Cloth Diapering Stages: How Many Diapers You'll Need

When we make the decision to cloth diaper, one of the most important questions each of asks is simply, 'How many diapers do I need?'

If only the answer to this question were as simple to answer! The truth is the answer varies depending on a few factors- how often do you plan to wash? what type of diapers do you plan to use? how often does your little one go? will you be using cloth full time? All of these factors will weigh into the exact number that is right for you and your baby. But another important factor to consider is baby's age!

Today I'm sharing about how many diapers your little one may need for each stage of their diapering days!

Newborn
24-32 Diapers

During the early stages, your little one will go through more diapers than any other stage! For my oldest, he pooped after each and every nursing- at LEAST once every two hours! That's 12-15 diapers a DAY. For a bare minimum washing every day, I would suggest going no less than 18- remember babies have a great tendency to go JUST after you change them, right? But let's be realistic... who has time for laundry daily with a brand new baby? Chances are, washing every other day is going to make more sense! So, 24-32 is a much safer idea!

Infant
18-30 Diapers

As your little one grows, MOST babies will start needing less frequent diaper changes, so you could get away with starting with fewer. Personally, I do tend to err on the side of caution and suggest more than necessary because babies are rather unpredictable! My daughter definitely slowed down on diapers past the newborn stage, while my son continued to need them more frequently, so it really does vary! If you're starting cloth diapering at this stage, consider how many disposable diapers your little one goes through a day and add a few to that to find the right number for you!

Toddler
12-24 Diapers
Since my daughter was about 18 months to now (she's 2 years, 2 months), I have found we need increasingly less diapers day to day! Again, I still like keeping those numbers a little high for those unforeseen accidents or sicknesses that may pop up- its better to have more and not need them than to run out! Still at this stage, more than 24 diapers is usually not all that necessary!

Potty Training
6-12 Diapers

For the little one learning to use the potty, don't toss out those diapers just yet. Even if you switch to training pants during the day, you're probably going to want to have some diapers on hand for longer trips and bedtime! And one of the advantages of cloth is that they typically allow baby to feel more when they are wet, making them ideal for those early potty training days!


Again, these numbers are just a rough estimate to give you an idea (and many leaning towards the higher end)... you may find that you need more or you may find that you need less. It truly depends on your baby's habits, wash preference and more. Still, this guide can give you a great place to start!

How long have you been cloth diapering? What have you found to be the perfect number of cloth diapers for your little ones?

Cloth Drying Alternatives for Cool Weather

No matter how simple or complicated our wash routines may be, there is one thing that most cloth diapering parents can agree on when it comes to laundry--- line drying is the best way to dry! For starters, it covers both primary reasons most of us choose to use cloth...it uses less energy making it eco-friendly AND better on the budget. Beyond that, the sun is also a great natural stain remover and line drying is gentler which keeps our diapers in better shape longer. It seems like a no brainer, doesn't it?

But then comes the cool weather!

The good news is that there are many great solutions that allow us to hang dry inside, no matter the weather outside! Take a look:

• Clothes Drying Rack. Perhaps the easiest, most classic solution at all. These can be found for anywhere from $10-$15+ and can come in handy for drying needs long beyond the cloth years. Place in front of fan or fireplace/heat for faster drying.
• Ikea Octopus Hanger. A clothes drying rack might seem like the ideal for most, but if you're limited on space may not be the best solution. We personally use a wonderful hanging rack from Ikea that is perfect for diapers! It will hang anywhere, takes up little space and quite honestly, is absolutely adorable! We even take this along when we travel! Once the diapering days are over, this would still come in handy for hanging delicates...or for drying kids crafts!
• Repurpose Pants Hangers. Do you know those store clothes hangers that pants come on? I have found that these work great to hand diapers to dry. Depending on your diapers (how thick they are and how long it takes to try), you can hang two together on each side! 
• Use What You Have. Are drying racks and fancy hangers not in your budget? No need to worry, just toss them over your shower curtain rod...no need to buy anything additional, use what you already have. Other options could be hanging in your laundry room, curtain rod...whatever works. (I don't suggest this method when expecting company, but hey...what a conversation starter!)
• When all else fails, use the dryer! Honestly, yes, hang drying may be better for your diapers, but drying in the machine isn't going to kill them. Use the lowest heat setting/most delicate cycle and they'll be just fine! (We actually always dry our inserts and just hang the covers. If you use pockets or all in twos this is a great time saving option as well!)

