So, you have decided to cloth diaper your baby. That's a good start, but now you're overwhelmed with the options!
No matter what type of diapers you choose to use, if you are diapering a newborn, you will go through about 12 diapers a day. Newborns poop alot.(every diaper change for the most part) and absorbency is less of an issue, except at night Once they are 2-3 months old, they will poop less often and pee more. Still, you will need about 8-10 diapers per day after the newborn stage. So, if you want to wash diapers every other day (which is the norm) you'd want to have minimum 20 diapers. I'd suggest around 24 though, so you're not cutting it close before its time to wash.
So now you know how many you'll need, but what kind do you want to use?
The cheapest way to go (whether on a budget or not) is using prefolds and covers. You can buy a dozen small prefolds brand new for around $30, and you'd want 5-6 covers ($12 or so each new). With prefolds you need diaper pins or snappis, which are inexpensive. If you go this way, it would cost you around $120 for 24 diapers and 5 covers. Of course prefolds and covers aren't for everyone. And if your baby is in daycare or at a sitter, this may not even be an option.
If you're looking for a easier option, all- in-ones (AIOs) might be for you. They can cost anywhere from $17-$25 each new, so it can really add up if you were to build your entire stash with these. It could cost closer to $500 for 24 AIOs. Still though, when comparing to disposables, this is 1/4 of the cost (over the entire time your babe will be in diapers).
There's no reason why you can't mix it up, though. I suggest you do, actually! You could use prefolds at home, AIOs for daycare and being out and about. Or why not throw in some pocket diapers as well? They are less expensive than AIOs (anywhere from $8 to $18 each new) and are great for daycare, grandmas and dads!
You can definitely build a stash to get you through 2-3 days of diapering for a couple hundred dollars, no need to go crazy. But be warned, you can also spend much more. Some people (including myself) admit to be a little addicted to buying adorable cloth diapers!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
What you need to know
Handy (basic) Cloth Diaper Information
There are (what feels like) a million different types and brands of cloth diapers available today. It’s definitely not like in our parents' days of cloth diapering. It can be hard to distinguish between an AIO (all in one), fitted, AI2 (all in 2), prefold, cover, hybrid, etc… especially if you are just getting started. Here I will describe the different types of diapers, as well as name a few of the brands of each type. Yes, there’s a lot. And yes, it can sound overwhelming. I promise, once you get to know the basics, it’s pretty easy to grasp.
Types
Prefold – The most simple way to cloth diaper you baby is to use a prefold. You can either fold it onto your baby using one of the folding methods (newspaper, basic, twist, etc.), or fold it in thirds and place it inside a cover.
Fitted diapers - Usually made of cotton or bamboo, they also need a cover over them, since fitteds are not waterproof. They have snaps for aplix (Velcro) to close the diaper, and they often have a sewed in or lay-in soaker. There are many different brands of fitted diapers (Thirsties, TotBots, etc.) and many work-at-home-Mom (WAHM) fitteds as well.
Pocket diapers - have a built in waterproof cover and require a separate insert for absorbency. This is probably one of the most popular way to cloth diaper these days. There are tons of brands/styles of pocket diapers - most common are Bum Genius, Fuzzibunz, and "cheap" eBay diapers.
All-in-one (AIO) - are the most like disposables. They are simply on/off, no insert to stuff, no cover to put on. These are great for babysitters, granndparents and daycare. Popular brands of AIOs are Bum Genius, Grovia, TotBots. The main "con" about AIOs is that they take a long time to dry.
All in Two (AI2) - Are almost as simple to use as AIOs. They have an additional liner seperate from the "body" of the diaper, which makes for easier washing and faster drying. An example is SoftBums.
Hybrid diapers - Are sort of a mix between an AIO and a pocket. They have a waterproof cover and a snap in/lay in liner, and the liner can be changed out for a new one, while reusing the same cover (as long as it's not soiled). Examples are Grovia, Flip and Monkey Doodlez "Tuck And Go".
Terms
Inserts - usually made of microfiber, they are used to "stuff" pocket diapers. They can also be made of hemp or bamboo, or a combination of these. Inserts are the absorbent part of pocket diapers.
Doublers - Are used to add extra absorbency to any type of diaper, for overnight or heavy-setters. Doublers are usually made of fleece or hemp.
Wet bag - A small bag with a waterproof liner, to be used in a diaper bag to hold soiled cloth diapers.
One Size - A term used to describe a diaper that can be used from nearly newborn til toddler age. Many pocket diapers are One Size. They usually have 3 rows of snaps that, as you unsnap them, make the diaper "grow".
This post will be updated periodically with more basic information!
(All pictures in this post taken by me, Laura McKee)
There are (what feels like) a million different types and brands of cloth diapers available today. It’s definitely not like in our parents' days of cloth diapering. It can be hard to distinguish between an AIO (all in one), fitted, AI2 (all in 2), prefold, cover, hybrid, etc… especially if you are just getting started. Here I will describe the different types of diapers, as well as name a few of the brands of each type. Yes, there’s a lot. And yes, it can sound overwhelming. I promise, once you get to know the basics, it’s pretty easy to grasp.
Types
Prefold – The most simple way to cloth diaper you baby is to use a prefold. You can either fold it onto your baby using one of the folding methods (newspaper, basic, twist, etc.), or fold it in thirds and place it inside a cover.
Fitted diapers - Usually made of cotton or bamboo, they also need a cover over them, since fitteds are not waterproof. They have snaps for aplix (Velcro) to close the diaper, and they often have a sewed in or lay-in soaker. There are many different brands of fitted diapers (Thirsties, TotBots, etc.) and many work-at-home-Mom (WAHM) fitteds as well.
Pocket diapers - have a built in waterproof cover and require a separate insert for absorbency. This is probably one of the most popular way to cloth diaper these days. There are tons of brands/styles of pocket diapers - most common are Bum Genius, Fuzzibunz, and "cheap" eBay diapers.
All-in-one (AIO) - are the most like disposables. They are simply on/off, no insert to stuff, no cover to put on. These are great for babysitters, granndparents and daycare. Popular brands of AIOs are Bum Genius, Grovia, TotBots. The main "con" about AIOs is that they take a long time to dry.
All in Two (AI2) - Are almost as simple to use as AIOs. They have an additional liner seperate from the "body" of the diaper, which makes for easier washing and faster drying. An example is SoftBums.
Hybrid diapers - Are sort of a mix between an AIO and a pocket. They have a waterproof cover and a snap in/lay in liner, and the liner can be changed out for a new one, while reusing the same cover (as long as it's not soiled). Examples are Grovia, Flip and Monkey Doodlez "Tuck And Go".
Terms
Inserts - usually made of microfiber, they are used to "stuff" pocket diapers. They can also be made of hemp or bamboo, or a combination of these. Inserts are the absorbent part of pocket diapers.
Doublers - Are used to add extra absorbency to any type of diaper, for overnight or heavy-setters. Doublers are usually made of fleece or hemp.
Wet bag - A small bag with a waterproof liner, to be used in a diaper bag to hold soiled cloth diapers.
One Size - A term used to describe a diaper that can be used from nearly newborn til toddler age. Many pocket diapers are One Size. They usually have 3 rows of snaps that, as you unsnap them, make the diaper "grow".
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