Welcome to the cloth diapering beginner’s guide. As you can probably guess, I get loads of questions about cloth diapering almost daily. I thought I’d consolidate all of the information I have to offer, plus some answers to your frequently asked questions in one place. Let’s get started 😉
Beginner’s Guide to Cloth Diapers
I’m not really going to get into the why of cloth diapering today. But if you’re curious, you can visit this post to read more about my decision to use cloth diapers with Gracie and now Norah. Today I go into detail on things like how to get started with cloth, a good wash routine, and I answer all of the questions you asked me on Instagram Stories!
Slow Transition
People always ask me why I use disposables the first few months of my baby’s life. Honestly, it just was better for me and my mental health. Haha. With both Gracie and Norah I was kind of in this postpartum fog. I didn’t have the time to sit and eat a meal, let along wash seven poopy cloth diapers each day. You’ll be changing a newborns diaper as many as 15 times a day, so it’s best to start with disposables if you can. I like Bambo Nature. So here’s the thing… this is a process. If you are committed to trying it out, don’t dive in headfirst. The best way to start cloth diapering is to buy three or four (preferably different brands) to see which you like the best. Each brand has a different fit, different material, and will fit your baby differently than they fit someone else’s baby. So start by buying only a few. Then skip ahead to my “what to buy” section and I’ll go more in depth on what you’ll need to start if you find a diaper you like!
What to Buy
I wrote a post all about what you need to stock up on to start cloth diapers. You can view it here. But honestly, it cost me under $300 to start my cloth diapering process. I bought a diaper here and there to grow my stash over time, but you really only need 15-20.
Read What to Buy if You Want to Start Cloth Diapering
Where to Buy
I buy my cloth diapers on Amazon or on the brand’s website. My favorite brands are Charlie Banana, Nora’s Nursery, and Alva Baby. I also have a couple of Grovia velcro style diapers. I prefer pockets with removable inserts, but you might like all-in-ones or a different style! Read more about the different styles here.
Getting Started
I know it can seem overwhelming, but I’ve helped several of my mama friends get into cloth diapering. It really is more simple than you’d expect! Check out this list of things you’ll need to get started cloth diapering! There aren’t that many things. Plus, you only have to buy everything once! If you are registering on Amazon you can totally add these items to your registry too!
How to Wash
Washing cloth diapers truly isn’t very difficult. In fact, it’s one of the easier loads of laundry that I do. Haha. I wash them three separate times, then hang dry the covers while the inserts dry in the dryer. Read this post here on the best wash routine for cloth diapers. A good wash routine truly is the key to making your diapers last a long time, so read it closely!
TYPES OF DIAPERS
There are several types of diapers. This infographic below from Thinking About Cloth Diapers is a great resource. I personally didn’t like All-in-Ones. I prefer Pocket diapers. (The shell with the insert you tuck in.)
Cloth Diapering Frequently Asked Questions
I posted a question on my Instagram Stories a few weeks ago about what you guys wanted to know about cloth diapers. I received pages and pages of questions, a lot of them were the same question. I answered them all below 🙂 Let me know if you have additional questions and I can add them to this post and/or answer them in the comments below.
General
What do you need to get started with cloth diapers?
Great question! I answer that in detail in this post here.
What kind of diapers do you primarily use? What do you use at night?
My favorite brands are Charlie Banana, Nora’s Nursery, and Alva Baby. I use those. The pockets are my favorite. I use the pocket and one insert at night. When Gracie got older though, I did start using two inserts at night!
What’s the best brand for beginners?
All pocket diapers are truly the easiest for beginners in my opinion! Nora’s Nursery and Alva Baby are both great brands of pocket diapers. They’re also extremely affordable!
How many do you use in a day?
Norah goes through 5-7 a day total!
What brand or type do you use or recommend? All in one? All in two? Pocket?
I like pockets the best because you can switch out inserts. Microfiber, bamboo, hemp. Each baby has a different need when it comes to wetness, so you can sort of customize it. I had a few all-in-ones, and I didn’t like how long it took for them to dry.
What type of inserts do you use? Reusable or disposable?
I use reusable inserts. The disposable are so silly, as it doesn’t take any extra wash work to wash the reusable inserts too!
How long do you use cloth diapers?
Roughly 3 months old to 2.5 years old. So around two years! I stopped using cloth diapers with Gracie around 32 months, so we got good use out of them. Now we are using most of them with Norah too 🙂
What are the pros of cloth diapers? The cons? Are they better for baby versus disposables?
For me there are no cons. The pros, though? That list is longer. Visit this post to see some reasons to switch to cloth 🙂
Did you use cloth diapers when your kids were newborns? Is it better to start with disposables or cloth diapers right away?
With both Gracie and Norah I was kind of in this postpartum fog. I didn’t have the time to sit and eat a meal, let along wash seven poopy cloth diapers each day. You’ll be changing a newborns diaper as many as 15 times a day, so it’s best to start with disposables if you can. I like Bambo Nature.
Which cloth diapers do you recommend for newborns?
I really like the newborn Charlie Banana diapers. They fit well and they’re super soft!
Washing
How do you strip and wash your diapers?
Visit this post here to see how I wash my diapers.
What cycles do you use while washing them in the washing machine?
I answer this in super depth in this post here.
How many do you have and how often do you wash them?
I have around 45 diapers now, but with Gracie I had less. I wash them twice a week, roughly.
Do you use a laundry service for them?
I don’t! I just wash them here at home twice a week!
Does washing the diapers ruin your washing machine?
No way! I do make sure to clean my washing machine frequently. But they aren’t a hassle at all.
Do you wash in a top loader or front loader?
I have a front loader machine now, but I’ve used a top loader too!
What detergent do you use?
Country Save detergent has worked well for me.
Do you sun your diapers?
Sometimes! Only if there is a stain I want to get out.
Any recommendations for baby balm/oil for rashes?
I like this one from Grovia!
Out and About
Which cloth diapers do you recommend for newborns?
I really like the newborn Charlie Banana diapers. They fit well and they’re super soft!
What do you do with a poo diaper when you’re away from home?
Great question! I have a travel size wet bag that I use. I’ll store the diaper in there until I get home then then transfer it to my larger wet bag.
Random
Do you know where I can sell my slightly used cloth diapers?
There are cloth diaper buy sell trade pages on Facebook! I would start there 🙂
Any advice on keeping up with cloth? It seems like so much work.
Truly, it seems daunting and like a lot or work. It isn’t. I promise!
Do you recommend buying them used? If not, why?
I personally don’t recommend buying used if you don’t know the person. You never know how they’ve been washed in the past. That being said, if it’s your only option in order to use cloth, then ask them lots of questions, like “what was your wash routine?” “what type of detergent did you use with these?” and “were they dried in the dryer?”
Do you have a solution for a heavy wetter? Hemp isn’t working for us.
Ahh I don’t. My best friend started cloth with her second baby, and her babe wet through them without fail. She uses a disposable at night. So, that’s one a day… about 30 per month. Still better than around 90 per month!
Once a cloth diaper has mold spots, is there anything you can do to get it out?
Hmmm, I would personally toss it 🙁
