My Top 5 Newborn Cloth Diapering Tips

I'm expecting in April and that means tiny little newborn diapers are on the brain again!

Your first thought might be that using cloth diapers on a newborn is too overwhelming, especially with so much on your plate already. But with these five tips I'm going to share, you will find it's not that challenging. In fact, I think you'll be really happy with your decision! I've used cloth with 4 newborns and highly recommend it.

TIP #1

Buy covers that have more than one snap setting on the rise so your newborn can wear them longer. Newborn covers with growing room in the rise include Imagine, Nicki's and Thirsties Duo Wraps.

TIP #2

Try fitteds or special folding techniques to contain blowouts. Tiny babies have a lot of bowel movements, and you might find that newborn fitted diapers will help hold in messes better because of the leg elastics. If you usually just trifold a prefold and lay it in a cover, consider mastering some folds to help keep blowouts at bay: the Jelly Roll fold, the Angel Wing or the Bikini Twist (aren’t those names great?). Having just a few fitteds for your newborn won’t cost much; the Imagine bamboo fitted at Nicki’s is just $11.99.

TIP #3

Give yourself a break at night. By using a Geffen newborn hemp prefold and a small Diaper Rite cotton doubler, my newborn can sometimes go all night without a change, even after waking up to nurse a time or two. Finding a nighttime diaper that works can save you a lot of money if you’ve been buying disposables just to use at night. Other suggestions for nighttime newborn diapers include the Sloomb snapless mini bamboo fitted, available at Nicki's.

TIP #4

Wipeable covers save time and money. Since you are changing the baby frequently, it makes sense to use “wipeable” PUL or TPU covers and shells (rather than fleece or wool). Being able to freshen up a cover with a wet wipe and hang it to dry for an hour or two before using again means you don’t have to buy as many, or wash as often.

TIP #5 

Skip the newborn diapers altogether. While I’m the world’s biggest fan of newborn sized diapers, even investing in a small system is just not doable for some families. They can only afford something that works from birth to potty training. Here are a few of my favorites that fit my (average or larger) babies right from birth:

Buttons

Best Bottoms (newborn Ingrid in a Best Bottom cover below)

Diaper Rite (if using diaper covers)

Funky Fluff

Do you have any advice to share for mothers who are planning to use cloth on their newborns?

This post was previously published at the Kelly Wels Blog, and has been revised and updated by me.

Diaper Junction's New Bamboo Terry Flat Diapers

Guess what? Diaper Rite has just added bamboo flat diapers to the product lineup! You can find them right now at Diaper Junction with free shipping over $35.00.

These square flats are one layer of the same 80% bamboo / 20% polyester used in Diaper Rite's popular All-in-One diaper. 

Three sizes are available:

• Size 1 is 19x19  ($14.95 for a pack of 3)
• Size 2 is 24x24  ($15.95 for a pack of 3)
• Size 3 is 29x29  ($16.95 for a pack of 3)

One side is smooth and the other is a fine bamboo loop terry. This fabric is very soft, silky and stretchy. There's no need to "prep" before using and no worries about a lot of shrinkage.

Another upside? Unlike other bamboo diapers and inserts, these flats dry more quickly since they are just one layer. 

Diaper Rite's bamboo flats are covered by a 60 day warranty on sewing and workmanship and are CPSIA compliant.

You can fold and pin on your baby with a Snappi or Boingo fastener, but be careful because the teeth can easily snag the delicate bamboo fibers and cause damage.

You can also opt to padfold Diaper Rite flats and tuck them into a waterproof cover. When padfolded, our size 2 flat fits just right in the AIO shell.

This is a highly effective nighttime combo, by the way, because the AIO shell has a built-in layer of bamboo inside!

Here's a visual comparison of the size 2 bamboo flat when padfolded, next to some of Diaper Rite's prefolds:

Lengthwise, you can see there's a really big difference between the medium prefold and size 2 bamboo flat. However, I would say that the absorbency level of the medium flat more than holds its own. So it's definitely adequate for an average size infant; if your baby is taller, or you're diaper a toddler, try the size 3 bamboo flat.

After your little one graduates from diapers, these bamboo flats make great hand towels, lovey blankets or cleaning rags. So you'll get lots of value for your money!

Shop prefold and flat diapers at Diaper Junction
with free shipping over $35.00.

