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Kissaluvs answers to frequently asked questions
Cloth Diapering
I'm new to cloth diapering. What supplies do I need, and how many of each?
Diapers:
2-ish dozen. See next question for a more specific answer.
Doublers, liners, etc.:
Entirely dependent on your baby!
- Doublers may be helpful for very heavy wetters, naptime or nighttime. A doubler (aka, booster or liner) is essentially additional absorbent fabric laid in a diaper before putting it on baby. Having a few on hand isn't a bad idea if you aren't sure yet whether you need them.
- Liners of polypropylene or poly fleece, for example, are thin, non-absorbent fabric pieces to help prevent wetness against skin or aid in removing/flushing fecal matter. They are entirely optional.
Diaper covers:
5-ish per size. We like covers that can be wiped clean a few times between wearings (e.g., smooth laminate inside) or wool, which losing the smell of urine after airing out. There are lots of fabrics and styles of diaper covers, each with fit and use advantages and disadvantages.
Cloth wipes:
Easy and inexpensive, especially since you're already washing diapers. Square shapes that fold to fit into a reusable wipes container work great (8x8"-ish). Flannel is soft, terry is great for cleaning up especially nasty messes. Baby wash clothes work fine, but many washcloths are too thick. Get at least as many wipes as you have diapers; some people don't wipe after normal wet diapers, but a really nasty diaper will use up several wipes.
Diaper pail:
Best bet will have a large top opening for easy access and air flow, a foot pedal operated lid, and a removable hard liner. The liner is optional, but makes trips to the washing machine incredibly easy, with no bags bumping your legs, for example.
Tote bag(s), optional:
Waterproof bags for transporting wet/dirty diapers while away from home come in quite handy. Small ones for the diaper bag, larger ones for extended trips. Bummis makes especially nice tote bags. Recycled plastic grocery bags or ziploc bags will do the trick, just not as nicely.
How many diapers do I need?
Depends on who's answering that question! You'll get a wide range of answers depending on whom you ask. Really, it depends entirely on how often you wash, how old your baby is, and how quickly you tend to change a wet diaper.
The general rule of thumb seems to be:
- Newborns - 2-3 dozen diapers, washing every 3-ish days.
- Older babies - 2 dozen, washing every 3-ish days.
At our house, we wash every 2-3 days and found 18 diapers to be just fine. But we tend to be minimalists and don't mind washing.
When you're adding up diapers, it's helpful to remember:
- Newborns, especially when breastfed and night-nursed, need to be changed 10-12 times daily.
- Older babies generally don't need changing as often.
- Count a few for leaving in the diaper bag and on the changing table while you're washing.
- The more you're willing to wash, the fewer diapers you need.
- Extra washing will wear diapers faster, but with Kissaluvs, you're starting with some pretty durable fabric to begin with.
If you use prefold diapers as the backbone of your system, supplement with enough fitted diapers to make babysitters and grandparents comfortable, to leave the diaper bag stocked, and for faster nighttime changes. A half dozen fitted diapers supplement a prefold system quite well.
Any suggestions to reduce the up-front cost of cloth diapering?
It's true that you'll save big money using cloth over the 2-3 or more years your little one is in diapers. It's also true that you spend that money up-front rather than over weekly grocery store visits. A few hints and tips to make things easier:
- Save up, just like you do for cribs, strollers and other purchases.
- Start small and wash more often. Folks new to cloth diapering are often afraid of the washing, but it's not hard (be sure to see our care instructions). Finding the perfect diaper and cover ... now that can be hard! (Of course, you're here, so you have a leg-up on that already!)
- Use inexpensive prefolds as the mainstay of your diapering, supplementing or slowly replacing with fitted diapers as finances and baby's slowing growth rate allow.
- Many retailers offer package deals for large quantities and/or accessories you'll need or want (e.g., covers, wipes, etc.)
- Many retailers offer gift registry ... let those gift-giving friends and family know what you want and where to shop! kissaluvs.com doesn't have a registry, but we fill lots of orders from grandmas-in-waiting and cross-country friends.
- Many retailers (including kissaluvs.com) accept credit cards, giving you a little breathing room before the full amount is due.
- Most of the cloth diapering "good stuff" is available primarily through mail order. Watch those shipping charges, which multiply like crazy when you spread out purchases either over time (e.g., buy 2 now, 5 next week, etc.) or over stores. Multiple shipping charges can add up as fast or faster than credit card interest payments, so plan ahead.
- When you buy in quantity, wash and test only 1 or a few of any given diaper, cover, etc. That way, if for some reason the product doesn't do justice by your baby (let's face it, all babies are different), you can return the unwashed, unused items for refund or credit. Be sure to check the return policies of any retailer you buy from before buying.
What do you recommend as a starter pack for cloth diapering?
Our basic package recommendations are:
With newborns:
- 12-18 Size 0 Kissa’s Cotton Fleece Fitted Diapers.
- 4-6 Marvels OS Covers or Wool Lovers
- 2-4 Marvels Extra Small Covers (coming soon- buy XS
- 4-6 Marvels AIO
- 1 Antibacterial Pail Liner
- 1 Diaper Lotion Potion Spray
- 25-50 Awesome Terry Wipes
For babies 3 mos. or older:
- 10-12 Marvels AIO
- 4-6 Kissa’s Size 1 or Marvels Fitteds
- 2 Marvels OS Covers or Wool Lovers
- 1 Antibacterial Pail Liner
- 1 Diaper Lotion Potion Spray
- 25-50 Awesome Terry Wipes
For Easiest Option:
- 18-24 Marvels AIO diapers
- 2 Antibacterial Pail Liners
- 25-30 Awesome Terry Wipes
- 2 Diaper Lotion Potion Spray (1 for home, 1 for diaper bag)
For Limited Budget:
- 12-18 Pre fold Diapers
- 6 Kissa’s Contours Regular or Hybrids
- 4-6 Marvels OS Covers
- 2-3 Marvels AIO diapers (for diaper bag)
- 1 Antibacterial Pail Liner
- 25-30 Awesome Terry Wipes
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