It can be overwhelming to think about cloth diapers. There are so many choices and decisions! What’s the best place to begin? We’re here for you.
This article will tell you everything you need about cloth diapers: how they work, what types of nappies are available, and how to wash them.
You must understand the components of a cloth nappie. Let’s get started!
Cloth nappies are divided into five main categories. All-in-one nappies, also known as AIOs, are the first category.
They are the type of nappies that look like disposables — they have an absorbent core and an outer layer that is waterproof all in one. No assembly is required; slip them on and go! These nappies are difficult to separate, so they take longer to dry.
The pocket nappy is next. Separate inserts are placed in an opening on the back of these nappies. They have the same great features as an all-in-one but are quicker to dry because they use separate inserts that allow better airflow. After washing, you’ll need to “stuff,” but pockets are still the most popular style.
Next, we’ll look at all-in-2 nappies. The nappy comprises two parts: a waterproof cover and an absorbent insert. These usually are snapped into place before use. This style has more “parts” but is a more flexible and cost-effective system. You can reuse the nappy cover up to four times with a new insert. This saves you money and reduces your washing load.
The last two “2 part nappies” styles are either a flat nappy with a wrap or a traditional fitted nappy.
The whole thing is super absorbent for fitted nappies! The perfect overnight solution with a wrap. They are more expensive, and they take longer to dry. However, as these are mainly used at night, you only need to buy a few.
Flats come in a wider variety of styles and absorbency levels. They can be thicker, like traditional terry-squares, or thinner like cotton birdseye. To keep your baby’s bottom moist, you will need to use a fleece lining and wrap. The fleece liners sit between the baby’s bottom and the nappy material. They also catch the poo.
Although initially, they may seem complicated, they are easy to learn. You can find many useful tutorials on using and folding flat nappies on our YouTube channel.
You have now chosen a nappy that suits your needs. Don’t worry if you haven’t! We have helped hundreds of families choose the best cloth nappy and will also help you. You can get a personalized plan by completing our cloth nappies advice questionnaire.
Nappy Care
Let’s discuss how to care for your nappies once you receive them.
The first thing to consider is what to do with the poop! It may seem like a daunting task, but it isn’t. You don’t need to do much if your baby is exclusively breastfed (formula-fed or a combination of both) – store and wash it. The washing machine will take care of everything. You’ll have to prepare food if your baby eats solids and weaning.
You can remove poop in various ways, and each one is as appealing as the next. You can use a poo knife or spoon to scrape off the poo or spray it with a shower head or hose. It is important to eliminate the lumps and any debris that may be a problem. It is then stored and washed as usual.
When you remove the dirty nappies, stick the velcro on the tab of the washing machine. The velcro will not catch on the laundry tab in the washer, which can cause a tangle.
The star of the show… Washing routine! You’ll be fine if you keep it simple. What you should do is:The washing machine will do everything for you. You don’t need to boil, scrub or soak buckets – select your setting and hit go.
When fitting your first cloth diaper, you’ll see a few differences between disposables and cloth nappies. First, snaps.
The rise snaps are the snaps or poppers on the front that allow you to adjust the length. You close all the snaps to make it as small as possible (around 10 lbs). Depending on your child’s weight and size, this will last a year. As soon as it feels too short, you can increase the rise. You will continue doing this until your child is potty trained. You only need one set of cloth diapers, unlike disposables. They will adjust to the size of your child as they grow.
It’s a fastening that is easy to learn, but the main thing to remember is vital>keep the tummy loose!/strong>. The fastening is easy to learn, but remember to leave the tummy open! Reusable nappies have been designed with a tummy opening to make them more comfortable.
The last thing to remember is to keep the nappies low and in your groin. The nappy’s back should only be a few inches above the bottom, and the leg elastics should look more like underwear. They are then tucked into the “knicker line”. You may be used to the high-fitting design of disposable nappies, but the cloth is quite different.
Get Out and About
What do you do if you are out and need to change your cloth nappies? It’s quite simple… Like there are disposable nappy bags, we also have reusable wet bags.
Wet bags are a mess-free and waterproof way to store all your nappy waste while you’re away from home. When weaning, you can either remove the solids as you would at home or roll them up and deal with them when you return.
Check out our video on YouTube for a more in-depth look at cloth nappies. It will take you through each step.
