Cloth Diapers for Low Income Families

If you are interested in using cloth diapers and are afraid you cannot afford the initial investment needed to get started, you should consider applying for assistance with some of the great organizations listed below.

• Miracle Diapers Miracle Diapers has assisted those in need all over the world. They accept donations and put cloth diapers and natural parenting items in the hands of needy mothers.
  

How do I lanolyze wool?

This is a very good question and the answer can be quite complicated. Living in Florida I personally don't use wool. Visit this Blog MiaBambina for a detailed tutorial on how to use and lanolyze wool diaper covers. Her step by step intructions and photographs make the process easier to understand.

Why Bamboo?

When I first thought of Bamboo I have to admit that an image of a Panda Bear came to mind. He was just sitting there in my minds eye, munching on a piece of Bamboo somewhere in Asia... So you can imagine my surprise when I heard of Bamboo Cloth Diapers and Mama Pads. Much to my delight, I found out that Bamboo is one of Mother Natures best kept secrets.

So let me tell you what I've found out about Bamboo and why it's so amazing!

• Bamboo fabric can out absorb cotton by 60% and is naturally moisture wicking
• Bamboo is naturally Anti-Bacterial, Anti Fungal, Anti-Static, and Odor Resistant
• Bamboo is 100% BioDegradable
• Bamboo is a sustainable resource
• Bamboo is actually a grass and can grow up to a yard per day
• Bamboo can be grown, harvested, and processed without the use of harsh pesticides and chemical processes

Cost of Cloth Diapers

How much will cloth diapers cost me?

Each family will need approximately 6 dozen cloth diapers for use over a 2 year period. It is possible to cloth diaper for as little as $300.00, and most diapers purchased can be re-used for subsequent children making the cost of diapering them FREE! The possibilities are endless when using cloth, in today's world you can even re-sell your gently used cloth diapers and re-coup between 50-70% of what you paid for them.

Average cost of a Cloth Diaper Cover $9.00
Average cost of a Pre-Fold $2.00
Average cost of a Fitted Diaper $9.00
Average cost of a Pocket Diaper w/ Insert $15.00
Average cost of an AIO $14-16.00

Cost of a Diaper Service

Using the estimate of 60 diapers per week, the average cost of using a diaper service would be approximatel $15.00/week. That equals $780.00 anually and about $65.00/month. Over the course of 2 years, a family would spend about $1500.00 per baby for a Diaper Service.

(Statistics provided by the Real Diaper Association)

Cost of Disposables

The average baby will use approximately 6,000 diapers in the first 2 yrs of life.

Based on the average cost of 25.5 cents/diaper, diapering with disposables will cost about $1600 ($66.00 per month) to diaper for 2 years, excluding the cost of disposable wipes. Imagine having more than one child in diapers at a time and the costs skyrocket.

(Statistics provided by the Real Diaper Association)

What's a Pocket Diaper?

Originally invented by the owner of Fuzzi Bunz, Pocket diapers are two piece diapering system typically with a piece of fleece or suede cloth that makes up the inner portion of fabric and a waterproof layer , typically PUL, that makes up the outermost portion. An absorbent soaker or insert is placed inside the pocket opening and it draws moisture through the inner liner and soaks it up. Inserts can be made of a variety of materials. Inserts are removed and both are to be washed after each use.

Bac-Out Stain & Odor Eliminator

Bac-Out Stain & Odor Eliminator 16oz.

with Live Enzyme Cultures:
It seems everyone has a Bac-Out story. Bac-Out’s live enzyme-producing cultures attack pet, food, and beverage stains, organic waste, and odor until they are gone, digesting them back to nature, safely and naturally. Bac-Out is safe to use around children and pets, even birds.

• Lime Peel Extract cleaning power
• Destroys the toughest odors so they are gone for good
• Excellent for mold and mildew
• Preferred by commercial carpet cleaners nationwide

BioKleen Laundry LIquid

Citrus Laundry Liquid 32oz.