Do you continue to hang dry diapers in the colder months? What tricks have you found?

Repurposing Cloth after Potty Training

You've built up your cloth diaper stash through the years, put them to good use...and now your little one has potty trained! So, what do you do with your diapers NOW? Perhaps the most common answers are to either a) sell them or b) save them for future babies. But what if you're done having babies and don't want to/cannot sell (due to wear or personal preference)?

Cloth diapers are all about being green and preventing waste, so rather than throwing out your worn out cloth diapers, today I'm sharing some practical and fun ways that you can recycle your cloth diapers to give them an all new life- post potty training!

• Keep Your Wet Bags. First and foremost, let's talk wet bags! The great thing about these is that they serve so many purposes well beyond cloth diapering days have passed. Take them to the beach for wet clothes! Going somewhere where the kids will get messy? Keep the mess contained! Even potty training can have its share of accidents so don't toss them out just yet!
• Night Time Protection. Speaking of accidents, overnight accidents are not uncommon for young kids. If your child is prone to accidents overnight, you may consider keeping them in cloth-inserts and all. If it's just an occasional trickle, the waterproof diaper cover can provide a little extra protection!
• Clean It Up. Microfiber inserts are most often used in cloth diapers because they are super absorbent... this doesn't just make them ideal for diapers, but for cleaning up too! Have a spill? Soak it up! Super crafty? Attach elastic and create reusable pads for your Swiffer-type mops!! Prefolds and flour sack towels make great cleaning rags! From home to cars to pets, old cloth diapers can keep your home sparkling clean!
• Cloth Pads. Looking for reusable feminine hygiene options? You can reuse the materials in cloth diapers (PUL, etc) to make your own cloth feminine pads! 
• Baby Doll Diapers. Perhaps our favorite way to reuse old diapers is to turn them into baby doll diapers!! This is especially great for newborn diapers, but can work with one size, depending in the doll as well. My daughter loves putting her pretty diapers on her baby dolls!
• Get Crafty! Most of us cloth diapering mamas have a print or color we absolutely love, right? So again, reuse those materials to create fun works of art. Make a key chain, create a shadow box of baby memories, decoupage a Christmas ornament... the possibilities are as endless as your imagination!

Just because your cloth diapering days are ending or over, doesn't mean the fun has to end! What other ways can you reuse your cloth diapers?

Snaps VS. Velcro with Randi

If you've been shopping for diapers, you've probably already seen that many cloth diaper brands offer two closure options- snaps and velcro (also know as hook and loop or aplix). So, which is better? Which should you get? Like many things with cloth diapers, it all comes down to personal preference. Both closure types have their pros and cons, and ultimately it's all about what meets YOUR needs.

Let's take a look at some important factors to consider:


Ease of Use
When it comes to being easy, Velcro takes the cake. Snaps- though not necessarily difficult- certainly are the more time consuming option, and when you have a wiggly, on-the-go baby it can get a little complicated. For those new to cloth diapering, Velcro is an easier transition from disposables.

Durability

Velcro may be the easiest, but snaps tend to hold up the best. If you've ever owned anything with Velcro, you know that it tends to attract anything and everything. Personally, I have the WORST hair when it comes to staying on my head and am always finding my own hair getting tangled on it...yuck! In time and after many washes, I've also found it becomes less and less sticky...under a onesie, less than sticky Velcro doesn't seem to present much trouble, but if you're like me and like to leave diapers out for the world to see, you certainly want them to stay put on their own. Snaps, in my experience, last MUCH longer.

