Getting Started: What you need to be a cloth diapering parent

It's no lie, getting started cloth diapering is the most difficult (and expensive) part especially when you are not familiar with the cloth diapering world. Below I made a list of what I think a parent needs to start their baby on cloth diapers. Below the list are explanations regarding some of the items in the list.

The Cloth Diaper Getting Started List

• 12-24 Cloth diapers per child
• 20-30 Cloth wipes
• 2-6 extra inserts
• 1-2 Med or Large Wet bag(s)
• 1-2 Pail liner(s)
• Pail (I just use a trash can with no lid)
• Items for wipe solution (baby soap, sweet oil, and essential oils)
• Spray bottle for wipe solution 
• Baby Booty Balm or the Magic Stick if you don't want to make your own 2oz stick for the changing table and a 1oz stick for the diaper bag
• Laundry detergent that is cloth diaper safe. My personal favorite is Norwex Ultra Power Plus Laundry Detergent.
• Diaper Sprayer (This link will take you to how to make one yourself. Click here for one to purchase.
• Laundry drying rack (optional)

• I also recommend 5-10 set of nursing pads for breast feeding moms.

How Many Cloth Diapers and Wipes do I Need?

How many cloth diapers you need depends on how often you want to wash them and how long it takes for them to wash and dry. A newborn baby goes through about 8-12 diapers a day and toddlers use around 5-6 a day. Diapers must be washed at least every other day. When I wash my diapers I usually am a bit leisurely about it. I put them in the washer to soak first thing in the morning on the third day. Then after they wash and double rinse I put them on the line to dry. Often I leave them on the line sometime longer than they need to dry so they can sun bleach. In the evening I take them off the line and stuff them with inserts before putting them away. I need at least 3 days worth of diapers to compensate for washing every other day and my long wash/dry cycle. The same goes for wipes.

What Kind of Cloth Diapers Should I Get?

There are a lot of different types of diapers out there. To save time I'm only going to talk about the two main types of cloth diapers: One Size and Fitted. It doesn't really matter if you choose to do prefolds, pocket or no pocket inserts (I really prefer the pocket diapers though) the outside shell will tend to be One Size or Fitted note . The great thing about Fitted diapers is that it tends to be a much better fit for small babies which means less bulk in the behind and, with some brands, less leaks. Another positive note is that because these diapers are worn less they can usually be saved for another baby or exchanged for a different size at a used diaper swap. They usually come with inserts already so there is no additional cost there. (I do recommend buying a few extra inserts for double stuffing at night or when your inserts aren't dry yet but the diapers are and you need a diaper.) The down side to the Fitted diapers is you will need to buy a whole new set when the baby out grows the size.

The One Size (my absolute favorite is the Rumparooz One Size with double gussets) diapers can be adjusted from small to med or large (or even extra large). You can have the same set of diapers from birth (8lbs) to potty training (less than 40lbs). They come with inserts as well and have good leak protection no matter the size of the baby (8-40lbs). They do tend to be a bit bulky on babies 0-3 months. Their lifespan is about 2 years of daily use so this would not be a diaper you could save for other babies down the road. They run a few dollars more than the Fitted diaper.

Note: Fitted Diaper Covers and One-Size Diaper Covers are meant to be used with prefolds or inserts that can be directly against the babies bottom (i.e. the gdiaper). The difference between the pocket diaper and the cover-prefold/insert method is you will need to buy your prefolds/insert separately. I am not a fan of prefolds and only use them if it is my last option. Putting on a prefold doubles changing time. It is nice to be able to switch out the prefold/insert a few times without changing the cover. Diaper Covers run a few dollars cheaper than other diapers and overall is the cheaper, but less convenient, option.

If you are new to cloth diapering and you don't know your favorite I recommend getting a few of each kind of diaper so you'll have experience with each and know if the future which you prefer. The number of diapers you get is based on your wash cycle preference.

Why Do I Need 2 Pail Liners and Wet Bags?

They will need to be washed and when they are being washed what are you going to use? Going somewhere without a wet bag can result in a very messy situation. And no one wants to scrub poo out of the bottom of a pail every other day. You really only need 1 of each but it is so much more convenient to have 2.