Phosphate & Chlorine Free:
Our Laundry liquid removes the toughest dirt, grease, stains and odors, yet is gentle enough for cloth diapers, delicate fabrics and hand washables. Rinses clean without leaving residue on clothes that can irritate skin or ruin fabrics. Recommend 1 oz per load.

• 3x More Concentrated
• Grapefruit Seed & Orange Peel Extracts
• Naturally controls stains and odors
• Makes a great pre-treat for stains

What do I need to know about washing CD's in a Front Loader?

Detergent residue can be a problem, because front loaders use less water and need less detergent to clean. So if you'd like to use regular detergent (not HE detergent), you'll want to use 1/4-1/3 of a normal load amount. Front loaders usually require 1/2 the amount of regular detergent, so with CD she'll want to cut it down from that. If she's using HE detergent, then 1/2 of recommended amount.

A double rinse is recommended with front loaders, just to make sure of no detergent residue.

The sanitize setting makes the water really hot, so to maximize the life of PUL, only use that cycle during or after a child is sick with a stomach flu or infection, to make sure any lingering bacteria/virus/fungus is killed. Or use the sanitize cycle to sanitize used diapers purchased online, etc. Over use of the sanitize cycle will breakdown PUL faster, and decrease the lifespan of the diaper and it's effectiveness.

DayCare's & Cloth Diapers

I have had many customers interested in converting to cloth diapers ask me if their Daycare Center is going to accept them using cloth diapers. My initial response is that it is up to each individual daycare and I know of no law that prohibits them from accepting cloth diapered babies.

So a couple days ago I got the idea to call a few local daycares in my area and ask if they will or will not accept babies or toddlers who wear cloth diapers. Below are the results of my top-secret investigation...lol

1. B. Patch DayCare- Receptionist placed me on hold and returned with a simple NO. She vaguely described some type of health issue and tried to lead me to believe there is a law against cloth diapers.
2. Kids Pl.- Receptionist admitted that they have never had any children in cloth diapers before, but said she'd have to call the Sanitation Department to make sure it was ok. I didn't feel like arguing or I would have explained that the Sanitation Dept is responsible for garbage removal, not health codes.
3. W. Academy- NO.
4. B. Bears- Only after the child is 12 months of age?
5. S. Petite Academy- Absolutely, no problem! :)
6. K. Care- No one had ever cd'd before, would have to ask the director. Please check back.
7. Doorway to L.- Yes.
8. Country B.- Does not accept children under 2 yrs, but cloth diapers on a 2 yr old wouldn't be a problem.
9. C. Choice DayCare- An at home daycare, said "No."
10. E. Coast- "Sure why not?"
11. JB Junction- Yes.
12. L. Explorers- Receptionist seemed a little confused, said "sure" and then asked if cloth diapers were waterproof?
13. D. Road Disc. Center- "Sure, I guess so."
14. Sunshine & S.- "No problem."
15. ABC Acad.- Never have had anyone use cloth before, would have to check into it.

**So the verdict seems to be that people at day care centers are pretty receptive to the idea. Besides a couple of snippy comments made by uninformed employees, it sounded to me like people have no idea how far cloth diapers have come and how convenient they can be.

If you are considering approaching your child's daycare about whether or not they will change cloth diapers, I would suggest you bring in a couple to show them and ask them in person. Make them aware that they do not have to use pins, they do not have to dunk and wash the diapers, and show them your wet-bag and how they'd just simply toss the dirty diaper in for you to take home and launder. Just as easy as disposables if not easier, in my opinion!

Good Luck!

Why Wool?

Why is wool so popular as a diaper cover? and how does it work?

Wool is a naturally waterproof fiber and can hold up to 30% of it's weight in liquid before feeling damp to the touch. It is a tough, durable, stretchy, and naturally anti-microbial and anti-bacterial it is the natures perfect solution for a diaper cover.

