We’re nearly a year into cloth diapering and, except for some serious rashes, figuring out sudden “heavy wetter” nights, and accommodating free babysitters, we’ve been exclusively in cloth. Day trips, night time, toddler’s diarrhea, you name it, we use cloth. We decided to invest in cloth because we loved the potential money savings (especially using them for multiple babies) and I hated the negative impact the disposables we used were having on the environment.
I began blogging about my experiences with cloth because I thought it was a fun social experiment and because I found cloth reviews from other bloggers invaluable when trying to decide what to buy. I started out my cloth adventure using a cloth diaper trial and have since tried a variety of diapers thanks to the generosity of companies sending them for me to review and to a few lucky giveaway wins.
I’ve come a long way since I first wrote this entry about the cloth diapers I ultimately decided to buy. The cloth diapering community is booming, so there are still numerous brands of cloth I’ve yet to try (and hope to when we are blessed with a new little one). I have some definite favorites, methods I prefer, and tips I’d provide to someone starting out in cloth today. Everyone’s experience is so unique and no diaper stash is one size fits all, but if I were to start cloth diapering again today, here are some recommendations and tips I’d want to know:
* Use a Cloth Diaper Trial. I think these trials are invaluable. There are numerous cloth diaper brands out there and so many styles. Save yourself some money and headaches by spending a very small amount to get a feel for cloth and all of the choices out there. Diaper Junction offers a risk-free 30 day trial.
* Use a Hanging Wet/Dry Bag for Diaper Laundry – Easy and economical, I love my Fuzzibunz In and Out bag hanging on the inside of my laundry room door. It unzips at the bottom so I can just dump soiled diapers straight into the wash and I can throw it in with the wash.
* Purchase Extra Wet Bags for Home and Travel – I prefer a medium or large zippered wet bag for my diaper bags such as a Planet Wise or one of the gorgeous options from Maxwell Designs. At home, I keep two small, inexpensive bags hanging from each bathroom door for easy transport of soiled diapers.
* Purchase Detergent Specially Formulated for Cloth Diapers – You’ll be making a big investment in cloth diapers, so it’s worth it to care for them with the best products and not cut corners. If you use a high quality detergent such, as Rockin Green, from the beginning, you’ll save yourself a lot of headaches down the road.
* Go with Snaps – Snaps vs Aplix is definitely a personal preference. I used to prefer aplix and still believe it provides the best, snuggest fit. Aplix, unfortunately, does not hold up as well as snaps in the wash and can be challenging as baby grows and moves. My Bum Genius 3.0s are all in need of replacement tabs after less than a year – and I’ve used the laundry tabs and mainly air dried them. Snaps not only wash better, they also hold up a heavier diaper on a walking baby – our Thirsties Duo Diapers with aplix start to slip down as baby moves because it’s difficult for the aplix to hold the diapers weight. Plus, my son can strip out of aplix in a jiffy, but I can still let him run around in just a diaper when he wears snaps. You might consider purchasing a few aplix dipes to have on hand for babysitters, but snaps aren’t that difficult with a little practice.
* Use Cloth Wipes – You do not need a fancy brand of wipes. Anyone with basic sewing skills could easily make their own from clearance flannel or you could buy some made by a WAHM. You will definitely save money over time and you can simply throw them in with your diaper laundry. I’ve tried several cloth wipes methods and this is my favorite:
1. Put cloth wipes, wet with water only, in a disposable wipes container with a pop-up lid. I also use a travel container for the diaper bag with water-only wipes.
2. Fill a large spray bottle for home, plus a travel spray bottle, with a wipes solution (either homemade or one of the many ready-made options).
3. Spray baby’s bottom with each diaper change and wipe clean.
* Flushable Liners are Useful in a Bind – I just starting using flushable liners because my son has been diagnosed with toddler’s diarrhea. They are useful for travel and babysitters, but I wouldn’t regularly use them because of the expense.
* Diaper Sprayer Review to Come – I recently purchased a Sigma Diaper Sprayer/Bidet from The Changing Pad. I’m eager to use it and share my experience on my blog.
* Don’t Invest Your Whole Diaper Budget at Once – I found that our needs and preferences changed over time as our son grew and we became more comfortable with cloth diapers. Give yourself time to become acquainted with cloth, room to change your mind, and the opportunity to add variety .
* My Preferred Diaper Brands Today – When I was looking to select items for my trial and make my purchases, I really wanted bloggers to narrow down my choices and tell me 3 or 4 favorites, not 10. So, keeping in mind that these preferences could change in the future, here are my top picks:
Favorite Economy Diaper: Smartipants. These weren’t offered in my cloth diaper trial and I’d read that they had a low rise, so I didn’t try them at first. I won a Smartipants diaper recently and it is now a go-to diaper for me. They provide a well-made, very economical choice. I will definitely be purchasing more in the future.
Pros: Great fit, snaps, insert that agitates out in the wash, not overly bulky, affordable, cute.
Cons: Color options are limited, doesn’t meet heavy wetter needs.
Favorite Fit Diaper: AppleCheeks. I adore the fit and look of this diaper. If money were not an issue and I hadn’t already invested in other diaper brands, I would easily replace the majority of my stash with AppleCheeks. They are soft, trim, easy to use, but not the most economical. (The company disputes this claim, but they are a higher priced diaper for someone on a budget. Definitely worth saving up for, though, and I would like to purchase more).
