Cloth Diapering a Newborn, Cloth Diapering for Beginners
New parent? Maybe expecting a new little one? New to cloth diapering? Ditching the disposables? Well, you're in the right place! Today I'm going to be talking about starting cloth diapering with a newborn looking at the types of diapers, some tips for cloth diapering a little, and of course those secrets of the trade tricks I've learned through my many weeks of wisdom on this subject. But since I don't like long introductions, and you're likely a busy parent bouncing a screaming little knee, or boob (whichever works) I won't waste any more of your time and get right into the meat and potatoes!
Note: This blog post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.
Cloth Diapering Types
Something new-to-cloth-diapering parents can get intimidated by is all the different styles of cloth diapers. There are the All in Ones (AO1), the All in Twos (AO2), Pocket Diapers, Hybrid Diapers, Fitted Diapers, Prefolds, Preflats, Wool, and More! And where to begin with all the options! Well, you can do what most parents do, and either pick one and marry that style, try all of them at once and drown in your possibilities, or simply read my blog and see what fits best for you! I suggest the latter option *wink*.
All in One (AO1)
If you are accustomed to disposables AO1 diapers will be an easy transition for you. And like I said, it's all in one, meaning there's no cover, insert, or diaper pins - all in one! These style diapers typically have a waterproof outer, with an absorbent inner layer sewn into the diaper. Sometimes the diaper will also have an additional "tongue" of absorbency that is sewn into the inner layer of the diaper. This means that when you change your baby's diaper it's on and off, all in one piece, and (if your baby is exclusively breastfed) you can pop it into the washer without any additional maintenance. Super simple! I started off with the Grovia Newborn AO1 and LOVED them - for the first six days that is. Something to know about AO1 is because it's all one piece, you cannot necessarily add absorbency. This is fine for the first few days, but when your little one starts to pee more, I found that these diapers were not the best fit for me. Additionally, there is very minimal customization with these sorts of diapers. I typically found myself using them the most as out-and-about diapers for the convenience of changing, however, preferred a more absorbent style when I was at home. I have also heard parents complain about their AO1 diapers taking longer to dry than other diapers. Some common brands are Grovia (as listed above), Bumgenuis, Lil Joey, and Thirsties.
Pros:
- Easy Switch from Disposable
- Functional for Out and About
- More Compact Storage
- Fewer Parts to Keep Track of
Cons:
- May Not Offer Sufficient Absorbency
- Not Customizable
- May Out-Grow Faster Than Other Diapers
- Can Be $$$
All in Two's (AO2) & Pocket Diapers
For AO1 fans and those who also want an easier alternative to AO1 and disposables, the AO2 Diapers and Pocket Diaper Styles Are great! AO2 Diapers pair the functionality of an AO1 Diaper with the ability to adjust absorbency. Typically the central absorbency tongue can be snapped in and out of the diaper and replaced with more absorbent options or paired with an additional insert. One of my favorite styles is the Grovia ONE diaper which is a traditional AO2 (They, unfortunately, do not have a newborn size on the market). A Pocket Diaper is similar however you would stuff a pocket diaper (hence the word pocket!) This diaper's out water-proof layer is typically sewn with a moister-wicking polyester or AWJ liner (although the fabric can vary). Between these two layers is an opening either at the back or front where you will put absorbent inserts (which look like fabric pads) into. A couple of brands that offer pocket diapers are Nora's Nursery, Mama Koala, Alva Baby, Charlie Banana, and Thirsties. This option in particular is VERY customizable as there is no limit to how many inserts you can put in the diaper. Unfortunately, I have been unable to find these on the market specifically for newborns. Blueberry Diaper offers an AO1 Cotton Newborn diaper with a pocket but that's about it.
Pros:
- Functional and Easy
- Customizable
Cons:
- Almost Impossible to Find in Newborn Size
- Newborn Diapers are Typically Not True AO2
Hybrids, Prefolds, Preflats, and Flats
Take this route and your grandmother will be proud! Hybrids, prefolds, and flats are the more old-school way to go. But first, before I get into the functionality of each of these, let me explain what I mean. Hybrid diapers are essentially inserts placed inside a waterproof layer. Typically the insert is made out of bamboo, cotton, hemp, microfiber, or even a disposable lining. There is nothing fancy about this system and looks pretty similar to an oversized pad with plastic pants or a wool/flannel cover. Personally, I am not a huge fan of this design as I always found the diaper insert didn't stay where I wanted it to. There was also the issue of poo, as almost any poo would get on the waterproof layer and need to be washed. Besides, who wants the plastic layer touching their baby's soft newborn skin? Not me! So I really never preferred this option and only used this when I was particularly desperate: i.e. I was out of cloth diapers and I folded up a rag inside a waterproof outer and prayed she didn't have a blowout. I suppose if you paired this with a wool or flannel waterproof layer it would be fine (more on that later). If you decide to go this route, Thirsties Hemp and Cotton Diaper inserts are really great as well as Charlie Banana's Hemp Diaper Insert.
