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Cloth Diapering FAQ
I. Why Use Cloth?
II. What Are My Cloth Diapering Options?
III. What do I Need to Buy?
IV. What Are the Most Popular Diapers and Covers?
V. How Do I Use Cloth Diapers on My Baby?
VI. How Do I Store and Wash Cloth Diapers and Covers?
VII. Where Do I Buy Diapers and Covers?
VIII. Where Can I Find More Diapering Information?
I. Why Use Cloth?
1. Cloth diapering is much cheaper than disposable diapering. It has been estimated
that parents spend about $2500 on diapers from birth through potty training. With cloth, however,
diapering a child generally costs under $500; in addition, these diapers can be used on subsequent children!
2. Cloth diapers can be a healthier option for your baby. Many parents find that cloth diapered
babies have less diaper rash. In addition, cloth diapers, unlike disposables, are all natural.
Disposable diapers are thought by many to be a health hazard due to the potentially dangerous
chemicals used to create them. Sodium Polyacrylate, which makes disposable diapers so abosorbent,
often comes loose from the diaper, appearing as small crystals on your baby's skin. It has also been found
in the urinary tract of babies and has caused severe diaper rash and bleeding in perineal and scrotal tissue in some babies. It literally draws ALL moisture
away from the genital area. No independent studies have been conducted on the safety of this chemical; consequently, many parents
simply do not want it touching their babies' skin and genital areas. In addition to Sodium Polyacrylate, organochlorines
(chlorinated toxic chemicals) are also found in disposable diapers, albeit in trace amounts. Polyvinyl chloride
(PVC), also found in disposables, has been known to cause cancer.
3. Cloth diapers are a more responsible environmental choice. Disposable diapers account for
30% of the non-biodegradable waste in landfills. In today's wasteful society, cloth diapering is
one small way to reduce the amount of garbage we contribute to the landfills.
II. What Are My Cloth Diapering Options?
1. Prefolds: These are the basic diapers many people use as burp cloths and dust rags. They are flat squares of cotton folded in
thirds with an absorbent middle layer. Prefolds can be pinned on and worn with pull on covers, or they can be used without pins if
a velcro diaper wrap is used.
2. Contour Diapers: These are flat diapers with an "hourglass" shape; they can be used with velcro or snap diaper wraps.
3. Fitted Diapers: Cloth diapers which look like disposables; they have gathered elastic at the legs and use velcro or snap closures. Velcro, snap,
or pull on diaper covers can be used with fitted diapers.
4. All-In-One Diapers: Fitted diapers with an integrated cover. These diapers do not require the use of a diaper cover.
III. What do I Need to Buy?
To get started, you will need at least 2 dozen cloth diapers. Prefolds are the most economical choice, but you
probably want some fitteds for outings or overnight use. You will also need at least 4 diaper covers
and 12 washable diaper liners to increase absorbency.
Ideally, you should have at least 4 dozen cloth diapers (a variety of prefolds and fitteds), 6 or 8 diaper covers,
and 12 to 18 washable liners. This should provide enough diapers that you have to wash only twice a week.
In addition to your diapers, you will need:
-- 1 large diaper pail
-- 2 nylon bags to use as diaper pail liners
-- 1 small nylon bag for diaper bag (or you can just use plastic grocery bags)
-- Flushable diaper liners (these are great to use when out of the house)
IV. What Are the Most Popular Diapers and Covers?
1. Diaper Service Quality Prefolds: Gerber is generally considered the most absorbent, and Chinese prefolds are the softest. These diapers generally cost about $25 a dozen.
2. Fitteds: Snap to Fits and Kushies Classics are two very popular fitted diapers. They cost about $7 each and are quite absorbent.
Many Work at Home Moms also make their own fitted diapers, which they sell on the internet. The best way to get opinions on these
"WAHM diapers" is to ask about them on diapering message boards.
