If you’ve been thinking about using cloth diapers, you’re probably feeling a little overwhelmed. I mean, where does one begin? With the sheer number of brands, and the different types of diapers within each of those brands, a decision doesn’t exactly stare you in the face.
You don’t need to cloth diaper from day one – in fact, I only started with Miss Q when she was 19 months old. And my neighbour, who’s on baby No. 3 just made the switch last month, too. I’d been using disposables for years when Charlie Banana’s Canadian distributor got in touch with me to review a new swim diaper. We got chatting, and I mentioned I was interested in testing cloth diapers, so the team sent me Charlie Banana’s exceedingly popular One-Size as well as Sized diapers.
I instantly envisioned a comparison chart that would help those of you in the research phase, and I also reached out to several other cloth diaper companies to try as many brands and styles as possible.
As it turns out, there’s no easy answer, and without a try-before-you-buy opportunity, you could very well buy hundreds of dollars worth of diapers that just don’t suit your baby or your lifestyle.
After you get over the initial investment, you will quickly notice the very clear cost-savings with minimal impact on convenience. Plus, no more lugging home massive boxes of diapers from the grocery store or cutting coupons.
Your garbage pile will be significantly smaller from week to week, but if you’re considering cloth diapers solely because you think they’re ultra-environmentally friendly, please read my latest Huffington Post piece.
I’ve been testing dozens of cloth diapers for about three months, and what follows is something I hope you feel useful yourself or share with someone you know who might benefit. Please note that I’ve only included the best of the bunch here, the diapers that performed the best in terms of leak protection, ease-of-use and fit. Should I get any additional brands/styles that measure up to these, I’ll be sure to add them.
There’s only one diaper that didn’t make it on the list that I want to give a shout-out and that’s the GroVia AIOs (“all-in-ones”) – these would be ideal for long, lean babies. I don’t make babies like these, so I found them too narrow for Miss Q in every which way. But they have a lovely, stretchy waistband and an organic cotton liner and are so easy to use – they’re simply best suited for skinny babies.
OK, let’s get down to business.
First, let’s talk terminology
- Pre-folds: If you’re 30-something or older, chances are that your mother used pre-folds on you as a baby. Mine did. They’re essentially a swatch of fabric that when folded in a certain way (and fastened with any myriad fastening system available today), create an old-school cloth diaper. You still need a diaper cover for leak protection, though. These just seemed like far too much work to me, so I didn’t test any
- AIOs: An “all-in-one” cloth diaper is one that requires no assembly, no stuffing, no snapping – and, when it’s time for washing, no disassembly, unstuffing and unsnapping. The liner is sewn into the waterproof shell and is one complete piece that can not be separated
- AI2s / AI3s: This simply means “all-in-twos” or “all-in-threes,” and that’s the number of components involved in your cloth diaper system. The GroVia Hybrid/AI2, for example is essentially a GroVia Shell Snap Closure diaper sold with a Stay Dry Soaker Pad. Two pieces. Three pieces, like the diapers from funky fluff, and you have an AI3 – it’s as simple as that
- Pocket diapers: This kind of diaper has, quite fittingly, a pocket in which you stuff a diaper liner; in most cases, this liner needs to be removed prior to washing
- Hybrids: These are the chameleons of the cloth diapering world. They’re designed to be whatever you need them to be – a purely cloth diaper with an outer waterproof shell and a cloth liner of some kind, or cloth on the outside and disposable on the inside (which means you’re still buying a disposable component)
- One-size vs. sized: One-size diapers outsell their sized cousins by 20:1 in some cases because they can take you from birth (unless you have a really, really tiny baby) through 30 to 35 pounds. That said, I haven’t found a one-size cloth diaper yet that I find fits Miss Q as well as sized diapers. One-size diapers probably work very well long-term for average-sized babies, but if you have Viking-sized babies like me, know that by the time your baby is around 18 months old, one-size diapers are going to look like itsy-bitsy bikini bottoms
How many do you need?
This depends on a few factors. First time moms and those with infants will probably change baby’s diaper more often – up to eight or more times in a 24-hour period. Older babies and toddlers tend to need fewer diaper changes, so you could get away with fewer diapers.
I don’t find that I change Miss Q’s diapers any more often with cloth than I did with disposables. She still goes through about four on an average day. For testing purposes, I had Miss Q in all of the cloth diapers at night, too (with extra liners), but I found that while two brands came close, none offered the same leak protection as an overnight disposable. If your child sleeps for 12 to 14 hours solid all night, you may run into the same issue. I’m not going to cloth diaper 24/7 at the cost of a dry baby each morning.
