Youre Home More Often
Being home means doing diaper laundry is much less of a hassle.
We finally gave up cloth with number three in the late summer when we were traveling a lot, and we just never went back. Life felt so busy in September, we loved being out of the house during the warm days, the older kids had school functions, ETC.
I felt lucky to have a winter baby this time, only because it gave me a good excuse to hole up with the newborn and not go as many places. That makes cloth diaper laundry sound a lot more attractive than going shopping
As long as I dont feel behind, I dont mind the laundry one bit and because I like to hang my covers and add another load of regular clothes to the inserts in the dryer, cloth diaper laundry ensures that I keep up on the rest of the familys laundry much better, too.
What Products Should You Not Use To Clean Cloth Diapers
Bleach should be used sparingly, if ever, on cloth diapers. Chlorine bleach will break down the natural fibers of the diaper and cause it to wear down quickly. If you must use bleach, only use ¼ cup in a regular load once a month.
Steer clear of all detergents that might cause a diaper rash on your childâs skin. Also, fabric softeners should never be used as they will cause a build-up on the diapers. When your diapers are coated with fabric softener, dryer sheet chemicals, or detergent the absorbency will decline and diaper blowouts will increase.
Bumgenius 20 Newborn Aio
Bumgenius recently redesigned their newborn diapers and released 2.o newborn aio. I really love all the improvements they have made with 2.o
2.0 newborn aio now has a cotton soaker that is sewn in with the cover. In addition to that, 2.0 also comes with a extra cotton booster with a stay dry top. I wish there was a place to snap this booster, because tiny things do get lost in the laundry.
The diaper is designed to fit babies from 6 to 12 lbs.
2.0 is a very simple aio with no rise snaps or a umbilical cord snap. It feels like like using a disposable diapers without having to make any adjustments. The diaper features a low front rise to it will nnot bother your babys healing stump.
A great diaper to throw in your purse while you are heading out. 2.o is trim, simple and will make diaper changes a breeze.
Final Word:
Newborn all in ones are very convenient and easy to handle. Having a few aios in your newborn stash can come in handy while want to make quick diaper changes. They are also great while travelling and for other caregivers to use.
Here are my top newborn AIO recommendations:
Read Also: When Do Newborns Get First Shots
Newborn Disposable Diapers Are Expensive
Price per diaper is so high for those teeny tiny newborn and size one diapers! They dont come in megapacks to save money in bulk, and newborns go through sooooo many , so the real cost is even higher if you track per day expenses.
Besides that, even disposables tend to have a ton of leaks in the first month, and it seems like youre constantly changing the babys clothes, so why not get used to cloth and start troubleshooting leaks from the get-go?
Some would say that cloth diapers are going to leak more urine on newborns because they wont fit as snugly, FYI. Many also say that cloth diapers have less poopy blowouts because they tend to have elastic around the back and legs that is more snug than disposables.
I would say thats totally true, and it only really applies to that first 6-8 months when babys poop is super watery and explosive.
What Do I Need To Know About Cloth Diapers Before Getting Started
Cloth diapering expert Ashley Wilson told The Bump that the total cost of cloth diapering a baby is around $800, whereas disposable diapering can be $2,000 to $3,000. While your cost upfront might be $800 instead of $50, in the long run, youll save money. You can also resell your cloth diapers when you are finished with them.
Besides budget, the main reason to get started is the environmental impact. While the 40 or so total items youll use on your baby will eventually end up in a landfill after they potty train, thats nothing compared to the approximately 7,000 separate disposable diapers youd likely throw away if you went that route. Thats also a lot of trash to take out, diaper pail liners to buy, and the dirty diapers waiting to be taken to the dumpster stink just as much as the dirty liners waiting to be washed.
No matter what you choose, the most important thing is that it works for you and your baby. If your baby is crying all the time in one type or the other, saving some money might not seem as big a perk as it once did.
Editors’ Recommendations
Recommended Reading: What Can You Give A Newborn For Gas
Find Used Cloth Diapers
My best tip for finding cloth diapers economically whether for a newborn or any child is to buy them used. On top of not spending full price, you dont have to prep them for absorbency because they have been used before.
There are lots of cloth diaper swaps online, on facebook, and even in your local cloth diaper boutique. Both stores in our area sell used and even have seasonal sales that local moms can come to to destash what they dont use anymore. I have gotten great deals this way. I have spent less than $100 on all of our newborn stash and its already taken us through 2 babies and it could easily last through several more. Plus if theres a kind I dont like, I just sell it or trade it. Thats especially true since not all babies, even in the same family, are the same size and shape.