Let me know what you think of the new Diaper Rite bamboo flat, or if you're planning to try them.

GIVEAWAY: Everyone who leaves a comment is entered to win a 3-pack of size 2 flats! Drawing is Friday at pm CST. Make sure you leave your email and/or Facebook name so I can reach you if you win! Winner has 2 days to reply/claim before an alternate is chosen.

A Look at Thirsties Pocket Diapers + a Giveaway!

One of the most popular pocket diapers on the market is the Thirsties pocket. You can choose between synthetic (original) and natural. Here's how they are alike:

• Fits from 8 to 35 pounds
• Double gussets at the leg openings
• Includes a small and large insert

And here are the differences

• The synthetic pocket diaper insert is made with 3 layers of microfiber and 5 layers of cotton/hemp
• The natural pocket diaper insert is made with 3 layers of organic cotton and 5 layers of cotton/hemp
• The synthetic pocket is lined with polar fleece and has a "stay dry" effect
• The natural pocket is lined with organic cotton, giving it 1 additional layer of absorbency
• The synthetic pocket retails for $21.75 and the natural is $23.75.

I love the fit and performance of Thirsties diapers and found the absorbency of natural vs synthetic to be very similar. But the shorter dry time of the synthetic version definitely gives it an edge. It also doesn't stain as easily. So it's my favorite of the two!

Here's where you can shop for made-in-the-USA Thirsties diapers:

• Nicki's Diapers - get free shipping over $10!
• ClothDiaper.com
• Dearest Diapers - get 10% off when you visit the site!
• My Sweet Pickles - get free shipping over $15!
  
• Green Tot Spot - free gifts on orders over $35
• Sweetbottoms Baby - free gifts on orders over $45!

Giveaway: One lucky Cloth is Cool reader will win a Thirsties original pocket diaper in the We All Scream ice cream print that was just released this summer. Also included in this prize package is the popular iPack Baby arrow print diaper bag, available at Walmart.com! Open to US residents. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cloth Diaper Fabrics: How "Green" are They?

There are a lot of good reasons to choose cloth diapers over disposables. One of these is making less of an impact on the environment, so it helps to know which fabrics are more "eco friendly," if that's an important factor for you.

These five fabrics are often marketed as being green. But do they measure up?

Hemp is more dense and absorbent than cotton, but is not as soft, so you often find it blended with other fabrics. Hemp leaves a small footprint since it’s easy to grow without a lot of water or chemicals. The mechanical processing of hemp is aided by natural enzymes, and the resulting fibers which make up the final product are the actual natural fibers from the plant. Hemp production is now legal in 46 US states.

Pictured: Best Bottom diaper cover with hemp insert (Nicki's Diapers)

Wool is a very unique fabric. It’s created by sheep, and that makes it very sustainable. It’s performance as a breathable, waterproof and bacterial-resistant fabric is unbeatable. But it does require special care. Check the labels and choose “organically grown” when possible, or buy re-purposed/up-cycled, handmade goods.

Bamboo is frequently marketed as a natural fiber, and it is - with some caveats. Bamboo grows as prolifically as grass, making it highly sustainable. However, the fabric that is made into cloth diapers is actually “rayon from bamboo,” because a complicated chemical process is necessary to render the rayon/viscose filaments that are woven into that deliciously soft fabric that mothers and babies love. It is this process and its byproducts that somewhat dampen (but don’t negate) the claim that bamboo diapers are “green” and environmentally friendly. Is bamboo naturally anti-bacterial? The FTC is hesitant to say “yes” and the debate continues.

Pictured: Diaper Rite newborn bamboo all-in-one (Diaper Junction)

Cotton has been a cloth diapering standard for years. It’s soft and absorbent, easy to wash, very economical and more resistant to odors than synthetics. However, the pesticides, herbicides and insecticides used to grow cotton conventionally, as well as the large amounts of water required, are a definite drawback. You can lessen the impact by choosing the organic, unbleached variety instead.

Pictured: Flip diaper with organic cotton insert (Cotton Babies)

Upcycled fabrics can include pretty much anything. The idea is that you’re buying a diaper or cover which was repurposed from something else. Lots of WAHM’s turn things like old sweaters, t-shirts, blankets and burp cloths into beautiful, functional diapers. The environmental benefit here is not so much in the fabrics themselves, but in giving the diapers a second (or third) life, and saving them from a landfill. One of my favorite "upcycled" cloth diaper shops is Mama Bear Babywear.

