What type of cloth diaper should I
buy?
There are several types of cloth diapers on the market,
ranging from inexpensive flat diapers to all in one
systems. Before you buy dozens of diapers, it is a good
idea to purchase one or two of each type of diaper and
decide for yourself which you like best.
Flat diapers- Flat diapers are unfolded
inexpensive diapers. They are basically a piece of fabric
that you fold around your baby and fasten with a diaper
pin. Flat diapers are what your grandma may have used
when she was diapering babies.
Prefold diapers- Prefolds are a step
up from flat diapers. They are already folded for you
but they still require a fastener.
Fitted diapers- Fitted diapers are
a little more expensive than prefolds and flat diapers,
but they are more convenient. They use elastic around
the legs to make them fit more like modern disposables
and have a built in fastener.
*When using flat, prefold, or fitted diapers you will
also need to use a plastic pair of pants or diaper cover
to keep clothing from getting wet.
All in one diapers- All in one diapers
are the most convenient diapers on the market. Because
of this, they are also the priciest. They have everything
you need built in and do not require a separate fastener
or plastic pants.
How many cloth diapers should I buy?
If you plan to use only cloth diapers on your baby,
you will need at least 2-3 dozen diapers. If you have
a limited budget, you can start by purchasing flats
and add the more expensive fitted or all-in-ones at
a later date. Unless you buy one-size cloth diapers,
you will need to purchase larger sized diapers as your
baby grows. One thing to keep in mind when investing
in cloth diapers; however, is that they are reusable.
If you plan to have more children, they can be used
again with your future babies.
How do I wash cloth diapers?
Washing cloth diapers is easy. You should purchase
a plastic bucket to throw all your soiled diapers in.
Cloth diapers do not need to be soaked in a bucket prior
to washing. Moreover, it is not a good idea to leave
your diapers soaking in the bucket as this can pose
a safety issue for your baby. Babies are attracted to
water and may fall into the bucket and drown. To keep
your diapers cleaner you may want to use a throw away
liner inside the diaper. This way you can just shake
your diaper over the toilet to get rid of any stool
and toss the diaper in your plastic bucket until you
are ready to wash them.
When you are ready to wash your diapers, all you need
to do is toss them in the washing machine. The best
way to get them clean is to run them through two cycles.
The first cycle you can run on cold wash/cold rinse.
The second cycle use hot wash/cold rinse. The first
wash cycle you can either run through with just plain
water or you may want to add ½ cup of baking
soda to the load to help get rid of odor. With the second
wash cycle, use a mild baby detergent and rinse well.
If your baby is having problems with his bottom being
irritated, try a double rinse cycle. Make sure when
you wash your cloths that you are not using regular
detergent and you avoid using bleach. Regular detergent
may be too harsh for your baby’s skin. Bleach
will wear down the fibers in your diapers and also irritate
your baby’s skin.
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