You also need to be realistic about how often you can or want to launder your cloth diapers. Although I do at least a load of laundry a night, I don’t want to run a partly full hot wash nightly – so I’m the kind of person who needs to own more diapers. On average, you probably want a bare minimum of 16 diapers, which give you two full days of six total diaper changes plus a few extras. You’ll wash them every two days at this rate. I prefer to own closer to the 20 to 24 mark, which means I’m not forced to launder them for at least three days – and it means I have a pretty full load, too
DOs
- DO prep your AIO cloth diapers or diaper liners before using them for maximum absorption. Some brands suggest five washes (with detergent) while others suggest 10. I personally did only one wash of each before using them and I did notice better absorption as I washed them over time
PlanetWise wet bag
- DO buy two wet bags: one large one for your baby’s room or laundry room and one small one for your diaper bag. It’s of paramount importance that your big wet bag zips closed or whichever room it’s in will reek of pee. Your small wet bag should have two zippered enclosures (one to store clean diapers, which doesn’t need a waterproof lining; and one to store soiled diapers, which needs a waterproof lining) and preferably have a snap-open handle to attach to your diaper bag. After trying three different brands of wet bags, I’m confident telling you that Planet Wise makes the best one. Down the road, when diapers are a thing of the past, wet bags are still useful. Trish, the owner of Kawartha Cloth, has some great suggestions: for wet swimsuits and towels, and to protect books in a kid’s backpack
- DO wash your wet bags every time you launder your cloth diapers!
- DO stock up on extra baby wash cloths. I love being able to wash Miss Q’s bum with a warm wash cloth instead of disposable wipes so that I can just roll the dirty cloth up in the dirty diaper and throw them both into the laundry wet bag. (Unless of course we’re talking about a massive poo, in which case it’s disposables all the way)
- DO separate your shells and liners before you put them in your laundry wet bag – unless you have AIOs. I’ve often been too busy and just chuck the diaper as is into the wet bag; a day or two – and a dozen or more diapers – later, I curse myself as I half-barf my way through disassembling all of them so I can toss them into the wash. Mark my words: pee smells far, far worse after stewing for a couple of days
- DO run a pre-wash (with or without detergent didn’t seem to make a difference for me) before you run your hot laundry cycle, and be sure to do an extra rinse (or two). If you have a newer front-loader, you probably have the option to save a “favourite cycle,” which I’ve done to ensure this three-step wash happens every time. If you don’t do a pre-wash, you’re basically washing your cloth diapers in their own filth. Yum. Without a hot wash and the extra rinse, you’ll also find that your liners still have a faint pee stink
- DO consider using a cloth diaper shell in lieu of a swim diaper! Without a liner, you’ve got all the protection you really need to ensure your little one’s No. 2 doesn’t escape and cause a Code Brown at the local pool
DON’Ts
- DON’T use zinc-based diaper creams, and don’t be fooled by the term “natural” on the label either – zinc is a natural ingredient but it’s so darn good that if it gets on your cloth diaper, it may permanently damage its internal permeability; you need to use a natural diaper cream that doesn’t contain zinc, such as EcoSprout Bottom Balm+ or Substance Nappy Rash Ointment (two of my faves). But what if your baby gets a diaper rash? As you know, zinc is your friend (and Skinfix’s Diaper Rash Paste is a 200-year-old formula that works) – so either switch to disposables until the rash is gone or use diaper liners to protect your cloth diaper. The ones from Charlie Banana are really thin, work effectively and aren’t too expensive
- DON’T use your big-brand laundry detergent. I’ve had a love affair with Tide for years, but to protect the efficacy of your cloth diapers, you need to look for an all-natural, enzyme-free detergent; EcoSprout’s Warm Vanilla Sugar smells amazing and Rockin’ Green has some clever names (like Smashing Watermelons and Motley Clean). No matter how big your load is, you never need more than a tablespoon of the Charlie Banana Laundry Soap. Method also makes an ultra-concentrated, natural baby detergent that the company swears is perfectly suitable for cloth diapers despite its “enzyme complex” listed in the ingredients; I assure you that I used a whole bottle and the performance of Miss Q’s cloth diapers didn’t suffer. And, if you’re looking for something really off-the-wall, check out Soap Nuts! I’ll be adding these to my covet list…
