How to Prepare to Use Cloth Diapers

Although most parents opt to use plastic diapers, using cloth means having soft cotton next to your baby's skin.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Changing Pads
• Cloth Diapers
• Diaper Changing Tables
• Baby Wipes
• Diaper Pins
• Diaper-rash Ointments

1. Decide whether you want to wash your own or hire a company to do it for you.

2. Pick a service, if that's the route you choose. They'll come to your house once or twice a week to pick up the dirty diapers and bring in the clean ones.

3. Buy 8 to 10 diaper wraps. Pins are mostly passé - you'll affix these plastic covers with Velcro to keep your baby's diaper from leaking.

4. Set up your diapering supplies - changing table, wraps, wipes, ointment - well in advance of your due date so you're ready to go when your baby comes home.

5. If you plan to launder your own, buy six dozen diapers and a big diaper pail. Line it with a trash bag and stock up on baby-safe detergent.

6. Buy some disposables as a backup, no matter what your intentions. Use them on trips or if something goes wrong with your cloth supply.

Tips & Warnings

• Instead of plastic, you can buy diaper wraps made of cotton, wool, or other more breathable materials. Air flow helps prevent diaper rash.
• Cloth diapers are less absorbent than high-tech plastic ones, so you'll have to change them more often.
• Washing diapers at home often means more diaper rash because it's harder to get them sterilized in your own laundry.

[kandrew]

on 4/20/2007 The old fashioned Prefolds covered in this article are not the norm anymore. There are SO many more easy to use options from All in one's which work exactly like a disposable to fitteds, covers, pockets, and the list goes on. Do wash with Borax and a vinegar rinse and they will be good as new each time. Most makers supply cleaning instructions. never use rash ointments with cloth. Even though they do have to be changed more often (as often as a disposable SHOULD be changed!) It's better than the deadly chemicals used in making disposables which leach into your babies skin.

on 2/22/2006 Wool liners are great for keeping baby dry. You can buy wool liners at on line diaper stores, or you can knit your own. Wool can hold 30% of it's weight in moisture before it feels wet. You also don't have to wash them as often, just let them air dry in between uses. Be sure not to wash them with the diapers or they will shrink, and use lanolin to help them stay waterproof.

on 11/22/2005 An easy way to do this is to shop online. Many online shops sell samples or diapers with slight sewing errors at a reduced price. You can also try many different brands by buying used diapers. I know it may sound gross but if you wash with vinegar and hot water, they'll be as clean as new. Plus, you can save a ton of money by buying used!

on 11/22/2005 Buy a yard or two of fleece and cut out rectangles approximately 5" by 12". When changing a diaper, place a fleece liner so that it is between baby's bum and the cloth diaper. Wetness will pass through the liner and into the diaper, but will feel dry to the touch. This will keep the baby dry even if the diaper is soaked, and it will also prevent diaper rash.

on 11/22/2005 I would purchase 2-3 of a few different styles of fitted diapers at first to find which sizes and styles work best for your baby's shape. For my 4 month old, I have about 18 diapers, and 10 covers. I only have to wash every 3rd day. To avoid rashes, use very little detergent - about 1 tbsp. (Tide is fine for most). Do rinse cycles until there are no bubbles.