I get some weird looks when people find out that we cloth diaper.  Sometimes they are looks of admiration, and sometimes the looks say things like…Why would you ever want to do that?! I do it for a quite a few reasons: the cost has been so much less over time, cloth diapers create less waste, and are better for the environment, and (as I later found out) our daughter has sensitive skin, and tends to break out when we use disposables.

I’m pretty unconventional even for a cloth diaper user. In the beginning I used solely the old kind of cloth diapers. You know, the kind that our moms used on us with pins and vinyl pants. We’ve now upgraded and use about half and half between those old ones and pocket cloth diapers.  We do two loads of diapers a week (I swear that’s it). There’s no soaking or bleaching or boiling. Solids go in the toilet, and the really messy ones get rinsed in the tub (some people buy those sprayers that attach to the toilet, but we haven’t sprung for one).

I’m not sure about this, but it seems like all the choices about cloth diapers scare people away. If I had one piece of advice, it’s to just try out a couple of styles if you’re interested. Vendors want to tell you that there are huge differences when it comes to brand and style, but when it comes down to it, changing a diaper is changing a diaper. The method you use becomes natural, so don’t be scared off because you don’t know much about cloth. Here are the basics.

Cloth diapers with covers:

These are what most people think of when they think about cloth diapers. This can mean those flat diapers that our moms used on us fastened with pins, or these new contraptions called snappys that are now on the market.  However, there are now covers made that are more fitted like a disposable diaper and don’t require using fasteners to hold the diaper on. The diaper is folded up inside the cover and then the cover is fastened to the baby using velcro or snaps…etc.

Pocket diapers:

These diapers are most popular right now. These diapers have a pocket cover and an insert. They are convenient, because the diapers can be stuffed with their inserts right after being laundered, and when it comes time to change the baby they are put on much like a disposable diaper would be. Some brands of pocket diapers include Bum Genius, and Fuzzi Bunz. One drawback of pocket diapers is that the pocket covers do need to be washed after every use unlike with more traditional cover and diaper systems.

All-in-Ones:

These diapers are exactly what they sound like. They are all put together and go on just like disposables. They’re easy to use, but you pay more for the convenience.

Flushables:

Gaining in popularity are some reusable covers that use flushable inserts, like gDiapers.  Many people like these types of diapers since they require less laundering than traditional cloth diapers, yet don’t produce nearly the amount of waste as disposables.

My favorite cloth diaper website is Green Mountain Diapers. They have awesome tutorials about all kinds of cloth diapers and covers. Plus pretty much everything they sell they show on a baby, which always makes me drool. If cost is an issue, I would choose the cheapest style that you can find. If not, I would choose the easiest style. My advice is to remember not to get bogged down in details.

Also, if you’re interested in using cloth, but your daycare situation won’t cooperate with that idea, remember that it’s okay to do cloth part time. You’ll still save money, and every disposable you save from going to the land fill is a wonderful thing.