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

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