Hand-Washing Diapers Just Takes Common Sense (+ a Giveaway)

Whether your baby wears cloth diapers or not, I bet at some point in your life, you have hand-washed something. Maybe it was a delicate item, or an article of clothing you wanted to wear that day and didn't have time to go through the whole laundry cycle. And I'll bet that you discovered hand-washing is nothing but good old common sense.

So when it comes to getting cloth diapers cleaned the "old fashioned way," don't be intimidated. Because you get them clean in the same way that you would other very dirty things. Use lots of agitation, a reliable detergent and plenty of warm or hot water. That's pretty much it!

Here's my simple photo tutorial for handwashing diapers and covers.

Educating people about the simplicity and affordability of flat diapers is the main reason behind the annual Flats & Handwashing Challenge, now hosted by the Cloth Diaper Podcast. Whether you're trying to save money or are in a true emergency, flats offer a cheap and flexible solution.

During the 2016 challenge, we used flour sack towels, which are about a dollar apiece at Wal-Mart and Target. Although not as soft and absorbent as actual flat diapers, they will do the trick in a pinch and are affordable enough for pretty much anyone.

What are my favorite flat diapers? Available exclusively at Nicki's, they are made of one layer of soft, snowy white muslin. So simple and easy to clean! They are less than $3.00 each and can be folded to your desired size. Later on, repurpose them as burp cloths, rags or nursing covers. My full review is posted here.

Here's the link to join this year's challenge. It starts May 25th - use tag #flatschallenge to follow.

I'm also hosting a giveaway

to encourage more families to try flats! 

Photo is only representative of the actual prize

Giveaway: Enter to win a 3-pack of white cotton flour sack towels and a Best Bottom "Little Patriot" cover. Released for Independence Day in 2016, this limited edition All-American diaper is made in the USA! Winner will also receive a free Zephyr Hill mini tote bag from my sister website.

This promotion is open to US residents.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bebeboo Diapers: Flex Cover Review & Giveaway

Bebeboo Diapers is a work-from-home, mother-owned brand that we first tried out last year. Choices include pockets, AI2's and covers; the latter style is what we're chatting about in this post.

Bebeboo Flex waterproof covers can be paired with your choice of diaper or insert. They are adjustable up to 35 pounds, and with a wipeable interior you can refresh the cover for multiple uses. Use the snaps inside to hold Bebeboo bamboo inserts, or just lay a cover or flat inside before wrapping around your baby. The price tag of $14.95 makes the versatile Flex cover a very affordable option for families.

We received a one-size cover in the Winter Bloom print.

It also included the soaker set pictured below.

The larger adjustable insert is 5 layers of bamboo viscose and can be snapped down to short. The petite insert is 4 layers of bamboo viscose. You can snap it to the back of the larger one and use them together in the cover for older babies. The snaps inside the cover are compatible with other brands of inserts, too!

The only negative with these soakers is a longer dry time vs. foldable insert like a prefold or flat.

If you have a little one that spends a lot of time on her tummy, the inside front flat on the Flex cover is helpful at preventing wetness from seeping through.

In the picture below, Camille was about 10 months old. It's highly adjustable, both at the waist and on the rise, and you can even angle the snaps to fine tune the fit. The fabric used is very sturdy and thicker than other PUL covers we've tried, so it doesn't have the pliable, lightweight feel of some wraps. Yet it's very durable and so far has been bulletproof.

In these more recent pictures, she is 17 months old and about 25 pounds. They didn't name it the "Flex" cover for nothing. There's room to grow and room to stretch. Cue the Chariot's of Fire music!

My co-reviewer, Katie, used the Flex "Petite" version to diaper her newborn son, Roland. This handsome boy also just happens to be my nephew! At 1-month-old and about 12 pounds, Katie reported that the covers fit really well and gave him room to grow. No issues with leaks, either. Just like the one-size cover, you can use the Petite with multiple types of inserts and diapers. Roland is wearing a small bamboo insert with the orange cover, and a small insert plus Geffen booster with the blue cover.

Bebeboo sells accessories, too! Their handy double-compartment wet/dry bags are just $12.95 and featured two handles on the sides so you can hang on the stroller or a doorknob.  Pictured below is the "Nature's Gold" bag.