3. All-in-Ones: Kushies Ultras and Motherease AIO's are very popular all in one diapers. These diapers generally cost between $9 and $12 a piece. Many people find that all in one diapers
are not the best value, since the waterproof outer layer often loses its waterproofing over time.
4. Velcro Covers: Proraps, Diaperraps, Gerber EZ Wraps, and Bummis Industrial Whisperwraps are the most popular velcro diaper covers. They cost between $5 and $8 each.
5. Pull-On Covers: Alexis Featherweights are the most popular pull-on covers; they cost about $5 a piece.
VI. How Do I Use Cloth Diapers on My Baby?
Using fitted diapers is pretty self-explanatory, so this will focus on diapering your baby with a prefold.
1. Traditional Pin Method: Lay the prefold flat, and slide it under your baby's bottom while lifting his legs.
Fold the front of the diaper in thirds to form a "V" shape. Next, fold the front portion of the diaper up, and bring it up between
your baby's legs. Bring one side of the back of the diaper toward the front, overlapping the front part of the diaper.
Hold the diaper together with you thumb and forefingers. With your other hand, place the pin through the top two layers
of the diaper, from front to back, and fasten the pin. Repeat on other side. Finally, put the diaper cover on; make sure none of
the diaper is hanging out of the cover.
2. Twist Method: Lay diaper flat and lay baby on diaper. Twist the bottom half of the diaper 180 degrees, so that
the "twisted" portion is situated between baby's legs. Pull the diaper up between baby's legs and pin.
3. No-Pin Method: You can do either of the above methods with no pins, if you are using a sturdy, snug-fitting velcro wrap. In addition,
You can do the following to avoid using pins - Lay diaper flat and fold in in thirds; place in a velcro wrap. Place wrap snugly on baby.
This method is most effective when baby is not very mobile.
VII. How Do I Store and Wash Cloth Diapers and Covers?
1. Wet Method: Fill your diaper pail about a quarter full with cold water; add a half cup of baking soda or vinegar.
f you are using a wet pail, make sure you have a locking lid, and keep it closed and locked.
After shaking off any excess poop into the toilet, simply toss diapers into the pail. Wash diapers about twice a
week. Toss the entire contents of the pail intot he washing machine, then rinse out pail with hot water and bleach.
Run diapers through a spin cycle to get rid of water, then wash on longest cycle HOT/COLD with your favorite detergent
and a half cup of baking soda. Use vinegar in your fabric softener dispenser, or add during the rinse cycle.
Put diapers in dryer for at least 60 minutes, or hang in sun to dry.
2. Dry Method: Put a nylon liner in your diaper pail and sprinkle some baking soda inside.
If you are using a disposable liner, throw soiled liner in toilet or trash, and toss wet
diaper into the pail. If the diaper is soiled, scrape the poop into the toilet, run cold water
over the diaper, spray some stain remover on the diaper, and throw it into the pail. Keep lid closed.
Wash your diapers at least twice a week; take diaper pail liner and diapers, put in machine with a half cup of baking soda
and pre-soak in cold water for about up to an hour. Wash with detergent on longest cycle HOT/COLD. Go through a second
Put vinegar in fabric softener dispenser or rinse cycle. Hang up liner to dry and put diapers in dryer at
least 60 minutes or hang in sun.
3. Washing Diaper Covers: Covers can be washed with your diapers; however, many people prefer to wash them with their baby
clothes on WARM/GENTLE. Consult washing instructions on your covers and decide which will work best for you. Covers should
not go in the dryer; after washing, be sure to remove from washer and hang to dry.
VIII. Where Do I Buy Diapers and Covers?
Start your search for diapers at the Mothers Nature Marketplace.
Other great sources for cloth diapers:
Mommy Hearts
Go Organic, Baby!
Kanggah's Neighborhood
Earth Angels
Little Angel Designs
IX. Where Can I Find More Diapering Information
Coming Soon...
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