Alternate: Consider Hybrid Diapers
If youre still worried about meconium , or doing a ton of laundry when you get home, another option is to use hybrid diapers while in the hospital.
This system sports a disposable insert paired with a reusable diaper cover. Youll still reduce waste, most disposable hybrid diapers contain limited chemicals, and most hybrid diapers lack fragrance. You wont have to worry about bringing diaper liners to the hospital, and will only need to return the soiled diaper covers home to be laundered, which are much more forgiving of a delay.
You May Like: Can You Overfeed A Newborn Formula
How To Strip Cloth Diapers
Stripping cloth diapers, which removes mineral build-up from leaky, smelly diapers, is also recommended once in a while. Stripping diapers is as simple as running them through several hot, detergent-free washes. To remove diaper cream residue and stubborn stains, rub some dish soap onto the diapers and rinse thoroughly before washing.
Creating Inserts For Cloth Diapers
You May Like: How To Bathe Newborn With Umbilical Cord
Can You Cloth Diaper Your Newborn In The Hospital
Although it isnt necessary to bring cloth diapers to the hospital for delivery, a growing number of families are choosing to do so.
Some parents prefer to start their children in cloth diapers immediately for environmental or health reasons. If you do decide to use cloth diapers in the hospital, there are a few things to take note of:
Other Essentials You May Need:
Diaper pail
Pail liner I like to have two of these so one can be in the wash and I have an extra for the diaper pail.
Detergent You can find my inexpensive, natural routine and recipe here.
Wipes Reusable cloth wipes are an easy addition to your stash. You can also make disposable wipes with paper towels and a DIY wipe solution. There are also some great, natural disposable options out there.
Also Check: How Many Diapers Does A Newborn Go Through A Day
What Do I Need How Much Will It Cost
First, determine your dedication to cloth. This will help you decide if you want to invest in a full time system, or just give cloth a try. If you just want to give cloth a try, get 2 covers, a half dozen or a dozen diapers and a pack of wipes. Here is a sample order for someone who just wants to give cloth a try.
6 or 12 Cloth-eez prefold diapers
2 covers
optional: 1 pack of cloth wipes
Prefer snap closing diapers? Get the Give it a Try Kit.
But if you “just know” that you want to use cloth, then you should purchase a full system up front, before the baby is born. So if that is you, then determine your budget. Here are some ideas of what to buy:
Modest budget:
Cloth diapering a newborn:
Medium budget:
If you spend more, you are mostly buying convenience. All of the items we sell work, so spending more doesn’t give you a more effective system, but might give you a system that is a little easier to use. The easier-to-use fitted diapers might be important if one spouse is reluctant to use cloth. If your budget allows fitteds, they can be worth it. Put together your own fitted diaper setup and save money by choosing Workhorse fitteds. Sometimes 2 dozen prefolds plus 6 or 12 Workhorse fitteds is a nice setup. Fitted diapers, just like prefolds, do require a cover so you’ll need about 6 to 8 covers too. Medium budget but not quite sure you want to fully commit to cloth? Try the Give it a Try Kit.
Large budget:
How Do You Clean Poop Out Of Cloth Diapers
To clean poop out of cloth diapers, youâll need some type of spraying device. This can be a diaper sprayer, spray bottle, or spray nozzle on a sink. Just expect to need to sanitize any sink you use after youâre finished.
Breastfed babiesâ poop is water soluble and doesnât require much more than a quick spray. If your child is eating solid food or drinking formula, the solid waste will need to be emptied into the toilet first. Then you can use a sprayer to remove any extra residue.
Spraying soiled cloth diapers before putting them into the washing machine helps reduce stains. Youâll want to leave the diapers soaking wet when you put them into the diaper pail. This keeps the stains from drying and setting.
Also Check: What Need To Buy For Newborn Baby
What Detergent Is Best For Cloth Diapers
As long as your laundry detergent doesnt contain fabric softener, most brands are completely fine for washing cloth diapers. Just keep in mind that many cloth diaper brands have their own recommendations on what detergent is best to use with their particular diapers, so check your brands recommendations first before hitting the laundry room.