Nellie’s Dryerballs
- DON’T use fabric softener – not the kind you pour into your washing machine and not the kind you spray or toss into your dryer. These don’t do your cloth diapers any favours, and if you want to know the why behind it, this site does a great job explaining. I’ve been using the same pair of Nellie’s Dryerballs for at least six years, but when they finally kick the bucket, I’m planning to try wool dryer balls
- DON’T worry if your four-year-old (or older!) “baby” still wets at night. The cloth option doesn’t end when potty training begins. Omaïki makes a padded daytime training pant that will help your child feel like a “big boy” and still help catch accidents. The K Man is still a heavy wetter at night despite being “day-trained” for nearly a year and a half, and – in stark contrast to Miss Q’s situation – we find that nighttime disposables don’t work as effectively anymore at his age, and we prefer the large cloth diapers intended for big kids
My faves
CLOTH DIAPER BRAND | PPD (price per diaper) | WHAT I LOVE | CLAIM TO FAME | BUY IT! |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlie Banana Sized 2-in-1 hybrid pocket diaper
| About $20 per diaper (comes with shell and two inserts) |
| Best overnight protection in infant/baby cloth category | The Cloth Diaper Shop |
| Kawartha Cloth one-size pocket diaper
| $10 to $12 per diaper (comes with shell and two inserts) |
| Most generous & most customizable fit* | Kawartha Cloth |
| GroVia Snap Shells with Stay Dry Soakers– a hybrid 2-in-1 system
| $18.95 for shell + $21.25 per 2-pack of soakers |
| Easiest non-AIO system | GroVia Canada |
| funky fluff Fusion bamboo 3-in-1s
| $19.99 (includes shell, one small soaker and one large soaker) |
| Most versatile | funky fluff |
| AMP Stay-Dry AIOs (all-in-ones)
| About $20 each |
| Easiest overall system | Find a store |
| Omaïki Night Time Panties (ages 2-8)
| $34.99 (keep in mind you need far fewer nighttime cloth diapers!) |
| Best overnight protection for toddlers to preschoolers | Find a store |
| Super Undies nighttime diapers (ages 2-12)
| $29.95-34.95 (depending on size) |
| Best overnight protection for bigger kids | Find a store |
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DISCLOSURE: Many – but not all – of the items tested to offer this comprehensive guide were provided by the companies listed above. I chose only the diapers, detergent and accessories I think are best-in-class, which is in no way determined by what was provided to me and what I purchased myself.
Brandi C says
We have cloth diapered since my daughter was born (although I will admit we bought a box of disposables to get us through the newborn stage). We have such a mixmatched stash, we love to try out new dipes. AppleCheeks and BumGenius definitely get used the most though!
Brandi C says
We have cloth diapered since my daughter was born (although I will admit we bought a box of disposables to get us through the newborn stage). We have such a mixmatched stash, we love to try out new dipes. AppleCheeks and BumGenius definitely get used the most though!
Lily Ivey says
We started using cloth with our 2nd when she got home from the hospital. She was a preemie so she came home at 3 weeks. We started part time and went full time as soon as we figured out what worked. Been doing it now for 12 months. We love Bumgenius 4.0 pocket diapers, but really want to try the Grovia AI2 system. Their shells are adorable and really trim.
Mommy Gearest says
The GroVia is SUPER trim. I find the AIO system far too small for Miss Q – they would be great for a long, lean baby. However, the GroVia shells with the snap-ins? AMAZING.
Lily Ivey says
We started using cloth with our 2nd when she got home from the hospital. She was a preemie so she came home at 3 weeks. We started part time and went full time as soon as we figured out what worked. Been doing it now for 12 months. We love Bumgenius 4.0 pocket diapers, but really want to try the Grovia AI2 system. Their shells are adorable and really trim.
Mommy Gearest says
The GroVia is SUPER trim. I find the AIO system far too small for Miss Q – they would be great for a long, lean baby. However, the GroVia shells with the snap-ins? AMAZING.
Angela Heffner says
I started when my (now 4 yo) was about 9 months. I won a couple of fuzzi bunz one size diapers and was hooked.
I love AMP, BG’s and many other brands.
Thanks for the great giveaway
Angela Heffner says
I started when my (now 4 yo) was about 9 months. I won a couple of fuzzi bunz one size diapers and was hooked.
