With so many choices out there, how is one to decide?  Plus how do you get past the poop issue? 

If after you read this and do your own research, you are still confused as to which diapers you want to use, try our Swapping Bottoms trial kits, or one of our Baby Paks.

First let's take a quick look at some of your options:

 PREFOLDS:  are a rectangular diaper made up of layers sewn together. The center has more layers than the edges. This type of diaper requires you to "fold" them around your baby snugly and then fasten them using pins, a Snappi fastener or a snug fitting diaper cover or wrap. This type of diaper is the most economical, and also requires the most effort. 

Contour Cloth Diapers are  similar to the prefolds, but are cut in an hourglass shape, to fit your baby. They are made up of layers of    absorbent cloth sewn together, again, more layers in the center, and fewer at the edges. Contour Diapers also need some type of fastener, either pins, a Snappi, or a diaper cover or wrap. These diapers are only slightly more costly than     prefolds.

Fitted Cloth Diapers are also cut in an hourglass shape, and have elastic at the waist and thighs to contain messes. Fitted Cloth  Diapers are fastened with snaps or hook and loop closures (velcro), making changing faster and easier. Fitted diapers also require a separate diaper cover.  You can reuse the diaper covers without washing as long as they are not soiled, so you do not have to purchase as many covers as diapers.

Pocket Cloth Diapers or Pocket All In Ones (AIO's) are actually a two piece system consisting of a cover and an absorbent insert that is "stuffed" into the cover. By pre-"stuffing" you can have all your diapers ready to use.  Most parents and caregivers agree that these are as easy to use as disposable diapers. Pocket AIO's fasten with velcro or snaps.

All In One Diapers (AIO's) are just what they claim to be. All in one! These are ready to use, and fasten with velcro or snaps. Layers of absorbent cloth are sewn into the cover with more layers in the center. These are great for ease of use, and even the most reluctant spouse, grandparent or babysitter will be able to handle these.  Pocket Diapers and AIO’s are the easiest to use,  however, AIO’s do take slightly longer to dry comparatively.

Diaper Liner:  come in rectangle and contoured shape.  The liners are used for night time when you need the diaper to absorb more, or if you need the diaper to last longer during the day time. (ie: Going on a trip, heading out for the day.)  Just add it to your diaper and you have an extra layer of absorbency.   There are also disposable liners which come in very handy when your child has solid poop.  Just whisk away the liner and if it is flushable, flush the whole thing down the toilet. 

Diaper Covers:  There are a few choices for diaper covers, a pull on style, which we find works well at containing the mess and fits nicely.  A velcro or snap style that looks very much like the above cloth diapers. Organic wool covers, are usually used over one of the above covers for extra leakage protection at night.Wool covers are not machine washable but only require handwashing every few weeks or when they are very soiled.They air dry well and are naturally antibacterial so they do not smell.  Diaper covers are normally made with a waterproof layer such as polyester, polyurethane, or nylon.

Diaper Pins & Snappies:  These are used with prefolds to hold the diaper in place.  Make sure your dipaer pins are the old fashion kind that are safe around children. (locking mechanisim.)  Snappies hold diapers in place using claws much like a tensor bandage pin.  They need fabric to hold onto, so only use them with prefolds.

Baby Wipes:  You can use the disposable kind, or try out our cloth ones.  You will need either the wet or dry method;  the wet method means soaking them in an all natural antibacterial solution(in a plastic box) and using themas needed;  or using the dry method, with your antibacterial solution or water in a spray bottle that you spray on your baby or cloth.  If you are using cloth diapers, it is easy to use cloth wipes. (we have a cloth wipe kit or you can make your own)

Diaper Pails:  These are to hold your wet or dry dirty diapers.  There are two methods to use wet & dry;  the wet method requires a diaper pail with a lid (preferably locking, to keep children out)  filled aboiut halfway with water. Put dirty diapers directly into pail cleaning off soiled diapers first. The dry method is to put dirty diapers in pail, first cleaning off soiled diapers and leave until you wash.  

WASHING YOUR DIAPERS

You can use a diaper pail to hold your diapers until washing, using a  deodorizing disk for it,  or add water to your washing machine by using  a rinse cycle and add them throughout the day to the washer.  At the end of the day, drain it and then do a regular wash.

To wash your diapers use a regular detergent.  An all natural detergent can leave residue and cause the diaper to leak or smell.  If your diapers have a problem with odor, add baking soda to your wash cycle and then vinegar to your rinse cylce to balance the PH levels.  Never use regular bleach with cloth diapers, it can ruin them and degrade the fabric.

There are a few methods to get rid of the stinky stuff. You can get a diaper sprayer, it hooks up easily to your toilet and you use it to rinse off the diaper into the toilet .You can use your sink, first dumping solids into the toilet and rinsing the diaper or liner in the sink, or you can dump solids into toilet and put the diaper directly into the washer with cold water, and once you get a few soiled diapers run a rinse cycle then add the otherdiapers and do a regular cycle.  To help with stains, use an all natural stain remover.

To wash your diapers throw everything into the wash, diapers, liners and covers (not wool ones) and wash normally. When using new diapers wash in hot water & dry up to 5 times to get rid of the natural oil in the cotton, this way they will absorb better.  For regular diapers, liners and prefolds, put in your dryer and dry normally.

 If you have any other questions, or tips on how to wash, please contact us.