.  PUL, however, can be washed in high temperatures.

How many times should I wash my diapers before use?

To a certain extent, these numbers are up for debate.  Some would recommend more, others less.  However, it should be mentioned that your prefolds and fitted's will continue to gain absorbency for a little while through use - so don't give up on a diaper if it's not 100% absorbent immediately after prep.  Overnight use with a new diaper might also be tricky, so be sure to plan ahead with extra absorbency layers to accommodate.

I also recommend drying between wash cycles - many mom's will say not to bother and just use repeated washes with a dry at the very end - Again, it's up to you and what you're comfortable with. 

• Prefolds: 4-6 washes, dry in between
• Natural Fiber Inserts: 2-3 washes, dry in between
• Fitted: 2-3 washes, dry in between
• Synthetic Pockets: 1 wash
• Synthetic AIO's and AI2's: 1 wash
• Synthetic Inserts: 1 wash
• Synthetic Covers: 1 wash  

How hot should the water be?  Detergent?

Generally speaking, prep should be done with hot water.  However, like I mentioned before, there are some synthetic materials that are not meant for use with super hot water, so please read manufacturer labels!  With your natural fibers, though - HOTTER IS BETTER.

As far as detergent goes, use some during your first wash cycle for cleansing purposes - after that, it's not really necessary.  Prepping for absorbency has more to do with the actual water making it's way into the fabric - not the detergent.  But, if you want detergent during all cycles, that's okay too.  Just be sure that you're using a detergent that is safe for cloth diapers.  For more information on detergents, click here to see why not all detergents were created equally!

Can I boil my diapers?

I've never been a fan of this method, simply because it's labor-intensive and I'm ALL for easy! "Work smarter, not harder," as my mom always said!  However, there are some women that swear by this method - so we'll agree to disagree.

If you are interested in boiling, you definitely can, but only if they are 100% natural materials - like cotton and hemp prefolds or flats.  Please, please, please - do NOT boil anything with a pull, or velcro, or snaps, etc.  You run the risk of ruining the diaper AND causing a huge mess.  Once you're sure that the diaper is okay to boil, the basic process is fairly easy - When boiling, put the material on the stove for 15-30 minutes and follow this by putting diaper in the washer for one cycle before use.

Cloth Diaper Stash 1.0: Update!

Orders have arrived and we've reached the point where it's time to take stock of what we have before moving on to cloth diaper prep for Cozy Baby #2 - Look forward to those details in a future post!

Before we begin washing and organizing, it's important to us that we're sure we have what we need - as you review this list, you'll likely notice that we haven't gone for a 100% "crunchy" approach, and we've decided against DIY options for now.  We still need to figure out wipes and a few other details as well, but we're well on our way to finalizing Cozy Baby #2's first stash.

Our current stash stands at more than 20 diapers, a combination of pocket diapers and prefolds with covers.  We have a TON of inserts, snappi fasteners, diaper rash cream safe for cloth diapers, our diaper pail is figured out, and we've decided to try out flush-able liners in place of a diaper sprayer for now.  For washing, Cozy Hubby insisted on a store-bought detergent, so we've opted to purchase the Baby ECOS plant-based laundry detergent (Cozy Hubby also insisted on liquid over powder, but we'll see how that goes). 

When added, our total cost for this "starter stash" has hit the $200 mark, factoring in the accessories.  Several of the diapers were also gifted to us, which helped out on savings (thanks, Dad!).

What I think is important for new parents considering cloth diapers is that while a lot does go into the preparation and the up-front cost is higher than with disposables, the end result is going to be worth it.  You also don't have to purchase every single accessory under the sun - to be honest, I don't even have a changing table (we never used the one we had with Cozy Baby #1 and it felt silly to purchase one this time around),  so we're not going over-board on fancy gadgets and name brand products.  

Why only Pockets and Prefolds?

As we reviewed all of the options available, Cozy Hubby and I decided that pockets and prefolds would be the best options for us.

