Cloth Diapering 101 - Starting the Stash

The number one question - where do I start? Followed by, how much does this cost? And then, what about the poop? (We will deal with poop and washing next post - promise!)

Types

Now that you know the types of cloth diapers, is there a type that stands out to you? Is there a type that makes you think, "no way"? When I started, I expected to hate prefolds. I ended up buying some to use as burp cloths. On laundry day, I decided to fold one and pop it in a cover - and I was hooked. Prefolds became my go-to diaper.

So, here is what I recommend, try a couple different types of diapers. Once you have a real live baby. Different diapers fit different babies. A diaper that fits your baby one month, might fit weird when they have a growth spurt. You will have the exact same problem with disposables. So, don't commit like crazy to one diaper all at once. Read online reviews. Oh, and ask your friends what they like.

Trial

Some local and online diaper stores offer trial packs. These are fantastic. Or, you can buy a few new diapers to try out. Or look at consignment diapers at you local store. Or buy used off of Kijiji or Craigslist. 6-12 diapers is good for a trial.

How many? 

Shout out to Babes in Arms for this info.

Recommended diaper layette (2-3 days of diapering):

• 12-24 Pocket diapers with 24 inserts

or

• 24 AIOs 

or

• or 24 Fitted diapers with 6-10 covers in each size and 3-4 nighttime diapers 

or

• or 24 Flat/ Prefold diapers with 6-10 covers in each size and 2-4 snappis 

and

• 6-12 extra inserts/ doublers/ boosters
• 1 roll of disposable liners
• 24-36 washable wipes
• 1 diaper pail and 2 pail liners
• 1 wet bag (for on the go)

Cost

This is up to you. Different types, different brands have different costs. Expect to pay between $200 and $800 for brand-new diapers. I am going to list American online prices, since most of the people asking are ladies I've met online.

Prefolds, fitteds and covers: Prefolds cost about $20/ 6. Econobums kit of 3 covers and 12 prefolds and 1 wetbag sells for $50. Bummis kit of 24 prefolds, 6 covers, 3 rolls of liners, 5 fleece liners and 1 wet bag sells for $180. Covers can cost between $10-20. Motherease fitted costs $12. Other fitteds can be $8-20.

Pocket diapers: Sunbaby sells for a kit of 24 for just over $100. Charlie Banana sells for $22/ diaper. Applecheeks sells for $20/ diaper (the best pocket to me). BumGenius sells for $18/ diaper.

AIOs: Anywhere from $15-30/ diaper. BumGenius Freetimes are my all time favorite and retail for about $20. Omaiki cost about $30/ diaper. There are cheaper options too with Kawaii baby.

Where to buy?

I know this might sound preachy, but support your local businesses. These are often Moms with tons of experience who can give you face to face advise. Sure, you might pay a few bucks more per diaper, but you are keeping a family fed and you will save money by getting the right diaper for you.

If you want to shop online or don't have a local store, buy from authorized dealers. Ebay often sells knock-offs of the big brands. A few online options are: Cloth Diaper Sites, Diaper Junction (they also offer a trial kit), All About Cloth Diapers, and Diapers.com.

Cloth Diapering 101 - Types of Diapers

I have a cloth diaper addiction. Seriously. I go nuts over a tiny padded bum. Since having Juniper, I've tried all the different types of cloth diapers (except bird's eye flats - I just don't get those). Just so you know, I only have used North American made diapers. There are cheaper options out there, I just haven't used them. 

I am not an expert. I don't work for a diaper store (yet?). This is just what we've tried and my own opinions. Oh, and the lovely ladies at Babes in Arms have been a huge help. If you are in Calgary, go there! Take their classes. Love them. 

So, you want to try out cloth diapering. I highly recommend trying out a few different types of diapers once you have an actual baby. This made a huge difference for me. Buy consignment diapers or look on Craigslist, Kijiji or where ever people sell their crap online where you live. 

This is a prefold with a cover:

Pros:

• cheapest way to cloth diaper
• only change prefold for wet diapers
• can use with snappis for traditional diaper folding instead of as an insert (as shown)

Cons:

• bulky
• 2 separate pieces
• need to fold or attach prefold with each change

Econobums cover with prefold (folded in thirds)

Econobum cover

Prefold

This is a fitted diaper with a cover:

Pros:

• next cheapest option
•  very good for heavy wetters
• only change fitted diaper with wet diapers
• great to add boosters/ doublers for night

Cons:

• bulky
• have to snap or pull on 2 diapers

Motherease fitted diaper

Snap in booster in fitted diaper.

