Take Two!

I haven't posted in awhile, due to the addition of our son to the family. He is 7-weeks-old today, and Big Sis has started to make the transition from despising him to loving him. We're very blessed... and exhausted.

If you've been following this blog, you may recall that I believe different reusable diaper systems work for different parents and different babies. I don't necessarily believe that any system is superior to another; it depends on the needs of your baby and your lifestyle.

People tried to convince me before my son was born that: boys are completely different from girls, and that second children are all the things the first one was not. Night and day. My son looks like his sister. His cry reminds me of hers, his neck was strong from birth like hers, and many other things about him are actually dejavu of my daughter as a baby.

However, a major difference (besides his obvious anatomy) is that he is not rashy. HALLELUJAH!

My daughter was terribly rashy; we really had to keep an eye on it, and apply diaper rash cream every diaper change not just to heal it, but prevent it. We even gave her "air time" twice a day, 45 minutes each. Natural fiber diapers, such as cotton contour diapers (the first type we used) made her bottom the color of a lobster. The Fuzzibunz and BumGenius, with their stay-dry polyester pocket system, was a heaven send for us. Her rash incidents decreased by probably 90%.

I expected to use pockets with our second child, and was looking forward to using the newborn-sized Fuzzibunz we inherited from a friend. Another friend lent us come cotton Clotheez Workhorse contour diapers, and I decided to add stay-dry fleece liners to them.

Which are our go-to diapers?

The Clotheez! They are very, very absorbent, and I like matching his shirts with various diaper covers (we use Thirsties, Motherease, and Imse Vimse). When I can, I use the stay-dry liners, but we only have six of them. Sometimes he goes without one, but hasn't had a rash. Because the liners are polyester, I use an olive oil-based diaper cream, but without the liners, with natural fibers, I could use Desitin or Pentaten if I wanted to (these zinc oxide creams wash out of natural fiber diapers, but make polyester diapers and liners water-resistant, thus making diapers leak).

Clotheez Workhorse organic cotton contour diapers.
My go-to diaper for our newborn son.

However, the Fuzzibunz like to leak on my son-- I think he is a "heavy wetter", and because these pocket diapers are so small, it is hard for me to stuff much in them. Perhaps I will have a different experience with larger sizes.

So, the good news: our experience with natural fiber cloth diapering has improved with the second child. I'm so glad I had different systems to try with him, and therefore could figure out what works best for him.

The bad news? Well, I'm so happy with his healthy bottom, it's all good news to me, but a con could be that parents might not always be able to use the same diaper system for all their children. At least reusable diapers have a good resale value; I might sell my daughter's polyester diapers for more natural fiber diapers to use with my son.

Have you ever had to change systems with different children?

Destination: Diapering Accessories

To survive—and, dare I say it, enjoy—cloth diapering, you are going to need more than just the diapers. You probably don’t want to toss Baby’s soiled diapers into the normal laundry, and proper care of your diapers is as important as finding the system(s) that work(s) for you—because you want it to keep working for you and Baby until potty-training.

Some things to consider getting once you have picked out your diapers:

Practical Cloth-Diapering Accessories:

large wet bags (x2)

small wet bags (x2)

diaper pail

rice paper liners OR diaper sprayer

reusable wipes

small spray bottle

diaper-safe detergent

diaper-safe rash cream

fleece liners

You might be able to survive cloth diapering without the above gear, but they can make things much easier.

WET BAGS

Just about every cloth-diaper company carries their own wet bags, both large and small. A large one is essential in the nursery, or wherever you normally change Baby’s diaper in the house. You can have it hanging on the wall, in the closet, or tucked inside a diaper pail. The large wet bag should be able to contain two days worth of diapers, so about 24 newborn diapers or a dozen infant diapers. You want two so that while one is in the wash, the other is used to collect the next batch of soiled diapers.

Imse Vimse large wet bag.
The drawstring makes it easy to fit inside a diaper pail.

FuzziBunz large wet bag.
There is a drawstring on the top, to easily put
 in soiled diapers, and a zipper on the bottom, so that it
 can be unzipped, diapers drop into the
washing machine, and hands stay clean.

GroVia "hanging" wet bag/ diaper pail. Mixed reviews as to containing smell, but can be put on a clothes hanger and kept in closet.

