Getting Started, Part 1

Congratulations! You've decided to venture into the world of Cloth Diapering... now what?

When I decided to begin cloth diapering to cut costs, I figured I'd go online, order some prefolds and covers and then be on my merry way. Right? Not so much. Once my husband reluctantly agreed, I got on the computer and Googled "cloth diaper stores." Wow. There were so many options that I just clicked on the first link. I figured it would take me to a store with some prefold diapers (the ones I had heard about) and a small selection of waterproof covers. Wrong again. Apparently, in the last decade or so, cloth diapering has been revolutionized. It was no longer just flats or prefolds with wool or plastic covers. No, now there were cloth diapers that were shaped like disposable diapers and they had Aplix (like Velcro) closures. Where did these come from? Why hadn't I heard about them? Cloth diapering was nothing like I was expecting.

In case you're not sure of all the CDing (short for cloth diaper - it's a whole subculture with it's own slang!) options available, here's a breakdown of the different types of diapers:

Flats: These are your Grandma's cloth diapers. Remember those big, one-layer pieces of cloth that needed to be folded like Origami and then pinned to stay on baby? Those would be flats. Some people still use them and manufacturers even make them Organic. If you choose flats, you'll need some kind of waterproof cover.

Prefolds: These are basically flats that have been folded for you, hence the name. They are usually folded in layers of 2x4x2 or 4x8x4, meaning that the most layers are in the middle to soak everything up. You can put them out flat, lay your baby on them, fold in the middle between the legs, bring everything up and together and pin or Snappi them closed. You would then put a waterproof cover on and go. Or you can trifold them and snugly fit them into a wrap-style diaper cover and put them on your baby that way. Each person has their preference. I did both ways, depending on how wiggly the baby was. Prefolds and covers are the cheapest way to go.

Contours: These diapers are cut out, or contoured, into a shape similar to that of a disposable diaper. Baby is then put on the diaper, everything is brought up and together and pinned or Snappi'd closed. They usually have an extra couple of layers in the middle, for extra absorbency. These and fitteds were my favorites when I only had one child in diapers. They usually have two sizes - stage 1 and stage 2. Contours also need waterproof covers.

Fitteds: I was so happy when I got my first fitteds. They are much like the contour, in regards to the shape, but they have elastic in the legs to prevent messy leaks and they have either Aplix or Snap closures. So fast and convenient. They can come in a size 1 and size 2 fitting, xs to xl or one-size fits all. Waterproof covers are needed with these as well.

Covers: You'll need covers if you decide to use any of the above-mentioned diapers. Why? Well, if you like holding your baby without getting wet, then you'll appreciate diaper covers. There are lots of different kinds of covers available today. Wrap-style covers go on like a disposable diaper and everything closes in the middle-front with Aplix or snaps. Pull-on covers go on just like a pair of underpants and can be very trim. They're just not the funnest to take off when you're baby has had a blow-out. Side-snapping covers snap closed on both sides and make it more difficult for babies to take them off. Covers come in a variety of sizes, like fitteds. The Thirsties Duo Wrap is a new wrap that comes in 2 stages - 0-9m and 9m plus - that helps you save money by not having to purchase 4 different sizes of cover.

All-in-Ones: Also known as AIOs. These diapers come with the absorbent and waterproof layers in one easy system. AIOs tend to be more expensive but are much more convenient and the most like a disposable diaper. One downside that I noticed when I used AIOs is that they take longer to dry.

Pockets: Pocket diapers are a lot like the AIO, only the absorbent layer is separate and you just stuff it inside the diaper's pocket. This cuts drying time down considerably. It also allows you to add more stuffing for night time or if you just have a heavy wetter. My favorite type of pocket is the one-size pocket. It has Aplix or snap closures and a number of snaps on the front of the diaper that allow you to adjust the size for your baby. These tend to be more expensive, but they are wonderful if you have more than one baby in diapers at once.

And of course, there are hybrids like the Thirsties Pocket AIO, that don't fit into one specific category but are designed to make cloth diapering easier for you.

Shalom,
Nina
http://www.shalombeginnings.com/

Cloth Diapering in a Nutshell

I stumbled into the world of cloth diapers completely unaware of what I'd find. My discoveries were amazing. There really is a whole cloth diaper subculture! Diapers can be cute! Rinsing poo off of a cloth diaper can be almost fun if you have a spray nozzle thingy!

So here are a few tips to beginners who might be as clueless as I was:

In case you're on the fence about whether you should try cloth diapering, you should know that these are not your mom's cloth diapers. Gone are the huge squares that require the folding skills of an origami master. They have been replaced by prefolds (very cheap), fitted diapers, pocket diapers and all-in-ones (not very cheap). There are even some hybrids out there! (No they will not save you money on gas). What's better is that you won't risk stabbing that wriggling toddler with a diaper pin. There are wonderful elastic, T-shaped things with little claws that keep the diaper together called Snappis. Or better than that, Velcro! Many of the cloth diapers made today have snap or Velcro closures that make diapering your baby a breeze. And once you have the diaper on, you just put on a pretty, waterproof diaper cover. Yes, I said pretty. Covers today come in all sorts of colors and patterns. You won't want to cover them up!

If you're in this to save a lot of money consider buying used diapers. Yes, used as in already been peed and pooped in. Don't worry, the baby won't care. While cloth diapers are much cheaper than disposables, you may be enticed by the beautiful designer diapers that cost a lot. If you're like me and you really want them but don't want to pay full price, you'll find that there are other ways to get your hands on them. Diaper Swappers has an online forum where moms (or dads) can post their used diapers and accessories. Be careful, you may become addicted. They offer good savings on diapers and they can also let you know how well they worked for their baby's shape. If only Target would buy back used disposable diapers...

Experiment. This is the best way to find out what will work best for your baby. As I said before, there are so many different kinds of diapers out there; it's hard to know what your favorite will be unless you try them all. A great way to do this is with a sample package. Many cloth diaper retailers offer a beginner's package that comes with a combination of prefolds and covers, fitteds and all-in-ones. If you have friends that cloth diaper you can ask if they would lend you some diapers for a couple of days so you can get a feel for them.

If you have good sewing skills (or even not so good sewing skills) you can make your own cloth diapers. There are many patterns and instructions online for making your own diapers. If you're good at it you could even sell them for some extra cash.

Lastly, and most importantly, get a spray nozzle thingy! "What the heck is she talking about," you may wonder. I am talking about a nozzle that attaches to your toilet that you use to spray the mess out of the cloth diaper. When I first began cloth diapering I would cringe when I saw my daughter grunt and turn various shades of red and purple. "Great," I thought, "I've got to stick my hand in the toilet and swish the diaper around and then move it to the sink because I won't be able to get it all off. Why did I get into cloth diapering, again?" I was very glad when I went to a friend's house and used the spray nozzle that was attached to her toilet. Not only does it allow you to get everything off of the diaper, but it's also fun for those of us who like instant gratification. (I am easily amused). You will have to wring out the diaper before you throw it in the diaper pail, but at least it's not poopy. Being a parent is messy business.

*Many Web sites carry a spray nozzle for around $35. If that's out of your price range (it was for me) go the hardware store and get a nozzle for the kitchen sink and you'll need a few connectors to attach it to your toilet. It's cheaper. Ask the employees at the hardware store for help if you have no idea what I'm talking about, they'll just need to know what size you need.