The decision to go with cloth diapers instead of disposable comes with a greater upfront starting cost, as well as a greater commitment to doing laundry.
Using cloth diapers instead of disposable, you will save a lot of money, especially if you plan on having multiple children. It’s also a great thing to do for the environment, reducing the disposable diapers that have to be stored in landfill.
Cloth diapers are comfortable for your baby, and also very cute. They come in all sorts of colors and patterns, and are just as easy to use as disposables. It won’t take you long to get used to the routine.
How many cloth diapers will I need?
If you plan on using cloth diapers full-time for an infant, you will need 24 to 30 diapers. Doing laundry every day is ideal if you can, but this will allow you to do laundry every 2-3 days.
Newborn babies will typically go through around 10 to 12 diaper changes a day, while older babies tend to only need 8 to 10. There are diapers that are designed to fit from newborn stage until toddlerhood, but many parents will use prefolds and covers first with their newborn, and then switch to one of the other styles when their baby grows.
Which cloth diapers are the best to buy?
There is no right or wrong choice, it is mostly a matter of preference and convenience. One option is to go for an all-in-one diaper, which a lot of people consider to be the best cloth diaper choice. They are most similar to disposable diapers that you are probably familiar with.
There are other options including liners and prefolds, which we will cover below. You will probably want to look into diaper covers as well if you’re not going with all-in-one diapers.
All-in-one Diapers
Modern cloth diapers work very much like disposables. They often have velcro or snaps to keep them done up. The best thing about all-in-one diapers is that they have everything in one piece.
Some all-in-one diapers also support adding additional inserts to add absorbency, and you don’t have to worry about folding them into shape or covering them up with a diaper wrap.
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BumGenius All-In-One Newborn Cloth Diaper
These all-in-one cloth diapers are easy-to-use with stretchy velcro tabs to do them up. |
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Rumparooz One Size Cloth Pocket Diaper
These have a stuffable pocket and adjustable snaps to fit your baby as they grow. |
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Bumkins Snap In One Cloth Diaper
A great all in one diaper designed to adjust in size and absorbency as your baby grows. |
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gDiapers Newborn Bundle
The gDiapers Newborn Bundle has enough diapers to get started right away. |
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Prefolds
Prefolds are flat cloths similar to cloth diapers that you think of from the old days. They are easy once you get used to them, and you can use them for other things too like burp clothes or for cleaning up other messes.
Once your baby is wrapped in the prefold for absorbancy, they wear a diaper wrap or diaper cover to provide extra waterproof protection, warmth, and style.
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OsoCozy “Better Fit” Unbleached Prefold Diapers (6-Pack)
These prefolds are designed to fit perfectly inside a diaper cover using a tri-fold that does not require pins or fasteners. |
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Birdseyes Flat Cloth Diapers (10 Count)
A very economical and durable cloth diaper available in different pack sizes. |
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Dandelion Organic Prefolds – (12 Pack)
Size 0 is the smallest prefold, for babies weighing 2-7 pounds. |
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Cloth Diaper Fasteners
While some cloth diapers include buttons or snaps sewn into the cloth, there are many that don’t come with a fastener sewn in.
Safety pins are still commonly used for cloth diapers, but there are also other solutions.
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Snappi Cloth Diaper Fasteners (Pack of 5)
Snappi Cloth Diaper Fasteners are so popular because they are quick, safe, and easy to use. |
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OsoCozy Diaper Pins (White)
Original technology that’s been working for years to secure cloth diapers. |
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Diaper Covers
Diaper covers, also called diaper wraps, are used to further protect from leaks when you’re using cloth that may leak through a bit.
Cloth diaper covers are also much more fashionable than all the generic disposable diapers. They come in different materials and patterns and colors.
Babies always look really cute running around in nothing but a diaper, and with some of the styles you can find in diaper covers, that can be a great outfit.
Waterproof Diaper Covers
Waterproof diaper covers provide extra protection against leaks in the prefod or fitted diaper. They are also easier to keep clean and dry, and most small messes can simply be wiped clean.