Small wet bags are nifty if Baby is wearing cloth diapers out and about. They can hold 3-4 soiled diapers, and be contained within a diaper bag. They are also handy for generally dirtied clothes and burp rags. I really like our draw-string ones from GroVia (available via Amazon-- GroVia doesn't seem to have them on their website anymore), but most people prefer zippers for their small wet bags.

GroVia draw-string wet bag.

Bummis small wet bag

Kissaluvs small wet bag

Both the large wet bags and the small ones can be put in the laundry with your diapers. One carries the wet bag to the washing machine, tips the diapers into the loader, and then puts the wet bag(s) in with the diapers. This helps prevent having to touch the dirty diapers. To elongate the lifetime of the wet bags, they should be air-dried after washing; however, if the plastic sealant on the inside of the wet bag begins cracking, try running it through the dryer a few times to “reseal” the plastic. If you are looking to buy gently used wet bags, make sure the plastic is pristine inside or you will have a soggy wet bag-- a voice of experience here!

DIAPER PAIL

These are a bit more optional than a wet bag, but can be helpful. You can buy “diaper pails” online, but they are often expensive. Many people prefer to buy a trash bin with a foot lever to raise the lid, and these are very good at containing icky smells. Also, a bucket with a lid from a hardware store can do the job. I personally own a diaper pail, and like it because it has a handle, and I would rather carry the pail down two flights of stairs to the washing machine than a limp wet bag. It’s really up to your preference.

Mio Bambino diaper pail.
I would complain that it's too small-- only
 holds a dozen diapers-- but I like
to be able to carry my diaper pail downstairs
to the basement.

Normal Bin
Does the trick!

RICE PAPER LINERS

Baby’s milk poo until 4-6 months of age should rinse easily from your diapers, so no need to scrap it out before tossing the diapers into the wet bag. However, once Baby is introduced to solids, you want to consider methods of removing solid waste from the diapers before they go into the wash. Solid poo can clog your washing machine, and it’s not great finding bits and pieces of Baby’s digested dinner in his/ her “clean” diapers.

Rice paper liners are a great way to deal with this. They come in rolls, like paper towels, but are soft and durable. One tears a liner from the roll, puts it in the diaper where it will be in contact with Baby’s tushie, and you have created a colander for Baby’s poo; pee goes through the liner into the diaper while solid waste is collected.

Imse Vimse "flushable" liners
My personal favorite, but I would not flush them
(I've had them clog the toilet a few times,
and my house was built in the 1950s). However,
you can reuse them 2-3 times.

Bummis Bio-Soft Liner
These are cheaper than the Imse Vimse, but disintegrate more easily. Perhaps better in the septic tank, but no guarantee that you'll be able to reuse them. 

Most rice paper liners advertise themselves as “flushable”, and if you live in a newer house with new pipes, this is most likely true. However, if your house is 50+ years old, consult your plumber before flushing your liners; they can clog your pipes, and you don’t want to curse your diapers. If you don’t feel comfortable with flushing your liners, throw them away in the trash; poo is biodegradable, after all, as are the liners.

If Baby has only peed on the rice liner, you can put it in the wash with the diapers and use it again. They fall apart over time, but most brands of rice paper liners can be used 2-3 times.

BumGenius diaper sprayer

DIAPER SPRAYER

Rice paper liners can become costly, and you might not like the idea of Baby’s poo in the trash. A diaper sprayer, which can be attached to your toilet, is an alternative. Hold the diaper in the toilet bowel, and spray the poo off. If you encounter a lot of spray, invest in a plastic tub or bucket to hold the diaper while you spray it, then dump the contents in the toilet.

Other poo-removing methods include using a spatula over the toilet, or holding the soiled diaper in the toilet water while flushing. However, from my personal experience, and talking with other cloth-diapering parents, rice paper liners and diaper sprayers usually do the job better and have less of the "eww" factor.

REUSABLE WIPES

I say, “If you’re going to do reusable diapers, it takes nothing to do reusable wipes.” Although I use disposable wipes when I’m out and about, reusable ones have a lot of advantages. You can wash them with your diapers, so there’s no added work. You buy them once and don’t need to restock. Also, their texture is better at grabbing poo and wiping it away; often, disposable wipes smear it, and you need more than one to do the job.

