Cloth diapering 101

 Roman was a newborn when I decided it was time to make the switch into cloth diapers. I hated the thought of putting him a paper diapers filled with chemicals. 

Like a lot of moms who are interested in cloth diapers I was discouraged by the overwhelming amount of information. But I am so glad I decided to make the switch. It was one of the best parenting decisions I've ever made.

Choices of cloth diapers:

All in ones: {aio} pretty self explanatory. These diapers are one piece you can either snap or Velcro together.

Pocket: these diapers are waterproof shells with a pocket that you stuff with your desired insert {inserts below}

*Pocket diapers are one of the most popular kinds on the market*

Fitted: these diapers are usually all in one as well, but they are not waterproof. So a cover is needed to go on top. A lot of the time fitted diapers are made out of natural fibers 

Flats/prefolds: just a plat piece of fabric that you use to fold into a diaper on your baby. You can use a snappi or an old school pin. 

One size: when a diaper says it's OS {one size} that means it had rows of snaps you can adjust to fit a new born to toddler size.

Covers: these are a thin waterproof shell that goes over diapers that are not soak proof. Like flats, prefolds, fitteds and a lot of people put covers on their nighttime diaper for super soakers

Snaps vs Velcro pros & cons

Snaps are good for babies who are older and can undo Velcro.

Velcro is daddy friendly.

Velcro tends to get really worn with washes.

Snaps are hard when your baby is in that stage of refusing diapers changes.

My stash was mostly snaps and the Velcro I did have, I disliked.

Inserts: if you plan to stuff pocket diapers you will have to choose a type. Microfiber is the most common, however, unlike natural fibers, microfiber gets less absorbent with each wash. Natural fibers get more absorbent with each wash. 

{Microfiber 

Hemp 

Charcoal 

Bamboo}

Another thing to consider is your cloth diaper wash routine. Cloth diapers need to be washed in cloth diaper friendly detergent. They need to be free of:

Dyes

Fragrance

Bleach 

Brightners

Fabric softners 

Parabens

Some recommended brands:

All free and clear

Allen's naturally 

Attitude 

Bio-kleen free and clear

Bio vert perfume free 

Bum genius detergent 

Charlie's soap

Country save

Crunchy clean 

Ecos free and clear

Eco max

Mountain green 

Planet

Rockin green 

7th generation gentle care 

Sun and earth 

Eco nuts 

I used Eco nuts & mountain green for my diapers and I never had a problem. Eco nuts can be found at whole foods and mountain green can be found at cloth diapers stores or ordered online. Both are VERY reasonable priced and safe for sensitive skin. 

Are you ready to become a stripper?

Yes. You read that right. You will be stripping.

Diapers.

Every once in a while your diapers need to be stripped{rid of excess detergent that has been piled up over multiple washes}

A lot of people but specialty detergents like RLR but I always just did extra rinses without any detergent 

You will know when it's time to strip when you smell the ammonia after your baby pees in his diaper.

It will be a learning curve to learn how to wash your diapers. They will probably leak, and smell and you will feel defeated but once you find your groove, it's so easy and so worth it.

My wash routine

Roman has extra sensitive skin so I ha to take this into account. Any extra detergent left on the diapers would irritate his skin so I had to rinse more than people usually do.

Rinse 

Wash

Wash 

Rinse

Air dry

Air drying is important because drying in the dryer ages and weakens diapers so much.  When I felt lazy {a lot} I dried on delicate but looking back I wish I wouldn't have.

Accessories

Wetbags: a water proof bag-super important for on the go as well as at home. After a soiled diaper you can throw them directly into a wet bag until wash day. 

If you are exclusively breast feeding you can throw poop right into the wash with out rinsing first. With solids and formula you'll need to rinse off the poop before going into the washer. Don't be scared though! They have "sprayers" to do the dirty work for you. They hook up to your toilet and act as a mini hose to spray all the poop into the toilet without you have to get dirty. After it's rinse, place in the wetbag and your done!

Pee requires no rinsing, those can be put directly into the wetbag/wash.

Now get to the best part, diaper shopping!!!!

And careful, cloth diapers may become addicting. It was a sad day when I packed all mine up.