With so many diapering systems and styles to choose from, the whole thing can seem a little overwhelming—especially for new parents just figuring the whole baby poop thing out!
Diapering expert Karen Charron to the rescue! Study-up using this easy chart before you hit the diaper store, and you’ll be more likely to leave happy and confident in your new eco- (and baby bottom!) friendly purchase.
Must-haves and little luxuries
Here we’ve broken things down into two categories for quick and easy reference. The first are items we consider to be necessities. It would be extremely difficult or even virtually impossible to cloth diaper without them. The second are not absolutely necessary, but products that can definitely improve the cloth diapering experience and make your life that much easier or more pleasant.
Must-Haves
- 12-18 cloth diapers
- 2-3 diaper covers (not necessary with pockets or all-in-ones)
2-3 doublers (or extra inserts) for nighttime
- 1 diaper pail or large wet bag
- 2-3 dozen cloth baby wipes
Little Luxuries
- another 12-18 cloth diapers
- another 2-5 diaper covers
- another 2-5 doublers (or extra inserts) for nighttime
- 2nd large wet bag (to use while first is washing/drying)
1-2 small wet bags for storing dirty diapers while out and about.
- disposable diaper liners and/or a diaper sprayer (to make poopy diaper clean-up easier)
- 2-6 newborn diapers—Often trimmer than one-size or even size small diapers, these may be convenient for outings and to use with tiny newborn outfits that are so quickly outgrown!
- cloth-diaper-safe bottom cream—Many ‘commercial’ or mainstream diaper rash creams are not recommended for use with cloth diapers as they may cause odours and leaks.
Karen’s handy-dandy diapering systems at a glance
Diaper Styles
Flat
- Single layer of square or rectangular fabric
- No built-in fasteners or elastics
- Can be made exclusively from all-natural and/or organic materials
- Requires separate waterproof cover
- Cover may get soiled more easily when baby has a bowel movement
- Extremely versatile (also use as a pocket diaper insert, burp cloth, or cleaning rag)
- Washes very easily and dries extremely quickly
- Limited absorbency; may require more frequent changes or doubling-up
Prefold
- Multi-layer fabric rectangle with thicker center panel
- No built-in fasteners or elastics
- Can be made exclusively from all-natural and/or organic materials
- Requires separate waterproof cover
- Cover may get soiled more easily when baby has a bowel movement
Fitted
- Two pieces to put on baby
- Multi-layer, hourglass-shaped fabric rectangle with thicker center panel
- Built-in fasteners (snaps or Velcro)
- Elastics at legs and/or wrist
- Can be made from all-natural and/or organic materials
- Requires separate waterproof cover
- May take longer to dry
- Two pieces to put on baby, requires preparation
- Built-in fasteners (snaps or Velcro)
- Elastic at legs and waist
- Can be made from all-natural and/or organic materials
- Pocket to stuff absorbent insert
- Waterproof outer, stay-dry inner
All-in-two
- Less convenient than AIOs or pockets; two pieces to put on baby
- Built-in fasteners (snaps or Velcro)
- Can be made from all-natural and/or organic materials
- Waterproof outer (can be reused several times)
- Absorbent inner (removable when soiled)
- May take longer to dry because diaper is all one piece (depends on design)
All-in-one
- Multi-layer with hourglass shape
- Built-in fasteners (snaps or Velcro)
- Elastics at legs and waist
- Can be made from all-natural and/or organic materials
- Waterproof outer, absorbent inner
- May take longer to dry
A few expert tips
Hang your diapers in the sun to lighten or even remove stains
Folding two or three washcloths/cloth wipes in a Velcro wrap makes a great newborn diaper
An old towel or T-shirt can make a great pocket diaper insert or doubler
Only one pocket shell left clean? Lay a natural fabric insert on top instead of inside the pocket and reuse the shell 2-3 times!
Check out some more tips and tricks and some more cloth diaper buying advice!