Like wet bags, just about every cloth diaper company sells reusable wipes. However, you can make your own by cutting an old towel into 6x6 squares and hemming the sides, or using face cloths.

 

BabyKicks organic wipes
Pretty much every cloth diaper company also makes reusable wipes.

Homemade
If you are the least bit handy with a sewing machine, you can make your own.

You can keep your wipes stacked next to your diapers, or store them in a tall Tupperware container. You can also keep them in a wipe warmer. If you want, you can add water to your Tupperware stash of wipes so that they are already moist for the diaper change (approx. ¾ cup per dozen wipes), but having a small spray bottle of water or bottom-cleaning liquid is less hassle to prepare.

SMALL SPRAY BOTTLE

If you've used up a small spray bottle of any body product, clean it thoroughly (including the tubing) and save it to use with your cloth wipes.

There are lots of recipes online for bottom cleaning solution, but clear water is best. Adding essential oils might smell nice, but using them too much can damage your diapers (if you wash the wipes with the diapers). A drop or two of tea tree oil (no more!) is enough to sterilize the water.

You can buy specially made sprays, but they are often expensive. Pretty much every cloth diaper company sells their own diaper spray, but they're not necessary.

DIAPER-SAFE DETERGENT

If you are using natural fiber diapers, such as cotton, then you don’t have to worry as much about what detergent you buy. Obviously, it is best to steer clear from detergents with perfumes and dyes in case Baby is allergic, but diapers made of natural fibers are not as prone to collect enzymes and brighteners that can cause leaking in polyester diapers.

If you are using microfleece or microsuede diapers, you are much more limited in your detergent selection. You want to avoid detergents with enzymes, brighteners, fabric softeners, perfumes and dye. This website is good for ranking the effectiveness of your detergent: http://pinstripesandpolkadots.com/detergentchoices.htm

At The Nesting House, we sell the following cloth-diaper friendly detergents:

Charlie’s Soap

Rock n’ Green (Fuzzibunz)

BumGenius

Nellie’s

Also, unscented Sun & Earth is a good brand, as well as major brands with the “Free and Clear” label. These brands you can often find in the grocery store.

Dreft, although advertized as safe for Baby, is NOT safe for any cloth diapers.

DIAPER SAFE RASH CREAM

Do NOT use Desitin, A&D or petroleum jelly on Baby’s bottom if you are using cloth diapers-- natural fibers or polyester. Because petroleum jelly is often recommended for circumcision, you might consider disposables while your baby boy heals (think of the diaper as a big Band-aid), or be prepared to strip your diapers after Baby Boy's bits have healed.

Diaper creams are developed to create a barrier against wetness, but can easily transfer to the diaper itself. This can make the diaper repel moisture, and therefore leak. It is easier to wash diaper cream out of natural fiber diapers, but polyester diapers will need “stripping”. Follow this link to assess whether or not your rash cream is compatible with your diapers: http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/diaperrashcreams.htm

Olive oil and grapeseed oil based creams are usually fine. Creams with beeswax are often fine as well. Some popular brands, that are both effective for rash and do not hurt cloth diapers, include:

Beanie Balm (I make it—contact me if you’re interested in purchasing)

Angel Baby Bottom Balm

California Baby

Gro Via Magic Stick

Grandma El’s

CJ’s Butter

Beanie Balm
I make my own diaper rash balm because
the diaper-safe brands on the market are often expensive.

Sometimes straight up olive oil or coconut oil does the trick for diaper rash, but these can stain your diapers (they will not make them leak, though). The best way to clear diaper rash is to “air” Baby’s bottom as often as possible, and to regularly change his/ her diaper more frequently.

FLEECE LINERS

Although these are not as effective as rice paper liners in disposing of poo (scraping poo off a fleece liner isn't any better than having to scrap it off the diaper itself), they are helpful if Baby easily rashes and you cannot afford polyester “stay-dry” pocket or AiO diapers. You can buy them, but cutting up an old fleece pullover can do the trick. These can also be helpful as a barrier between rash cream and the diaper, but you will have to wash and potentially strip the fleece liners (wash them SEPARATELY from your diapers if you use rash cream).