How To Dry Cloth Diapers
When it comes to drying cloth diapers, you have two options: machine dry them or hang them to dry on a line. Here are the pros and cons of either method:
Machine Drying:
- Wonât wear down cloth diapers
- Requires more space and time
If you decide to dry the wet diapers in the dryer, just be prepared that they will need to be replaced sooner than if you line dry. If space and time are an issue, you might not mind this drawback. Also, using a medium to low setting will help extend the life of the diapers.
If you decide to line dry the wet diapers, be sure to hang the diapers so the elastic sides arenât being stretched out. Skipping this step will put stress on the elastic and cause it to wear down quickly.
Cloth diaper liners, inserts, or flats can all be dried on higher heat settings.
Don’t Miss: How Often To Get Tdap When Around Newborns
How Often Do You Change Cloth Diapers
You change cloth diapers as often as you change disposable diaperswhenever the baby goes pee or poop in the diaper. Youll want to keep the baby dry so they dont get diaper rash or cry from discomfort. Because disposable diapers are more absorbent and can wick away moisture, you may be able to get away with not changing them for a few pees. But you do need to change a baby in a cloth diaper after every pee.
Youll need a place to keep the soiled liners . For cleanup, youll just put the poop in the toilet and keep the dirty liners in the hamper. Put a load of the dirty ones through the laundry on the hot or the sanitize setting every other day. If you wait longer, not only will smell be an issue, but so could staining.
Lil Joeys All In Ones:
Cutest looking diapers. Period! Lil Joeys are made for babies from 4 pounds to 12 pounds, and are deigned to fit even preemie babies.
The outer waterproof layer is made of TPU material which is low in toxicity and better for the environment than PUL. Lil Joey is atypical AIO where there is no pocket or snap in inserts to deal with. 4 layers of microfiber is sewn in with the diaper making it easy to use.
Instead of a rise snap, the height of this diaper can be adjusted by using two rows of waist snap. The idea is to start with the lowest waist snap with the umbilical cord button snapped down and move on the higher level waist snaps once your baby gets bigger.
The diaper also has a built-in double layer of leg gussets that will contain the messiest of the newborn poop.
Lil Joey comes only in a pack of twos. They make a great baby shower gift for preemies or parents with multiples.
Don’t Miss: What Can I Put On My Newborns Peeling Skin
Are Cloth Diapers Better For The Environment
Disposable diapers clog up landfillsnobody’s arguing that they don’t. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average baby uses 8,000 diapers each year. All of those disposables lead to a staggering 3.6 million tons of municipal solid waste every year.
Cloth diapers aren’t perfect, either: Laundering requires energy and water and introduces chemical detergents into the environment. And while cloth diaper services that pick up your dirties and drop off clean ones use less water than home washings by operating in bulk, they require gas-driven cars, contributing to air pollution. From an environmental perspective, neither option is perfect go with the one that feels best to you.
What About Diapering Emergencies
Murphys law says anything that can go wrong will go wrong. Boy, is that true even with cloth diapers. Maybe youre sick and stuck in bed, or the pipes freeze. Maybe the electricity goes out, or you go on vacation and forget to wash diapers beforehand.
The point is, emergencies happen, and when they do, you might not be able to wash your diapers on your regular schedule. The best way to beat Murphy is to plan ahead.
This doesnt mean you need to double your stash, but keeping an extra days worth of diapers on hand isnt a bad idea.
Speaking from personal experience, it can be a lot less stressful to have extra diapers available. That way, youre not loading up the kids and going to the store in search of emergency disposables.
Recommended Reading: How Many Diapers Will I Need For A Newborn
Benefits Of Cloth Diapering
- Eco-friendly: They are much better for the environment as less trash is going into landfills, and you are reducing your carbon footprint. It is estimated that over 27 billion diapers end up in landfills each year.
- Babies are less likely to struggle with diaper rash: This is because they are usually changed more often, and cloth diapers contains far fewer chemicals to irritate the skin.
- Save money: This is a huge one. According to multiple reports, disposable diapers are going to cost you approximately $800-$900 during your first year. If you choose more natural disposables, then that number is most likely going to increase. On the other hand, you can create a cloth stash costing a few hundred dollars, and it will serve you a number of years and even through multiple children.
- Easier to potty train: The sensation of wetness that babies feel with cloth is slightly more than disposables, making them more aware and more likely to potty train sooner.
- More natural: Regular disposables can contain a lot of chemicals, fragrances, and other things you may not want to be putting on your babys skin.
There are so many more benefits, but these are just a few of my favorites.