Before the era of disposable diapers, parents used to make their own cloth diapers at home. You can do that too. The price of diapers is quite a drain on the pocket, squeezing your budget as a new parent. To save money, try making your own ready-to-use diapers using inexpensive fabrics, such as T-shirts and flannel blankets. You can also make your own diapers in an unprepared or emergency situation. To avoid rashes, change this type of diaper frequently. Making homemade cloth diapers is simple, easy, and requires no sewing.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Folding T-shirt Diapers
Step 1. Use a t-shirt made of 100% cotton
Cotton is more absorbent than most synthetic fibers. So, it is a better material to use as cloth diapers.
- Use short sleeve or sleeve shirts for best results. A -sleeved T-shirt will make it easier for you to clamp a diaper on a larger baby or toddler, but will be too large for a smaller baby.
- Choose a t-shirt size based on your child's size. Older babies or toddlers may need an L or XL size T-shirt, but a newborn may only need a smaller T-shirt.
Step 2. Spread the shirt evenly
You can do this on a table or other flat wide area. Extend it with the sleeves on top.
Step 3. Fold one side of the shirt
The bottom of the shirt should be folded in about a third, and the "seam where the sleeves meet the body of the shirt" should be just below "the center of the neckline." Sleeves should be facing out.
Step 4. Fold the other side of the shirt
The fold on this side should be identical to the first so that the shirt is folded in thirds. Keep the sleeves facing out. At this point, you will get a small t-shaped crease or a cross.
Step 5. Bring the top of the shirt down
Fold the "shirt above the sleeve" down. The top of the t-shape should be folded down so that it forms a large T.
Step 6. Fold the bottom of the shirt in half
Take the “bottom of the shirt” and pull it up, down the “sleeve line”. Basically, you make pleats that shorten the length of the shirt in half. The shirt still forms a T, but shorter.
Step 7. Put a diaper on the baby
Position the baby in the t-shirt, just below the sleeves. Pull the bottom of the diaper and put it toward the front of the baby, then wrap the sleeves at the back towards the front. Secure the sleeves at the front using safety pins or Velcro.
Step 8. Put a diaper cover over it
This waterproof diaper cover is important to prevent leakage. If you have one, use it to increase the absorbency of the diaper. Cloth diapers like these are thin enough to get soaked easily. So you have to replace it often.
Method 2 of 2: Making Flannel Diapers
Step 1. Use a flannel blanket made of 100% cotton
Baby flannel is cheap and cotton absorbs well. You can also use another rectangular cloth made of terry (towel material) or another material that absorbs well.
- Use a rectangular flannel.
- If you're using a material other than a flannel blanket, cut it into rectangles about 85–90 cm wide on each side.
Step 2. Spread the fabric evenly
Take advantage of a table or other wide surface. Trim the wrinkled part.
Step 3. Fold the flannel in half
Take the "both right corners" and fold into the "two left corners" so the blanket is folded in half.
Step 4. Fold it in half again
This time, take the "both top corners" and fold over the "bottom two corners" to fold the fabric in half again. You will now have a rectangular shape.
Smooth out wrinkles on the fabric after folding
Step 5. Fold one corner to make a triangle
Take the “top layer from the bottom left corner” and fold it towards the right. The corner should be to the right of the flannel and should form a triangle. The fabric should now form a wide triangle with the square layer under the left side.
Step 6. Flip it over
Grab the “bottom right” and “top corner of the triangle” and turn the entire flannel over. So now, the triangle is facing down, not up. Tidy back.
Step 7. Fold the flannel square
Take the "both left sides of the fabric" forming a rectangle. Fold it into a rectangle in the middle of the triangle by folding it two or three times. This is the final shape of the diaper.
Step 8. Use a diaper
Put on the diaper by putting the baby to sleep so that the wide side of the triangle is parallel to his waist. Fold the bottom of the diaper to the front of the baby. Fold the two sides of the triangle forward and place the safety pin over the baby's waist.
Instead of safety pins, you can sew buttons or attach Velcro to the diaper
Step 9. Place the diaper cover over the flannel diaper
To prevent leakage, use a waterproof diaper cover over a homemade cloth diaper. This flannel is quite thin. So, the baby can get soaked quickly. Change diapers frequently.
Tips
- Homemade diapers are better for babies who are young and have little bowel movements. These diapers are not as absorbent as commercial diapers. Diapers are likely to leak if used by toddlers and toddlers. Diapers can also come off easily if they are not firmly attached and worn by an active toddler.
- Wash the cloth at least 3 times before using it as a diaper. Use hot water with soap, then pat dry. This will keep the fabric from shrinking and will ensure it is sterile and safe.