Most diaper companies make fleece liners...

...or, you can make your own.

Destination: Wool Diaper Covers

Wool diaper covers, although they can be put in the categories of hybrids or 2-part system, are really a category to themselves. Because wool has the reputation of being hot, itchy and tricky to clean, even parents who are cloth-diapering enthusiasts are often intimidated by them. However, the more one learns about wool diapering, the more awesome a system it appears to be. I personally do not have a lot of experience with wool, but have already bought a wool cover for my next baby, and use a wool cover for my 2-year-old in case she pees in bed.

Now to bust some myths...

Myth #1: Wool is Hot

Wool makes an excellent fiber in winter garments, from hats to socks. Wool diaper covers, made from quality-processed wool, is very breathable, and actually helps prevent diaper rash. They actually don't overheat your baby, but are cooler than plastic covers.

Myth #2: Wool is Itchy

I have owned some itchy woolen garments that soon retired to the thrift stores because I didn't like wearing them. However, wool-- although it always comes from a sheep-- can be processed in many ways, and often the chemicals and knit attribute more to the itchiness than the wool itself. The wool covers I use are soft to the touch, and not harsh on baby's skin.

Myth #3: Wool is Tricky to Clean

How many of you have done this: Seen a garment in the store that you really like, looked at the label, discovered it has wool in it, and decided, "It's going to shrink unless I hand wash it. I think I'll pass." Even lusciously soft, well-made wool diapers are going to shrink if you throw them into the normal laundry, but cleaning them in the sink is not difficult.

Actually, you rarely have to clean your wool covers. If you have enough in circulation, say a dozen, you only have to wash your covers once per month.

What?! Ewww.

Behold Nature's Magic: Lanolin. Sheep are able to keep themselves clean by the lanolin in their wool. This natural oil has many qualities, and you will even find it in the ingredients of several healing balms, including nipple cream. Lanolin is waterproof and anti-bacterial. It turns pee into salt-- this stuff has biblical powers! Poop doesn't quite turn into salt, so you will need to put the cover into the laundry if poo leaks out of the diaper underneath (most wool-diapering parents use prefolds).

After a diaper change, a wool cover should hang to dry; once it is dry, it should no longer smell like pee. If it does still smell like pee, then it's time for a washing. Actually, you're not quite washing, but relanolizing; the pee smell means that the diaper needs to be lanolized again to continue its work. Each wool diaper maker will have differing washing directions, but generally the covers should be washed in cold water in the sink with a small amount of lanolin or wool wash.

Some wool washes on the market:

Imse Vimse Wool Shampoo

Imse Vimse Wool Cure (with lanolin)

Gro Via "Kiwi Pie" Organic Wool Wash Bar

Rebourne Lanolin, available on Etsy

Without wringing the covers, they should be rolled inside a dry towel, then hung or set on a dry towel to dry. Viola!

Washing in the sink might seem demanding to the modern day parent, but the fact that you would only have to do this once per month makes it sound easy peasy!

Store your wool diapers in cedar boxes to prevent moths from laying their larvae in them. You can also store them in plastic tubs, but this can cause the diapers to smell mildewy due to trapped moisture.

Here are some other facts...

Wool covers are stinkin' cute. OK, that is an opinion, not a fact, but check these out:

BioBottoms:
These are covers that fit over the diaper like most other covers, with velcro tabs.

Aristocrats Wool Cover:
It looks a bit like a tube sock, but on a baby it is just plain adorable. The tubing on the legs is great to prevent leaking.

Rebourne Wool Cover:
These are available on Etsy, as are a plethora of other beautiful homemade wool covers. Lots of these covers are made from recycled sweaters, thus the variety of patterns.

Sadness is what might happen when you look at the price tag of some of these covers. They cost between $25-$50 each! If you only want to do diaper laundry once per month, you're looking at an investment of $300-$600, which would be about the same as a full stash of AiOs or Pocket Diapers. Remember that you'll only need about a dozen covers if you want to do wash once per month, so down-sizing to 3-4 covers and doing wash once per week isn't so tragic-- nor costly. Another thing to keep in mind is that most wool covers are not adjustable in size, so you will have to buy 2-3 different sizes if you use wool through potty-training.

