What You Need to Cloth Diaper

As I have previously said I am expecting another baby here in a few weeks and so I thought I would write up a post about what is needed to cloth diaper an infant. What I use with my toddler works well for us, prefold with a cover during the day, pockets or a doubled prefold at night, and then Flip diapers while we are out and about. However, with my newborn since I plan on cloth diapering from the beginning I am getting some different things to try and see what all I like, and I will write about what I get to cloth diaper my little one as I get it and put it to use. :-) What I have learned though is that cloth diapering does not have  to be expensive or a gross mess, with the right tools it can be a simple and extremely cost effective way to diaper your child from newborn to potty training. Here is a list of what you would need to cloth diaper if you were just doing prefolds and diaper covers, I have also put down some prices and my thoughts on why you would want these items. 

For babies smaller that 8lbs.

This is not always an easy stage to cloth diaper, and some people choose to just wait to start cloth diapering until their baby is older and a little bigger. For me, my first baby was 9lbs at birth, so I am not worried about size with newborn cloth diapering. :-)

18-24 Premie Prefolds

2-3 Diaper Covers in a small size

For 8-15lbs

24 Infant Prefolds:

I would get the Indian Cotton Prefold from Cotton Babies ($1.50 each). They have the best price for what you get and have free shipping too.

3-4 Diaper Covers:

I only say 3-4 because if your baby has two blowouts then you only have one cover to use until you wash. So I say 3-4 just to be on the safe side!!

For 15-30lbs

24 Premium Prefolds:

I would also choose to get the Indian Cotton Prefold from Cotton Babies ($2 each). Why so many prefolds? Well, I find that you want have enough for at least two days (I know that most older babies do not use as many diapers in a day as little ones so this might seem like a lot) or if your baby suddenly get sick and goes more than usual, than you are sure not to run out of prefolds.

3-4 Diaper Covers:

Also for the same reason. With diaper covers they can wear out, so get what you think is going to best suit you. I am personally fond of getting snapped diaper covers because they look better longer, but I do have some velcro and those are really convient for a quick diaper change.

Everything Else:

2 Snappis:

These do wear out in about 6 months or so ($7.95 for a 3 pack from Amazon).

3-4 doublers:

I have not done much with any other than the stay dry insert from Cotton Babies, but their are several types out there that are great for doubling up at night so there are fewer leaks and diaper changes.

2 Wet Bags or Diaper Pail Liners:

I use the Planet Wise Diaper Pail Liner ($16.50 from Cotton Babies or Amazon) and it is very nice and simple to use.

Covered Trash Can:

Plastic ones work ($10-15 at Walmart or Target), but if you are worried about the stench go with a metal or stainless steel. Also for the stench you can put baking soda in the bottom of your can. I am currently using Arm and Hammer Lavender Deodorizers in the bottom of the can outside of the pail liner ($6.60 for a 5 pack from amazon)

25-30 Cloth Wipes:

These you can make yourself with flannel if you have scraps (I love my homemade ones!), or you can just use baby washcloths from a place like Wal-mart or Target ($1 or less a washcloth depending on the type you get). The different cloth diaper manufacturers make wipes too, but if you do not want to spend a lot of money on wipes it works to just use washcloths. Also, Etsy.com has lots of people who make cloth wipes for very reasonable prices.

Wipes Warmer:

This is not a necessity, but it makes it so that you can moisten your wipes and they are warm and ready to use on baby’s tender bottom (Prince Lionheart Wipes Warmer $19.17 on Amazon).

Wipes Solution:

I have lots and lots of ideas for that, so make your own. It is very inexpensive to do so and you will use stuff you have around the house. Just check back every week for a new recipe!

Diaper Sprayer:

Not a necessity, but f you are serious about cloth diapering I would get one. It will save you a lot of sweat and tears and makes the $45 you will spend on it totally worth it!

Diaper Laundry Detergent:

After reading about all of the different types of detergent and looking at the reviews, I have come up with two that look like they get stuff clean and work well. Rockin' Green Detergent and Nellies All Natural Laundry Soda. These are not totally cloth diaper specific, but they are exactly what cloth diapers need. Rockin' Green is about 18 cents a load and Nellies is about 11 cents a load if you buy it from Cotton Babies (again because they have the best price). Right now I use Nellies, but I do plan on trying Rockin' Green once I use up all of the Nellies that I have right now.

Also if you have the option you will want clothes pins for hanging diapers in the sun. You can just dry them in the dryer most of the time, but stains come out so well if put in the sun for a few hours.

Good Support Team:

Sadly enough this cannot be bought; but, you can go online to any cloth diapering forum or ask questions on my blog and I will be willing to give you advice, encourage you when problems occur (because this is not a science and problems do happen!) and be happy with you when things are corrected again! Also it is extremely helpful to have your partner on board with cloth diapering, someone who is always there to help out. :-)

This is everything I could think of for starting out with cloth diapering on the cheap. But please do realize this is not the only way to cloth diaper, it is simply cheaper than other ways out there. I look forward to getting the rest of the items on my list for my new baby on the way and I will keep you posted as to what I am buying and trying and my thoughts on them! 

Have a wonderful first day of May! 

~ Kym

Todays Bible Verse: Proverbs 9:10