Cloth Diapers

My wife and I want to use cloth diapers as much as possible, and need some pointers.  For example, we've heard that some of the modern designs are better for boys or girls (we're having a girl).  Since at least one of us will be home, laundry won't be an issue per se, but any suggestions on what gear we may need (or not need) would be very welcome.

As well, any advice on a diaper party? I suspect some of the guys I know will be having one for me, and I want to make sure they know we don't want a lot of disposables (we'll probably keep a few on-hand, for emergencies).

Tags: Diapers

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Permalink Reply by Nathan Barry on December 12, 2012 at 3:42pm

When I took over the full-time daddy-ing for my daughter at age 1, we switched to cloth diapers. My advice would be:

Definitely keep some disposables around for emergencies. I tended to use them whenever we were going out adventuring, as there's nothing more horrible than have to carry stinking nappies around an art museum! Plus they take up at least twice as much space in your bag. All the time we were at home, she was in the re-useables (or running free!)

I did all the washing in the evenings, and tumbled dried them overnight - so eco-wise I don't think we saved much! I remember reading in some "so you're gonna be a dad" book that you should be prepared to buy a new washing machine within 6 months of having a baby. Ours broke after 5 1/2!

The liners are essential, but make sure you get flushable/bio-gradeable ones. If you're only using re-useables, then you can get away with not having the sacks as you won't have anything to go in them - the liners and their 'contents' can go straight into the toilet.

Don't bother going for the 'bleached' white towelling ones - they'll be white for exactly one use

Clothing is an important consideration too - you'll generally have to get trousers/jeans a size bigger to fit over the nappies and their covers

Good luck!

Permalink Reply by Matt Middleton on December 13, 2012 at 10:08am

Thanks Nathan! We're definitely planning on using disposables for out-and-about :) How did you find "running free"? Never really thought of that idea.


I'm hoping our washer will hold out, mainly because we bought a really good one (high-efficiency top-loader with no agitator in the middle), but we'll see.  Did you ever try drying the diapers on the line or on a rack?

Permalink Reply by Nathan Barry on December 14, 2012 at 4:34am

Running free is a risky plan, but worked OK when she was a bit older as long as the potty was close by. We also have mainly wooden floors so it was easier to clean up any accidents. We did line dry them in the warmer months, but we found that they stayed much softer when tumble dried.  

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