Speaking of potty-training, wool covers are great for it! Because most wool covers simply pull on like underwear, they are easy for the potty-training toddler to pull up and down. They are also good to put over other diapers, including disposables, if you have leak issues at night.

Wool wins points from the eco-parent. Polyester diaper covers, pocket systems and AiOs take up less space in the landfill than disposables when they finally retire, but take as long as disposables to biodegrade-- that is, a millennium. While wool can last you a lifetime and several babies, it will take significantly less time to biodegrade once it is thrown away. That's something else to keep in mind.

Destination: All-in-One Cloth Diapers

The name makes it sound like the All-in-One is the answer to everyone’s prayers—can there be a diaper that is EVERYTHING together? Well, the AiO is the answer to some parents’ prayers, depending on their needs. These diapers are handy for caregivers who don’t want to hassle with any folding or stuffing, and essentially have a cloth diaper that is as close as possible to a disposable. These are often the answer to hesitant spouses, baby sitters and day cares, but that does not mean that every cloth diapering parent loves them.

AiO diapers have the inserts sewn onto them. When Baby has a diaper change, the whole thing—cover, lining and inserts—go into the laundry. No shaking out of inserts in required. There is no reusing of the cover, which is why some prefold and hybrid fans are not so crazy about them.  But they after a good choice for working parents with wary caregivers, despite costing between $15-$25 each.

Here are descriptions of three AiOs on the market. These are not the only brands available, but these are the ones that I know the most about (and have used myself):

BumGenius Elemental Diaper:These are absorbent, organic cotton diapers. They are so absorbent that they can take a looooong time to dry after being washed. I put mine in the dryer or by the radiator, although it is recommended that you air dry them. Make sure to prewash them 5-6 times before using them; this helps to "fluff-up" the fabric-- otherwise, you might think they are leaky. Use with a fleece liner if the wet makes Baby rashy.

BumGenius Freetime Diaper:These are uber popular right now. Made of "stay-dry" microsuede, two inserts (each with a pocket) are sewn to the lining and can be folded over one another. As the name suggests, these save you time: no stuffing (unless you want to add an insert into the pocketed inserts), and they air dry relatively fast (MUCH faster than the organic cotton AiOs).

Thirsties All-in-One Diaper:These very cute diapers come in two sizes, but are cheaper per diaper than the BumGenius. A super soft fleece insert is sewn along the sides to the liner, making a sort of pocket so that optional inserts may be added, and quicker drying allowed. Thirsties suggests to prewash these 1-3 times before using, but they will still seem leaky; better to prewash them 4-6 times, and you will LOVE them.

Like with microfleece and microsuede pocket diapers, be careful with your detergent and diaper cream selection; enzymes can build-up in the fabric to cause repelling, and you don’t want a stash of AiOs to go leaky after just a few weeks’ use. If this does happen, simply “strip” your diapers and start again. If these diapers are going to be used by someone other than the parents, it is very VERY likely that someone will unknowingly use the wrong kind of diaper cream with them, so stay calm and kindly remind caregivers to only use the diaper-safe cream you have given them.

Cotton AiOs, like the BG Elemental, are less likely to have this problem, as enzymes have a harder time building-up in natural fibers.

If you are planning on returning full-time to work, keep the AiO in mind. They are a bit pricier, so a 2-day stash will cost from $380-$600. However, this is incredibly cheap compared to the cost of disposables, and if you keep good care of your AiOs, you can use them for multiple children. They also do well with resale.

Destination: Pocket Diapers

Pocket diapers, while usually more expensive than prefolds and hybrid systems, are often a good option for the “rashy” baby. MY Beanie was very rashy. Believe me, it requires a lot of self-control not to make a snide remark to a parent who casually says, “Oh, my baby never gets a rash.” I don't even claim that cloth diapers decrease the chance of rash, unless your baby is allergic to the plastic/ chemicals found in disposable diapers. Some babies are just rashy, and you need to find a system that will work with Baby’s skin. My Beanie has inherited her parents’ sensitive skin—the kid didn’t have a chance!

