The Benefits of Cloth Diapering
So, you are considering cloth diapers but unsure if it is the best option for you and your family? You will see a lot of cloth diapering families tell you that cloth diapers are way cheaper than disposable diapers. And while this can be true, for most people once you calculate in the costs of laundry detergent and the cost of electricity that it takes to run your washing machine you’re really not saving that much. So before you read any further, I just wanted to throw this out there because there is a lot of misinformation when it comes to cloth diapering.
For me, the biggest plus to cloth diapers is the certainty that a diaper is only ever just a wash away. As I am sure you are well aware, there have been several big shortages in the U.S. in the past few years, one of which was disposable diapers. You will never have this to worry about with cloth diapers. If you are using the proper fit for you baby and changing diapers regularly, you will have less blow outs and leaks than with generic disposable diapers! Upon the birth of our first child we were gifted a lot of disposable diapers which we used for the first few months. I found that we had a lot of leakage with these and diaper rashes. When we finally made the switch to using cloth, I was shocked at the difference they made in the frequent chore of changing diapers.
Firstly, disposable diapers are terrible for our environment. If composted correctly, they can decompose in as little as 14 weeks, but when tossed into a land field, they could take up to 500 years to decompose. It is estimated that diapers make up 3.4 million tons of the waste in the U.S. per year which is about 2.1% of the entire country’s waste. Not only are they bad for the environment, but they are also made with harmful chemicals which can lead to sores and irritation to our little one’s skin.
Different types of Cloth Diapers
So, there are actually different types of cloth diapers. The type you choose is entirely up to your preference.
The most common styles you will find are (though there are other hybrid styles out there):
All-in-one’s
Pocket Diapers
Flats
Flats are considered the “old fashioned” way of cloth diapering. They are simply a “flat” of typically cotton fabric that you will fold and pin to fit your baby. A simpler option to safety pins is to use Snappi’s which are a safer sort of fastener if you prefer. This will be the cheapest option you will find when it comes to cloth diapers. With Flats, you will want to purchase boosters which will go against babies’ skin to add additional absorbency. For added coverage while traveling you’ll want to get diaper covers which add a waterproof layer to the outside of your flat. Flats are often sold in bundles but typically run around $3-$8 a piece. The covers which you will purchase to go over them are typically around $7-$13 a piece.
Prefolds
Prefolds are going to be similar to flats, in which they are a cotton fabric to wrap baby in, but unlike flats, prefolds are folded for you, saving you that extra step. Just like flats, you will use fasteners or pins with these, with boosters and covers for added coverage. Prefolds are just slightly more expensive than flats.
If you have decided to try cloth diapering, I know it can be quite pricey to build up your stash of diapers. I highly recommend joining cloth diaper buy/sell/and trade groups on Facebook. Buying second hand, you will get a much better deal and can try out different brands to see what you like best. If the idea of using a second hand diaper on your little one grosses you out, just remember you can always strip and sanitize them!
Other Expenses
There is washing routine you will need to follow based on your water. You will need to perform a simple water hardness test on your homes tap water. If your home has what is considered hard water, add in a water softener to your diaper laundry routine. I will link my favorite one from Amazon down below. Fortunately, our well supplies our house with water soft enough to skip this step.
Large wet/dry bags found on Amazon are great for keeping diapers until laundry day. In my opinion, this is the easiest way to keep and wash diapers. To start, keep your bag in the bathroom. Where after each diaper change, just rinse off poo diapers and chuck them into your wet/dry bag. If your baby is exclusively breast fed, the poo is water soluble. In turn ,these diapers do not require the rinsing beforehand, unless it is your preference to do so. Pee diapers can go straight into the bag. If you are using pocket diapers, make sure to remove the liners before placing into your bag. (If you do not remove the liners they will not get washed properly). If you use this method, once you are ready to wash a load of diapers, all you have to do is empty your bag into your washing machine. Flip your bag inside out and toss it into the wash as well. Personally, I always run a rinse cycle first, then a heavy cycle using our homemade laundry detergent, followed by another rinse cycle to remove any excess detergent build up.
For more tips and tricks, again, I highly recommend joining a cloth diapering group on Facebook, most cloth diapering groups will help you determine the exact washing routine and products you should use based on your water hardness. Facebook groups can be very helpful in answering any questions or concerns you may have once getting started!
Pro tip: Purchase a bidet sprayer attachment for your toilet to spray off dirty diapers, just be sure the brand you choose is compatible with your toilet’s water supply line.
My favorite cloth diapering companies:
(I am not affiliated with any of these companies, they are truly the companies that I have grown to love and trust for my babies)