Prefolds and flats are what you probably think of when you think of "cloth diapering" and if you are already shaking your head going, "This is NOT the option for me!" I encourage you to read this because that's what I thought too, at first! So Prefolds are essentially rectangular pieces of tri-fold fabric with different layers sewn on the sides and middle. Typically the middle third is composed of four to six layers of fabric and the two sides are two to four layers. This design makes it very easy to "fold" onto the baby and secure it with either your traditional diaper pins or handy Snappis. I was gifted these from a woman who was going back to work and no longer cloth diapering and I used them as burp cloths for the first few weeks. However, out of desperation, I watched a quick YouTube video and wrapped it on my baby when we were waiting for the laundry to finish and instantly I loved them! I was so intimated by the design but I found that they were way less bulky than my traditional diapers and hardly ever leaked! They were also way easier to put on than I had thought and I regret I didn't use them sooner! Also, because the diapers are a little more customizable than the traditional newborn AO1 diaper, I was able to use my Prefolds WAY longer than my other diapers, and it made a perfect transition diaper as my little was growing out of her Newborn Diapers and into the One-Size. Additionally, the brand I use (Humble Bee) is $30-$40 for a pack of twelve which makes these diapers way more affordable than the AO1s! Humble Bebe is the only brand I ever used, but Cloth-Eez, OcoCozy, Kanga Care, Grovia, Nora's Nursery, and Thirsties have some other options as well.
There is also what we call "Preflat" which is similar in concept, but much different in appearance. The top half looks like a diaper that could go around your baby, but then there is all this extra fabric that you can fold in a variety of ways to suit your absorbency desire. Personally, I have never used this design but when I have a screaming newborn who hates to get their diaper changed I'm not going to be messing with something I'm going to have to tie and wrap. Most of these style diapers are sold on Etsy Shops but a HappyBeeHinds and Disana have options you can purchase through Amazon.
And lastly, Flat diapers which are your typical run-of-the-mill pieces of cloth that you fold all around your little baby - just like grandma did it! I have tried these, and although I like the customization, I just don't find that this style works for me. The design is very bulky for the amount of absorption I needed and again I just didn't have the time to fold it in various ways in order to get it to fit around my baby. However, this style is a favorite among a lot of cloth diapering individuals so it is definitely for some people! This is also one of the most affordable options and pretty much the only one that will truly last from birth until toilet trained. You can find Flat diapers anywhere! From your kitchen towel to Amazon, to an actual cloth diaper site, these styles are sold EVERYWHERE. Cloth-Eez, OzoCozy, Gerber, and Kanga Care are just some of the many companies that offer Flat diapers.
Pros:
- Less Bulky
- More Customizable
- Quicker Dry
- Most Affordable
Cons:
- Steeper Learning Curve
- Three Separate Parts (Waterproof layer, Absorbency, and Snappi)
- Tends to be intimidating
Fitted Diapers
Probably my all-time favorite Newborn style diaper is the Fitted Diaper! These take all the great aspects of a Prefold, Preflat, and Flat diaper, and make it into an easy-to-snap-on diaper. These look the closest to disposable diapers as many of them are trim fitting and have adjustments similar to the One-Size diaper, however, you pair these with a waterproof cover. The whole diaper itself is absorbent so you do not have to worry about extra inserts or stuffing, although some Fitteds do have that option. I started my little off with the Cloth-Eez WorkHouse Cotton Fitteds and the Kissaluvs Hemp and Organic Cotton. Kissaluvs was my all-time favorite (I am still able to utilize them with my five-month-old) however they are unfortunately no longer in production so you have to scour Facebook Marketplace and eBay to find some. Some options I would like to try are Ecoable Hemp and Cotton Fitted diapers, Nicki's Newborn Fitted Diaper, and Esembly Organic Cotton Fitted Diapers. OzoCozy, Kanga Care, Thirsties, and many shops on Etsy offer other Fitted diaper alternatives.
