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Cloth Diapers for Baby: Getting Started
Cloth Diaper Options and Costs, From Frugal to Convenient
| Using cloth diapers? Read about the 3 major categories of cloth diapers, their ease-of-use, and cost from birth to potty training. |
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Modern cloth diapers don't require pins or rubber pants, but they do require some knowledge to use. Don't be overwhelmed by the choices; cloth diapers today offer an option for every family. Here are the 3 major categories of cloth diapers. Still wondering about cloth vs. disposable?
Frugal Choice: Prefolds and Covers
If your reason for considering cloth is financial, then your best choice is prefolds with covers. Gerber brand prefolds are easily available at at Target, Babies R Us, and Amazon; higher quality Chinese prefolds and BabyKicks are available at specialty cloth diaper stores.
You'll need a waterproof cover to put over the prefold. Choose a wrap-style cover to keep your process simple. You don't need to pin anything--simply place the prefold in the cover and then place it on the baby. Popular wrap cover brands are Thirsties and Bummis Super Whisper Wrap.
- advantages: Cost and ease of washing.
- disadvantages: Learning curve to use them, and diapers will not make your baby's skin feel dry like disposables will; the wet cotton will be right against your baby's skin.
- how many? Two sizes of prefolds and three sizes of covers will get most babies through potty training. Infants need 30 prefolds and 7 covers; older babies need 20 prefolds and 5 covers.
- minimum cost (birth - potty training): $250
Stay-Dry Convenience: Pocket Diapers
If you want a cloth diaper that's easy to use and wicks moisture from your baby’s skin, consider pocket diapers. Pocket diapers have two pieces: a waterproof cover sewn to a stay-dry liner, and a separate insert. The insert can be any absorbent material such as hemp or cotton. To use pockets, you stuff the insert into the pocket opening so it fits between the cover and the liner and then put it on the baby. Pocket diapers close with either velcro or snaps.
Popular pocket diaper brands are bumGenius and Fuzzi Bunz. Both offer one-size options, so you can buy one set to last throughout your child's diapering life, or you can buy two or three sizes for a more exact fit.
Some of the best choices for cloth diaper laundry are Allen's Naturally and Charlie's Soap. But there are several widely available detergents that work for pocket diapers; research your detergent’s ratings at DiaperJungle.com.
- advantages: Easy to use, wash and dry quickly, and keep baby's skin drier.
- disadvantages: Your wash routine may need some adjustments. The wrong detergent will make the liner water-resistant, which will cause leaks.
- how many? 30 diapers for a newborn; 20 for an older baby.
- minimum cost (birth - potty training): $520
Ease of Use: All-in-Ones
If the thought of folding and stuffing scares you, then try all-in-one diapers. All-in-ones are exactly what they sound like: one-piece diapers that require no preparation to use. They come in one-size and exact fits, and they can close with velcro or snaps.
Different brands have different designs; you can choose to have cotton against your baby's skin, or you can get diapers with microfleece inners, which will wick moisture away and feel drier to the baby. Popular brands are Bumkins and Motherease.
- advantages: No learning curve ~ you put them on exactly like a disposable.
- disadvantages:Most expensive option, least adjustable option (it's hard to add more absorbency to an all-in-one). Need to adjust wash routine.
- minimum cost (birth - potty training): $540
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