Cloth Diapering
Modern cloth diapers are versatile, simple to wash, leak resistant, and go on baby just like a disposable diaper. They come in cute colors and prints, including flowers, trains, ruffles, polka dots, camouflage, even customizable with an alma mater! They come in multiple sizes or one-size diapers that fit from birth until potty training.
Save $1500
Learn the cloth
diaper
(CD) lingo
- Prefolds are most economical and are made of cotton or twill in a rectangular shape. They can be placed on the baby with a fastening device or simply folded in thirds and placed inside a waterproof diaper cover. Flats are similar to prefolds but require additional folding.
- Hemp, cotton, fleece, and microfiber inserts fit easily inside a diaper cover and do not require folding.
- Contoured diapers come in many natural fibers and are similar to a prefold. They do not have elastic and require a diaper cover. Contoured diapers may have closures attached or may need a fastening device. Fitted diapers are similar to contoured diapers, but have elastic around the legs and waist.
- A diaper cover (DC) is waterproof and can be purchased in sizes or in one-size. One size diaper covers are adjustable and often fit baby from birth until potty training. It is not necessary to change the diaper cover with each diaper change. The cover can usually be wiped clean at changes and alternated daily.
- Pocket diapers are usually two layers of fabric sewn together to form a pocket for an absorbent insert. The diaper fastens onto the baby and does not require a diaper cover. Pocket diapers are available in sizes or one-size (OS).
- An All-in-One (AIO) is a waterproof diaper cover with an absorbent liner sewn into the diaper and usually close with snaps or a hook and loop closure. AIOs are available in sizes.
- Wool covers are absorbent in themselves due to their high lanolin content. A wool cover can easily be used alone, over a prefold or a fitted diaper. Wool covers are available in sizes.
Parents will spend approximately $2000 on disposable diapers before potty training begins. On the other hand, a customizable high-end “cloth diaper stash” will cost less than $500. Reusing the diapers on future babies means even more savings! Cloth diaper services will cost nearly $500 less than disposables.
No pins necessary
Modern cloth diapers no longer require pins. They often have hook and loop or snap closures. Natural fiber inserts are made of cotton, twill or hemp and provide superior absorbency with little to no folding. When choosing a more traditional cloth diaper, instead of pins, choose a closure device, such as a Snappi, which can be easily attached with one hand and will not poke baby.
Fewer chemicals = Healthier baby
Disposable diapers contain chemicals that increase their absorbency and reduce odors. Even disposables labeled as environmentally friendly or intended for sensitive babies contain Tributyl-tin (TBT), dioxin, and super absorbent polymers (SAPs). These chemicals have been linked to infections, infertility, cancer, liver and kidney damage.
Making a big difference in
a little way
Each year, an infant wearing disposable diapers adds 1 ton of solid waste to the local landfill. There is much uncertainty as to how long they take to decompose, but it is likely between 250-500 years. Over 300 pounds of wood, 50 pounds of petroleum feedstocks and 20 pounds of chlorine are used to produce disposable diapers for one baby each year. Today’s reusable diapers can be used for several children and eventually make great rags, leaving minimal waste.
Washing made simple
Unlike cloth diapers of the past, cloth diapers are simple to wash. Simply flush any solids (as is even required by disposables), then wash diapers like a regular load of laundry with detergent free of enzymes and brighteners, rinse and dry. If washing at home is not optimal, cloth diaper services will gladly take care of that portion of the work. A diaper service traditionally delivers diapers shortly before baby arrives. After baby arrives, the service picks up the soiled diapers and delivers freshly laundered replacements weekly.
What about daddy, caregivers and daycare?
Many caregivers and daycares find modern cloth diapers an easy alternative and are often willing to accommodate. When initially meeting with caregivers or daycare workers, bring an example of the cloth diapers chosen to demonstrate. Most states have laws, which even offer provisions for cloth diapers in daycares.