Pros:
- Super Easy Alternative to Prefolds & Flats
- Customizable
- Absorbent
- Typically Less Bulky
Cons:
- Can Be $$$
- Versions with Hemp are Hard to Find
Waterproof Diaper Covers
If you are going to go with a Prefold, Preflat, Flat, or Fitted option you are going to need some sort of water-proof outer layer. There are a couple of different options to choose from: Polyester (which comes in PUL or TPU), Fleece, or Wool.
Polyester
The most commonly used is Polyester. Now when you go to buy a polyester Cover often you will see the item described as being made out of PUL or TPU. The fabric is the same but the means by which the Polyester was made waterproof is different. So for example PUL is made by "burning" the fabric with somewhat harsh chemicals while TPU is a type of waterproof substance that is "brushed" onto the polyester to make it waterproof. There's not much difference here, although I believe TPU is considered a safer alternative to PUL. The only thing I find is that if you wash your Covers in the washing machine (and dry them) as I do, the TPU can get little hairlines in the lining and start to leak. This is probably more of my error than a manufacturing defect but do know that if you are buying your Covers secondhand this could be an issue. Almost every brand of cloth diaper has some sort of cover option but just to name a few there are Thirsties Duo Wrap, Esembly Cloth Diaper Outer, Nora's Nursery Cloth Diaper Cover, Kanga Care Rumparooz Diaper Cover (a personal favorite), and so many more!
Pros:
- Cheap Diaper Cover
- Adjustable
- Options in Snap/Velcro
- Dries Super Quickly!
Cons:
- Synthetic Fabric
- PUL Made with Harsh Chemicals
- Can Wear Over Time
- Can Be Bulky
Fleece
Then there's fleece, and yes, your little one's fleece footie is the same sort of thing. These can come in a variety of different styles. You can have fleece diaper covers that look like little shorts or pants or even the traditional wrap-style diaper cover. I haven't used these personally but I have heard you need to be sure you clean them well because the synthetic fabric is not antibacterial and you could have some problems with that. The only option I could really find on the market was by MamaBear on Etsy. Note this is not my Etsy shop I am simply sharing her shop as a resource to purchase fleece diaper covers.
Pros:
- Cuter Alternative to PUL or TPU Covers
- Available as Shorts, Pants, Footies, Etc.
- Less Bulky
Cons:
- Synthetic
- Not as Many Options on the Market
Wool
Finally, there's wool, which I will be using whenever I have another newborn. I had heard about wool when I first started cloth diapering but the whole concept of handwashing lanolizing and everything else had me too scared to start. Now doing wool diapers full-time, I wish I had just started with this route, because it is so easy, and it's natural! The only this I will warn about is it can be expensive as wool diaper covers can be as much as $75 a cover! Yikes! I got all my wool from eBay and there are many tutorials out there about repurposing wool sweaters. What I would recommend, if you go this route, is don't get caught up in the "care" of wool. Just think about your wash routine as simply soaking your diaper covers. And you only have to do that every other week. Also, Wool Covers are similar to Flannel meaning you can have Wool Shorts, Pants, or PJs that work as the diaper cover making the diaper less bulky for your baby. Disana is a very common brand, but Babee Greens, Puppi, and Pisi are other popular options.
Pros:
- All Natural Diapering Alternative
- Antibacterial
- Simple Wash Routine
Cons:
- Incredibly Expensive
- Can Be Intimadating
- "Wool Care"
Cloth Diapering Tips
1. Tip Number One: Don't Make Cloth Diapering Your Religion
My number one cloth diapering tip for beginners is don't make cloth diapering your religion, let me explain. So many people get overwhelmed by the whole cloth diapering that they never start. Sometimes, just having six cloth diapers that you use every other day, is enough of a transition to save a couple of diapers from the landfill and get the confidence you need cloth diapering. If nighttime is your holdup, then just use a disposable for nighttime. Is vacation coming up? Long trips out and about? Maybe even a quick run to the grocery store? If a disposable is what is going to keep your sanity in these situations and give you the motivation to start cloth diapering than don't sweat it. It does not need to be all or none.
