UPDATED:
Holy hand grenades, people! I love how many of you are cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs cloth diapers!!! Many of you already cloth diaper, and it seems a sizable gaggle of you are inspired to give it a try!
Yes, I realize I just referred to the group of you in the same way I would a group of Canadian geese.
Ahem.
Anyway, there is still time to snag my cloth diaper stash. The comments on this post will be open until after Not Me! Monday, at which point I’ll pick the winner.
Good luck!
ORIGINAL POST:
The first time I ever saw a baby wearing a cloth diaper, I thought it was one of the strangest things I’d ever seen. Of course, I myself was cloth diapered by my mother as an infant (not when my mother was an infant, but when I was an infant…you know, in case that wasn’t clear), but my memory doesn’t go back that far. So when I saw a baby boy with the biggest, puffiest bottom I’d ever seen bulging out from under his pants, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
Who on earth, I thought, would put such a gigantic diaper on their baby, and then have to wash it when it got dirty, instead of using slim, disposable diapers?
Well, me, as it turned out a few years later.
We took a natural childbirth class when I was pregnant with Big Mac, and the other gals in that class were so darn earthy and green I could hardly stand it. Of course, I was earthier and greener than the average person, too, but I had never even considered big ol’ cloth diapers for our baby. Yet I was inspired once I became informed, so with Prince Charming’s blessing, I gave cloth diapers a try when our firstborn emerged. I was immediately smitten with cloth. And I have been and on and off cloth diapering mama ever since. (Off when I have a newborn, on when the babe is older, off when out and about, on when at home, off when I feel overwhelmed with the washing, on when I want to feel like Supermom, you get the idea…)
While this post will be far from an exhaustive resource on cloth diapering, you can certainly check out my other cloth diaper posts and do more research on your own. (Also, my search my blog by topic button in my lower left sidebar is now live and you can click on it to search for all sorts of different things…) After all, there are multitudes of reasons to cloth diaper (Not the least of which are financial savings and health concerns: bleached disposables contain chlorine and it’s fantastically awful for children’s sensitive parts to sit in chlorine for years as chlorine contains components that have been linked to cancer.) as well as numerous cloth diapering systems (Chinese prefolds and cover, fitted or contoured diapers with wraps, AIO cloth diapers: All In One’s, Pocket diapers…) and a variety of brands (we love Imse Vimse, Kushies, Kissaluvs and hand made wool soakers).
Cloth diapering is a diverse and wonderful adventure and I’d very simply like to share with you how we make it work in our family. So sit tight, here is Cloth Diapering 101…with a giveaway!
First, let me explain our stash. (This photo, however, is not our stash, just so you know. It’s a different stash of really nice brand new cloth diapering goodies that you could win. Keep reading!!)
I use contoured cloth diapers (that’s what you see in the left hand side of the above photo) and have a handful of cloth diapers with snaps, too (in the photo below). Covers (the printed cuties you can see in the right hand side the above photo) are a must so that clothing doesn’t get wet. I also use cloth liners and doublers (swatches of cloth that you add inside of the diaper to make it absorb more), stay-dry liners (these go next to the baby’s skin so that they don’t feel as wet before a diaper change) and disposable liners (these liners look almost like fabric softener sheets and lay inside the diaper when I think a bowel movement is probable….then I can easily drop the soiled liner with the bm into the toilet without needing to scrub).
I start by putting a diaper directly on the baby (here an unbleached contoured diaper is shown on Stellan). I don’t use pins or Snappis or anything to fasten my diapers together.
I’d lay a doubler or a liner in next to baby’s bottom if needed.
A waterproof cover goes on next. These can be reused when there is a wet or dirty diaper. Only the diaper itself needs to get washed each time; a cover can be used multiple times in a row unless it gets soiled or very wet. It goes on around the diaper…
…wrapping snugly around to hold the diaper itself in place.
A few of my diaper covers snap on, but this one, like almost all of my covers, has Velcro closures.
