The Beginner's Guide to Cloth Diapering: Getting Started with Confidence
Embarking on the journey of cloth diapering can be both exciting and daunting for new parents. With the plethora of options available in the market, along with various techniques and considerations, it's understandable to feel overwhelmed. However, fear not! This beginner's guide aims to equip you with the essential knowledge and confidence to kickstart your cloth diapering journey smoothly.
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Understanding the Basics:
First things first, let's delve into the basics of cloth diapering. Unlike disposables, cloth diapers are reusable, eco-friendly alternatives that offer numerous benefits for both your baby and the environment. They drastically reduce waste sent to landfils each year, provide a clean chemical free barrier for your baby delicate skin and provide some financial relief from the constantly increasing price of disposables. They come in various styles, including prefolds, all-in-ones, pocket diapers, and more, each with its unique features and advantages. For more in depth information on the different styles check out our blog post The Different Systems of Cloth Diapering
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Getting Started:
Now that you're familiar with the concept, let's discuss how to get started with cloth diapering:
1. Research: Take some time to research different types of cloth diapers and their pros and cons. Consider factors such as ease of use, absorbency, and maintenance requirements to determine which option best suits your needs. I often recommend trying several different options, you may find that you like one system for daytime and another for nightime. The best place to get a well rounded sampler of products would be with a retailer (NOT AMAZON)! Check our Happy Beehinds, they have every style (I think) and their prices are super affordable!
2. Building Your Stash: Once you've decided on the type of cloth diapers you'd like to use, it's time to build your stash. Start with a few diapers initially to see how they work for you and your baby before investing in a larger quantity. If you’re someone who is heavily into prints, chose prints that you love or mean something to you (trust me, this helps keep you motivated to keep going). Check out this Diaper chart for a better idea of how many you need you at each stage, keep in mind these numbers are very generous, giving you plenty of time to wash, thoroughly dry and maybe even take a nap.
3. Accessories: In addition to diapers, you'll need a few accessories, some necessary, some just nice to have. this would be wetbags, diaper pods, pail liners, diaper pails, prayer, spray stand etc. For a list of some of my favorite accessories and where to find them you can check out this click through graphic linked below.
4. Prepping Diapers: Before using your cloth diapers for the first time, it's essential to prep them according to the manufacturer's instructions. This usually involves washing and drying them one or multiple times to increase absorbency and remove any residues. Typically synthetic or semi-synthetic fabrics like the PUL (water resistant covers), polyester and bamboo only need one wash where some cotton and hemp cotton blends could require upwards of 10 washes. drying between washes typically isn’t needed and for younger babies or newborns, the full absorbency isn’t needed straight away either, it’s totally fine to pre-as-you-go! This also helps conserve water!
Tips for Success:
To ensure a smooth cloth diapering experience, here are some additional tips to keep in mind:
Stay Consistent: Consistency is key when it comes to cloth diapering. Establish a routine for changing and washing diapers to maintain hygiene and prevent leaks. It’s not too hard to adjust your wash routine as needed if your start laundry early or go a little longer between washes, but good habits stick with repetition and we want you starting off on the right foot.
Experiment: Don't be afraid to experiment with different brands and styles of cloth diapers to find what works best for you and your baby. You may find certain thing only work for daytime and use a whole different system overnight.
Seek Support: Join online communities or local support groups for cloth diapering parents to share tips, advice, and experiences. If you find that you’re drawn to a certain brand for their fit and style, they likely have a community support or ‘VIP’ group on facebook and those groups are full of great information and other parent’s willing to help and give advice on anything from washing to fit. If you’re looking for more of a non-brand specific group you can find us anywhere as well as in our own community groups on Facebook and Discord
Be Patient: Like any new skill, cloth diapering may have a learning curve. Be patient with yourself and give yourself time to adjust to the process.
Embarking on the journey of cloth diapering is a rewarding decision that not only benefits your baby but also contributes to a more sustainable future. By understanding the basics, getting started with the right equipment, and following these tips for success, you can confidently embrace cloth diapering and enjoy its many advantages. Happy diapering!
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can a list of the most commonly asked question on the FAQ page but here’s a few common questions.
Q. IS MY BABY TOO OLD TO START WEARING CLOTH DIAPERS?
A. No, If your baby is still in diapers past the typical standard 2-3 years due to any potty learning delay or special needs there are diapers available in extended sizes that can be a great option. If your baby is still small and wondering if the investment is still worth I encourage you to at least try swapping 2-3 diapers a day with a cover and flat system and decide if it’s right for you. Here’s a post on the items that I’d recommend for doing this on a budget
Q. CAN I USE A DIAPER RASH CREAM WITH MY CLOTH DIAPERS?
A. Yes, there are many options when it comes to creams and balms. There are a few ingredients you want to look out for and those are Zinc Oxcide and Petroleum. Zinc Oxcide can leave a white stain and petroleum could be harder to wash out and cause a repelling issue if you don’t have access to washing with hot water. Most mamas choose to just use Coconut oil, cornstarch or whatever cream they like and add a liner as a barrier to protect the diaper. For more information you can check out our blog Navigating Diaper Creams and Cloth Diapers or shop and compare ingreditent via the Diaper Cream Index
Q. HOW OFTEN WILL I HAVE TO WASH MY CLOTH DIAPERS?
A. Having a larger stash of diapers means you can go longer periods of time between washings. If you have a smaller stash, you may run a load every night. 2-3 days is about the average time but some may choose to go longer. Try not to exceed 6-7 days to avoid mold and mildew, keep them in a cool dry place with plenty of airflow to avoid odors.
Q. HOW TO CLEAN CLOTH DIAPERS WITH POOP?
A. Whether using cloth diapers or not, parents and caregivers of babies and toddlers deal with poop every day. With cloth diapers, any solids (other than those from an exclusively liquid diet fed baby) need to be discarded in the toilet. Shake the diaper over the toilet, use biodegradable cloth diaper liners, or spray using a hose attached to your toilet. Whatever your method, you want to remove as much solid waste as possible before placing the diaper in the washing machine.
*This post may contain affiliate links. I do earn a small commission or store credit for some referrals purchased through these links. Any opinions shared are my own, I am just disclosing my material affiliation as required by the FTC. Commissions earned help continue to sponsor this content, donation, giveaways and more. Your support is so greatly appreciated <3
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