I love AMP, BG’s and many other brands.
Thanks for the great giveaway
Shari says
I’ve been using best bottoms since my daughter was a week old. I love them!
Shari says
I’ve been using best bottoms since my daughter was a week old. I love them!
Becky says
I’m a consultant with Belly Button Baby, and we carry lots of different brands. There are so many great products out there!
Like Melissa commented before I had the chance, wool really is amazing! Use a good, natural material fitted underneath and you’re good to go! I know many people who had problems with night leaking and switch to wool, and now they don’t have any leaking problems!
And here’s some shameless self-plugging: check me out on facebook! I do free diaper consultations, and will sit down with you and explain all the different kinds, brands and types and work with you to find a system that will work for you and your family 🙂
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Belly-Button-Baby-Courtice-Consultant/162034463941735?ref=hl
Mommy Gearest says
I’m going to have to get my hands on wool and check it out – I admit, I read about them and thought: that’ll never work. I love eating my words! Thanks for all the great info you’ve provided here – I think it’ll really help people.
Becky says
I’m a consultant with Belly Button Baby, and we carry lots of different brands. There are so many great products out there!
Like Melissa commented before I had the chance, wool really is amazing! Use a good, natural material fitted underneath and you’re good to go! I know many people who had problems with night leaking and switch to wool, and now they don’t have any leaking problems!
And here’s some shameless self-plugging: check me out on facebook! I do free diaper consultations, and will sit down with you and explain all the different kinds, brands and types and work with you to find a system that will work for you and your family 🙂
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Belly-Button-Baby-Courtice-Consultant/162034463941735?ref=hl
Mommy Gearest says
I’m going to have to get my hands on wool and check it out – I admit, I read about them and thought: that’ll never work. I love eating my words! Thanks for all the great info you’ve provided here – I think it’ll really help people.
Mike Gismondi says
We use Bum Genius cloth diapers.
Mike Gismondi says
We use Bum Genius cloth diapers.
Sara says
I think you’ve provided some really honest and great tips for those looking at cloth diapering! I think if at all possible families should aim to have at least 20ish diapers as you mentioned for laundry purposes! I own closer to 35 and find myself not using some of my least favourites until laundry day! When I started cloth diapering I did not have any love for the prefolds but actually use them quite a bit now. They can just be folded into 3 and laid into the diaper cover and snapped on-it’s pretty similar to how you would stuff an insert into a pocket diaper.
I’m not as big a fan of the AIOs as I have a new HE washer which doesn’t create as much water and therefore “swish” factor for the diapers. This means that the AIO’s don’t seem to get as thoroughly cleaned as some of the other diaper because they are so think. For the HE washers, a great tip is to wet a towel and throw it in with the diaper laundry as it tricks the machine to add more water since the drum feels heavier. I also have sometimes started my CD laundry with a quick wash cycle with no spin, so that the diapers are really heavy and wet for the actual pre-wash cycle.
For families wanting to price out how much cloth diapers would cost them, I have a Diaper Calculator. http://www.changematt.com/diaper-calculator/ which can help!
Charlie Banana are one of my favourite diapers as they are pretty trim & Funky Fluff are super soft. Overall, AMP is pretty much my favourite brand as the are 100% made in Canada and they have tons of natural fibre options! I pretty much adore that company!
Thanks for such a great post!
Mommy Gearest says
Thanks for this – amazing to have some committed cloth diapering mamas giving even more advice here…that’s what I was hoping for. Have you tried the AMP AIOs? I have a front-loading HE machine and I find it gets perfectly clean – and it’s just the easiest diaper in my whole rotation! Amazing tip with the towel; I threw towels in to bulk up the loads but hadn’t considered the wet towel to trick the machine. Smart.
Melissa says
I use the wet towel trick every time in my front loader too! Works like a charm =)
Sara says
Yes-I do use the AMP AIO’s and like them overall.
Becky says
AMP’s are really nice. I find that they fit around legs really well, don’t dig in and seem “light” compared to others. AMP makes a really nice pocket as well.
Mommy Gearest says
I tested just about everything from AMP and the AIOs were the stand-out – by far. The pockets aren’t overly generous with their sizing.
Sara says
I think you’ve provided some really honest and great tips for those looking at cloth diapering! I think if at all possible families should aim to have at least 20ish diapers as you mentioned for laundry purposes! I own closer to 35 and find myself not using some of my least favourites until laundry day! When I started cloth diapering I did not have any love for the prefolds but actually use them quite a bit now. They can just be folded into 3 and laid into the diaper cover and snapped on-it’s pretty similar to how you would stuff an insert into a pocket diaper.
