(This is the second article in MacKenzie’s series, What’s up with Cloth Diapering?)
So, from my last diapering post you know why I decided to cloth diaper.
Today I will show you what modern cloth diapering really looks like.
My very first stash consisted of only 8 diapers! Yes, it can be done, although I don’t recommend it! I ordered 2 of 4 different kinds of diapers (from left to right- Happy Heinys, Fuzzi Bunz 1.0, DryBees, Bum Genius 1.0) to figure out what we liked the best. I subsisted on this stash of diapers for two months before I bought 12 prefolds and covers along with snappis to lighten my laundry routine- but we will get more into that later!
All of the diapers you see to the left are Pocket Style, which simply means that they consist of an outer shell made of PUL, or another waterproof fabric, on the side facing away from baby, and a wicking fabric (which pulls moisture away from the skin, such as microfleece) on the side touching baby, therefore forming a pocket for you to stuff an absorbent insert into.
The nice things about pockets are that they dry quickly, you can adjust the absorbency based on the number of inserts you stuff them with, they come in cute colors, and are just as easy to put on as disposables, using either snaps or velcro. These dipes are especially great for dads and grandparents, and are nice for outings when you don’t want to have to deal with putting a cover over a diaper.
Of course, Pocket Diapers are just one of many different styles that exist in cloth diapering today! My other favorites include: all-in-ones (Just how they sound: waterproof fabric and absorbency all sewn together! What could be easier?), fitteds (Which look like a diaper but require a cover), and prefolds (The “old style” dipes that you fold and either pin or snappi).
For more information on all of the different types of cloth dipes you can look at this detailed page on my website: Modern Cloth Diapering Options.
All in all, I like to use an all-in-one or pocket for when we are out and about, and a fitted or prefold at home. The fitteds and prefolds allow my son to go coverless at home, giving the maximum amount of breathability to his bum and helping prevent diaper rash (which cloth diapered babes don’t typically suffer from anyway, since they don’t have to battle the chemicals from disposables sitting on their skin).
Now you may be thinking, “But you have to use pins with a prefold! I never want to use pins!”
Well, you don’t have to anymore! Now they have a thing called a snappi (see left)- a “T”-shaped plastic gadget with little teeth on the ends that secure the diaper into place! Honestly, I use prefolds all the time and I don’t even own pins! Plus, you can make your prefolds sooooo cute by dyeing and embellishing them (see left, and the picture of my son in Article #1).
“Covers?” you say; “Who wants to deal with covers? And aren’t they those icky plastic pants?”
Well, as I mentioned before, I rarely use a cover at home. If I do put a cover on my son it is for naptime or bedtime, and then I use wool. I know it sounds strange, and I definitely had my reservations, but wool is wonderful!
Due to it’s antimicrobial properties, wool can be used for up to two weeks (depending on how often you use it) without smelling or needing to be washed, and the lanolin in the wool is an amazing waterproof barrier!
Along with function, wool is also adorable! I mean, check out these shorties I knit (left)! If you need a cover for going out, there are many very trim wool options along with wrap style covers made of PUL that either snap or velcro right over your prefold or fitted cloth diaper.
So, now you may be thinking, “Okay, okay, they do seem pretty cute. They aren’t what I was expecting and they seem functional and maybe even easy, but what about washing them? I can’t spend my life washing diapers!”
Well, good news! You don’t have to, and I will tell you how in my next article, so stay tuned!
This post originally made its debut at MacKenzie’s personal blog. Follow the rest of MacKenzie’s musings on being a birth and postpartum doula while pregnant, totschooling her son, and still finding time to knit, at Mama Kenz Studio.
And remember, the skeeda bag giveaway is going on until THIS Sunday March 22nd at 7pm EST, and all you have to do to enter is comment on the giveaway post with a valid email address. If you haven’t entered yet, what are you waiting for?
Loved this post! I am totally addicted to CDs now.
Well, all I can say is cloth diapers have sure changed, and for the better, I’d add. My middle child is 19 and she’s the one I used cloth on — and even back then there were cloth diapers with velcro tabs that vastly helped matters. If they’d had these modern ones 16 eyars ago, I probably would have done cloth for my 16-year-old too. But at the time, with 3 under 5, I just couldn’t do it.
Super Natural Home is another great green resource for everyone looking to reduce the toxins in our daily life. Presents lots of issues and then presents lots of solutions, which I really like. There’s even a section on kids’ rooms and how to make that into a safe haven from all the chemicals we see everyday.
I’m a big fan of gdiapers. We sometimes use the flushable inserts, but most often we stuff the covers with prefolds or homemade diaper inserts. The waterproof liner inside the pants means less laundry for the covers – a big plus in my book!
http://www.gdiapers.com
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