What You Need (& don’t need) To Start Cloth Diapering Today
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I am far from a cloth diaper expert, but I have been cloth diapering for the past four years for kids number five, six, seven, and eight. As a result, I have learned a few things along the way. Cloth diapering certainly can be a very frugal choice, but there are also ways that cloth diapering can become very un-frugal if you’re not careful. In this post, I’m focusing on the cloth diaper supplies you do need (& a bit about the ones you don’t.
Here are a few things to think about first.
Cloth diapering is very much a preference thing. The market is saturated with countless options to choose from. When I went into it, I was looking to be the most economical, so that is how I approached choosing what I wanted. My goal was to save money on diapers.
Similarly, your first objective should be determining your purpose for cloth diapering. This will help you more easily choose products to fit your needs.
I also had one friend who used cloth diapers, so I asked her opinion on what I was thinking and also what brands she had used. If you know someone who cloth diapers, it will also help you to pick her brain a bit. And, this is a large part of my goal here. I hope that I can be a help to you just a bit when it comes to the world of cloth diapering!
Here are the basics of what you need to begin cloth diapering today!
(this post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you)
This is a great website that explains so much about cloth diapering. Just click on this link right here. I have also ordered from this company among others, but I often find the best prices and deals to be on Amazon.
However, before you go any further, you will want to spend some time on the above site learning about the types and terms.
Once you have done that, the following information will be much easier for you to understand because I am going to take you through what I have chosen to use and why these were my choices.
Diaper Covers
I decided that from an economical standpoint, one-size covers were the way to go for me. They are adjustable and have taken two boys all the way from start to finish now.
I went with some Flip covers as well as some Econobum covers. You can find out more about them by clicking on the pictures or links below. They come in all kinds of colors appropriate for either gender or gender neutral colors.
flip Cloth Diaper Cover – Snap – Hummingbird – One Size
econobum Trial Pack – White with Twilight Trim – One Size
Actually, both of these covers are made by the same company, they are just at different price points and have a few different features. The Econobums are the cheaper of the two, and interestingly, I have found them to hold up longer. Perhaps I used the Flips more so it had something to do with wear, but from that point forward I have just stuck with the Econobums.
Over time I also bought a couple of pocket diapers to use for one son at night, these seemed to do the best with him with no leaking. My second son uses the pocket diapers throughout the day at times, but I don’t even stuff the pocket, I just put in an insert as I would with a regular diaper cover. This is the pocket diaper cover I love…AND they have made it through three boys. They are amazing in that way!
Kawaii Baby Bamboo Charcoal One Size Cloth Diaper with 2 Four Layers Inserts ” Rocket “
Diaper Inserts
As far as inserts go, I do have some of the Flip inserts as well as a more generic, inexpensive insert. I have found the Flip inserts to be worth the extra money – they are by far more absorbent than the generic ones. You can find them by clicking on the picture or the link below. I do have some of the newborn size and some of the other. The newborn size is SO worth the extra money. The others are just so bulky when babies are small.
Flip Stay-Dry Inserts – Newborn – 6ct
I also bought some of the old fashioned white flat diapers, and this is what we use at night in addition to the Flip inserts above. I just fold these several times until they are the size of a regular liner as above. I think all the layers really absorb well. With these diapers and an insert, we rarely have any leaks, even for my 3 year old at night. You can see these white diapers by clicking on either the picture or the link below.
Gerber Birdseye Flatfold Cloth Diapers, White, 10 Count
How much do I need?
In order to determine how many covers and inserts you will need, you first need to decide how frequently you want to wash them. Generally, with newborns and infants, you are changing their cloth diapers at least once every three hours. If you go with that figure and then how often you want to do laundry, you should come up with a pretty good guide on how many to start with. I would add a few onto whatever total you come up with.
Dirty Diaper Storage
There are so many options out there, but I have found it to work best for me to store them in a stainless steel trashcan with a lid like this one.
Utopia Alley Retro Dome Stainless Steel Trash Can, 30L (7.9 Gal)
Then, I use this diaper pail liner
Cloth Diapering Away From Home
When you are cloth diapering, you have to look at leaving home just a bit differently than you would using disposable diapers. With cloth diapers, you will be changing diapers and then taking them back home with you. This is why you need something to take the dirty diapers home in. I love these bags and have a few of them. It’s really nice to have a few sizes to choose from.
Travel Cloth Diaper Wet Bag (Large), Lace
Damero 2pcs Pack Cute Travel Baby Wet and Dry Cloth Diaper Organizer Bag( Medium, Green+Light Blue)
Skip Hop Grab and Go Wet/Dry Diaper Bag, Chevron
I find this really handy to keep stocked with supplies in the car
I think this one is my favorite of all the bags!
Planet Wise Wet Diaper Bag, Owl, Large
I have many of these same bags, and they all do a great job of keeping the stink and all the messiness inside. My husband’s nose is ultra sensitive. If he could smell the diapers I was carrying around with us in the car, I would know about it 😉
When it comes to cloth diapering, it really helps to know where to start. Defining your purpose and your laundry goals come first. From there, check out my favorite products. I am nearly seven years in to cloth diapering my fourth child and really feel that it is the right decision for me.
Will it be for you? Only you can answer that, but now you know more about what you do and don’t need to get started!