What Essential Oils Do I Need for My Wipe Solution?

I personally recommend Lavender, Tea Tree (Melalueca), Rosemary and Geranium. This specific blend of essential oils are meant to help with diaper rash and sooth the skin. At the very least I recommend lavender. Visit www.everythingessential.me for more information on essential oils.

Why Do I Need a Diaper Sprayer?

A diaper sprayer is basically a kitchen sink sprayer hooked to your toilet. You can put one together yourself with a kitchen sprayer or buy one preassembled. You need one because sometimes you can't get all of that poop into the toilet before washing without getting down and dirty. There are a lot of people that do cloth diapers without a sprayer and have no complaints. I am not one of those people. A diaper sprayer is very convenient and I'm all about making cloth diapering as easy as possible. Babies that are strictly breast fed do not need their messy diapers sprayed. Breast milk poop dissolves and can go through the washer. As babies get older their "messes" tend to have more form and can be dropped into the toilet. (Am I really blogging about this?) It is the times that it is not formed that you will be so thankful for a diaper sprayer.

 If you have any questions about Getting Started or anything in the post please send me an e-mail or leave a comment. You can also follow the links above to other posts about the products.

Oh NO! There's no wipes!

I can't tell you how many times I have the diaper off, baby's legs held up, poop everywhere and I reach for a wipe but (gasp!) I forgot to "make" some up. All I have are dry wipes which don't work nearly as well as those soaked in wipe solution. So after many frustrating diaper changes in which I had to send my husband to wet a paper towel and bring it to me I found a solution.

Yes, a spray bottle. Keep a spray bottle by your changing station with some wipes solution in it. In circumstances that there are no wipes made you can spray the solution onto your baby's bottom and use a dry wipe to clean up.

This shouldn't be a permanent solution. Most babies do not like being sprayed. It's cold. But it will work when your in a tight spot between a dirty diaper and a naked baby.

The Catch-All Wipes

If your going to use cloth diapers there is no reason that you shouldn't also use cloth wipes. I mean, you already have to wash the diapers. Why not just throw in the wipes too. I'm going to be honest, there are times when all my wipes are dirty and I don't have any made up that I use the disposable kind but I would much prefer my cloth. They clean up so much more with one wipe than any of those thin things could do. Plus, I have a container of wipes in almost every room of the house for all kinds of messes. You never know when you'll need a wipes. Because they are so versatile and thorough I call my cloth wipes the Catch-All Wipes. Here are some of my designs:

One side is an ultra absorbent terry cloth or micro-fleece that catches the big mess. The other side is a super soft flannel in many fun designs that allows you to double check your baby's bum is as clean as it can be. One wipe per diaper change is usually all you need. Plus these wipes are double stitched so they never fray and will last though countless diaper changes and washings.

For storage these 8x8 inch wipes fit nicely into a disposable wipes container when folded in half. That's what I use but you can do whatever works for you.

For information on recipe for the wipe solution please visit my post Reuseable Cloth Wipes Solution

Reuseable Cloth Wipes Solution

If your using cloth wipes you'll need to keep them in a solution so they can clean well just like the disposable wipes. Here is a recipe for the solution:

• 1 Cup Water
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil or Baby Oil (I know some people out there don't like the smell of olive oil)
• 1 Tablespoon Baby Wash (I would recommend going the natural or organic route with the wash. My personal favorite is Dr. Bronner's Unscented Baby-Mild Pure Castile Soap)
• 2 Drops Essential Oil for Scent (I use lavender as it soothes diaper rash as well)

Mix contents together and soak your wipes in it. Wring out your wipes until they are damp to wet but not soaking. Store in a closed container to keep moist. 

I make a large amount of solution all at once so I don't have to make a new batch every time I make up wipes. I keep the solution in a large glass container (it used to be a glass milk jug) in my pantry.

I really like using cloth wipes and this solution. It does take a little more time than just buying the disposable kind but it saves me money and I think these wipes do a much better job.