I’m not as big a fan of the AIOs as I have a new HE washer which doesn’t create as much water and therefore “swish” factor for the diapers. This means that the AIO’s don’t seem to get as thoroughly cleaned as some of the other diaper because they are so think. For the HE washers, a great tip is to wet a towel and throw it in with the diaper laundry as it tricks the machine to add more water since the drum feels heavier. I also have sometimes started my CD laundry with a quick wash cycle with no spin, so that the diapers are really heavy and wet for the actual pre-wash cycle.
For families wanting to price out how much cloth diapers would cost them, I have a Diaper Calculator. http://www.changematt.com/diaper-calculator/ which can help!
Charlie Banana are one of my favourite diapers as they are pretty trim & Funky Fluff are super soft. Overall, AMP is pretty much my favourite brand as the are 100% made in Canada and they have tons of natural fibre options! I pretty much adore that company!
Thanks for such a great post!
Mommy Gearest says
Thanks for this – amazing to have some committed cloth diapering mamas giving even more advice here…that’s what I was hoping for. Have you tried the AMP AIOs? I have a front-loading HE machine and I find it gets perfectly clean – and it’s just the easiest diaper in my whole rotation! Amazing tip with the towel; I threw towels in to bulk up the loads but hadn’t considered the wet towel to trick the machine. Smart.
Melissa says
I use the wet towel trick every time in my front loader too! Works like a charm =)
Sara says
Yes-I do use the AMP AIO’s and like them overall.
Becky says
AMP’s are really nice. I find that they fit around legs really well, don’t dig in and seem “light” compared to others. AMP makes a really nice pocket as well.
Mommy Gearest says
I tested just about everything from AMP and the AIOs were the stand-out – by far. The pockets aren’t overly generous with their sizing.
Marianne R. says
I am not currently cloth diapering. Both my kids (2 and 5) are day trained. I used cloth with my first until 18months (started daycare). I used cloth with my second until 6 weeks and then we were renovating houses, selling homes, buying homes and I returned back to work at 5.5mo Things were just too hectic to keep up with regular laundry let along adding 2-3 loads of diaper laundry on me. My husband is antsy to have a 3rd however, who knows what I’ll do then.
Marianne R. says
I am not currently cloth diapering. Both my kids (2 and 5) are day trained. I used cloth with my first until 18months (started daycare). I used cloth with my second until 6 weeks and then we were renovating houses, selling homes, buying homes and I returned back to work at 5.5mo Things were just too hectic to keep up with regular laundry let along adding 2-3 loads of diaper laundry on me. My husband is antsy to have a 3rd however, who knows what I’ll do then.
Anna says
Our baby is 2 weeks old. As soon as we run out of disposables thathavebeen given to us, we are switching to cloth!
Anna says
Our baby is 2 weeks old. As soon as we run out of disposables thathavebeen given to us, we are switching to cloth!
Becky says
If you have a heavy night time wetter, consider looking into a wool cover over a fitted, and the bamboozle already mentioned is super absorbent! While I don’t have any issues with a double or triple stuffed pocket for night time, some people have found great relief using wool. Changing sheets every single night is terrible, which I was doing until I found a system that works for us. Look into the Eco-Posh Wool Cover.
Great job with the chart and getting the lingo down! It’s a great start, and once you really start digging and trying different methods out, there’s so many great options out there!
There is a detergent called Nature Clean that is cloth friendly and can be found in your local grocery store. I’ve been using it lately and love it!
Mommy Gearest says
I hadn’t thought of Nature Clean – of course! Easy peasy to get… thanks for mentioning! Also…wool cover: I know wool is moisture RESISTANT but does it really keep all the liquid in?
Melissa says
Absolutely… as long as you have a good absorbent diaper on underneath it (otherwise after a long night, liquid can get compressed out) – You choose a fitted diaper of natural materials (I like bamboo the best for night) that is much thicker than a day time diaper and you can boost the absorbency with extra layers if needed. What I love is that wool as a cover helps with temperature control so your babes bum doesn’t come out like a stinky hot mess in the morning because the wool is so breathable and cooling. I use the same wool cover for 7-10 nights without having to wash it (it has natural antibacterial properties so it doesn’t even stink like urine!). Then all it needs is a 20 min soak in a wool wash in my bathroom sink. Seriously easy! Re-lanolize using the same lanolin you use on your nipples every couple months. The best thing mother nature created!