Motherease fitted inside a Motherease Airflow cover

This is a pocket diaper:

Pros: 

• Very popular choice with lots of brand options
• can adjust inserts for wetness levels
•  quicker dry time than AIOs
• inserts don't shift like prefolds & covers

Cons:

• stuffing and unstuffing
• one diaper = one wear

Applecheeks pocket diaper with Bamboo insert

Applecheeks size 1 cover

Applecheeks bamboo insert folded.

This is a cover with an insert:

Pros:

• only change insert for wet diapers
• can use disposable inserts

Cons:

• not great for heavy wetters
• 2 separate pieces

Flip cover (similar to other covers)

Flip microfiber insert

Flip insert inside cover

This is an All-in-one diaper (AIO):

Pros:

• All in one means no separate cover and insert - all sewn together
• No stuffing and un stuffing like pocket diapers

 Cons:

• Expensive
• Take forever to dry (Freetime flips apart and takes less time - truly genius)

BumGenius Elemental

BumGenius Freetime (my favourite)

Cover options:

There are literally hundred of cover options if you use inserts, prefolds or fitted diapers. Everyone has their favourites. I hate velcro for the most part. I am terrible at remembering to attach it properly for washing and so my covers get stuck to inserts - Gggggrrrrr. I like snaps. I also like plain covers. There are tons of cute patterns out there, I just don't buy very many of them. There are one size or sized too. I prefer one sized because I'm cheap and don't want to have a bunch of different size diapers. You can use pocket diapers as covers too - just don't stuff the insert (the only microfiber safe for next to the skin is the BG ones).

Sustainable Babyish wool soaker - size medium

Wool is great for night use over a fitted diaper. Super absorbent. Crazy expensive though. 

BrookiEllen one-size cover (cotton over PUL)

 BrookiEllen used to sell on etsy. Her covers are very well-made and cute. The cotton layer over PUL is nice and soft. She also makes ruffle bums.

Bummis Superbrite - size small

Bummis make amazing thick PUL covers. The velcro has wash tabs on the inside! This cover was my favourite when Juniper was very little because of the gusseted legs.

Motherease Rikki cover - size small

Motherease covers are made in Canada! Cute prints. Don't like the lack of wash tabs since D always forgets to reattach the velcro.

Motherease Air Flow cover - size m/l

 We use this cover over the Motherease fitted with extra insert and an additional hemp booster for overnight. Another cute print.

BumGenius Flip cover - one size with snaps

 Flip covers are so versatile. Over a disposable insert, prefold, microfiber insert - whatever! Expensive covers.

Bummis SuperWhisper cover - size medium

Bummis is my favourite! So similar to the other one, just no extra gusset and cute print. We use all the time. Wish I had a snap Bummis cover. 

Extras:

There are all sorts of things to help cloth diapering. Booster/ doublers add absorbency. Liners make poop disposal easy.

Swimmis swim diaper

Why use a disposable swim diaper? These are super cute AND reusable! Check with your pool, some are fascists about using disposables.

Omaiki night diaper

Omaiki is another amazing Canadian company. So well-made. This is a fitted diaper with a pocket with an attached insert. Brilliant. So absorbent too. I just started using this with a hemp booster under the wool cover for night. So far, 8 hours and no leaks!

Motherease snap in booster

This organic cotton booster snaps into the Motherease fitted. Awesome.

Unknown contoured booster

Picked this booster up secondhand. Contoured is awesome for catching messy morning poops. The things you learn. Quickly. 

Bummis disposable liners

Disposable liners are essential for when you have to use a little diaper cream (no zinc!). Also a must for formula fed or solid eaters - if you don't want to spray or if you are on the go. They claim to be flushable, but I've accidentally tossed them in the wash and they survive. That means a clogged toilet to me. 

So, that is more or less types of diapers. Other great resources on types: your local diaper store (support local business for a few extra bucks), Diaper Jungle, Caterpillar Baby, Canada's Diaper Ladies, Bummis, and Ava's Appletree.

I'll explain storing, on the go, washing, poop, and stripping tomorrow.

If you have any questions, please ask! I can let you know my experiences.

Welcome to the Prairie Beehive

Oh, hello there! Welcome to the Prairie Beehive. I'm Kristie. And that little person on my lap is my 6 month old daughter, Juniper.

 
We live in Alberta with her daddy (and my wonderful husband) D and our cocker spaniels, Oscar & Lola. 

This is a blog about my experiences with natural living, attachment parenting, baby wearing, cloth diapering with little sprinklings of crafting, cooking and feminism.

So, there you have it. 

xo. Kristie