Pros: Excellent fit, snaps, slim fitting, adorable range of colors, friendly company, cute.
Cons: Inserts sold separately, price, 2 sizes.
Favorite Versatile Diaper: Nifty Nappy Fitted and Woolie Wrap. I didn’t learn about Nifty Nappy diapers until I began joining in on twitter discussions and reading new blogs. I was interested in wool, but the price and lack of information seemed daunting. Once Ezra started becoming a heavy wetter, though, I started looking at reviews of the Nifty Nappy diaper and decided to give it a try. Vilate, the creator of these wonderful diapers, is terrific and I love recommending her diapers.
Pros: Slim fit, extra absorbent, snaps, nap/night time solution, cozy, wool is easy to care for, can wear without a cover at home.
Cons: Snaps don’t always create the best fit, price, need a cover, cover can provide extra bulk, cost.
Favorite Night Time Solution: Monkey Toe Sugar Plum Night Time. I received one of these diapers to review and have regularly used it ever since. This is a serious night time solution and quite bulky, but it’s also incredibly soft and keeps moisture off of baby throughout the night. If you have a heavy wetter, this diaper is made for your baby.
Pros: Super absorbent, snaps, snug fit, luxurious fabrics, no leaks.
Cons: Bulky, sized, No versatility – only at night, cost.
If you knew then what you know now, what would you do differently? What tips would you share with someone looking to invest in cloth diapering? Link up and share your experiences. I’ll leave this link open until Friday, so you’ll have ample time to participate. Be sure to visit the other links to meet new bloggers and share the comment love!
I appreciate your well-thought post. I couldn’t fathom cloth diapering early on w/ the twins because I was so overwhelmed. Recently, though, we’ve hit a sweet spot, and I ordered a few cloth diapers to try out. It is difficult to decide what to try. I ended up ordering a small batch of used off ebay to see whether or not I like them. I’ve gotten such mixed reviews on different diapers from so many friends that it is really overwhelming. Plus, the initial expense for two babies at once is staggering. Nevertheless, I’m looking forward to trying out the few I ordered and if things work out we’ll hopefully invest in some more. I’d like to at least be able to use cloth of the days we’re home.
What a great resource you are Mindy. thanks for all the time and experience you’ve put into this post. I’m so impressed. I was wondering, how were you able to get the companies to start sending you diapers to review? I’m interested in doing it for a different product, but can’t get anyone to return calls or e-mails. Thanks again for such a great post!
Phew, what a relief to see a short list, rather than the looooooong lists I keep seeing! I’ve only purchased a few diapers, and won the rest. I dont plan on buying much more until I cloth diaper for a while and figure out what works best for us.
I’m glad to see Applecheeks and NN on your list. I have a few Applecheeks and recently bought 2 NN. No wool from her yet but may once baby gets older…
Did you cloth diaper Ezra as a newborn? If so, HELP! LOL! Did you use prefolds or OS diapers or newborn diapers or what?
AND… what wipe solution do you use, or do you buy some?
Oh man, we should chat a bit about cloth diapering. I’m starting to freak out now that it’s getting closer. I know so little!
Oh I forgot to mention, we bought almost our entire stash of diapers used which makes it even more economical and allows you to buy the more pricey diapers. I didn’t pay more than $10 for any of my diapers
I just realized that my first comment didn’t actually work…can you tell I have a week and half old at home.
The Jacobsen family was asking about diapering a newborn and I wanted to let them know that I started my daughter in her cloth diapes at 2 days old. We use applecheeks, fuzzi bunz and bummis covers and just different inserts (some are no fold, we have a few flats and also prefolds). we just folded the tops of the diapers down under her cord and they worked great.
I do find however that prefolds are too bulky for the applecheeks, it is the only time we have had a leak problem because it left too much gap in her legs.
I hope this helps
Great post. The only other thing I would add is to keep things simple. I hear of moms rinsing 3 times, soaking diapers for 2 days and even boiling them to kill germs. Like you said, a good detergent is really all you need and then you only have to strip occassionally.
Because my journey was a lot like yours, I developed a series of cloth diaper tutorial videos to help make the leap easier for moms. I invite you to check them out on my site at http://www.pootersdiapers.com/howto-guides.
*Any of the links with a little TV icon after them feature a short, informational video.
Thanks for the thoughts and tips! I’m still new to cloth diapers, but so far i’d say that I wouldn’t have purchased so many of one type diaper when I was getting my stash set up. I bought a lot of pocket diapers b/ c I had a friend who loved them and sold me on them. After a few months of CD’ing, I’ve learned I much prefer prefolds/covers and AIOs. I love TotBots, it fits of my son great. I also really like my imagine diaper and the Bumgenius freetime AIO i just bought. Baby has only worn it a handfull of times though, so can’t say how it’ll be after more uses. I’m also on the Aplix band wagon. I can just get a better fit. I will say though, that when my son has started to outgrow his covers w/ aplix, they don’t stay well, so snaps would be nice.
Awesome blog post! I am just getting started. I have heard awesome things about Rockin Green. I am going to order some tonight. Your tip about the hanging wet bag is a good one too.