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Thirsties Snap Duo Wrap
These covers have an adjustable rise so you only need two sizes from birth to potty-trained. |
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flip Snap Cloth Diaper Cover
A waterproof shell that’s form-fitting and has a comfy butterfly closure. |
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Rumparooz Newborn Cloth Diaper Cover
These diaper covers have 3 adjustable rise settings and are designed to fit babies as tiny as 4 pounds. |
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Wool Diaper Covers
Wool is naturally breathable, absorbent, and anti-microbial. It is also soft and stretchy, comfortable and warm. No wonder wool covers are so popular for diaper wraps.
| Kangacare EcoPosh Wool Diaper Cover
A high quality organic cloth diaper cover that is small enough for newborns and goes on like a pull-up. |
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Imagine Knit Wool Diaper Cover (Small)
Imagine wool diaper covers are soft, breathable, comfortable, and provide extra absorbency for heavy wetters. |
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Disana Organic Merino Wool Diaper Cover
An absorbent diaper cover made of especially fine, soft merino wool. |
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Cloth Diaper Liners
Cloth diaper liners are inserts that absorb most of the moisture and keep the solid waste contained. When you change the diaper you simply discard the soiled liner in the toilet and flush away the mess. In many cases, you’ll be able to change the liner and the diaper stays completely clean.
There are reusable cloth diaper liners as well as flushable disposable ones. For overnight, there are extra liners you can use called doublers, to double up the absorbency.
| Thirsties Hemp Inserts (2-Pack)
A bulletproof overnight solution Made from 6 layers of remarkably soft hemp and cotton blend knit jersey. |
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| Naturally Nature 5 Layer Charcoal Bamboo Inserts (12-Pack)
Bamboo Charcoal is porous, wicking moisture from your baby’s bottom to keep them dry. |
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| OsoCozy Gauze Diaper Doublers (12-Pack)
Added absorbency where your baby needs it most. |
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| OsoCozy Flushable Diaper Liners (3-Pack of 100 Sheets each)
Flushable diaper liners flush away even more of the mess and laundry work. |
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Cloth Wipes
Reusing wipes in addition to resuable cloth diapers will save you even more money than going with disposable wipes. Even if you use a combination of both to ensure you have enough for emergencies, any bit of reducing helps save money and the environment.
| OsoCozy Unbleached Flannel Baby Wipes (15-Pack)
100% unbleached cotton flannel baby wipes by OsoCozy. |
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Dealing With Soiled Diapers
Even if you really want to use cloth diapers instead of disposable, the idea of dealing with soiled diapers is probably on your mind. While this can be a messy problem, there are plenty of items that make it less of a hassle.
If you get a good odor free storage bin and a good system for rinsing off the solid waste before laundering them, you will find that cloth diapers aren’t as hard to deal with.
Cloth Diaper Sprayers
Before storing soiled diapers for laundry, many parents find it more convenient to rinse them with a bidet or sprayer head that you can attach to your toilet.
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SmarterFresh Cloth Diaper Sprayer (Stainless Steel)
SmarterFresh Diaper Sprayer cleans fast with an adjustable force for gentle rinse or jet spray. |
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| Aquaus SprayMate Cloth Diaper Sprayer Splatter Shield
A conveniently designed tub that fits on the toilet to prevent splattering germs and bacteria. |
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Soiled Cloth Diaper Storage
Consider using an odorless cloth diaper pail or a waterproof zippered wet dry bag to store the used diapers until you have enough to wash a full load.
| Busch Systems Odorless Cloth Diaper Pail
This great odorless pail has a wide opening and was designed specifically to hold diapers. |
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| Ubbi Steel Diaper Pail (Hot Pink)
A stylish and functional addition to any nursery or changing area. |
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| Skip Hop Zippered Waterproof Cloth Diaper Bag
A stylish, washable, reusable bag with a handle for easy carrying or attaching to your diaper bag or stroller. |
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Cloth Diaper Washing
Make sure you refer to the pre-washing instructions and follow them to get your cloth diapers, liners, and wipes ready. It is often advised to use hot water and detergent with no perfumes.
Cotton diapers don’t hold on to odors, but if you find that there is a smell after washing there are other odor removing solutions you can use.
| Dropps Baby Laundry Detergent 20-count (3-Pack)
Pre-measured dissolvable packs of detergent with no dyes, perfumes, phospates, or parabens. |
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| Mollys Suds Cloth Diaper Laundry Powder (70 Loads)
Brighten and remove stains naturally with this safe and gentle cleaner. |
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| Babyganics Baby Laundry Detergent, Fragrance Free
This scent-free, hypoallegenic detergent is full of amazing plant and enzyme based cleaning power. |
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Now that we’ve covered everything involved in getting set up for cloth diapering, we hope this makes your choice easier.
Cloth diapers are easier on the environment, and can even be comfortable and fashionable for your baby.
Even though there is a lot to buy upfront, they will become cheaper in the long run over the course of your baby’s diaper years.
