Parents choose cloth diapers over disposable diapers for environmental, health and convenience reasons. Cloth diapers, which are made of cloth, are gentle on baby's skin and are able to absorb whatever your baby throws out. Instead of throwing away diapers after one use, wash your cloth diapers and reuse them when they are dry and clean. Use cloth diapers by determining what type of diaper is best for you and your baby and cleaning soiled diapers as soon as possible after your baby has urinated or had a bowel movement.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Choosing the Right Cloth Diaper
Step 1. Try several options before you buy cloth diapers in bulk
Each cloth diaper has a different shape and features.
Step 2. Most all-in-one (AIO) diapers are reusable diapers
These diapers are made of absorbent fabric on the inside next to your baby's skin, and a flap that adheres to the outside of the diaper.
Step 3. Use folded diapers to make it easier
This diaper is rectangular and its length is divided into 3 sections.
Follow the instructions that show how to fold it, and use safety pins on the diaper, or a diaper rubber (elastic plastic with a T-shaped toothed shape) to secure the diaper, or place a diaper blanket that can be attached
Step 4. Try bagged cloth diapers for extra protection against getting wet
This type of diaper has a waterproof exterior and a pocket for you to insert an absorbent cloth.
Purchase an extra absorbent cloth (also called absorbent) that can fit all diaper sizes. This will give your baby extra protection during naps and at night
Step 5. Use an elastic cloth diaper
This diaper is suitable for night time because the front, back, and sides can hold pee where other types of diapers do not have this feature. They are usually fastened with adhesive or snaps, and are easy to attach and remove. This diaper needs a cover.
- Place the diaper blanket over the elastic cloth diaper, flattening or folding the diaper beforehand to keep it from leaking.
- Wool diaper blankets are better at night than adhesive diapers. Be sure to read how to wash it and apply lanolin cream to make it water resistant.
Part 2 of 3: Buying Enough Cloth Diapers
Step 1. Remember that newborns need 10 to 12 diaper changes and older babies need 8 to 12 diaper changes
Step 2. Pay attention to the size of the diaper
Many brands offer βone sizeβ diapers that can fit from newborn to baby training. One-size diapers save more money than buying cloth diapers of different sizes.
Step 3. Think about how often you want to wash diapers
If you want to wash them every 2 to 3 days, buy enough cloth diapers to make sure the clean ones will be enough for use. Never leave a soiled diaper unwashed for more than 3 days.
Step 4. Purchase the necessary accessories
Such as diaper blankets, extra absorbent cloth, diaper inner lining (reusable, or disposable which makes cleaning up dirt easier!) Adhesives or safety pins, cloth diaper safe cream, bucket with lid for removing soiled diapers.
Step 5. Consider using your cloth diapers for something else
Some parents also use it for burping cloths, baby beeps and diaper changing pads.
Part 3 of 3: Cleaning Cloth Diapers
Step 1. Change your baby's diaper as soon as you notice a wet or dirty diaper
Step 2. Remove the wet diaper and put it in the diaper pile for washing
Rinse the wet diaper before placing it on the pile if you wish. While this isn't really necessary, some parents prefer to rinse it off before putting it in a pile to remove odor from pee
Step 3. Allow your baby's bottom to dry on its own
If you prefer, you can use wet or dry wipes to clean the diaper area.
Step 4. Dispose of soiled diapers and wipe baby's bottom with a soft, damp cloth, consider purchasing a cloth warmer suitable for storing washcloths
- Dispose of solid waste in the toilet and then flush. Rinse the diapers and put them in the diaper pile for washing. If your baby only drinks breast milk, there is no need to rinse or throw it away as breast milk can be washed in the washing machine.
- Clean the dirt stuck to the toilet with a toilet cleaner or other tools that have been prepared. Rinse the diapers to remove dirt, then put the diapers in a pile to wash.
Step 5. Remove absorbent fabrics, such as diaper pads, before you wash them
Step 6. Start your wash cycle with a cold water rinse (to prevent stains and pee marks) Then add a small amount of laundry soap to hot water (too much soap is not good, and can leak diapers
) It helps to do an extra rinse to ensure that no soap residue remains on the diaper.
Step 7. Diapers with rodents must be dried in the sun
Other items can be dried in the dryer.
Step 8. Diaper blankets should be hand washed in cold water, and dried naturally
Tips
- If the pile of diapers starts to smell, think about washing them more often and sprinkling a little baking soda on the bottom of the pile.
- Look for other ways to wash diapers, consider which one is the most effective for you.
- Do not go overboard in buying diapers. Try different types and only buy what you need. Your baby's needs may change as he grows.
- Don't be discouraged if finding out about cloth diapers takes a long time.
- Store dirty diapers in a dry pile. Storing them together with adhesive diapers or other types of diapers can cause the diapers to spoil more quickly than in a dry pile.
- If you start to smell ammonia from the diaper (smells like urine/bleach, or causes a burning sensation like a rash), try soaking it in fish tank cleaner for a few hours and then washing the diaper more often.
- If your baby's diaper leaks, try adding more absorbent cloth. Or maybe it's time to clean it up (wipe off all the extra soap and grease). There are several ways to do this, so learn how to do this first.
- You can find a wide variety of foldable diapers online/or on How to Fold Cloth Diapers.
Warning
- Talk to your doctor if you notice a rash. All babies will develop a diaper rash from time to time, but you want to make sure you don't have any allergies or sensitivities to the cloth diapers or laundry detergent you use.
- All cloth diapers need to be checked before use. Some diapers are fine to wash and dry once before wearing, but others are made from natural fabrics which must be washed and dried about 5 times in a row to remove natural oils or the diapers won't absorb and leak.
Required Items
- Cloth diaper/cloth diaper
- Laundry soap (no enzymes or chemicals)
- A bucket or litter box with a lid to hold dirty diapers.