Fit
When it comes to adjusting the fit, snaps can sometimes be a little tricky. There is only so much room for adjustment, and if baby is between snaps...good luck! Velcro makes for a much more custom fit. This is especially great for small newborns.

Staying On

Every baby at one point or another reaches the streaker phase. You know, when they cannot help but to remove their diaper? Disposables or cloth, it doesn't matter! But for the cloth diapered baby, a diaper with snaps is much more difficult for baby to remove themselves...which means less surprise messes for mommy to clean up.

Laundry

What does closure type have to do with laundry? That goes back to everything getting caught in Velcro... Every Velcro diaper I've ever seen DOES have a laundry tab, but this does add an extra step in your routine- making sure this is closed. I'll be honest, I usually forget and find my few Velcro diapers getting snagged on an insert. This can add some wear to your other diapers and inserts as well.

Resale Value
One of the great things about choosing cloth diapers is that when your baby is done with them, you can resell them and get some of your money back. Because snaps tend to stay looking and working better longer, you can generally sell them at a higher price than a Velcro diaper used the same amount of time.

So, what do I prefer?

While you will find a few Velcro in our stash, I most definitely prefer snaps. I personally think they look nicer, hold up better and I don't have to worry about making sure they don't snag anything in the wash. I do like having those few Velcro in our stash for those (rare) instances when someone other than myself is changing the diaper. They are more grandparent/babysitter/non-cloth diaperer friendly. They are also great for newborns to get that perfect fit (and because newborn diapers are worn for a shorter time frame than one size- you won't see the wear and tear so much!). To me, it is worth that little extra work for something that will last longer while looking better...and stay on!

If you want the ease of use and an easier transition from disposables, Velcro might be your preferred option. Or you can have a mix of both for all your cloth diapering needs. The possibilities are endless. As with all things cloth, it is always a good idea to try a variety to learn what works best for you and your baby!

Do you use snaps? Velcro? A combination? Why did you go that route? Any advice on closure types for the mommy out there just beginning to use cloth?

Are NEWBORN cloth diapers worth it?

This is a question I'm commonly asked. and one that to be entirely honest I'm still not 100% sure how to answer. Why the uncertainty? There's really not one correct answer- it all comes down to a baby to baby basis. Still, in an effort to provide the best advice, I've compiled a list of a few pros and cons of newborn cloth diapers:

The Pros:

• Great Fit...From Day One! If you plan to cloth diaper from the very beginning, having newborn diapers are most likely to fit the smallest of babies. Many one size diapers have a minimum weight of 8-10 pounds and don't fit for the first few weeks, or even months in some cases. For babies that do fit one size right away, they still provide a trimmer fit.
• Resale Value. If you choose to sell your diapers once baby outgrows them, they hold their resale value quite well as they are used for a much shorter time period and see less wear.
• Cheaper than disposable. If your primary concern is saving money, newborn cloth can still be a cheaper option than disposable despite the need for essentially buying two different stashes. This is particularly true if you buy cheaper options (like prefolds and covers or buying used). Let's assume your little one is one of those that cannot fit one size diapers well until 6-8 weeks old...an inexpensive, modest stash of newborn cloth can easily be cheaper than buying disposable until that point. Especially when you consider that you're able to resell when you're finished. (We personally got back more than half of what we paid for our newborn stash...which made our investment after the fact equal to about two boxes of newborn disposables. WELL worth it!)
• Less Likely to Change Your Mind. Perhaps this is personal to me, but I've found if I put something off until later, I'm much more likely to get used to my current routine and not go back to that original plan. I can't say that this would have been the case should I have waited to use cloth, but I could certainly see it happening. Starting from the very beginning made it just another part of the routine, not something I had to transition into.
• Try Before You Buy. Newborn cloth can also be a great introduction into using cloth diapers. You can try several varieties in newborn diapers- all in ones, pockets, covers- to get a feel for what works best for your baby BEFORE buying a full stash of one size diapers. (Of course, you may find what works for baby at one stage may change in the next, but it gives you a good starting ground at least!)