When you shop Bebeboo, you are supporting a work-from-home enterprise. That comes with prompt, personalized service and a helping hand to guide you through any questions or troubleshooting that may arise. Owner Thea makes it enjoyable, too, because Bebeboo prints and colors are known for being imaginative and bold. I really look forward to her releases throughout the year!  

* Times are hard and Bebeboo is here to help *

First-time customers can use code 032020 to get 25% off

Returning customers use code shipfree to get free shipping

Click here to shop Bebeboo Cloth Diapers

Giveaway: Enter to win a a shop credit of $25, courtesy of Bebeboo Cloth Diapers! Use the entry form below. Open to residents of US, Canada and Mexico. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Big Sale at Nicki's Cloth Diapers, and Important Updates!

With quarantines and lockdowns and concerns about food supply, people are talking more lately about simplicity and self-reliance. I was at the farm store today and every baby chick was gone. I barely got out of there with the feed I needed to feed my existing birds because stock was so low! And it looks like I won't be making homemade pizza this week because the three grocery stores I visited had no flour, and no yeast. But I digress...

As you might expect, there's a lot of chatter about using cloth diapers. You get less waste, less energy usage and huge money savings in the long-term, so what's not to love about this in an economically unstable environment?

One of my favorite cloth diaper stores is making it easier to get started with cloth right now. Nicki's will be discounting select styles 20% off, including Nicki's brand flats, prefolds, covers, inserts, pockets, and all-in-one's.

The discount will automatically apply, so there's no code needed. And it lasts through the end of March! The only caveat is this: expect slight shipping delays because of COVID-19 precautions. There are less people now in the warehouse, so it might take 3-5 to ship instead of 1 or 2.

Other changes you'll want to be aware of:

• Nicki's is also going to put all new diaper releases on hold for a few weeks, until things settle down.
• Partial payments with Sezzle is available
• There may be stocking delays with other (non-Nicki's) cloth diaper brands
• All Nicki's shipping personnel wash their hands before handling products and packages

So if you need to add a few diapers to your rotation OR have always wanted to get started with cloth and feel like now is the time to jump in, take advantage of the 20% off sale at Nicki's. And don't forget, you also get FREE shipping over $10.

Imagine Pull-On Diaper Cover + a Giveaway

For several years, Nicki’s Diapers has offered its own exclusive pull-on diaper cover, which comes in multiple sizes. Two months ago, something new arrived on the scene - an Imagine brand pull-on cover.

Today's post will compare the two brands, which are similar, and take a look at how the Imagine cover fits and performs.

Here's a quick summary of the new Imagine pull-on cover: 

• Retail price of $7.95 at Nicki’s Diapers 
• Made of one layer of waterproof PUL with contrasting white poly-knit trim
• Designed to be worn over fitted diapers or pinned/fastened flats and prefolds
• Wipeable interior
• Minimal seams for less leak potential
• Made ethically in China

Here is the suggested weight range:

Newborn (5 to 10 lbs)
Small (7 to 18 lbs)
Medium (15 to 26 lbs)
Large (21 to 32+ lbs)

For visual comparison, here is a large Imagine pull-on next to the Nicki's large pull-on. Pretty close, right?

A pull-on cover is possibly the most lightweight option you can go with; it's only one layer and the puffy style allows for lots of airflow.

Using Imagine's size chart, I tried both the medium and large on 26-pound Camille. Medium definitely suited her better, with snug (but not uncomfortable) leg gussets and a fit that wasn't saggy.

The main difference in terms of sizing, is that the Nicki's pull-on comes in size extra large, which fits 30+ pounds, and the Imagine pull-on comes in size newborn, which fits 5 to 10 pounds. Personally, I think it's more important to have the toddler/extra large size available, since pull-on covers aren't easy to use with a wiggly newborn that likes to make 10 or more messes per day!

Another difference is price; the new Imagine covers are $7.96; Nicki's are $6.95. When you buy the Nicki's brand, one diaper is donated to a child in need. And currently, the Nicki's pull-ons are available in a lot more color choices.

In these photos, Camille is wearing her Imagine pull-on with a pinned printed flat diaper.