Melissa says
Oh, one more thing, about dryer balls. You mentioned Nellies which are plastic (I think)…. try wool. They are so much better (even for your regular laundry) because they don’t create as much noise in the dryer, but more importantly they reduce drying time by soaking up some moisture. I find the wool dryer balls soften clothes better than the plastic spiky balls!
Mommy Gearest says
I plan to try them for sure! Thx!!
Becky says
If you have a heavy night time wetter, consider looking into a wool cover over a fitted, and the bamboozle already mentioned is super absorbent! While I don’t have any issues with a double or triple stuffed pocket for night time, some people have found great relief using wool. Changing sheets every single night is terrible, which I was doing until I found a system that works for us. Look into the Eco-Posh Wool Cover.
Great job with the chart and getting the lingo down! It’s a great start, and once you really start digging and trying different methods out, there’s so many great options out there!
There is a detergent called Nature Clean that is cloth friendly and can be found in your local grocery store. I’ve been using it lately and love it!
Mommy Gearest says
I hadn’t thought of Nature Clean – of course! Easy peasy to get… thanks for mentioning! Also…wool cover: I know wool is moisture RESISTANT but does it really keep all the liquid in?
Melissa says
Absolutely… as long as you have a good absorbent diaper on underneath it (otherwise after a long night, liquid can get compressed out) – You choose a fitted diaper of natural materials (I like bamboo the best for night) that is much thicker than a day time diaper and you can boost the absorbency with extra layers if needed. What I love is that wool as a cover helps with temperature control so your babes bum doesn’t come out like a stinky hot mess in the morning because the wool is so breathable and cooling. I use the same wool cover for 7-10 nights without having to wash it (it has natural antibacterial properties so it doesn’t even stink like urine!). Then all it needs is a 20 min soak in a wool wash in my bathroom sink. Seriously easy! Re-lanolize using the same lanolin you use on your nipples every couple months. The best thing mother nature created!
Melissa says
Oh, one more thing, about dryer balls. You mentioned Nellies which are plastic (I think)…. try wool. They are so much better (even for your regular laundry) because they don’t create as much noise in the dryer, but more importantly they reduce drying time by soaking up some moisture. I find the wool dryer balls soften clothes better than the plastic spiky balls!
Mommy Gearest says
I plan to try them for sure! Thx!!
Melissa says
I’m really surprised you didn’t mention the BumGenius 4.0 pocket diaper (one size) – they are super popular for a good reason. Even work well as an over night diaper with an extra insert. I have never had a leak with these! Also a great AIO is TotsBots – do recommend you check them out =) You also could mention in your comparison using a prefold, fitted or contour diaper (which come in a variety of materials like cotton, hemp, bamboo etc.) with a cover (again a variety of materials for the covers ie PUL vs, fleece, vs. wool) etc. Each time of material offers different absorbencies and has different environmental and health impacts. If I could recommend a good day time combo of diaper & cover is would be a Kissaluvs fitted diaper with a Bummis cover. For night time a Tots Bots Bamboozle fitted diaper with a wool cover like Aristocrats. 13 hours leak proof!!
Great job with the comparison chart, but you’re just scratching the surface here! Some of the online diapering companies do similar breakdowns to help you decide. My approach was to purchase a variety of 2nd hand diapers off of Craiglist to find what I liked and worked for my baby. Once I figured that out, I went and bought what I wanted new.
A good website for reviews is Diaper Pin. Highly recommend you checking out reviews on a particular diaper before you purchase.
Cloth diapering rocks and honestly, the laundry is no big deal! (I put my first in Pampers until she was potty trained…. so glad I made the choice to go with cloth for #2).
Mommy Gearest says
Thanks for this detailed comment, Melissa! As you know, the sheer number of cloth diapering options is limitless so it wasn’t possible for me to test every brand under the sun. I didn’t try any prefolds (as I mentioned) because I felt like they were much more work (maybe I’m wrong?), and for me the choice to cloth diaper can’t interfere with convenience. I think your suggestions here are AWESOME for people considering cloth diapering. I agree, the laundry is not really an issue at all – a really important point to drive home, I think.
