Easy Cloth Diapering
What You’ll Need to Get Started
No one wants to mind boggle over diaper changes when you have a new baby. All you want are quick, easy and convenient diaper changes so that you don't have think while you have a screaming, wet baby in your sleep-deprived arms. When many people hear cloth diapers the first thing they say is, "I don't have the time for all that," but modern cloth diapers are just as easy, and sometimes easier than disposables. In less than one hour, you can be all set up and ready to change diapers on autopilot.
A convenient changing station is the first thing you’ll need. The table will need to be at waist level so that you don't have to stretch to put baby on it. It will also need to have convenient draws or shelving so that you can reach for diapers with one hand while holding a wiggly baby. You should also be able to keep your wipes and ointments in easy reach on the top of the diaper table.
A wipe warmer is suggested. If you have cold winters, you'll find this is your best friend. Without it your baby will start to anticipate cold wipes and start crying before you get to changing. Another reason you may want to get a wipe warmer is in case you want to make your own wipe liquid, the warmth helps the mixture. A good recipe is a mixture of 10 drops tea tree oil, 2 oz. of witch hazel and 2 cups of warm water. Once warm, this mixture is homogenized, but when cold, the oil comes out of the mixture.
Don’t forget a diaper pail. Since you are using cloth diapers, you can't use a diaper genie, but you can spring for the fancy cloth diaper pails with the air freshener tab, or you can get a regular inexpensive tall plastic garbage pail that locks to keep inquisitive babies out of the stinky diaper pail. You can put a laundry bag in it to make it easy to haul the diapers to wash or you can just use it as is and then give it a quick rinse after throwing the diapers in the wash. Whatever you do, don't use a wet pail because any standing body of water is a safety hazard for babies. Cloth diapers do not smell as badly as disposable diapers for some reason.
A diaper shower or bidet attachment is great for diapers, for new moms and just awesome to have on hand. This is an attachment that goes behind the toilet so you can rinse off solids when baby starts eating table foods. It is also a great attachment for new moms to help relieve soreness and make going to the bathroom easier. Later on, when baby is toilet training its convenient for helping to wash their behind until they know how to wipe properly.
A convenient diaper bag is a must. Your diaper bag should contain a zippered cloth laundry bag for dirty cloth diapers on the go, a small plastic zipped bag for wet wipes, 6 burp cloths (or just use 6 flat diapers), 2 extra change of clothes for baby (1 for you) and a changing pad (or use a small blanket)
A good washing machine is essential because you will be doing an extra load about 3 times a week. Newer models often provide better energy efficiency allowing you to use the same, or even less, energy as previous models.
Cloth wipes—it only makes sense that you use these since you will be cloth diapering. Often a mixture of all cotton and fleece wipes work best. Overall you can make do with 24 wipes, but having extra is suggested. That way if you need to skip a washday you still have wipes.
A good amount of cloth diapers is 24 to 36 diapers to start and wash every other day. A mix of diaper types such as 6-12 All-in-Ones, 6-12 Fitteds, 6-12 pockets, 12 Prefolds and 4 diaper covers is suggested. Although the touch tape is easier and more convenient for quick diaper changes, it does have its drawbacks. After 2 to 3 years the tape may get somewhat worn. The snaps are a great alternative, especially for nosy toddlers who love to take off their diapers at the most inopportune time. Snap diapers have their own drawbacks though, they are often not as flexible in sizing as the tape and the snaps can sometimes pull on the fabric. The more diapers you have in your stash the less wear and tear on each diaper.
After your house is set up for ease of cloth diapering you can get more organized by dividing chores. One person can be the diaper-washing expert while the other folds and changes. A good routine is also needed. When you come home at the end of the day, grab the dirty diaper pail and throw them in the washing machine for a prewash, then after dinner hit the sanitize mode with an extra rinse. After putting baby to bed throw them in the drier or, weather- (and local ordinances) permitting hang them and then before bed while watching a little TV or catching up on the day, fold and your diapers will be ready for the next couple days. Cloth diapering is easy and comforting when you have the proper supplies, equipment and routine.