Where to Shop for Imagine Diapers

Nicki's Diapers - free shipping over $10
DOUBLE REWARDS POINTS from 3/6 to 3/8

My Sweet Pickles - free shipping over $15

Dearest Diapers - free shipping over $35 plus a 10% discount code
Lagoon Baby - Canada

Enter the giveaway! Use the form below to enter my giveaway for a cloth diaper set including the new one-size Nicki's "Melody" cover and a pair of cotton flats.

This promo is open to US residents. Please share with your cloth diaper friends!




a Rafflecopter giveaway

52 Things to Do With Old Prefold Diapers

Pictured: Diaper Rite bamboo prefolds in various sizes

They don’t call the prefold a “workhorse of the diaper world” for nothing. Long after your baby is done with them, prefolds have lots of uses. In fact, I’ve got a list of over 50 things to share with you. Some of these ideas are my own, but most were suggested by you all in a Facebook post, so thank you for the inspiration! Keep in mind that prefolds come in different sizes; some of these uses will be better suited to one size vs. another. For instance, idea #18 (emergency nursing cover) works best with a large or toddler prefold.

1. All purpose cleaning/dusting rag
2. Shop towel (for carpenters, mechanics, etc.)
3. Burp cloth/drool pad
4. Pillow protector for a sick child
5. Dish cloth
6. Pot holder/hot pad
7. Kitchen towel
8. Gym towel/sweat rag
9. Rolled up under a car seat to achieve the proper angle
10. Drying mat for dishes or your Spray Pal
11. Unpaper towels
12. Blotting cloth for painters/crafters
13. Lovey
14. Changing pad
15. Puddle pad
16. Tepee for covering baby boys during changes
17. Dirty diaper wrap (i.e. to carry a wet diaper to the pail after being dunked or sprayed)
18. Emergency nursing cover
19. Sell them
20. Donate them
21. Lend them
22. Save them for your next child
23. Pass them down to your children
24. Stuff in pocket diapers
25. Cut up and turn into doublers
26. Cut up and turn into nursing pads
27. Cut up and turn into cycle pads
28. Use as incontinence pads
29. Turn them into training pants
30. Turn them into prefold fitteds (i.e. “pre-fitteds”), or have someone else convert them for you
31. Turn them into stuffed animals or rag dolls
32. Turn them into bibs
33. Turn them into wash cloths
34. Turn them into wipes/family cloth
35. Turn them into a quilt (dye the squares first for splashes of color!)
36. Turn them into a mattress topper
37. Turn them into a taggie blanket
38. Use them for batting/stuffing/backing in a sewing project
39. Embroider with your child’s name and frame it
40. Wrap around a brick and use as a doorstop or old-fashioned foot warmer/bed warmer
41. Save as a keepsake
42. Swiffer mop pads
43. Baby doll blanket
44. Baby doll diaper
45. Pet bedding
46. Diaper for a sick or injured pet
47. Dog chew toy (i.e. roll it up and tie knots at either end)
48. Packing material for dishes, glasses, flatware, etc.
49. Use for demonstration purposes (i.e. in a cloth diaper class or a cloth diaper store)
50. Use for experiments (i.e. comparing the effects of diaper creams, testing detergents and stain removers, etc.)
51. Shred and compost
52. First aid (ice pack, bandage for large wounds, etc.)

Have fun getting creative and PLEASE continue to share your ideas so I can update this post!

The Updated Diaper Rite 3.1 All-in-One + a Giveaway

I've got three news items to share from Diaper Rite! First of all, there are two new colors in the line-up: Domino and Fawn.

In addition, the all-in-one diaper is now 100% bamboo terry, having said goodbye to the hidden microfiber layer. Instead of ten, you now get twelve absorbent layers of bamboo terry.

It's a great-fitting and highly absorbent diaper, for a very affordable price tag of $17.95. There's also a newborn version for $12.95.

And last but not least, you can get the "old version" at discounted prices right now, starting at just $13.00.

Where to Buy Diaper Rite Diapers

Visit my affiliates for some great deals!

Diaper Junction - free shipping over $35

My Sweet Pickles - free shipping over $15

The Green Tot Spot - free shipping over $15

Enter the giveaway! Use the form below to enter my giveaway for a Diaper Rite bamboo all-in-one of your choice from in-stock options at My Sweet Pickles. It can be newborn or one-size, and any of the new OR old colors. This promo is open to US and Canadian residents.




a Rafflecopter giveaway