CLOTH DIAPERING
 by Danielle Malik

First, let me say, there is an AMAZING amount of info on cloth diapering out there and everyone says that their system is the best. My best advice is do not get overwhelmed at the choices you have.  Try two or three methods and choose what works best.  Do NOT order all of one kind until you know whether you like them.

Second, identify the reason why you are cloth diapering.  Is it to save money or to save the environment? Know in which order they come. If it is just an environmental concern and money is not a consideration, then you can spend tons of money on great diapers and covers.  If, like most of us, money is a consideration then you will have to research a bit.  You will have to balance the cost with ease of diapering too. For example, will you cloth diaper all the time or use disposables when traveling and at night?

Keep these things in mind:

-   Cloth diapers should be changed about every two hours for newborns up to 1 year old. 
- Nighttime diapers will need to have many layers to absorb all the wetness (liners). 
- Breathable covers are best and a MUST for nighttime--wool for night, other for day. 
- Contour diapers make it really easy to change and a great fit.  These are shaped. 
- The best hook to secure the diaper if using prefolds is the Snappi (a small three hooked thing) Prefolds are the rectangular piece of cloth.
-   The easiest way to cloth diaper is an "all-in-one" or a cover with a replaceable liner.  (This makes it more expensive!) 
- Polar fleece "doublers", or liners, keeps babies from staying wet. 
- Babies who are cloth diapered potty train much sooner and much more
easily. 

I have not found that there needs to be any special washing/soaking/rinsing that needs to be done. All of my diapers go in with my normal laundry. I don't pre-soak.  When they are taken off, they go in the pile with everything else, unless of course, they are really poopy.  Then I take a wipe and wipe it off. If the diapers don't seem to work for whatever reason, wait a few weeks and then try again.  I have often hated a particular diaper on a 4 month old, only to love the same diaper on an 8 month old. Unless you are a die hard cloth diaperer, you may want to wait until after the first week to start on a newborn, as the meconium is rather sticky and will be VERY hard to clean. If you are not a die hard, then it is much easier to cloth diaper after the first few months, when the baby isn't pooping three times a day.  As with disposables, expect leaks and blow outs to happen occasionally, regardless of what anyone tells you. With cloth diapers, everyone has their "system". The best system is the one that works for you!

Best of luck!  I enjoy knowing that I am helping to save the environment in some small way.  But I also like knowing that my disposables are tucked away in the closet in case I need them!