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10 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me About Cloth Diapering
by
Cathy Cagle, Diaper Diva
Baby Belle Bottoms
- That people who use cloth diapers LOVE to talk about cloth diapers.
Ask them questions - lots of questions. Ask to see their diapers and covers if possible. You will undoubtedly learn a lot, perhaps more than you thought you needed to know. Nothing beats learning from someone else's first-hand experience - you will become more confident and develop a great support network by asking questions. Not sure if you know anyone who uses cloth diapers? Then subscribe to one of the dozens of available cloth diaper email groups (Yahoo Groups is a great place to start searching for relevant groups) and ask questions there. You will receive tons of advice and build a network of acquaintances to help you get started.
- When buying diapers or covers always ask 'Does this diaper work with this cover?'
My first forays into cloth diapering got us set up with the correct number of diapers and covers for a newborn - but covers and diapers that did not work together. Many of the diapers failed to fit into covers until we reached size medium and many of the covers worked with only one type of diaper. Because I started out buying used diapers and covers we had no out - no exchanges or returns - and were stuck with lots of unusable stuff and a baby who needed more. Ouch. Each style of diaper (prefold, contour, fitted) has a corresponding style of cover that generally works best in combination - learning which is which can save you time and money. It makes sense to buy both cover and diaper from the same person or store - and to make sure that the combination you want works. If the person selling to you does not know it may be a good idea to pass on that purchase.
- Buying used diapers is sometimes a good deal and sometimes not.
Have you ever purchased a used diaper that sounds great - but in reality has seen far too much wear or perhaps has shot elastic? I have - more than once. It's hard to make sure to ask all the right questions! On the other hand I've had some really wonderful used diaper and cover transactions that left me happy and our son's bottom well covered. How can you tell if the purchase you are contemplating making is a good one? Start by asking the seller questions - do they respond promptly and provide all the information you requested in a helpful manner? If so - good sign - move ahead. Ask or check for feedback on that seller - and then follow your intuition. You may be in line for a great deal that helps you identify the perfect diaper or cover for you.
- When buying new, ask if your items are in stock and ready to ship.
It's no fun to receive your order after your baby has already outgrown the size you ordered weeks or even months ago! Take a moment to clarify your expectations - let the store or seller know that you need your items shipped that week and ask if they can do that. If not, you may be better off making that purchase elsewhere.
- More and more diaper styles and cover styles can equal more confusion.
Spending minutes trying to figure out 'now how does this one work' can be no fun for you - and torture for someone else who changes diapers less frequently. While there is true value in trying a style of diaper out before investing in a full laundry rotation trying every version of every style out can lead to frustration, confusion, and unnecessary expense. Why not pick two or three different styles that sound the most likely to work for you, try those, and then settle on the one that works best? You can always try something new with your baby's next growth spurt.
- Don't complicate your diaper washing system until you have a problem.
Start with the simplest of washing systems (prewash, wash, dry), do not use additives like vinegar or baking soda, and only use ½ the amount of recommended detergent. If you have a problem like diaper rash or smelly diapers then begin the process of troubleshooting and changing your wash system. If your system is complicated to begin with and you have problems you'll have to do a series of eliminations (eliminate the vinegar, eliminate the baking soda, eliminate the essential oils, etc) to try and learn if your washing system itself is causing the problem. By starting simple washing diapers will be easy to do - and troubleshooting problems a much more straightforward process. Then again, you may never have any problems because you kept the wash process simple to begin with!
- There is joy in using cute diapers.
We all know the joy of dressing our babies in adorable clothing - but it took me awhile to understand that cloth diapers and covers are actually an extension of baby's wardrobe. Yes, diapers are meant to be functional - but why not make them fun, too? Dressing our son in diaper colors, patterns, and fabrics that appeal to us makes diapering much less utilitarian and much more enjoyable for my husband and I. Now that our son has reached the toddler stage he appreciates color and pattern, too. A reluctant diaper change can be turned into a fun teaching moment by letting him select the diaper he wants to wear and talking about the images and colors on the diaper. Much better than a battle of the wills!
- Cloth diapered bottoms need clothes cut to accommodate cloth diapers.
Disposable diapers have a trimmer fit than cloth diapers - no question about it. While you can find cloth diaper and cover combinations that are wonderfully trim compared to some big diaper bottoms you still need to plan to allow extra clothing room for baby's comfort. Some national name brands are cut more generously than others - Gymboree, Old Navy, Lands End and Gap come to mind - and many WAHMs make clothing specifically designed to accommodate cloth diapers. Look for clothing with stretch waists and simple styles with a minimum of seams, pockets, and other sewing that may restrict clothing stretch and give. Consider 'sizing up' to gain more room.
- You really don't need to know everything to be successful at cloth diapering.
Okay - true confessions - how much time did you put into learning about cloth diapers when you first got started? I must have spent at least 80-100 hours online, reading, finding stores to browse, and becoming entirely overwhelmed and confused. My first purchases were poorly planned despite my attempts at education because I was trying to 'know everything and try everything'. Is this necessary? Absolutely not. My recommendation is to identify your basic diaper style (prefolds, contours, fitteds, pockets, or all-in-ones) and then talk your choices and options and needs over with a cloth diapering friend or a cloth diapering store that feels 'right' to you. This still takes some time but much less than trying to learn everything!
- Buying quality products makes the entire cloth diapering experience better.
Quality does not have to equal expensive - but rather the top-level products within your price range. A good diaper and a good cover equal a good cloth diaper experience. Investing in quality products makes the whole cloth diapering process better. Buy the best quality products that you can afford. This does not necessarily mean the most expensive - prefolds plus pull-up covers can make an awesome and very affordable diapering system if you buy quality. Not sure what the best products are? Ask other cloth diaper users for advice - check cloth diapering resources such as the product review forum at Diaper Pin (www.diaperpin.com) - or go online and join a cloth diaper group. Cloth diaper users love to talk about cloth diapers
© 2003, Cathy Cagle.
May not be reprinted without permission.
About the Author:
Cathy Cagle is the owner of Baby Belle Bottoms, www.babybellebottoms.com, a WAHM store featuring quality cloth diapers and natural baby care products, and of Sweet Peas Diapers, www.sweetpeasdiapers.com, affordable custom-made diapers. She is happily married to Ron and the mother of two young cloth diapered boys.
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