Cloth Diaper Update!

We’ve been using cloth diapers on Zachary for about a year and a half now. (If you missed it, you can read all about our cloth diaper journey in my Seven Days of Diapers series.) I thought I might post an update to let you know what we still love, what we love a little less now than we did then, and some important information that we (unfortunately) learned the hard way.

Some of our favorites:

·         Flips: these diapers are so easy to use – just slip a liner in the cover and done. We tend to use them at home only, because the liners slide a bit if they get too wet and need to be changed every 2 hours. But they are inexpensive and absorbent.
·         Pocket diapers, especially Bum Genius and Perfect Size Fuzzi Bunz: these diapers are absorbent and can be double-stuffed for longer wear. The snaps on these diapers have held up well and they’re not too bulky.

Some of our least favorites:

·         gDiapers: these always leak, and I do mean always. And I still hate that they fasten in the back – not user-friendly at all.
·         itti bitti: the snaps on these diapers are very weak. When one of the snaps broke, itti bitti’s customer service was prompt and friendly, but one of the snaps on our replacement diapers broke soon thereafter!
·         Flats: they’re just too bulky.
·     Gro-Via: I love that these diapers are super-absorbent and very cute, but the liners retain odors, despite all my efforts at keeping ammonia smells at bay. A good soak with Funk Rock (see below) can help, but I really hate it when Zachy's bum smells bad, even when his diaper is "clean"!

Best low-cost options:

·         Flips (see above) – two covers and 6 inserts cost less than $50!
·         Kawaii – these diapers are bulky when double-stuffed, and we have found that the snaps can be weak if they’re not opened carefully. But, each diaper costs around $11 and they’re very absorbent. (These were our go-to nighttime diapers before Zach became a heavy wetter and we had to switch to disposables.)

Important Information:

·         Wash your diapers every two days – NO EXCEPTIONS! Wait more than two days and I have one word for you: ODORS.
·         Experiment to find the right amount of detergent to use – more is not better. Too much detergent can cause residue, which leads to stronger odors and less absorbency. (The detergent we use suggests 2-3 tablespoons, but I’ve found 1.5 is the perfect amount.)
·         We love Funk Rock by Rockin’ Green. Putting 1 tablespoon into your cold water pre-wash really helps get rid of and prevent odors. (An overnight soak helps with really stubborn odors…)
·         bummis Bio-Soft liners – Zach’s poop (TMI – sorry!) is well-formed, so we rarely have to worry about “dunking” his #2 diapers. But if Zachy is having an upset tummy, these liners make messy poop clean up really easy. Simply place one of these liners over the insert of your diaper and remove after a messy diaper. Plus, most of these liners are either flushable or biodegradable.
·          I tend to prefer snap closure diapers over hook-and-loop (velcro) closure. The Velcro closures tend to open up in the wash and get stuck to other diapers or liners in the washer or dryer. While the snaps on some brands can be fragile (like itti bitti and Kawaii), I've found that opening the snaps carefully, rather than just yanking them, helps the snaps to stay in working condition longer. (And thankfully, most diaper manufacturers have very generous warranty policies, so broken snaps can be replaced.)

So that's the update on our cloth diaper journey. We're still loving our little man's tush in his cloth diapers, and we hope to continue this wonderful practice with Baby #3!