Cloth diapers are gaining popularity for various reasons. Cloth-based nappies are safer for babies’ sensitive skin and eco-friendly, preventing further damage to the environment. Not to mention–  the cost of disposable nappies can weigh heavily on household monthly budgets. Thus, it’s hardly surprising that the use of cloth diapers has been a growing trend among moms for the past few years. 

 

That said, you can use them alternately, like two of my sisters did. Being working moms made it a bit cumbersome to use cloth-based nappies regularly, so they alternated between disposable and cloth diapers until the kids were ready to potty train. Many daycare centers also prohibit the use of this type of diaper, so it’s something to consider before going all out on cloth-based nappies.

 

How Do Cloth Diapers Work?

 

It is the same idea with old-school cloth diapers used by moms in the past; a simple flat white cloth placed and secured using big safety pins around the baby’s bum– but with some extra features for a much-needed upgrade from the old style for added convenience.

 

Which Is Better Cloth-Diaper or a Disposable Diaper?

 

Before deciding whether to use disposable or cloth diapers, it is better to get the lowdown on the pros and cons. Only then can you decide what to choose or whether to pick one or go all in with both.

 

Disposable Diapers

 

Using disposable diapers is more convenient. They’re easier to use than cloth diapers, and using them means fewer laundry loads as they’re disposable and highly absorbent, allowing  you to cut down on nappy changes.

The drawbacks?  

Disposable diapers are wallet-draining, especially if you’re running the household on a shoe-string budget. They’re also harsh and irritating on baby’s skin as some contain dyes, adhesives, and toxic chemicals. Additionally, using disposable diapers translates to more plastic waste in landfills – a setback to sustainability efforts.

 

Cloth Diaper 

 

Cloth-based nappies are cost effective as they are reusable. You can also extend their use by using them from one baby to your next little bundle of joy. Some moms even donate their cloth diapers to charity once they’re done with them. These diapers are eco-friendly and are made with softer, breathable fabrics –perfect for baby’s sensitive skin.

The cons? 

The initial investment comes at a steep price tag. Using cloth diapers can also be a hassle as it requires manual elimination of poop, not to mention an increase in the amount of laundry to tend to. As such, expect a spike in electricity and water usage. Having said that, you‘ll still save a ton once you calculate the overall cost difference.

 

An infant, for instance, needs 12 diapers a day for the first year. If we crunch the numbers, you may have to spend around $ 876- $1400, with disposable diapers costing between $o.20- $0.32 per piece.

 

There’s also a huge investment at first. The upside? You’ll score massive savings in the long run. Here are the things to buy as an initial investment when opting to use cloth diapers for your little one.

 

What Supplies Do You Need for Cloth Diapers?

 

Cloth diapers ( covers and inserts)

Waterproof laundry bag 

Flushable Liners/Diaper Sprayer

Trash can with a lid– Soiled cloth diapers need a designated bin as they need to sit in the laundry bag for a day or two.

Skin-friendly laundry detergent

 

How Many Cloth Diapers Do I Need for a Year?

 

This question is a bit tricky as there are a few factors to consider, such as your budget, the baby’s age, the frequency with which you wash the cloth diapers, the type or brand of cloth diaper you prefer to use, and how often your baby needs a diaper change.

 

If you’re on a tight budget, you can have 10 diapers a day; 8 during the daytime and 2 at night time. If your funds have some wiggle room, most moms suggest getting 24 diapers if you’re someone who can’t make do with just 10 diapers in your stash. On that note, there’s no right and wrong answer —your choice boils down to your budget, unique needs, and preferences.

 

The Different Types of Cloth Diapers for Babies

 

Pocket Diapers 

 

A Pocket Diaper is one of the most used types of diapers for good reasons. It has a cover in which the fleece liner material is attached on top and a pocket to allow you to tuck the absorbent layer ( insert– washable cloth barrier) inside. The insert, however, is often made with microfiber – a durable clothing material but is less absorbent– a real downer. To resolve this issue, my sisters stuff those pockets with prefolds based on the advice of fellow moms.

