Late in my pregnancy, Dan and I started discussing cloth diapering. We both liked the idea, but didn’t know where to start. I went to the blogosphere and spent hours reading “Cloth 101” posts. I practically got a degree in the subject from YouTube University. By the time I needed help crawling out of bed, I felt decently prepared to fold, wash, pin, and spray my way through fluff heaven. I had only one question: “What EXACTLY do I need to buy?!”
No matter how long and hard I searched, I couldn’t find a simple shopping list. There is, of course, an explanation for this. You see, each family is different and has its own specific needs. Your unique situation will pose unique challenges, to which there will be unique solutions. So how could there be a single, perfect shopping list that works for everyone? Answer: There can’t be, and isn’t.
What I am attempting to do is define some typical situations, then offer some suggestions for how to fit cloth diapering into them. As I completed the draft, I realized that it was way too long for a single post. I’ve decided to break it into a series. Each post will begin with this introduction and the basics for any fluff momma, then follow with a more specific type of family in mind. I’ll post a new entry each day until I’m out of ideas.
We’ve addressed newborns, reluctant caregivers, night leaking, and green options. So congratulations. I know that you fit perfectly into one of these categories and… what’s that? You don’t actually fit into one of these categories? You mean, every fluff momma is unique and every family has their own, special needs? Haha. Ok. Let me give you a couple of examples of how to combine styles…
The Combination:
You have a newborn who will be staying with your less-than-supportive aunt part time.
The Challenge:
You’ll need a thrifty diaper that can be changed like a disposable.
The Solution:
Go the prefold and cover route while Baby is with you, and purchase some used newborn AIOs for when she’s with her aunt. You can find cloth diaper selling and trading all over the internet. I suggest starting with the cloth diaper finder on the Dirty Diaper Laundry website. There are also Facebook groups and consignment stores to search. You’ll save money and your aunt will be happy. Everyone wins!
The Shopping List:
- (1 AIO for every 2 hrs with Auntie) x 2 so that you can wash every other day
- 12 prefolds
- 4-5 PUL covers with aplix
- 2 Snappis
The Combination
You have a newborn, but you wish to go green and all-natural.
The Challenges:
- Find an easy, all-natural alternative to PUL covers
- Use less water and energy
- Save money on diapers you’ll not use for very long.
The Solution:
If you’d like the ease of a PUL cover without the petroleum, try a one-size wool cover with snaps or aplix that can grow with your baby. It will go onto your baby exactly the same way, you’ll just need to hand wash instead of throwing them into the machine. I’d get a couple extra covers because newborns tend to have explosive poos. You’re likely to need to wash more often.
Prefolds wash and dry pretty easily, but if you want to take it to the next level, flats are even cheaper and work great for newborns! Buy small sizes, or if you’re concerned with bulk you can order half-flats. Buy them in organic materials, and don’t forget your Snappis!
The Shopping List
- 30-40 organic flats
- 6 one-size wool covers with aplix or snaps
- 1 tube lanolin
- 1 container organic or all-natural baby or wool wash
- 2 Snappis
With either of these combinations, don’t forget your basics…
The (Basic) Situation:
You’ve decided to cloth diaper. Congrats, Momma! You’re going to have so much fun!
The Challenges:
Cover the basics that any fluff momma will need.
The Solution:
You’ll need a container to store dirty diapers until wash day, some waterproof bags for on-the-go changes, and some good detergent. You may also want to have some dryer balls, some cloth diaper-safe rash cream, some cloth wipes, and a small spray bottle for wipes solution.
Try a laundry basket for your dirty diapers, as the airflow will prevent stink. If you’d rather go with a closed system, you’ll need a couple of large wet bags to line the pail. Two smaller wet bags will fit in the diaper bag for outings.
Don’t waste your money on “cloth safe” detergents. Whatever you use on your clothes is probably fine, unless it has fabric softener in it. Fabric softener and dryer sheets are big no-nos for fluff, because they make your diapers repellent. Most commercial diaper rash creams will do the same. Wool dryer balls can replace your fabric softener, and there are some lovely cloth-safe creams on the market.
As long as you’re doing diaper laundry, you may as well use cloth wipes as well. Purchase enough to get you from wash day to wash day, and get a small spray bottle to wet them with. No need to buy special solution, as there are many recipes on Pinterest, or you can just use plain water.
The Shopping List:
- A tall laundry basket or diaper pail
- 2 large wetbags (if you choose a pail)
- 2 small wetbags
- A detergent without fabric softener
- At least 2 wool dryer balls
- A cloth safe diaper cream
- 30 cloth wipes or cheap baby washcloths
- A small spray bottle
I hope this article has helped you decide how to spend your stash money! Do you have a specific situation that I didn’t cover? Leave a comment below and I’ll address it!
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