After it’s attached snugly around the baby’s waist, I check for spots where the diaper itself is peeking out.
See in the above photo how a bit of cloth is showing at the leg opening? That will get wet with urine and soak through to the baby’s clothing if it is not tucked in. Below you can see the leg opening is now leak proof.
The same thing goes for the top of the diaper, although in my experience, it is not as necessary to tuck the top in as well, as it rarely gets wet.
But you can tuck it in for good measure, if you want to. Voila! Diaper is on!
When the diaper gets wet, I put on a new diaper right away.
And what do I do with wet or dirty diapers? I have a few wet bags, including the one in the below photo. They are fabric bags, lined with a waterproof material that close with zippers. This smaller bag is what I travel with when out and about and using cloth, so I can store the diapers somewhere until we get home. At home, I have a few huge wet bags that I keep in the nurseries. Wet diapers can just get tossed in, while dirty ones need to have the bowel movement plopped off into the toilet first. I refuse to do a lot of scrubbing. I just plop off what comes off easily, and then set the dirty diaper in the big wet bag to soak until wash day.
I usually add water, a scoop of detergent, and white vinegar to the diapers, even as they are just waiting in the wet bag to be washed. And later, I wash them in the washer with more of the same (vinegar neutralizes the urine…it’s actually a fantastic natural cleaner for almost anything around the house). For extra soiled loads, I may wash the same load twice. Regardless, using a high water level when washing cloth helps to get them really clean.
Diapers themselves can be hung to dry or dried in the dryer. Covers, however, should just hang to dry. They dry very easily. Wool diaper covers like these below, hand made from old wool sweaters, that I used for Small Fry when she was smaller (Used over a diaper in place of a snapped wrap or Velcroed cover) are antimicrobial, don’t soak up urine, and need to be washed only rarely.
When they are washed, they need to be washed with a wool wash, however, and not in the washing machine.
Whew! It definitely sounds like a lot of work. And don’t get me wrong, cloth diapers are not as simple as disposables. But once we’re in the cloth diapering groove, it feels just as easy as using disposables. And knowing our sweet baby’s bottom isn’t sitting in chlorine helps me press through the transition.
Plus, Stellan is just so darn cute in cloth!!!
And now, you can have the diapers right off his sweet little bottom. Oh, okay, I’ll give you new ones and keep the diapers Stellan has already used.
Kind, I know.
That’s right, I’d love to encourage you to use cloth diapers, or to stick with it if you already do, by giving away a cloth diaper package that will make you wet your pants it’s so great. And that will make you wish you were wearing a cloth diaper! Either that, or that you had a Go Girl stashed in your purse.
Simply leave a comment on this post (feel free to talk about cloth diapering, disposable diapering, or to mention nothing about diapering at all) and have a chance to win tons of sweet Imse Vimse brand cloth diapering goodies!!!
A bevy of soft contoured diapers like the one I show Stellan wearing, absorbing liners and stay-dry ones, sets of unbleached snap diapers…
…and tons of organic cotton printed covers in all sizes, the same ones as Stellan is wearing in this post.
This could all be yours!!
Have you ever considered cloth diapering? Are you sold out on disposables? What would you do with this giant stash if you win? What did you have for lunch? Is anything else burning on your mind for you to tell me?
Leave a comment and maybe I’ll pick you to win all these goodies!!!
Happy diapering!
UPDATED:
There is still time to snag my cloth diaper stash. The comments on this post will be open until after Not Me! Monday, at which point I’ll pick the winner.
Did this already happen?
If I won this I would rejoice. I have just started sewing a cloth diaper stash for my June 2012 baby boy (Ira. cute right) and would love to have this stash to bulk to up and leave me with a little less work.
Plus. they look awesome.
Where can I buy some of these or a “starter kit”? I’m pregnant with twins and need to start stocking up and studying for cloth diapering!
