A Cloth Diapering Primer

When you think of cloth diapers, you probably have images of flat white diaper service diapers, diaper pins, and plastic pants. But oh, how things have changed!! This is a small primer on the different types and styles of cloth diapers that can be found today!

Diapers

1. Prefolds - These are the diapers provided by diaper services. They are the basic cloth diapers and the cheapest. They can either be folded into a cover or pinned or Snappi'd (see below) to provide a custom fit. They do require a cover.

2. Covers - Covers come in many styles, materials, and prints. The most common covers are made of fleece, wool, or PUL (a water-proof fabric). Wool covers are also called soakers. Wool is a great material because it can absorb up to three times its weight in liquid if properly lanolized and it won't feel damp at all. Covers can be fastened with either snaps or Velcro or they can be pulled on. Covers are typically used repeatedly, unless they are soiled.

A Bummi Super WhisperWrap	A Prorap Classic	A Stacinator Wool Cover	A Hand Knit Soaker (Knit by Sheryl!)

3. Contours - Contours are diapers that are shaped to fit. They require no folding and many can be put on without pins or Snappis if using a close fitting cover.

4. Fitteds - These diapers are usually made of a soft material and usually fasten with snaps or require a Snappi or pins. They typically have elasticized legs or gussets on the legs and elastic on the waist. They provide a better fit that helps contain messes.

5. Pockets - These are a style of diaper that includes the cover and a stay-dry inner layer. There is a pocket between the two that is stuffed with either a stuffer or a prefold to absorb moisture. The inner layer keeps the baby dry and keeps leaks from occurring. These usually have Velcro or snaps to fasten.

6. All-In-Ones - These are the easiest to use. AIO's are self-contained. They can only be used once and then a new one is required when a change is made. These are like disposables, but are washable. These are usually available in cute patterns and colors and fasten with snaps or Velcro.

Accessories

1. Pins - These are the traditional diaper pins. Traditional, but I don't find them very easy to use.

2. Snappis - These are the new alternative to pins. These are a T-shaped piece of stretchy rubber that have "teeth" on the ends - much like the teeth on the fasteners for Ace bandages. They stretch from one side of the diaper to the other and hook in the center to keep it secure. This is our preferred method of fastening.

3. Wet bags - These come in numerous sizes and colors. They can be zippered or have drawstrings. They are used for dirty diapers and can be washed along with the diapers.

4. Mini-showers - These attach to the toilet so there is no dunking dirty diapers in the toilet any longer. These are great for rinsing dirty diapers before putting in the diaper pail or wash.

5. Doublers - These are pieces of absorbent material that can be laid in the diaper to provide more absorption and keep the baby dryer for longer. These are great for nap times and travel or for heavy wetter. They can also be used to stuff pocket diapers.

6. Liners - These have several uses. Some liners are made of fabric and are used to help keep the baby feeling dryer (microfleece is one type). Some are made of disposable materials like rice paper that catch the poo and allow it to be removed easily. Both kinds allow moisture to go through them and help prevent stains on the inside of the diapers, if that is a concerned.

7. Wipes - If you are using cloth diapers, it makes sense to use cloth wipes! These can be purchased or you can simply use baby washclothes, cut up receiving blankets, or towels. These can be used with plain water or you can make your own solution (water, tea tree oil, baby oil, baby wash) or you can buy premade diaper wipe solution.

Our Diapering System

After 36+ months of using cloth diapers, we have tried quite a few types and brands of diapers and have a favorite system. It is different for everyone, but this is what we like.

When both kids were tiny, the best fitting diaper for each was the Kissaluv's 0s (zero's) fitteds with a newborn Prorap cover. The Kissaluvs are soft sherpa with a snap down umbilical area so it won't irritate the umbilical stump and the covers have a spot cut out for it, too. After the umbilical stump came off, we could also use Bummis Super Whisper Wraps. As both grew, we started using the bleached Chinese prefolds. We fastened them with a Snappi and used either a Prorap, a Bummis or a wool cover. We didn't discover wool with Taylor until she was a bit older, but we have been using it with Jackson since he was born.

I also like using fitteds. They are simple snap-on diapers that make changes easy and fast. These are great when they visit grandparents or when they are especially wiggly and difficult. I have made my own fitteds for the kids and they work well.

Another favorite, although we only have a few in one size are Kissaluvs contours. I am the only one that uses them, really, but they work great with a Snappi. They are also quick and easy to get on, but there is no elastic in the legs so runny poos are not always contained.

We plan to continue using this routine until Jackson is potty trained. It is easy, cost effective and we have it streamlined now!

Our Washing Routine

Washing cloth diapers is so easy!! I HATE laundry, but never complain about washing diapers. When the kids are tiny (before solids) the breastfed poo is soft and dissolves easily in the washer. Any dirty diapers are just added to the diaper pail (a plastic trash can with a lid) in the laundry room. Wet are the same. As the kids get older, the poos solidify, so they can be rinsed using our mini-shower attached to our toilet. There is no dunking, unless you want to do it!

Washes are easy. I throw the diapers in the washer on a cold prewash cycle and add a generous amount of baking soda. This helps neutralize the ammonia. When the cold cycle ends, I switch it to a hot wash cycle and add a few squirts of Dr. Bronner's liquid soap with tea tree oil. This has been the best washing agent we have used by far. I will add about a quarter cup of vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser, too. Fabric softener is never used since it builds up on the fabric and reduces absorbancy. The diapers go through a second rinse and then all can be thrown in the dryer. I can also hang them on the line if it is a nice breezy day (although that can result in stiff diapers!)

Wool soakers are typically hand-washed with wool wash like Eucalan or Sudz N Dudz wool wash bars. They can be thrown in the washing machine on a cold soak with a liquid wool wash and spun out to get excess water out, but agitating can cause them to felt and shrink. It is really easy to hand wash them and it is done every few weeks (depending on how many covers and if there are any really messy diapers.) I let them air dry and they are good as new!

Sewing Diapers

I have enjoyed sewing diapers for both kids, but time is limited so I haven't been doing nearly as many I would like. I use a pattern I purchased online called the Very Baby Diaper Pattern. I make fitteds and even have a snap press to place snaps on the diapers. My fitteds are typically a layer of fun flannel on the outside, several layers of sherpa for the inside, and another layer of solid flannel or sherpa to line the inside of the diaper.

I also love knitting soakers. If you have met my kids, you may have seen these. They are fun to knit, can be personalized in different colors and sizes, and are super easy to use. I will be knitting up many more in the near future!