The main purpose of a pocket diaper is to keep Baby’s skin against a stay-dry fabric, usually microfleece or microsuede, which are both polyester materials. A lining is sewn into a waterproof cover, and an opening is made for the pocketing of inserts. Inserts can range from those that come with the diaper, to doublers (see my entry for Hybrid Diapers), to prefolds. The stay-dry fabric works like a colander; the pee goes through it into the absorbent inserts. Obviously, poo is going to remain on the stay-dry fabric, so rash is still possible if Baby is left to sit in excrement.

If Baby has not had a bowel movement, pocket diapers can often be left on as long as disposables; 2-3 hours with a newborn, and 3-4 hours with an older infant or toddler. You can even use them overnight, as long as you bulk on the inserts.

Pocket diapers are fabulous, and many parents who have not liked prefolds see them as a god-send. However, there are a few disadvantages:

• They are a bit expensive, although you save money in the long run. Pocket diapers range from $18-$24 each, so a two-day stash is going to cost around $400.
• When you do a diaper change, the WHOLE diaper goes into the wash, cover and all. And yes, you must shake or remove the inserts from the pocket before the diaper goes into the washing machine, otherwise the inserts won’t get thoroughly clean.
• You must stuff them. You might just accept it and get into the routine of stuffing them while folding the laundry. It really doesn’t take that long, but some parents don’t care for it.
• Microfleece and microsuede are VERY sensitive to diaper rash cream and certain detergents. You must avoid creams and detergents with enzymes and other ingredients that can cause the fabric to repel moisture, and nothing is more annoying than a $400 stash of diapers that leak. However, you can routinely STRIP your pocket diapers (that will be another post) to make them absorbent again.

The natural fibers of cotton, hemp or bamboo prefolds and contour diapers are not as sensitive to diaper cream and detergents. However, one night of intimacy between Desitin and microfleece or microsuede of a pocket diaper can make a leaky situation. A great website with charts of detergents and diaper creams that should and should not be used with cloth diapers can be found here: http://www.pinstripesandpolkadots.com/diaperrashcreams.htm

Pocket diapers I have used:

FuzziBunz:
A friend of mine switched to these because her baby son had severe exema, and would develop a horrible rash from wearing disposables  Wherever the Fuzzibunz came in contact with his skin, he was smooth and soft. Fuzzibunz can be bought in three sizes, or an adjustable that fits from 3 months (not newborn, as they claim) to potty-training. Although not pictured above, the current Fuzzibunz also have an adjustable elastic band in the leg gussets, which is very nifty to ensure a snug fit. The Microfiber of the Fuzzibunz is sooo soft!

BumGenius:
These come in both snaps and velcro. A flap in the back of the pocket is helpful to keep the inset(s) from poking out. The microsuede lining isn't as soft as microfleece, but is still "stay dry" against Baby's skin. Available in an adjustable size, good for 3 months to potty-training. They also make a newborn size.

BabyKicks:
If you have used Fuzzibunz or Bumgenius, the BabyKicks style will seem a little backwards; the front flap overlaps the snaps on the side. These are a little slimmer in fit than FB or BG, which is nice for skinny babies or when you need to fit slimmer pants over Baby's cloth-diapered bottom. Although the stay-dry liner is still polyester, BabyKicks uses organic cotton and hemp in their inserts, unlike FB and BG who use polyester in their inserts. While the BabyKicks are a slim fit, they probably won't fit Baby until 2 months, and they might not fit a chunky toddler.

Rumparooz

Happy Heinys

Charlie Banana

There are many other brands on the market, including (but not limited to) Rumparooz, Happy Heiny's, and Charlie Banana (available at Target). Developing names for cloth diapers must be a fun committee meeting! J

Unless you are determined to have only natural fibers, I highly recommend having a few pocket diapers in your stash to at least use overnight. Just be careful with any rash cream you use, research your detergent, and be prepared for a few extra minutes of stuffing diapers after taking out the laundry. You might fall in love.

Destination Hybrid Diaper

Poo happens. That is something you’re going to have to accept as the parent of an infant. Your bundle of joy is going to poop, and you are going to see, smell and even come in contact with the poop whether you go down the route of cloth or disposable diapers. However, if you are one of those squirmish parents who has resisted cloth diapering because of poop, a hybrid diaper—in some cases called a 2-part diaper—might be a good introduction for you. It can also help in the realm of laundry and travel.

