Tips for Finding the Perfect Stash Size!

How many diapers do I need?

This is perhaps the most common question for anyone starting out with cloth diapers... and it seems like it'd be pretty simple to answer, right? And yet, when you ask several cloth diapering parents this same question, you're likely to get a variety of answers! Why the confusion? The truth is, like all things cloth- what works for one, isn't the best for all. The perfect stash size truly looks a little bit different for everyone.  Some can make do with a modest stash of 24 diapers (perhaps less), while others have upwards of 40 and still want/need more! It all comes down to your lifestyle and your diapering needs! 
Today I'm sharing a variety of questions to consider when choosing the right stash size for YOU.

What type of diapers will you be using?

If you're using pockets or all in ones, you will need a larger number than if you are using covers. Covers can be used 2-4 times (or more) between washes, so in theory, you would need at most half- depending on baby! You may find you need to use a variety of types for different occasions as well (grandparent/daycare friendly diapers, for example), so keep that in mind.

How often does baby go?

If you're starting later, your baby likely won't go as often as a small newborn, so you can get away with less. If using covers, consider how often they go #2. Typically, I've found that we end up needing to change covers each time. Some babies- like my daughter- go only 1-2 times a day, so covers last longer. Other babies- like my son- go after every nursing, so we'd have needed more for him! 

How often are you using cloth?

Personally, we cloth full time- home, night, out and about- even while traveling! Others opt to choose disposables for overnight and on outings...or are required to do so at daycare. If this is you, you will generally need fewer diapers than the family who uses cloth full time.

 How often can/do you want to wash?

Twenty-four diapers is generally thought of as the minimum stash and is a perfectly workable amount. This typically would have you washing about every other day (depending on your baby of course). If you don't mind and can do laundry frequently, this works out well. If you'd like to do laundry a little less often or don't have constant access to a washer, a larger amount may be wiser. (Keep in mind that more frequent washing is still best for keeping away stink...especially in the summer!)

How long do you want your diapers to last?

If you intend to use these diapers for future children, or keep a higher retail value, keep in mind that the smaller the stash, the more each diaper is worn...and the quicker they show wear. (Many brands do offer refresher kits for a very minimal price, so even if you choose to stick with the small stash, that doesn't mean you cannot keep them in good shape!)

Overall, it all comes down to preference. If you want to stick to the minimum, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, especially if your primary concern is saving money! If you chose to cloth diaper for the fun prints and cute fluff then by means 'buy all the diapers!'. Truly, there is no right or wrong stash- just the stash that works for YOU. My best advice is to start small. Again, enough for 24 changes is the typical minimum recommended so start there. You may find that's the perfect amount for you and choose to end it there. Or you may discover you need a few more and you can build up until you reach the point you're happy with.


Contributed by Randi, mom and blogger via A Modern Day Fairy Tale

Tips for Using Cloth Swim Diapers

The warmer months are getting closer and it's time that many of us start thinking about swimwear...baby swimwear that is! How adorable is a little one all dressed in their swimsuit, little hats and sandals, sunglasses?.... a picture perfect moment! But that picture perfect moment can quickly be ruined with a swim diaper mishap!

Have you ever used disposable swim diapers? Back when my son was a baby, we were given a few packages, and honestly, we were not fans! Not only were they horribly overpriced, but they also seemed as though they'd be horribly uncomfortable too! The good news is, you don't have to throw your money away by buying disposable swim diapers...and if you're already cloth diapering you probably have just what you need already in your stash! To help you get started, here are a few quick things to know about using cloth diapers as swim diapers!