Hi, I’m collecting USED cloth diapers for babies in Ethiopia..I have currently 5 children with one more on the way from Ethiopia…(#5 was already adopted from Ethiopia in 09) Anyways, haven’t been to your blog in a while and remembered that you love CLOTH DIAPERS..so if AnY of your friends or YOU have extras sitting around…we could put them to GREAT use!!! The babies in Ethiopia are NAKEd and have to use the bathroom on themselves ALL DAY…it is awful to witness!! Ok, so didn’t even know you had a #5..wow, i’m out of the loop
ha So, if you are interested…contact me and I’d love YOUR help diapering these babes 
kristi johhson
, julia 7, hal 5, george 3, lucy lane 2 and Wes 1
kristinedjohnson@comcast.net
momma to helen 9 (as of yesterday
Alright it is 4 till midnight and I can not seem to stop reading your blog! I don’t know weather it is the time of day or just plain life that makes me laugh a little…. looking at the pictures of “how to use cloth diapers”. I was first introduced to cloth diapers when I was a nanny for a great mom and dad. My first thought when introduced to this crazy idea of cleaning dirty diapers day in and day out was a little overwhelming…plus figuring out how to put the things on…..though after a few days of it….the balloon in me inflated and I was a PRO! Anywho I am a mom of three and love the idea of the possibility to win such a great gift. Thanks for such a great blog.
Is this still open??!! I’d love to be entered. I use disposables with my son (20 months) but we are TTC our second and I’ve always wanted to cloth diaper. With me not working, the inital “start up” cost has been enough to turn hubby off of the idea. This would be a great thing for our family!
Is this still open?? If so count me in!!!
i hope i made it in time. my baby is due may 28th. would love to give cloths a try.
i'm drooling over this stash! we are expecting our second baby in days, and am ready to use cloth dipapers on two! our first born is still in cloth, and i guess i will have to prepare myself for double (or triple) the dirty diapers. here we go~
Love your post!! I have a 13 year old daughter that I used pre-folds and velcro covers with! I now have a 7 month old daughter that I am also cloth diapering and use AIO's for the most part with her. I do have chinese pre-folds and covers too! Your honesty is great! I must agree it's not easy but sooo worth the time and effort! I too am a fan of white vinegar!! I used it 13 years ago too! Now I have upgraded to putting it in a downy ball. The only thing I'd love to figure out is an easy way to strip the diapers over time!!
Wow! A friend just turned me on to your blog, and I must say, I am quite impressed! Incredibly informational. I am currently a mother of 2 and am attempting to switch to Cloth Diapering.
Every penny saved matters (plus being "green" is nice too)! We're looking to keep it as cheap as possible for the time being though. Has anyone bought gently used CD? Have you heard of the PouPond brand and what is your opinion on that? Thanks so much!
Wow! A friend just turned me on to your blog, and I must say, I am quite impressed! Incredibly informational. I am currently a mother of 2 and am attempting to switch to Cloth Diapering.
Every penny saved matters (plus being "green" is nice too)! We're looking to keep it as cheap as possible for the time being though. Has anyone bought gently used CD? Have you heard of the PouPond brand and what is your opinion on that? Thanks so much!
I am really really interested in cloth diapers. We are expecting TWINS in April and I really want to do the right thing environmentally and it would be great to diaper the boys (Charlie and Lucas) for a fraction of the price. I enjoyed your comments on diapering. Not sure if you're still doing the give-a-way but I'd be VERY interested.
I am very interested in using cloth diapers when our first child arrives. We just recently announced to our families that we are pregnant and it is our first! We mentioned using cloth diapers with the baby, and got a lot of flack…which was hard, so hopefully we'll get some support once they see how much better it can be. I'm only guessing if the child inherits my skin allergies that cloth would be much better!
Love using cloth diapers but I just get burnt out sometimes. I never thought to just use disposables when I'm not feeling very supermomish. Great idea.
A big reason I started to use cloth was because so many people thought it was a horrible idea. Me being stubborn thought I can do this, it will be easy. Once you get the hang out it and get a routine it really is just as easy as disposable!