A hybrid diaper is either all reusable or part reusable, part disposable/ biodegradable. The two parts tend to consist of:

1.)    Diaper Cover: This is the part you will always reuse; watch my video on prefolds to learn about some covers

2.)    Insert:

a.       disposable or biodegradable insert

b.      cloth insert

c.       snap-in cloth insert

The most commonly known hybrid diaper is the gDiaper, as it can be purchased at Babies-R-Us. The gDiaper consists of cloth covers in different sizes and colors, and two different inserts: cloth and “flushable”. However, if one has old pipes, it is not recommended to flush the so-called flushable inserts; in Vancouver  there are reports of problems with these inserts in septic systems, making it forbidden to flush them down the loo. So, in essence, they are disposable.

gDiaper covers have velcro tabs that secure in the back, so Baby has a harder time removing them

The insert goes into a plastic liner on the inside. You can use brands other than gDiaper in the liner.

The gDiaper cloth inserts. There are better ones on the market.

I have not used the gDiaper, and I have heard mixed reviews. We recently began selling them at The Nesting House as a way to “transition” hesitant parents, but the owner only carries their disposable inserts. Apparently, the cloth ones leak. BUT there are other inserts one can use. Never let yourself get into the mind-set that the brand of insert must be the same as the cover, because there are LOTS of inserts on the market. You can even use tri-folded pre-folds as inserts!

Just three of the inserts (also called doublers because you can add them to diapers for more absorbency) on the market:

The Flip Insert: microfiber with one side of "stay dry" microsuede. Good choice if you have a rashy baby.

Thirsties Doubler: they make them in different blends, such as microfiber with terry or cotton with hemp.

BabyKicks Hemp doubler. Hemp is more absorbent than cotton. However, it is also a bit pricier.

Also, gDiaper is not the only disposable insert. Flip makes a terrific disposable insert, and sells them $4.95 for a pack of eighteen, making them cheaper than the gDiaper and cheaper than even some disposable diaper.

If you have a wiggly baby, and therefore difficulty keeping the insert in place, there are some brands of hybrids that involve snapping the insert into place. You can still use a loose insert in the covers of these brands, but if you want the insert to snap in place then you most likely will be limited to that brand’s insert.

GroVia Diaper

Best Bottoms Diaper

Best Bottoms’ covers are plastic, and can be wiped clean inside after use. GroVia has a soft mesh lining on the inside of their covers, which—if there is a “Code Brown”—can make them difficult to reuse unless they are put in the wash. However, from personal experience, GroVia covers, without the insert, can make great swim diapers!

If you or your partner is hesitant about cloth diapering, hybrids are a nice way to ease into cloth-diapering. They are also nifty for long car rides and airplane flights so you don’t have to lug a wet bag of soiled diapers around.

Destination: Contour Diapers

Apologies for no videos yet; our master bathroom is being remodeled, and there has been a lot of noise in our house. Hopefully, I will have some instructions recorded in a few weeks!

Now let us sojourn on to what really interests you, which is most likely NOT my bathroom...

As the name suggests, contour (or fitted) diapers are shaped to fit around the contours of Baby’s tushie without pre-folding. Some contour diapers must still be secured with a Snappi, but many have snaps or Velcro to hold them together. All contour diapers should be covered with a waterproof diaper cover.

Kissaluvs contour diaper. Many cloth diaper users claim these are the best for "blow-outs"; the fabric is very absorbent, and the elastic on the legs helps contain runny infant poo. The variety pictured can be secured with a Snappi, but the company also offers contours with snaps.

Mother-ease offers contour diapers in a variety of natural fibers, including bamboo (which is very soooooft!). Available in different sizes or an adjustable all-sizes diaper, these can be snapped securely onto Baby. 

Thirsties offers "fitted" diapers in an assortment of colors (which, despite being cute, is a bit pointless because the diaper will be covered by a diaper cover). However, the front snaps make the diaper adjustable as Baby grows, and the velcro around the middle gives the diaper a snug fit.

The main reason some people might "upgrade" to a contour diaper from a prefold is to avoid folding. Like a prefold, a contour diaper can be washed while the cover still reused. Most contour diapers come in natural fibers, such as cotton, hemp and bamboo. This is a plus if your baby is allergic to synthetic materials.