Experiments with Overnight Solutions

Well since I have two babies in cloth, this means I can try two different nighttime diapering routines each night and see which works best. So here I will document my different nighttime experiments on 2 male babies age 10 months:

Experiment #1: Fleece Pocket stuffed with a tri-folded premium infant size pre-fold and a hemp/terry doubler. 9:00pm-9:30am. No wicking or leaking overnight, exterior felt dry to the touch after baby woke up. After carrying baby on my hip and after him sitting down, compression dampness occurred.

Experiement #2: Thirsties Cover with a tri-folded regular pre-fold, pre-fold folded down in front for extra coverage and added a hemp/terry doubler. 9:00pm-9:30am. Absolutely dry when baby woke up, even after sitting down cover remained dry. After about an extra hour the white FOE (fold-over-elastic) around legs and waist felt wet and cover began to wick around the aplix.

Experiment #3: DryBee's Green Retro Flower Print PUL Pocket with Wahmie's One-Size Microfiber Insert. 9:30pm-8:00am. Diaper began to wick around the front if waist and around aplix at about 7:00-8:00am. May not have had a problem if baby hadn't slept on his stomach. Some compression dampness did occur and sheets got a little wet.

Experiement #4: DryBee's Blue Polka Dot Print PUL Pocket with Wahmie's One-Size Microfiber Insert and an added hemp/terry doubler. Same time frame as #3 but much less wicking occurred, could be due to the use of the doubler or he possibly slept on his back more than his brother.

Experiment #5: Solid Color Mommy's Touch PUL Pocket with a tri-folded pre-fold as an insert. 9:15pm-4:00am. Had to wake up at 4:00am to change the diaper due to a lot of wicking, especially around the leg openings. A doubler may have helped or the problem may be that the diaper is an older style Mommy's Touch purchased off the FSOT and it's possible the PUL is wearing thin from too much wear.

Experiment #6: Raspberry PUL Wonderworks Pocket stuffed with a folded Gerber pre-fold and a homemade microfiber 2 layer insert (the kind of micro from Wal Mart). 9:30pm-1:30am. Woke up completely wet with a big wet spot on the sheets. The Gerber pre-fold had pretty much no holding power. Put baby in a Thirsties Cover with regular tri-folded pre-fold for the duration of the night with no leaking.

Show me your Diaper Diva fold!

Thanks to everyone who responded!

Stinky Diaper Remedy?

My diapers smell clean when they come out of the laundry but after being worn, and especially after overnight, they have this awfully strong odor? How can I keep this from happening?

Well I don't think there's a cloth diapering mom out there who hasn't had smelly diaper issues at some point. I personally wash my diapers almost every day and they had still been getting pretty smelly after having been peed in. So I decided to try using a wet pail for a change. I put my diaper pail in my utility room where there would be no risk of drowning, and filled it half way with water. Then I added a squirt of BioKleen Laundry Liquid which has Grapefruit Seed & Orange Peel extract in it. I submerge each diaper in the water to soak and when I have about 10 or so diapers in it I dump the diapers and the water into the washing machine. I turn on the washer with either hot or cold and add another ounce of BioKleen, I let them soak for an hour and then let the washer complete it's cycle.

This was my first couple days trying a wet pail. The first couple loads after having soaked in the wet pail with baking soda and/or a squirt of Blue Dawn DishSoap smelled clean but did still produce a strong odor after being peed in and after over night. After my first soak and wash with the BioKleen Laundry Liquid, this morning when the babies woke up the odor was almost 95% gone. It really is amazing. I need to experiment some more to find out if the BioKleen works as well on diapers that sat in a dry pail, or if it is the combination of them soaking in the wet pail with the BioKleen and washing them with the BioKleen that did the trick.

Soon I hope to retail the BioKleen products in my store, but for now you can find them in your local HealthFood store.

The Diaper Diva Fold

What is the Diaper Diva Fold?