2. Tip Number Two: Invest in a Bidet
I'm sure you all are wondering what on earth this has to do with cloth diapering but think of all those poopy diapers, how are you going to clean them? Sink? That's fine although, in our renovation process, our bathroom sink functioned as our kitchen sink and the thought of washing poopy diapers in it was just beyond our current circumstances. Dung and swirl? Well, if this works for you this will be another thing your grandma will be proud of you for, but frankly, I couldn't justify swirling my baby's diapers in the nasty toilet that me, my husband, and all our guests used. So instead meet the bidet. By having this handy dandy little sprayer attached to your toilet you can spray poop off right into the toilet and pop that diaper into a hamper! Easy as pie! Here is the sprayer I use and it's worked great!
3. Tip Number Three: Consider a Diaper Spray Shield
This one is not a necessity, but if you are using some sort of toilet sprayer to clean off your cloth diapers you may want to consider a diaper shield for your toilet. This keeps the water from spraying everywhere all over your bathroom and easily allows you to clip your diapers to the shield to you don't have to handle as much poo. A winner all around!
4. Tip Number Four: Try Multiple Styles / Barrow Before You Buy
If possible try to get your hand on a couple of different styles of cloth diapers before you invest in your stash. This can either borrowing them from a friend, maybe even renting a couple, or investing in a variety of styles. You may find that one style suits you best or that the style you thought you would really like, isn't your favorite. For example, I was very much against using Prefold diapers because I thought they would be so much more work, but after one day of trying them fell in love with them! I also had thought AO1 diapers would be my favorite but instead, I ended up preferring fitted diapers with a wool cover. So if you're able, try out different styles before making the investment.
5. Tip Number Five: Sundry
That's right! Dry your cloth diapers in the sun! Not only does this eliminate some of those rougher poop stains, but it kills bacteria and helps air out your diaper making them less smelly. How does this work? The UV Rays from the Sun pepenetratehe stains and bacteria from the diaper helping make your diapers even safer for your little. It doesn't even have to be sunny. Bonus, you save on electricity by not utilizing your dryer!
Cloth Diapering Tricks
Pocket Diaper Trick
Something I found out when I first invested in my cloth diapers is there is no true "one-size fits all." Sure those clever marketing companies might claim that, but really either you're going to be stuck with an overly bulky leaky too-big diaper that won't fit your tiny newborn or a small hardly adjustable newborn diaper. But I thought cloth diapering was supposed to be budget-friendly, how am I supposed to afford 20-30 newborn diapers AND baby-sized grow-with-me diapers when they cost $20 each?! Well, I've got a trick for you. Cross-snapping pocket diapers. Now this only works for some styles of pocket diapers. The snaps have to align as I point out in the picture, but this helps make your diaper fit even smaller on your little one as you are waiting for him or her to fit into the one-size diapers.
Utilize What You Already Own
Utilize old t-shirts, towels, burp cloths, etc! Something I quickly discovered in one of my days when I was out of diapers was that almost anything can be used as an absorbent layer. This quickly "grew" my diaper stash as I was able to utilize some elements I already owned. Not only that, but it is also a cheaper alternative if you are worried about the upfront cost of cloth diapering. Simply take a kitchen towel, fold it into thirds (and in half if it is particularly long) place it inside a diaper cover (or even a pair of fleecy PJs which you probably already own!) and you have a cloth diaper! You literally can cloth diapers using items you already have in your home! Talk about sustainability!
Incorporate EC Into Your Routine
Something you will pick up quickly about cloth diapering is there is a lot of poo, and sometimes it can get overwhelming, especially when you are dealing with a little newborn. Something I recommend to cut down on the poopy diapers you are washing is incorporating a bit of Elimination Communication with your practice? Even if you only catch some poo, those are poos you do not have to wash from your cloth diapers. And if you are intimidated about getting started, head on over to Go Diaper Free to learn more!
Favorite Brands
I am an Affiliate for some of the links listed above which means I make a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase using my link. Just because I am an affiliate for some of the products in this article does not mean I have used these products specifically. If you are curious about what brands I like specifically, they are listed below or on my Recommended Products Page. All products on this page are products I specifically use or have used and recommend because I had a positive experience with them. Listed below are some of the Newborn Cloth Diapers I used in my experience:
- All-in-One: Grovia Newborn AO1
- Prefold: Humble-bee
- Waterproof Cover: Blue Berry Mini Diaper, Thirsties Wrap Diaper
- Fitted: Kissaluvs (still looking for an alternative!), Cloth-Eez
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