• Swim diapers aren't meant to be absorbent! Perhaps you're thinking a cloth diaper in the pool sounds crazy...won't they be heavy the moment your little one steps into the pool? But a swim diaper isn't meant to absorb for just that reason. Instead, it is just meant to keep messes contained. So, no absorbency is needed!
• Swim Diaper or Regular Diaper? There are many diapers on the market designed specifically for swimming, which can be a great addition to your stash... especially if you swim often. However, if you already have cloth diapers, there truly is no need for anything special. Simply remove an insert from a regular pocket diaper and you are ready to go!
• Delaminated diapers? Don't toss them out! If you've been cloth diapering long, chances are you've met the dreaded delaminated diaper. These diapers are no longer waterproof, making them no good for normal every day use, but ideal for swimming! So if a beloved diaper starts to delaminate, designate it as a swim diaper- you'll get to continue using it, and will save money on special swim diapers as well. 
• Chlorine & Cloth. Personally, I've had no problems using our regular diapers for swimming, but we also only swim in a little kiddie pool in our yard. If you are swimming in a chlorine pool, it's a good idea to set aside a few diapers specifically for swim. Over time, the chlorine can cause the PUL to break down making them useless for everyday diapers. 
• Washing Swim Diapers. When the fun is over, throw your diapers in the wash with the rest of your swim clothes! Because absorbency isn't a problem with swim diapers, there is no need to take special care in washing (aside from skin sensitivities, of course!)

Using a cloth diaper as a swim diaper is a great way to save money, give new life to old diapers and of course, keeps your little ones looking their most adorable as well.

Do you use cloth for swimming? What tips do you have?

Cloth Accessories: What to Buy and What to Skip

After cloth diapering for almost three years, I’ve seen my share of cloth diaper trends and accessories, and have amassed a great deal of simplistic cloth diapering experience. If you wish to take a minimalist approach to cloth diapering, here are a few cloth diaper accessories that you don’t really need to be successful cloth diapering your little one.

DIAPER SPRAYERS

Now, you’ll find a lot of differing opinions on this accessory, but the reality is that you can easily cloth diaper without a diaper sprayer (I have!). In my opinion, diaper sprayers add an additional [unnecessary] step to what can [and should] be a simple routine.

If you are concerned with removing solids from your diapers, or avoiding stains (I HATE stained diapers myself), I suggest using diaper liners. I prefer fleece liners, but they do make disposable liners for use (they just never seemed like they would be comfortable for my little guy).

CLOTH DIAPER DETERGENT

I'm going to let you in on a little secret: cloth diaper laundry isn't terribly complicated, nor do you need 'special' detergents. Again, this is a hotly debated topic in the cloth diapering community, but the truth is that you can use the same detergent you use for your clothing on your diapers [as long as it doesn’t have fabric softener in it]. Many manufacturers require you to use cloth specific detergent, so as not to void your diaper’s warranty; I’m not here to tell you that you should void your diaper warranties, but I will say that special detergent isn’t necessary, especially if you’re diapering on a budget.

WET BAGS

If finances are tight, you do not have to purchase a wet bag to successfully cloth diaper. I’ve used disposable grocery bags many times in a pinch and they worked just fine. If you do want to add wet bags to your cloth diapering routine, I would suggest purchasing two medium-sized bags, so that you have one readily available while the other is in the wash. If you have more than one child in diapers, have a baby in daycare, or are using a hanging wet bag in lieu of a diaper pail, I would recommend having more than two wet bags at your disposal. Adding some wet bags to your diapering routine? Check out the Smart Tote!

DIAPER SPRAY

I've used cloth wipes from the very start, as they seemed more economical and just, well, made sense to use with cloth diapers. I used a wipe solution in the beginning (one my midwife recommended), but ditched the solution for plain old water once my wipes began scorching in the wipes warmer. Unless you feel absolutely compelled to wash your little one with soap after each diaper change, ditch the expensive diaper sprays and stick to water (or a homemade solution).

On the flip side, there are accessories that I would say you can’t have enough of.

In other words, if you find a good sale, or come across a great deal, you can buy as much or as many of these items as you can, with absolutely no remorse; trust me, you'll put them to good use!

CLOTH WIPES

If you’re going the cloth wipe route, and I absolutely urge you too, then my philosophy is that you can’t have enough. With well over fifty wipes, I still find myself running low from time to time because I use them for everything! I keep a small wipes wet bag in my diaper bag, which comes in handy for wiping mouths at restaurants, gently wiping runny noses, and cleaning messy hands when eating out.