Some contour diapers have an elastic opening around the leg, which is good in the case of “blowouts” (when a young baby hasn't pooed for a few days, then lets it all out in one go).

Like prefolds, contour diapers should be changed every 1-2 hours with a small baby, and every 2-3 hours with an older baby. When the natural fiber becomes wet, it keeps the wetness against Baby’s skin and can cause diaper rash. A microfleece liner can create a “stay-dry” feel against Baby’s sensitive skin; if baby is allergic to synthetic fibers, then diaper ointment (avoid ointment with petroleum or zinc oxide) with a rice paper liner will work best.

In terms of pricing, contour diapers cost a bit more than prefolds. A contour diaper costs between $12-$17 each new, so at an average of $15 per diaper, and 24 diapers needed for a two day rotation, you're looking at a $360 investment; add to that approximately $13 per diaper cover, of which you will need 4-5 for a two day rotation.

Destination Prefolds

A prefold diaper is the closest you will find to what your grandparents probably used on your parents. As the name implies, a prefold is a folded piece of cloth, usually made of cotton or a cotton/ hemp blend, fitted over the baby and fastened into place (the plastic Snappi has replaced the infamous diaper pin of yesteryear). There are many different ways to fold the cloth based on the needs of your baby.

A prefold diaper is not waterproof, so a shell or cover is needed to keep baby’s clothes (as well as Mommy, Daddy and other cuddlers) dry. Most covers are made of polyester and plastic, a few are wool—more and more, reusable diaper companies are creating covers with adjustable sizes and super cute colors and designs.

When cloth diaper advocates talk about prefolds, they stress on the fact that they are the money-saving option. A high grade prefold diaper costs, on average, $5 per square, and the covers to go over the cloth square about $13 per cover; using 24 squares in a two-day loop with a newborn, as well as 6 covers, you’re looking at about a $200 investment—IF it is a system that works for you and Baby from newborn to potty-training.

Besides being a cheaper option, prefolds are good for a trimmer look (if your baby is not a heavy wetter, which would result in using multiple prefolds at a time, or adding doublers). A tri-folded prefold is going to fit better under baby’s pants than a bulkier All-in-One or pocket diaper. At night, prefolds can be joined with hemp doublers, but this may not work so well for babies who rash easily (like mine). The natural fibers of prefolds will keep the wet against baby, and after long exposure this can create diaper rash. To prevent rash, you can use a fleece liner between your baby’s bottom and the prefold; diaper cream is also an option, although not all diaper creams are good for cloth diapers.

There are so many ways to fold a prefold that often one feels they are taking a course in origami rather than diaper-folding. But when you have a crying newborn, or a wiggly toddler, on your changing pad, one often isn't up for fancy folding. Something practical and simple is what works best. Below are photos of the most common (as well as most simple) ways to fold a prefold:

Prefold fabric before folding

Bikini Fold: Good for when baby has chunky thighs and needs more room between legs.

Angel Wing Fold: Adds more fabric
around thighs to prevent leaking.

Tri-fold: The most basic fold. Several can
be folded ahead of time so that the prefold
 only has to be placed in the cover. These are also
convenient when out and about.

There are inserts you can use instead of tri-folded prefolds. Babykicks and Thirsties both make hemp and cotton doublers that can be used as inserts. Bumgenius makes a polyester insert called Flip that has microsuede sewn on one side of it; when baby pees, the wet goes through the microsuede into the insert, keeping both the microsuede and the baby’s bottom drier. I highly recommend that you do NOT use diaper cream with microsuede, because over time the oil and zinc oxide in the cream can build-up in the fibers and actually make the insert water-proof! If that ever happens (believe me, it happens), never fear—you will just have to strip your diapers.

Strip diapers? What's that? Another post for another time, I'm afraid, but an important post nonetheless.

The video below features the following brands:
BabyKicks Prefolds
Gerber Flat Sheet
Mother-ease Diaper Cover
Thirsties Diaper Cover
Flip Diaper Cover
Flip Diaper Insert
BioBottoms Wool Diaper Cover
Rebourne Wool Diaper Cover
Snappi

Please watch, learn, comment, teach. :-)