Detailed photos show Shana, The Diaper Diva in action. From laying out her supplies, placing the baby face down on the Pre-fold, tucking the sides, using a snappi or a pin to fasten it, and finally tucking around the legs for extra coverage, this technique is not only easy to learn, it's cute and practical too! Great for use with or without a cover or soaker. Thanks for sharing Shana!

How do you make baby wipes?

How do you make your own baby wipes?

There are many ways to make your own disposable or re-usable baby wipes and baby wipe solution. One that I just came across on momadvice.com is:

Homemade Baby wipes

Ingredients

• Strong paper towels work the best (for example, Brawny).
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup of baby oil
• 1/2 cup baby magic baby bath

Directions

1. Cut one roll of paper towels in half.
2. Take out the core so wipes pull out of the center.
3. Place 1/2 roll of paper towels in container.
4. Pour solution over towels.
5. Store in container. Makes 2 1/2 rolls.

Another method is to take flannel receiving blankets and cut them into squares. Pre-wet them each day with enough to last that day or keep a spay bottle handy with your favorite wipe solution and spray them at each diaper change.

Hook & Eye? Aplix?

One diaper noted a hook and eye fastening, but then mentioned velcro, kinda confused?

Hook & Eye, Touch Tape, and Aplix are all kinds of velcro, some are known to be stronger than others.

Pre-Folds & Diaper Pins?

Are the pre-folds the only ones these days that still require pins?

Most covers fit well enough to hold the pre-fold in place without pins. Some people still use pins and there is also something called a Snappi which does the same thing as pins. Pre-folds, pre-fitteds, and flats can be used with pins.

A stash?

How many do most people buy to build their stash of diapers?

If you were going to do laundry every other day and wanted to only use pre-folds & covers, I'd recommend at least 2 dozen pre-folds and 6-8 covers. If you had a little of each then maybe
a dozen pre-folds, 4 covers, 6-8 pocket diapers or AIO's.

How many?

To try the different styles, how many would you recommend initially trying of each to get a feel for it?

If you were shopping from my site I'd recommend a DryBees or Just Ducky Baby AIO, a DryBees Pocket w one-size insert, or a Happy Heiny Pocket w insert and some Pre-folds with a Thirsties cover, and maybe one Fab Fitted.

So pocket diapers can be used as covers?

So pocket diapers can be used as covers?

Some people do this. Once you have a "stash" you'd be amazed at all the different ways to stuff, fold, double, etc. Some people use a pocket diaper without an insert as a swim diaper. I just did this the other day when I took my babies swimming. The main thing is that with an AIO or Pocket diaper, the moisture is to be held inside the diaper. If you just use a cover or a pocket as a cover, the pre-fold or doubler would be holding the moisture against the baby. Some people don't like the wetness against the baby. This is also why pre-folds need to be changed more often. I still like them though and don't mind changing out the pre-folds frequently.

Are inserts for the pocket diapers just prefolds?

Are inserts for the pocket diapers just pre-folds?

No, pre-folds are usually made of cotton, sometimes hemp or bamboo, and are layers sewn together. When a pre-fold is referred to as "premium" it just means it's extra thick, and usually costs a little more than regular but is well worth it. Inserts are usually made of fibers that are specially designed to suck in moisture. In a pocket diaper with microfiber insert the insert will virtually suck "wick" the moisture through the soft liner of the pocket diaper and hold it in the insert. You'd notice when you take the insert out it will weigh a ton, and the liner of the diaper would feel almost dry to the touch. Like I said before though, you can use a pre-fold as an insert or doubler but it just doesn't hold in the moisture or hold as much moisture.

Are the doublers inserts for the pocket diapers?

Are the doublers inserts for the pocket diapers?

Inserts and doublers are basically the same thing and can be made of a variety of fibers. Inserts are referred to as that when used in a pocket diaper because they can be "inserted," in an AIO they're just laid in so then they're called doublers. I sometimes fold a pre-fold and stuff that into a pocket diaper with an insert if I think I need some extra stuffing for a long car trip or
overnight, etc.