DIAPER COVERS

Even if you're not using flats, fitteds, or prefolds, diaper covers (or even an empty pocket diaper) come in very handy. I know one of the perks of cloth diapering is that you, technically, won't have to worry about running out of diapers, but trust me, it happens sometimes. A receiving blanket and an extra cover literally saved my son’s bum when he was a newborn [and an errand run took much longer than expected]. Check out the Smarti Pants Smart-Fit Diaper Cover collection!

INSERTSAND BOOSTERS

If you see a sale or a good deal on inserts, grab them! At some point, you’ll likely need a little more absorbency, so it makes sense to grab a few when you see a good price. I grab inserts whenever I see them used or on sale – I can’t have enough! I recommend purchasing natural fibers to get the most bang for your buck with inserts, but if you’re on a tight budget, microfiber will also get you through. Stock up on Smart Sleeve inserts HERE.

CLOTH-SAFE DIAPER OINTMENT

Balm is not just for the bum, my friends. I've always kept multiple containers, stashed in different areas (nursery, bathroom, diaper bag), because diaper balm has so many uses! If you've ever seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding, then you'll understand when I say that diaper balm is my Windex. Cracked/chafed lips and cheeks (teething), nipple relief, lotion, hand salve, cuts, oh, and diaper rash too; I've used diaper balm in SO many situations. Even better, if you use coconut oil, you can also use it in the kitchen, on your hair, for oil pulling, so many things! I like having two dedicated coconut oil sticks on-hand: one for the bum, and one for everything else (my son likes to schmear it all over himself as lotion).

What are your must-have cloth diaper accessories? Which ones can you live without?

Lauren B. Stevens is a cloth diapering mom and freelance writer, whose work can be found on The Huffington Post, Scary Mommy and Care.com, in addition to numerous anthologies. When Lauren’s not chasing her rambunctious toddler, she’s penning hilarious and heartwarming stories about parenthood on her blog, lo-wren.com.

Really Need Newborn Cloth?

If you've spent any time in cloth diapering forums or chat groups, you've likely seen this question posted hundreds of times, “Do I really need newborn cloth diapers?” My answer is yes and no. Confused? Read on.

Guestimating your newborn size in-utero is like a game of chance, as doctors and midwives almost always overestimate your baby’s weight. Take my son, for example, who was estimated to emerge at around nine pounds, but made his entrance into the world at a measly seven pounds, and then left the hospital at six pounds. We had to scramble to purchase newborn clothing (we had skipped that size and purchased all 0-3 months), and he ended-up wearing that newborn size for the first two months. At six feet tall, and topping eight pounds as a baby myself, I never imagined I would have a baby so small! Thank goodness for the two packs of preemie-sized prefolds I had purchased on a whim.

Most one-size cloth diapers are rated for babies eight pounds and up, featuring snaps on both the rise and the waist to allow the diaper to grow along with your baby. If you have a small baby you’ll find yourself scrambling for a good diaper fit with a one-size cloth diaper. In this case, I definitely advocate for newborn diapers. If you’re a first time parent reading this, you need to be aware of the explosive poos your baby will be having for the first couple of months, so having properly fitted diapers are important (unless you want to spend a lot of time changing diapers, clothes, and messes).

If this isn’t your first time at the rodeo, and you know that you tend to have larger babies (8+ pounds), then it’s a safe bet that you can launch right into one-size diapers from the beginning. If you’re using prefolds, you can skip the preemie size, but I would suggest adding a sized cover or two to your stash, just to be on the safe side (you never know when that diaper cover might come in handy with a cloth diapering emergency).

If buying an entire newborn cloth diaper stash isn’t in your budget, there are many ways to get creative in your shopping. Since newborn diapers are used for such a short amount of time, you can often find great deals on used newborn diapers, or even deals from people who decided that cloth just wasn’t for them. I was washing diapers daily when we started with eighteen prefolds, so I recommend having at least twenty-four diapers to start (thirty-six to be in a really comfortable position). If you opt for buying new, you’ll be happy to hear that newborn diapers typically hold their value because they’re used for such a short period of time.