Hi McMama:)
I am a young(24) mother of 3!! Macy is almost 4, Rylee is 2 1/2 and Cade is 6months old. I am a stay at home mommy and a full time student online. Your mommy style is precious and affordable!!! Diapers are super expensive, but I have never tried cloth…would love to start!!!
Hi McMama:)
I am a young(24) mother of 3!! Macy is almost 4, Rylee is 2 1/2 and Cade is 6months old. I am a stay at home mommy and a full time student online. Your mommy style is precious and affordable!!! Diapers are super expensive, but I have never tried cloth…would love to start!!!
Okay, I just recently found your blog (thanks to Rachel) and I just randomly clicked on this post. I'm not sure that you will even get this comment much less read it but I thought I'd tell you I LOVE G-Diapers (gdiapers.com) For someone who struggled a bit with the idea of washing poopy cloth diapers they were a great eco friendly alternative (and super cute too!) They are a little pricey, but they are compostable (the pee ones) and very, very easy to use. So, for any of your readers who need something in the middle… they're really good!
We love cloth diapering as well! I haven't heard of Imse. I'll have to go check them out! Thanks
We love cloth diapering as well! I haven't heard of Imse. I'll have to go check them out! Thanks
We tried cloth diapers with our first son but we didn't master the hang of it & he ended up with one sore bottom, poor lamb. We didn't even try with our daughter – scared, i suppose. And now with #3, I'm interested in getting back in the saddle with cloth diapers. Thanks for the helpful instructions & I'm going to give it a go!
WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN THE LAST 6 YEARS?! We have a 6, 4, 2, & 2 month old. Chickened out using cloth with the first 2 because I couldn't figure out what to buy & it seemed so foreign. KUDOS on your site's explanation! READY to make the plunge! Will go well with making my own organic baby food, making my own household cleaner, and all of theother sacrifices I attempt for the betterment of our children.
Our issue? The budget. Did I mention I'm married to a teacher? We've just never been able to make the initial investment in cloth diapers.
Your diaper stash would bless my socks off, bless our budget, & bless our babies right out of their chlorine-filled diapers!
I have been following your blog since last year. My second son, Avery passed away last June and I came across your site while reading about other terminally ill kids. What a beautiful blessing Stellan is. Our God is amazing in all things!
Thank you for all your info on cloth diapering. My husband and I are praying for another sweet baby and I am very interested in using cloth this time around. After our experience with Trisomy 18 I have been researching all the environmental causes of genetic diseases. Pretty scary what we put into our bodies! Thanks again for making it not seem so overwhelming.
Lesa
I've been doing some research on cloth diapering, and had pretty much decided that the environmental impact/time/cost of cloth diapering actually isn't more beneficial than disposables – plus it seems challenging to determine which cloth system to go with.
Reading your blog has re-inspired me to look further into cloth diapering as an option. Thanks for the step by step guidelines. I also really appreciate reading about your "on and off" cloth diapering approach, as part of what turned me off was being tied to the diapers.
I love your blog, I reference it often. You guys are in my prayers.
Hello,
My daughter has used cloth diapers for about a year now. She loves them and spends a lot of time on Diaperswappers.com. She also get great advice there. She and her family currently live with us to save a few pennies. Unfortunately I don't change as many diapers as I would if they were disposable. You've inspired me to help out more in the diaper-changing part of Camille's life.
Hello,
My daughter has used cloth diapers for about a year now. She loves them and spends a lot of time on Diaperswappers.com. She also get great advice there. She and her family currently live with us to save a few pennies. Unfortunately I don't change as many diapers as I would if they were disposable. You've inspired me to help out more in the diaper-changing part of Camille's life.
I love cloth diapering! I felt the same way about cloth diapers as you did initially, but after I read a lot about them, I realized how wonderful they are! I only have one type of cloth diaper and would love to try some different types. That's a pretty nice stash!
So I don't know if it's too late but I'll try anyway- besides, your tutorial deserves a thank you from a mommy considering the whole cloth thing. So, thank you! And Stellan is really cute!