What you need to know about cloth diapering…
As a first time mom I immediately started researching cloth diapering the moment I found out I was pregnant. First and foremost due to the reduction of waste, secondly because of the cost savings, and thirdly because I was excited about the opportunity (challenge) of sewing these diapers on my own.
But here’s my secret - I did both! Cloth diapering AND disposable diapering. It’s what worked best for us, and I’m here to let you know, it’s ok to do both.
Here is the background on my journey with cloth diapering, everything I’ve researched and learned, in the hopes you can skip some of all that and get right to diapering!
The Environment
You’ll read on the internet that disposable diapers can take 500 years (!) to decompose in a landfill. I’m not sure the accuracy of that statement, but if you’re only in cloth diapering for the environment read this CBC article about the environmental impacts of both disposables and cloth.
There is an argument that the amount of water consumption to produce the cotton used mainly in cloth diapers as well as the laundering and drying of cloth diapers, is almost equivalent to the impact disposables have in a landfill.
I believe that conscious water consumption and laundering as well as air-drying vs dryer challenges the environmental argument. I also can’t imagine contributing 12 diapers a day to a landfill and taking up precious, valuable landscape for poop!
The Costs
The potential cost savings is what also convinced us.
The average newborn poops 12 times a day, around 10 months it reduces to around 8-10 times a day, and at 15 months around 6 to 8. From a newborn needing 84 diapers a week, to a year and a half year old needing 42 diapers a day - that seems like way too much to spend but also contribute to waste!
We also plan to have more than one child, so the cost savings add up for not one, but both children.
Disposable
The average disposable diaper cost is around $0.22.
Average 8 diapers per day x $0.22 per diaper x 7 days x 52 weeks = $640.64 for the first year
Each subsequent year: $640.64
Cloth
Fabric and notions for 15 outers and 70 soakers: $332.27
Cost of bamboo liners for travelling (400 sheets): $34.99
Water consumption $1.19 per load x 3 loads per week x 52 weeks: $185.64
Detergent: $59.94 (Tide Free and Clear $19.98 - I go through about 3 a year)
Total for cloth diapering: $612.84 for the first year
Each subsequent year: $340.74 (water and detergent)
*No I didn’t account for replacing worn outers or soakers, but efficient laundering can help maintain the performance of your cloth diapers. More on that later.
Our current yearly water bill: $556.00 / 3 (for showers vs, dishwasher vs. washing machine)
3 loads per week @ 52 weeks: $185 / 156 loads = $1.19 per load which is estimated high
Overall
I would highly suggest doing your own research on cloth vs. disposable.
It can simply come down to personal preference, lifestyle, and budget. There is no wrong or right choice. I chose cloth for the cost savings and my ability to sew all my own covers and soakers, and disposable for ease of use and peace of mind.
The Types of Cloth Diapers:
AIO, AI2, PreFolds...and the list goes on!
All-in-One’s (AIO)
AIO cloth diapers are just like they sound - all-in-one. The outer shell, absorbent layers and inner wicking layer all together in one nifty diaper. They are the most comparable to disposable diapers. Most come with snaps to adjust around your baby starting at 7lbs up to 35lbs.
PROS
Easy to use, most equivalent to a disposable diaper
No separate covers or soakers
Can add additional soakers for heavy wetters
CONS
Must wash the entire diaper once soiled, one wear - one wash
Harder to keep clean
Take much longer to dry
All-In-Two’s (AI2)
AI2 cloth diapers are similar in construction to AIO’s except that the outer shell is separate from the absorbent layers. AI2’s use independent soakers for absorbency and you can add soakers as you need for additional protection.
PROS
Reusable outers; only change the soiled soakers
Can use with multiple types of soakers
Faster drying time
CONS
More pieces to keep track of
Prefold Diapers
These types are long rectangular soakers that you fold onto your baby, like the ‘old days’, secured with fasteners and a fitted waterproof cover. They are similar to AI2’s. You can make prefolds out of old tshirts, burp cloths or any other absorbent material
PROS
Easy to clean
Inexpensive
CONS
Needs both fasteners and covers
Bulky
Need larger sizes as your baby grows
Pocket Diapers
These types are similar to AI2’s, except that, as the name suggests, the soakers are placed inside a pocket of the diaper meaning you can customize the absorbency while functioning like an AIO.
PROS
Can adjust absorbency
Faster drying time
CONS
Covers and soakers need to be washed after each use; one wear - one wash
Most wicking layers are polyester, therefore it will be the fibre touching your baby’s skin
Fitted Diapers
These diapers are like they sound, fitted to your baby. The entire diaper is absorbent therefore also requires a waterproof cover.
PROS
Best for overnights and heavy wetters
Easy to use, similar to disposable diapers in shape
CONS
Need multiple sizes as your baby grows
I chose to make All-in-Two diapers for the customizability of absorbancy and reusability of the covers. If we need to use a disposable liner while travelling or on a visit to the park, we have that option. The All-in-Two diapers I made are also adjustable from 7lbs to 35lbs.
Where I purchased my supplies
I purchased all my supplies (minus elastic from Fabricland) from Wazoodle fabrics online. I splurged on Zorb, a new fabric that is extra absorbent and made from natural materials to reduce overall costs and bulk.
I read extensively on what fabrics to use for which components, how many layers of absorbency I needed and after weeks of research, settled on the following:
Waterproof shell/cover: ProSoft PUL in yellow, grey, blue, and celery
Inner wicking layer of cover: ProTec microfiber (polyester)
Soaker Top (next to baby’s skin): ProEco Bamboo Fleece Lining
Soaker Bottom: Zorb Organic Cotton 3D Dimple
I purchased my pattern off Etsy from The Happy Hippos.
Here's how they work!
And here’s the truth…
My husband and I were SO OVERWHELMED with the newborn stage, that we used disposable from the hospital until the meconium stage was over.
We also used disposable on long outings, or when visiting people, for the ease and less worry about lugging around poopy cloth diapers.
I switched to the cloth diapers when yellow breastfeeding poops became the norm. However, BLOWOUT central…. It took me about a week to get used to how to properly fit the cloth diapers like the disposable kind.
And then… once my son started to eat solids - back to disposable!
As soon as solid foods (or even formula) are going through your baby/toddler, their poops are no longer water soluble and have to be scooped into the toilet before heading into the washing machine. (Breastmilk is 100% water soluble, so no scraping!)
So we only ended up using cloth diapers for about 5 months.
Was cloth diapering worth it?
I would sat overall, yes, it was worth it for the few months we did it.
I am a much more confident parent, so I plan to cloth diaper our second child from the hospital. This time I know how to prepare and what supplies I need (diaper bucket, liners, detergent…) to make this go around at cloth diapering more successful.
And I may even splurge on diapering cleaning services from Diaper Hero.