If you’re newly pregnant, or anticipating pregnancy, I would advise you to set aside money each month during your pregnancy to purchase cloth diapers and accessories. I knew that I was going to cloth diaper before I got pregnant, and already had the research done when my pregnancy test was positive, so I was able to purchase diapers in monthly increments (we were on a VERY tight budget back then) and I utilized used cloth diapers to fill out the remainder of our stash.

Lauren B. Stevens is a freelance writer whose work can be found on The Huffington Post, Scary Mommy and Care.com. When she’s not doing cloth diaper laundry, or chasing her rambunctious toddler, Lauren writes about parenting and women’s issues on her blog, lo-wren.com.

Say Good Night with Cloth

So, you've made the decision to cloth diaper. You have all your supplies ready and choose a day to start. During the day, all seems to be going well. Then comes sleep time. You put on a fresh diaper, lay down your little one and leave them to sleep, just like you always do. But when nap time is over, you quickly discover that they have soaked straight through their diaper!

Does this sound like a familiar story?

Don't worry, you are not alone! In fact, finding the perfect sleep solution can be perhaps one of the greatest adjustments we have to make with cloth diapering! In act many opt not to use cloth for sleep- and that's perfectly fine...but if you choose to use cloth full time, here are a few overnight tips to get you started:

Make Sure You Have a Good Fit. Fit is always important with cloth diapers, but even more so at night. Keep in mind that nighttime diapers can at times be a little thicker, so what fits well during the day may not be the best solution for nighttime. Be sure to find a well fitting diaper with no gaps. You may find that you need a completely different style for nighttime. For instance, we use a combination of pockets and covers throughout the day, but have found for overnight, covers are the only thing that work for my daughter. Every baby is different.

Layering is Key. Aside from a good fit, the next big thing is of course making sure the inserts are absorbent enough. As a newborn, we found that we really didn't need too much added absorbency at all, but as my daughter has gotten older that has certainly changed. Now, we must add layers to our daytime diapers to handle the longer time between changes. There are a few different options to consider. Here is a look at our two most common choices:

• Hemp Inserts. Hemp is the work horse of the cloth diapering world and a fantastic nighttime option. Hemp is ultra absorbent without being overly bulky. Of all the various insert types we've used, they tend to hold the most. They are also not prone to compression leaks like microfiber. However, they absorb slower than microfiber or cotton, for this reason, I personally prefer not to use them alone.
• Microfiber Inserts. Microfiber is a great option for a few reasons. First of all, it's inexpensive- these are the inserts that typically are included with most cloth diapers and additional inserts are pretty cost effective as well. They also absorb quickly and can hold quite a bit. The downfall is that they can be prone to compression leaks, and when used in a cover cannot be placed against baby's skin.

As you can see, both of these options on their own have great qualities, but also have their downfalls. But when used together they work perfectly! On those occasions that we do go with pockets overnight, I place the faster absorbing microfiber on top with the more absorbent below. This solution works wonderfully.

When using covers, we find that using either type of insert wrapped inside of a flour sack towel (cotton) has worked very well. This tends to be our go to for nighttime.

Regardless of which type of materials you find that work best with your little one, as you can see, layering more than one insert is a must for overnight diapers!

Wool Works. When all else fails (or just for added protection), adding wool can be the perfect sheet saver! Wool wicks moisture away while keeping the outside completely dry. Honestly, I couldn't give you the technical reason as to why it works this way, but I can tell you this- it does work! Use over a fitted diaper, or whatever your preferred diaper is as well. For even the heaviest of wetters, wool is ideal!

Like all things cloth, finding the perfect solution for your baby for overnight can have a little bit of trial and error. But use these tips to get you started, try a variety of layers or diaper options, and it'll soon be second nature! Cloth diapering overnight IS possible!

What tips or tricks have you found for overnight diapering?