 

Fitted diapers 

 

This diaper is labeled as such because it’s already fashioned and contoured like a diaper. No wonder it’s what most moms prefer for overnight use. Just like a regular nappy, it does have elastic around the legs and backside and a pocket where you can tuck the absorbent fabric inside to keep the poop and urine from spilling out. And just like most cloth diapers, you need to use a waterproof cover that you can put on top to stop that dreaded diaper leaks and blowouts. Depending on the brand, it can have a flap insert attached to it for easier and more efficient washing and drying. For nighttime use, most moms prefer adding an absorbency material to keep the baby comfortable throughout the night.

 

Fitted cloth diapers can come in various types of fabrics such as cotton, velour, bamboo, or cotton/hemp blends. They’re also available in a myriad of sizes, shapes, and cute design patterns. And since it’s already contoured like a diaper– there’s no need to fold the nappy before putting it on. 

 

Flat Cloth Diapers 

 

The flat cloth is a square, single piece of fabric—the absorbent section of the diaper used in tandem with the waterproof diaper cover– helps to keep messes trapped inside. Depending on the brand, the flat cloth can be made from 100% cotton, spandex, wool, or a blend of bamboo rayon, and more. If you want a 100% cotton flat cloth,  Gerber Unisex Flatfold is one good option.

 

These diapers are basic and lightweight— which makes washing and drying quite straightforward, nothing complicated. The process of folding them can be as simple as a regular fold to a more complex one like the origami style of folding fabrics. You just need to fold and wrap it around your little one and secure it with a fastener or a safety pin. After which, add the waterproof cover over the top, and lock it in place with velcro or a button.

 

Flat cloth diapers are also the most cost-effective as they’re the least expensive among the bunch and are also quite versatile; they can be adjusted to fit your baby from birth until he outgrows his diapering stage.

 

Prefolds 

 

Prefold is a huge piece of repeatedly folded fabric with stitched edges so it’s turned into this sleek, snugly packed rectangle,  allowing the bulk of the fabric to sit down in the middle. Those extra layers of fabric in the middle will help us figure out how to fold or position the diaper properly for maximum absorption. 

 

A prefold diaper can be used as an insert with a waterproof cover or used on its own like the flat diaper, securing it with a safety pin. They also come in different types of fabrics like hemp, bamboo, or cotton. One thing we love most about prefolds is how convenient and useful they are in keeping babies comfy and dry through the night. Just use one or a couple of these folded fabrics as inserts to keep urine or messes from leaking out. You also have the option to add a fleece liner on top if needed to keep your baby’s bottoms dry for a cozy nighttime snooze.

 

Hybrid Diapers  

 

If you want to patronize eco-friendly baby products but don’t want to compromise convenience or maybe you’re feeling a bit uncomfortable manually removing baby’s poop—using  Hybrid Diapers would be ideal. They strike the right balance between disposable and reusable diapers– giving moms the option to either use a cloth insert or a flushable pad that allows for easy discarding of poop.  It’s also worth noting that the disposable pads are eco-friendly and free of toxic chemicals that can otherwise harm our ecosystem.

The pack includes a reusable cloth cover and disposable inserts. If you have cloth diapers like flat or prefolds at home, you can use them alternately with disposable pads to give your baby’s bum room to breathe or trim your expenses.

 

All-in-One diapers  

 

It’s called an All-in-One Diaper because, unlike other cloth diapers, this one has both the absorbency section and the outer waterproof cover sewn together. Depending on the brand, some have an extra piece of absorbent fabric to keep baby bums dry. The sheet is removable so you can snap it out and snap it in as needed. It has side snapping features, which most moms love but there are All-in-One diapers that can be fastened on the front side as well. The only drawback that moms complain about is how fast your baby can outgrow the diaper’s absorbency capacity. To address this problem, most moms put an additional absorbency booster inside to keep their baby feeling comfy and dry for longer.