Cloth Diapering 102

Probably the scariest part of cloth diapering to many is the thought of cleaning them. Let's face it, handling sopping wet inserts and poopy covers doesn't sounds fun to anyone. However, I think having a good system in place really makes everything pretty easy. Trust me! It's not nearly as much work as I expected the first time I heard about it.

I recommend setting up a good diaper station to help keep things easy. Rather than trying to fold the prefolds and stuff the pocket diapers when he needs to be changed, I try to prepare everything in advance. This is important when they are little so you don't get squirted and when they are bigger so they don't have time to roll or crawl away. I use a basket to keep everything organized or the diaper stacker on the side of Caleb's Pack-N-Play.

I also prepare my wipes by folding them, wetting them, and tucking them into the warmer.Here is a picture of the cloth wipes and the wipe warmer I use:

There are three different types of wipes pictured above. The ones on the left are flannel and are the cheapest. The ones in the middle are theThirsties fab wipes - cotton velour on one side and fleece on the other. On the right are Warmies; they came with the wipe warmer. Dave likes the flannel best and I prefer the Thirsties. The Warmies are terrible! They fell apart after being washed just a time or so, plus they are expensive and really small. Even if you decide not to cloth diaper, using cloth wipes may be an option. Even if you buy the most expensive cloth wipes you save money in the long run, plus it's just like washing a load of washcloths.

A lot of people assume diapers need to be soaked once they are removed. However, most websites I read and other cloth diapering moms I spoke with recommend using a dry pail. For one, it is a lot less mess. Secondly, allowing the diapers to set in water breaks down the fibers. I prefer to remove all the solid material into the toliet before placing it in the dry pail, but I know some people who are exclusively breastfeeding that don't scrape out the waste because it is supposedly water soluble and bacteria free. You can make your own choice. If you are using prefolds or AIO diapers, you can just throw the diapers in the pail. If you are using something with an insert, it is best to go ahead and separate it before throwing it the pail so it is ready to empty directly into the machine. Make sure to secure any of the Velcro tabs to prevent the diapers from clingy to each other and making snags in the fabric.

You can buy a "wet bag" to line the trashcan or pail like the brown one below. These come in many different sizes. I have one for my dry pail and one to take with me when I go out. The small one is great for wet or soiled clothes as well.

When you are ready to wash diapers, it is best to wash no more than about fifteen at a time so they are thoroughly cleaned and rinsed well. Most people I've talked to seem to wash diapers about every other day which is what we tend to do as well. You simply dump the wet bag into the machine and add your detergent like you would normally.

Note: Many types of detergent - like Dreft - are not compatible with cloth diaper, but there are several types that do work well. Crystal recommended Country Save to me and found it at a cheap price, so that's what I use. Here are some charts that shows what types are best: http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/detergentchoicesataglancepspd.htm and http://www.diaperjungle.com/he-detergent-chart.html. Do not use fabric softner because it will clog the diapers and may cause irritation. Make sure to read the directions that come with any of the diapers you buy because some provide specific laundrying directions.

I've seen people debate whether or not to use bleach on the diapers. I personally choose not to because it strips the diapers and can cause burns/irritation to be baby because of it's reaction with their urine/waste. At one point I was concerned about some staining that I couldn't get out by just washing the diapers and was wondering if bleach would be necessary. Crystal suggested hanging them outside instead. Believe it or not, the sun bleached them out the first time I tried it! If you line dry the covers or inserts though, may want to throw the diapers back in the dryer afterwards though to soften them a bit.

Now that you know our routine, I wanted to give you a few tips I've learned. Diapers can be clogged by several different things and require stripping. If you read my previous post about all of my beautiful diapers being clogged, you remember me warning other mom's that certain diaper creams and hard water can cause major problems. Desitin, A&D, and Butt Paste are definitely not compatible. Try this website to see if the type you have is safe and/or which types to buy: http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/diaperrashcreams.htm. Personally, I choose Grandma El's which can be purchased online from Target. Several cloth diapering websites suggest putting a liner in the cloth diaper if you have to use another cream, but I say JUST USE A DISPOSABLE! Trust me on this one. I tried everything to get those diapers unclogged. (By the way, the only method that worked to cut the grease came from my dad; he told me to use the orange goop mechanics use to get the grim off their hands. I don't know how he figured it out but I was at my wits in and about to throw everything away before he had this wonderful epiphany.)

If you have hard water, I don't recommend cloth diapering until you buy a water softner because unclogging diapers is a time-consuming mess. We haven't been cloth diapering at our new house much because we have had a lot of issues with hard water and iron. I'm waiting until this is fixed so I don't ruin my diapers.

Okay, so I am going to try to do a FAQ section here:
What do you do out in public?
Personally, I usually opt to use disposables because it is easier to throw away the diaper and I have to carry less stuff. However, many people just carry a wet bag to throw everything in and take it with them. This is probably easier when a baby is still breastfeeding exclusively and doesn't have smelly diapers. When I take Caleb to church or leave him with people, I also tend to use disposables, unless I know the caregiver is comfortable using cloth diapers. Even though they are pretty simple to change and throw in a bag, I want to do what makes the person watching him most at ease.

What do you do at night time?
Again, we use a disposable at night time because I don't like the wetness laying against Caleb's skin. However, a lot of people just put in an extra insert to help absorb the wetness. It depends on how long your baby sleeps and how heavy he/she wets at night.

What do I do if yeast builds up in my diapers?
It is common for a diaper rash to turn into a yeast infection and if you are cloth diapering, the yeast may get in your diapers. Here is a website with suggestions for how to deal with this problem: http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/YeastvsCloth.htm. (Make sure though that your child really has an infection and that the continued diaper rash is not simply a food allergy - We learned this the hard way.)

Where can I purchase diapers?
There are a ton of places to purchase cloth diapers. Two popular sites I've seen are http://bananapeelsdiapers.com/ and www.cottonbabies.com. Crystal recommended www.diaperjungle.com because it gives a comparison of the diapers. If you search online at Target, Walmart, and Babies R'Us you will find a few types of diapers, but I recommend doing a Google search and trying to find a store with the best price for the diapers you want. If you live near Baltimore, there is a store called Soft and Cozy Baby. Does anyone else have sites they prefer?

Can my baby wear these diapers in the pool?
There are certain cloth diapers made just for swimming. Some work well and others don't. Make sure to do your research before purchasing these.

Like I said, I'm a novice when it comes to cloth diapering so take this info with a grain of salt. Figure out what works best for you and your baby and go with it. I love the Pin Stripes and Polka-dots website as a resource but I also use google a lot to find out what other moms are doing. If you have any questions, please ask. I know there is a lot to digest at first, but once you start buying those cute little cloth diapers I bet you'll be hooked. :)