Top Reasons Randi loves Cloth Diapers

It's February...the month of love, where we all celebrate the people and things we love. And today I'm celebrating my love of cloth. Oh, cloth diapers...how do I love thee!? Let me count the ways:

• The savings! Let's start with the most practical reason to love cloth- how much money can be saved!! With that extra money we're not spending on diapers each week/month, we can feel free to buy more things we love! (Even if that means more cloth diapers!)
• Better for Earth, Better for Baby! Another logical reason to love cloth! I love knowing that I'm producing less waste in the landfills and giving my baby the healthiest alternatives! With her delicate baby skin, that's a GREAT thing!
• They're adorable! A little less practical reason, but nonetheless true! There is something super adorable about a fluffy bottom. The bright colors, the fun prints...you don't get that with a disposable now, do you?
• They're worry free. As I write this, we have a snowstorm heading our way...but am I worried about running out of diapers? Absolutely not. We've got our cloth diapers and our washing machine...and we're prepared for anything! Snowstorm? No problem! Car troubles? No problem! Zombie apocalypse? No problem! (Well, not with diapers anyway!)
• The community! Oh, what a wonderful world this cloth diapering community is! There may be a few bad apples, but overall I have met some wonderful people through our cloth diapering experience! Like minded mommies bonding over what's on their babies bottom? Yes, please!
• Fluff Mail. Is there a cloth diapering mama out there who doesn't enjoy getting fluff in the mail? I didn't think so! It's not NEARLY as exciting to post a photo of the package of disposables you just bought, is it?

Yes, there are certainly a million and one reasons to love cloth! From the practical to the frivolous...what's not to love!

How about you? Why do YOU love cloth diapers?

Cloth Diapering in a Pinch

I’ll never forget the time I was caught diaperless, something fervent cloth diaperers 

vow won’t happen, and one of the wonderful things about using cloth. Well, it 

happened to me. My son and I were out running errands (he was around two 

months old at the time) and decided to make an impromptu stop at my husband’s 

office (about 45 minutes away from home). My son was still in the breastfeeding 

blowout stage, so we were going through at least twelve diapers a day. Needless to 

say, I had not prepared accordingly and we were caught without a diaper.

Thankfully, I was a full-time prefold diaper user at the time, so I was able to pull out 

a spare cover and use…a receiving blanket to fashion into a makeshift diaper. From 

that time on, I made sure to always keep a spare Snappi and cover in my diaper bag 

for those “just in case” kind of moments. Over time, I was better able to anticipate 

the number of diapers we would need for outings, always packing one or two extra, 

but I did find myself caught another time or two once my son entered toddlerhood 

(and diaper changes became more ‘predictable’). 

If you’re adept at cloth diapering, then you’ll find you can be very creative in 

‘emergency’ situations. We all seem to be gifted an insane number of receiving 

blankets, so keeping a few spare blankets in your car isn’t a bad idea. After 

forgetting to pack a wet bag in my diaper bag (they were still on the drying rack at 

home), I fished a spare disposable grocery bag from my car to contain a dirty diaper; 

I would later add that bag to my diaper bag, again, for “just in case” moments (and 

my spare bag came in handy on multiple occasions).

Even if you don’t diaper with flats, fitteds, or prefolds, I suggest purchasing a one-

size cover to keep on-hand in your diaper bag – you never know when it might come 

in handy! You know those cute bloomers people use over disposable diapers? I was 

gifted a few at my baby shower, and kept them, despite not knowing what I would 

ever use them for (especially because I have a boy who doesn’t wear pretty dresses). 

Those bloomers came in handy when my son had a nasty diaper rash; I folded a 

prefold or added an insert into the bloomers to give added security against messes 

while my son was able to “air out” his tush. 

So, when a cloth diaper emergency situation arises, remain calm and remind 

yourself that, by nature of cloth diapering, you’re able to become a Cloth Diaper 

McGyver – you’ve got this!

A freelance writer and skilled ghostwriter, Lauren Stevens proudly, and dually, wears 

the hats of both toddler-wrangler and wordsmith. You can find Lauren’s writing in The 

Huffington Post and Scary Mommy, in addition to her blog, lo-wren.com.