When I was pregnant, I was intrigued by the idea of cloth diapering honestly because the thought of having to keep track of yet another thing — like the number of diapers left in the house — was not very appealing. My wonderful husband, bless his heart, rarely points out that we are getting low on things. I am sure some of you understand where I am coming from. I could just imagine coming home after a day of work to not a single diaper in the house and a three alarmer that just took place. Not good. Not good at all. Cloth diapers meant never having to run to the store after the baby goes to bed. All you have to do is the laundry.

Before I get into the kind of diapers that I use and all the goodies that I love, I wanted to answer some of the common questions I get about my use of cloth diapers.

Our little tea cup rocking her cloth

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Frequently Asked Cloth Diaper Questions

1. But you already do so much laundry already, why would you want to do more?

I do already do laundry. Which means I am already near the washing machine and dryer on a regular basis. I do a load of diapers {run through twice, once on hot and once on warm} once every other day. They dry in one load in the dryer in less then half an hour or I hang them out and they dry quickly in the sun.

2. But I have to buy a diaper sprayer, special stain removal etc…

I do not have a diaper sprayer and have not needed one. Back in the days when the number 2’s were mushy {sorry couldn’t think of another way to put it}, I would do a quick rinse in the laundry tub and then throw them in the washer. Honestly when you change diapers as often as you do as a Mom/Dad, you will not be bothered by this. Once solid food started and the number 2’s were formed, you just dump it in the toilet and then into the washing machine it goes. I have never used stain remover of any kind on the diapers and they are still very white. I also found that hanging them in the sun to dry gives you some natural bleaching for any spots.

3. But they cost so much!

In the beginning yes they do. I admit it, my diapers were around $25 each. However if you don’t go crazy and buy enough for a week without washing, you don’t need that many. Some websites calculate that using  disposables will cost you around $3000 per child. The cost of using cloth diapers with detergent and water costs is around $800 –  $1600, depending on the kind of diaper you choose. So think of that initial large cost as an investment! You can read more about the cost comparison here and here. You can also use them for a second, third, fourth etc. child so they continue to save you money!

4. They get diaper rash easier.

I have not noticed my daughter getting diaper rash more easily with cloth diapers. They do wick away some moisture from the skin, but do need to be changed slightly more often than disposable diapers in my opinion just to avoid irritation.

5. They leak.

The only leaks we have had are with disposable diapers. Go figure.

6. They are bulky and ugly.

Well they are bulky; I will give you that. However now that little miss is trying to stand up, I am grateful for a little extra junk in the trunk so to speak. They are not at all ugly. They come in so many fun patterns and colours! I never use diaper covers under dresses because these act as those.

7. Can you use them on a newborn?

Yes you can! All in ones adjust to fit little newborn bodies and sized diapers come in newborn/small sizes. I personally did not use cloth until our little one was about 2 weeks old. Because of the amount of diapers a newborn goes through, we thought it would be easier on us to use the disposables in the beginning. Next time I would most likely use them right after we came home from the hospital.

Now that I have hopefully answered a few of your questions and concerns, these are some of my cloth diapering essentials:

1)bumGenius Freetimes – These are my diapers! I personally chose the snaps because I can’t stand having to cover up velcro everytime you wash it, however they are available in velcro as well. In terms of using snaps with a wiggly baby, you get good at closing them quickly and they are very secure once they are on. Read ~ no big deal!  These are “one size diapers” which means they fit from birth until potty training by adjusting the snaps. There are two absorbent layers on the inside that are sewn in, so no stuffing inserts is needed. You use it once and when it is wet/soiled it gets washed. I have 18 of these which is enough for me to only wash every other day.

2) Thirsties Fab Baby Cloth Wipes – If you are going to use cloth diapers, you might as well use cloth wipes. These wipes are super soft and absorbent and clean up easily when you throw them in the wash with your diapers. I personally think the bright colours are pretty cute too! The best part: no chemicals cleaning babies’ bottom. Just use water or the product below.

3) Wet Happened Zippered Wet Bag – I will start off by saying if you have not discovered Itzy Ritzy products yet, you need to! They are wonderful! These wet bags are the perfect size for a diaper or two and fit perfectly in the diaper bag. They are leak proof and can also be thrown in with the diapers when they need a wash. They also come in some very fun patterns. I also use these for wet bathing suits!

4) bumGenius Bottom Cleaner – This spray smells very good and one spray or two on a cloth wipe is enough to clean a big mess.It is great for the diaper bag so you don’t have to use disposable wipes on the go if you can’t find a sink.

5) Planet Wise Wet/Dry Hanging Bag – I just discovered this product last month and it has made things even easier when it comes to using cloth diapers. This handy extra large wet bag hangs on a door knob or hook and has two zippered pockets – one for wet and one for dry. It is smell proof and leak proof so far and I love that when I need to wash, I just take it with me and throw it in the wash alongside the diapers. No plastic  bags to throw out, no hampers to clean. Easy peasy and it comes in tons of fun prints. If you use cloth diapers and your child goes to daycare this is the perfect way to travel with them. You bring it in the morning with the dry compartment holding your clean diapers and take it home at the end of the day with the dirty diapers in the wet compartment.

If you have any other questions about cloth diapering please feel free to leave me a comment with your questions!

I would love to hear about what diapers you use and what your favourite products are! You know you’re a parent when you’re always talking about your baby’s poop!

Cloth Diapering part 8 of 11

1. Cloth Diapering by parenting
2. On Cloth Diapering a Newborn by Mrs. Superhero
3. Easy Cloth Diapering by Mrs. Superhero
4. How to choose a cloth diapering system by Mrs. Superhero
5. Cloth Diaper Styles by Mrs. Pen
6. Cloth Diapering Diaries by Mrs. Sketchbook
7. Confessions of an (Ex) Cloth-Diapering Mom by Mrs. High Heels
8. They really are genius! by Mrs. Tea
9. Who, What, Why, and How: Cloth Diapering by mrs. tictactoe
10. On Cloth Diapering at 4 Months by Mrs. Stroller
11. Real Registry: Diana's Cloth Diaper Registry by Real Registries

Cloth Diapers part 14 of 17

1. Cloth Diapering by parenting
2. Washing Cloth Diapers by parenting
3. Cloth Diaper Update and Potty Pail Review by parenting
4. How to choose a cloth diapering system by Mrs. Superhero
5. Real Registry: Diana's Cloth Diaper Registry by Real Registries
6. On Cloth Diapering a Newborn by Mrs. Superhero
7. Cloth Diapering Update by Mrs. Hopscotch
8. Easy Cloth Diapering by Mrs. Superhero
9. Who, What, Why, and How: Cloth Diapering by mrs. tictactoe
10. On Cloth Diapering at 4 Months by Mrs. Stroller
11. Building a Cloth Diaper Stockpile by Mrs. Hopscotch
12. Confessions of an (Ex) Cloth-Diapering Mom by Mrs. High Heels
13. Cloth Diapering Diaries by Mrs. Sketchbook
14. They really are genius! by Mrs. Tea
15. Wool, the Other Sleep Sheep (and Adventures in Early Toileting) by Mrs. Twine
16. Adventures in Cloth Diapering by Mrs. Lion
17. Cloth Diapering: We're back! by Mrs. Deer