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TYPES OF DIAPERS
There are five basic types of diapers:
Flat Diapers - these are probably
what most people think of - big rectangles of fabric that you
have to have a PhD in origami to fold, held together with diaper
pins and scaring yourself to death because you don't want to prick
your little ones with pins! Overtop you have the lovely plastic
pants. I don't know a single person who uses these anymore, so
we won't talk about them!
Prefold Diapers - They are the most
inexpensive (other than the flat diapers listed above, but they
aren't much cheaper anyways). Basically, these are rectangles
of cloth, but they are already made so they have multiple layers.
Imagine a rectangle divided into thirds the long way -- the two
outer thirds are four layers of fabric, and the center third is
eight layers. These need to be worn with a cover in order to prevent
leaks and wet clothes.
Prefolds can be flannel, hemp, terry cloth, a mixture of fabrics,
or you can get what are called "Diaper Service Quality"
(DSQ). These are the ones I would recommend.
To use these, you simply take the diaper long way on, and fold
the two outer thirds over the center third. You lay this into
a diaper wrap, and then put it on the baby. It's really very simple,
and you can get a very leak-free system if you get the right covers.
It's really not as complicated as it looks either - once you are
doing it, it just makes sense!
Fitted Diapers - These are probably
the most popular, but a bit more expensive. You still need a cover
for these. Basically, these diapers are sewn together so they
go on in much the same way as a disposable - they have Velcro
or snaps to hold them together at the waist, and you put them
on just like you would a disposable diaper. Then you take a diaper
cover and put it over top. Easy! I'd recommend these ones to most
people - they are a bit more $$ for start up - but still saves
you a TON over disposables. They aren't as scary to some people
as the prefolds, since the look just like a disposable, and they
tend to keep in those "blow outs" better than a prefold.
With a fitted, I have fewer leaks than I do with disposables!!
Fitted diapers are made from flannel, terrycloth, or a mixture
of the two, or specially woven cotton.
All in Ones (AIO) - These are the
most expensive way to go, and though they are convenient, I have
heard mixed reviews. They take longer to dry, you have to buy
diapers for each size, and they (depending on the brand) may not
be as leak proof. With an AIO, the cover is built right in. You
put it on exactly like a disposable diaper, and that's it. Very
easy. But not necessarily worth the price compared to the fitteds.
Most people I talk to don't recommend AIOs for every day use,
but some people like to have a few on hand to use when you go
out, or when the baby is at grandmas or whatever (though depending
on 'grandmas' age, they may be just as comfortable with a plain
ol' cloth diaper...) Some mamas swear by Bumkins AIOs.
Pocket Diaper - Pocket diapers (i.e.Bum Genius,
Fuzzi Bunz) are a two-piece diapering system with a piece of fleece
that makes up the inner part and a waterproof layer that makes
up the outer part. An absorbent material is placed inside of the
two pieces making the whole system act as an all in one system
that keeps babies dry. The fleece wicks the moisture into the
center of the diaper, where an insert (made of microterry, hemp
or cotton) is. The fleece itself remains dry. So the baby has
a dry bottom even if they wet several times.
OTHER SUPPLIES
Diaper covers/Diaper wraps - diaper
covers are what keep the diaper from leaking. They are made from
a breathable but waterproof fabric (it differs depending on the
brand) and are fastened with either Velcro or snaps, depending
on the cover. Some people prefer Velcro, because it's a bit easier
to put on and off, but it can stick together in the dryer, and
if your baby is mischievous they may figure out how to undo the
Velcro. Snaps are harder for baby to undo, but of course are a
bit more exacting to put on - though no more than a sleeper or
other snapped garment. It just depends on preference.
Doublers - a pad of absorbent material
(usually terry) that you put in the diaper when you need more
absorbency (heavy wetters, nighttime use etc). They are also washable.
Diaper Liners - disposable pieces
of heavy paper/light cloth (like a heavy toilet paper almost)
that goes on top of the diaper (and doubler if you use one). They
catch all the solid mess so you can just flush it down the toilet
instead of rinsing the diaper. Very handy! With breastfed poop,
it leaks through some because it's so liquid, but it still makes
clean up easier. These are totally optional. There are several
kinds - some are NOT flushable, but some are.
Diaper pail - you can use anything
that has a lid. I have an actual diaper pail that I bought from
The Container Store. You CAN'T use a diaper genie or other similar
system, cause they aren't big enough, and of course the diaper
genie makes those little sausages that wouldn't be fun to cut
open so you could wash the diapers...
Wipes - If you are washing diapers,
you might as well wash wipes! Just take an empty wipe container,
fill it half full of water, add a bit of baby wash, and put a
bunch of cloth wipes or washcloths in it. Change the water once
a day ... easy. And then just wash them with the diapers. For
how easy it is, it isn't worth spending the extra money on disposable
wipes.
WASHING
There are lots of different systems- and you will develop one
that works for you. I prefer a dry diaper pail. You can also put
some water and washing soda in the pail, which will help prevent
stains.
Example: This is for washing every other day. Put the diapers
in on pre-wash in COLD, with a 1/4 cup of washing soda or baking
soda. Then wash on the longest cycle on HOT with half the normal
amount of laundry detergent, and throw in a Downy ball half filled
with vinegar (helps to fluff the diapers, and the get rinsed cleaner
that way). If your babies have sensitive skin, or you've noticed
they are sensitive to laundry detergent, then you might want to
do a double rinse at the end. Then dry them in the dryer. In the
summer, you can line-dry -- it's the best thing to get out stains.
If you line dry, you should dry for 15 minutes in the dryer afterwards
to help make them fluffy.
If you use a wet diaper pail - you just add 1/4 cup of washing
soda to the pail, dump the whole thing in the wash, and spin to
get rid of the water. Then wash on hot - you can skip the whole
pre-wash thing then (since they have already been soaking). The
wet diaper pail is probably better at keeping away stains, but
some don't feel it's worth the hassle.
When you buy your dipes, ask whomever you buy them from to recommend
a washing system.
For the cheaper route, go with prefolds. You don't need pins,
minimal folding, and CHEAP!!! With 36 diapers, you can wait three
days between laundries, to give you an idea of what you would
need.
Fitteds are nice because they are easier to deal with. They
are more expensive though - it just depends on what you want to
spend. You could also go with a combination of the two if you
like!!
Oh - one other note - cloth diapered babies tend to potty train
faster (cloth diapers are more uncomfortable when they are wet,
so babies have more motivation to stop wearing them!) A lot of
cloth diaper wearers potty train at around age 2 (instead of around
3).
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