• Flats: I never considered flats over prefolds - the cost comparison between the two didn't show a huge difference, and I felt that prefolds would work better for us if ever needed to use them as inserts for our pocket diapers.
• All-In-One's: We opted to pass on AIO's for a few reasons.  First, the cost.  Most of the brands we considered cost $15-$25 per diaper, where pocket diapers of equal quality were in the $10-$15 range and came with two inserts each (on average).  The second factor was dry-time.  Given that we're likely to start off with a stash around 20 diapers, we wanted to make sure that our wash and dry times weren't excessive.  We'll have to wash frequently, and with the goal of air-drying our stash, AIO's take the longest due to the multiple, thick layers of fabric.
• All-In-Two's: I noticed that some diapers advertised as AIO's were actually "all-in-twos," meaning that the absorbent layer of the diaper was detachable.  This would address my concerns about AIO dry-time, but not the cost.  These were in the same price range as traditional AIO's, so not something I wanted to invest in quite yet.

Cloth Diaper Stash 1.0

In gearing up for Baby Cozy #2, we've committed to cloth diapering.  We made this decision based on a few different factors.

1. The primary factor:  COST.  Diaper Decisions has a wonderful cost breakdown which basically lays out that disposable diapers cost roughly $2600 over 2.5 years - where cloth diapers can cost as little as $400 over that same time frame, depending on which cloth diapering methods you use (and how frugal you get with your purchases).
2. Eco-Friendly.  Have you ever stopped to think about how much waste is caused by just one baby's disposable diapers?  I don't even want to think about it... in fact, it makes me mad that I didn't get educated on cloth diapering with my first born.
3. They're so freakin' cute!  Okay.. this isn't a very good factor to have used in my decision making, but given that I'm having a baby girl and the amount of prints and colors available in cloth diapers... I mean, come on!  They're CUTE!

Now that we've made the choice to cloth diaper, I'm aiming to make the most out of cost-savings and try out a lot of different "budget brands" while building our diaper stash - This means that if we come across a brand or style we don't like, it won't kill me to get rid of the diapers that don't work out.  Plus, a side benefit of cloth diapers is re-sale value!  If you no longer need a diaper, or your entire stash, there are ways to sell them for cost-recovery (awesome!).

Here's my first 13 diapers -we're aiming for a stash of 20+ by the time Cozy Baby #2 gets here, and I know that my parents are excited to assist with a couple diapers too, which is fabulous for our goal of cost savings.  I'll be reviewing some of these "budget brands" once the baby is here so that you can see if the savings were worth it.


Diapers 1 & 2: Nono's Baby Pocket Diapers with microfiber inserts
Cost per diaper, including insert: $7.65
Shipping: Free
Details:
1. Face fabric: 100% polyester; Sandwich: green waterproof breathable TPU elastic membrane
2. Snap closures
3. Lining: brushed cloth
4. For babies weighing 6.5-28 pounds

Diapers 3 & 4: Baby City Pocket Diapers with mircofiber inserts
Cost per diaper, including insert: $8.75
Shipping: Free
Details:
1. Outer/Cover Layer is made from New lmproved Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) Laminated Fabric
2. Snap closures
3. For babies weighing 6.5-28 pounds

Diapers 5 though 10:  Kawaii Cross-Over Square Tab Snap One Size Pocket Diapers with mircofiber inserts
Cost per diaper, including insert: $8.33
Shipping: Free
Details:
1. Cross-Over Squared Tab Snap Diaper has cross-over snaps and hip snaps
2. Waterproof, breathable outer made of two layers of TPU laminated fabric and a soft inner lining of micro fleece
3. Snap closures
4. For babies weighing 8-36 pounds

Diapers 11 through 13: Kawaii Baby Organic Cotton Prefolds (x12) with Kawaii Baby One Size Leak-Free Diaper Covers (w/ Snappi Diaper Fasteners)
Cost per diaper, 4 prefolds per cover, plus the cost of Snappi closures: $21.01
Shipping: Free
Details:
1. Prefolds made from 100% Organic Cotton, twill weave, no bleaching agents were used in the growing or manufacturing. Very absorbent, resistance to pilling
2. Snappi provides safe closure for prefolds without the use of old-fashioned diaper pins.
3. Covers utilize aplix closure
4. One-size covers for babies weighing 8-36 pounds
5. Can reuse the same cover between multiple changes, switching out the prefold at each change.
6. Prefolds can also be used with other pocket diapers for additional absorbency.

TOTAL COST: $144.92 | AVERAGE PER-DIAPER COST: $11.09