Why do you prefer...

You said you like pocket diapers while you're out and at night but pre-folds at home, is that to be more cost-effective? Same question for not using AIOs.

Well I have twin sons and pre-folds are affordable and you can imagine how many diapers I need. While I'm at home I just find it easier to put a dry pre-fold on, sometimes without a cover, and it just produces less laundry for me. I'd love to have a huge stash of Pockets and AIO's, and I'm building slowly, but I like the simplicity of the pre-folds too. It's fun to have a variety and I also like saving the cute/more expensive diapers for showing off when we go out...lol

Pockets with Pre-Folds?

With a pocket diaper then would you be able to just use one of the pre-folds in the pocket part or should you buy the microfiber inserts for overnight? Which pocket or AIO would you recommend I try? Wondering from experience which you prefer the most. I’m a stay at home mom too so I was thinking pre-folds with covers for sure when I’m home, but wasn’t sure what to try for going out or overnight or with a babysitter.


I have some DryBee's Pocket Diapers with the Wahmie's Microfiber insert that I love. They are easy for dads and babysitters and overnight. The one-size insert can be folded to customize where you need it the thickest for a boy or girl. Pre-folds can be stuffed in as an insert but I wouldn't recommend that for overnight because they just don't suck in as much moisture as microfiber does.

Equivilant to Disposable Pull-Ups?

My 3 year son is in underwear during the day. Wondering what your suggestion is for nighttime with him since he occasionally still has accidents. I’ve been using pull ups for him from the store, but am running low and am looking for a more environmentally safe alternative. He does sometimes wake in the night so I would need something he can pull off and on by himself so he can use the potty and go back to bed like he does now with his pull ups.

There are actually Pocket Trainer diapers which are the most like disposable pull-ups. Here's a link to them on my site http://www.earthangelsdiaperco.com/page/page/4782152.htm They do require the purchase of inserts to go inside them and they can come with or without snaps. Even if you do get snaps they can still be pulled up and down like training pants. The best thing would be that if your son goes all night without an accident then you can just use the pocket trainer again the next night because it would still be clean.

Thinking of Switching to Cloth?

I have a 17 month old who I want to switch to cloth diapers, but my husband is saying they are so pricey. What do you suggest? I’m afraid to buy them and then they leak because I’ll get an I told you so. Now we wasted money on cloth and still have to buy disposables, etc. I was looking at possibly getting the just the basics pre-folds and covers for him. Do those work pretty good? He is a heavy wetter at night time so that is the only concern I have.

As far as your 17month old goes, I would recommend buying one or two diapers or pre-folds and covers, and see what style or brand you prefer before making a large investment on any one kind. You can tell your husband that cloth diapers can be re-sold used when your done with them, and as long as they're in good condition you can re-coup around 80% of what you spent on them. It really is amazing.

Pre-folds are nice because they are the most affordable. The cover usually stays clean and you can just replace the wet pre-fold with a dry one. The pre-fold would need to be changed more frequently than a pocket diaper or all-in-one because they just don't hold as much liquid as microfiber. If you were to only use that method I'd say you'd need about 2 dozen pre-folds & 6-8 covers, laundry would need to be done every other day. I use pre-folds at home during the day and pocket or all-in-one's when we're out or for overnight.

Don't Hate Me Because I'm Fluffy

Welcome to Diaper Discussions. The reason I have created this Blog is because many new and existing moms who are giving cloth diapers a try or are interested in them feel overwhelmed by all the options, terminology, fabrics, and choices in general when it comes to learning about cloth. Having been new to cloth myself once, I realize that it's sometimes even hard to put into words how overwhelming cloth diapers are and form the questions you need to ask in order to help you make decisions about what to do.
So, I hope this Blog will serve as an archive of all my customers diapering dilemmas and the dialog between us. I will also post other useful information as I come across it and links to other helpful diapering sites. Questions and comments are always welcome.