Melissa says
Absolutely, the number of options and brands is overwhelming. The best thing I did before I started was attend a free cloth diapering workshop in my community. It allowed me to get my hands on the products, to gain a basic understanding of the differences (pros and cons), and to have open dialogue about the diapers giving me a better idea of what might work for my family. Beware, what you think might work doesn’t necessarily… that’s because babies come in different shapes and sizes so what might work great for one baby totally fails on another! I think that’s why buying a variety (either second hand OR a tester kit from a company) allows you to experiment before you commit the $. A bonus to buying second hand (if the diapers are in good shape) is that they’re broken in and much more absorbent compared to a brand new diaper =)
As was mentioned in another comment by Amanda, prefolds aren’t any more work compared to a pocket diaper or fitted diaper with a cover. I’m not a big fan of the snappis though (especially when kids get squirmy), much easier to just pop a cover over them without the snappi. When I’m out an about and pull a cloth diaper out of the bag along with my bum spray and cloth wipe, people are always amazed at how convenient and easy cloth diapering really is… not much difference than the disposable stuff when it comes to the actual diaper changing part. Happy Diapering!
Melissa says
I’m really surprised you didn’t mention the BumGenius 4.0 pocket diaper (one size) – they are super popular for a good reason. Even work well as an over night diaper with an extra insert. I have never had a leak with these! Also a great AIO is TotsBots – do recommend you check them out =) You also could mention in your comparison using a prefold, fitted or contour diaper (which come in a variety of materials like cotton, hemp, bamboo etc.) with a cover (again a variety of materials for the covers ie PUL vs, fleece, vs. wool) etc. Each time of material offers different absorbencies and has different environmental and health impacts. If I could recommend a good day time combo of diaper & cover is would be a Kissaluvs fitted diaper with a Bummis cover. For night time a Tots Bots Bamboozle fitted diaper with a wool cover like Aristocrats. 13 hours leak proof!!
Great job with the comparison chart, but you’re just scratching the surface here! Some of the online diapering companies do similar breakdowns to help you decide. My approach was to purchase a variety of 2nd hand diapers off of Craiglist to find what I liked and worked for my baby. Once I figured that out, I went and bought what I wanted new.
A good website for reviews is Diaper Pin. Highly recommend you checking out reviews on a particular diaper before you purchase.
Cloth diapering rocks and honestly, the laundry is no big deal! (I put my first in Pampers until she was potty trained…. so glad I made the choice to go with cloth for #2).
Mommy Gearest says
Thanks for this detailed comment, Melissa! As you know, the sheer number of cloth diapering options is limitless so it wasn’t possible for me to test every brand under the sun. I didn’t try any prefolds (as I mentioned) because I felt like they were much more work (maybe I’m wrong?), and for me the choice to cloth diaper can’t interfere with convenience. I think your suggestions here are AWESOME for people considering cloth diapering. I agree, the laundry is not really an issue at all – a really important point to drive home, I think.
Melissa says
Absolutely, the number of options and brands is overwhelming. The best thing I did before I started was attend a free cloth diapering workshop in my community. It allowed me to get my hands on the products, to gain a basic understanding of the differences (pros and cons), and to have open dialogue about the diapers giving me a better idea of what might work for my family. Beware, what you think might work doesn’t necessarily… that’s because babies come in different shapes and sizes so what might work great for one baby totally fails on another! I think that’s why buying a variety (either second hand OR a tester kit from a company) allows you to experiment before you commit the $. A bonus to buying second hand (if the diapers are in good shape) is that they’re broken in and much more absorbent compared to a brand new diaper =)
As was mentioned in another comment by Amanda, prefolds aren’t any more work compared to a pocket diaper or fitted diaper with a cover. I’m not a big fan of the snappis though (especially when kids get squirmy), much easier to just pop a cover over them without the snappi. When I’m out an about and pull a cloth diaper out of the bag along with my bum spray and cloth wipe, people are always amazed at how convenient and easy cloth diapering really is… not much difference than the disposable stuff when it comes to the actual diaper changing part. Happy Diapering!
Kristina S says
Yes I started 3 years ago and in that time had a break of about 4 months between baby #1 potty training and baby #2 being born. My favorite brand is GroVia
Mommy Gearest says
The GroVias are soooo nice!
Kristina S says
Yes I started 3 years ago and in that time had a break of about 4 months between baby #1 potty training and baby #2 being born. My favorite brand is GroVia
Mommy Gearest says
The GroVias are soooo nice!