The Cons.

• The Cost. Sure, it's still cheaper than disposable, but buying TWO cloth diaper stashes can still be quite a lot to fork out...especially when your reason for choosing cloth is for financial reasons.
• OS Works...For Some. When I bought our newborn cloth stash, I fully expected that my daughter would be one of those babies that would take a bit to fit into one size. The reality was, she fit into SOME of her one size at just a few weeks old. Had we known that, we probably could have skipped the newborn diapers altogether.
• Baby Outgrows Them Quickly. With my daughter, I found that while her newborn diapers still fit until about 6-7 weeks old, she started outgrowing the absorbency somewhere between 4-6 weeks.
• Stuffing Stinks. Some (but not all) newborn pockets can be VERY hard to stuff with their small opening. So, if you're already not a fan of stuffing, newborn pockets are probably not going to be your best bet.

As you can see, there are certainly pros and cons to each side. So what do *I* recommend? Are they worth it? Would I purchase newborn cloth again?

Personally, I think so. Despite the fact that we probably COULD have skipped the newborn and put Finley straight into the one size, I was glad we went the route we did. Sure, she didn't NEED them, but had we not had them, perhaps we would have. I was able to resell after she was finished and we really weren't out very much at all! We'd have paid more for disposables. Unless you can know for certain just how big your little one is going to be, you're kind of taking the chance either way. Buy them and not need them? Or not buy them and need them? Personally, I'd prefer to have them and not need them than scramble to get them later- or throw money away with disposables.

Did you use newborn cloth? Do you recommend it? What tips would you share with new cloth diapering parents?



Contributed by Randi! 

5 COOL Things About Cloth Diapering in the Summertime

Summer is officially here! So, what does summer mean for cloth diapering? Does it

change what you do and how you use your cloth diapers and accessories? It sure

does for me. Here are 5 COOL things about cloth diapering and summertime:

SUNNING

Those pesky stains that built up on your diapers over the winter are a thing of the

past now that summer and sunshine are here. If you’re not already line drying your

diapers, now is the time to get started. Not only will you extend the life of your cloth

diaper elastics and PUL, drying outside in the sun will remove stains without using

harsh chemicals – your diapers will look as good as new by the end of the summer!

SWIMMING

Cloth swim diapers are great, but not a necessity. If you have an old pocket diaper

that’s not a favorite or has deteriorating PUL, you can breathe new life into it by

using it as a swim diaper. The function of swim diapers is to keep solids contained,

and an old pocket diaper or cover can easily do the job.

CLOTH WIPES

I can’t tell you how many times I was glad to have moistened cloth wipes on hand

for use other than wiping my little one’s bum. I’ve used my wipes to clean up a

messy table at a restaurant, and more importantly, give my son and myself a nice,

cool wipe down on a hot day. Pack extra wipes for your outings and you’ll be

amazed how handy they come in!

WET BAGS

You’ll get your money’s worth out of your wet bags over the summer, to be sure!

The remainder of the year you use your wet bags for on-the-go diaper changes and

travel, but summertime kicks wet bag use into high gear. The entire family can make

great use of wet bags after spending time at the pool or beach, allowing you to pack

all of your wet suits and towels (and keep everything else dry). I also find wet bags a

huge help while potty training because accidents are bound to happen.

WOOL

Perhaps one of my summertime favorites – wool comes in incredibly handy over the

summer. While many people assume wool will be super hot and scratchy, wool

soakers actually breathe more than PUL diaper covers, allowing your little one to

stay cool all summer long. I used wool at nighttime with my son, and then full time

in the summer (no need for overheated “bits”).

CUTE PRINTS

Warm weather is also a great excuse to show off all of those adorable cloth diaper

prints you’ve been covering throughout the winter. If you collect cool prints,

summer is the time to show them off. You never know, you may just convert another

person to cloth by putting them on show!

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