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What Do You Need to Get Started?
This is the question I get asked more than just about any other – what do I need to get started in cloth diapering? And, as you’ll see, there’s really no easy answer! It really depends on the diapering system that you have chosen and how often you want to do laundry.
Number of Diapers:
No matter which system you’ve chosen, you’re going to need diapers. As babies get older, they need less frequent changes and thus fewer diapers. So you’ll find yourself buying many more of the smaller diapers than you will the larger ones.
For a basic idea of how many diapers you should have for each day that you want to do laundry:
Newborns – You should plan on having 12 diapers for each day of laundry. So if you want to do laundry every other day, you need 24 diapers.
Infants – From about 4-9 months, you should plan on 8-10 diapers for each day of laundry.
Toddlers – From about 9 months and up, you should plan on 6-8 diapers for each day of laundry.
Covers
If you’re using prefolds or fitted diapers, you’re going to need diaper covers to waterproof your diapering system. How many you need is really dependant on both the number of diapers you have and the type of cover it is.
PUL Covers – PUL covers are the most common covers available, and are usually made of either cotton or nylon coated with polyurethane laminate (PUL) in order to become waterproof. I carry several PUL covers, including the Bummis Super Whisper Wrap (found here in several prints), the Bummis Super Snap, and the Stacinator So Simple cover. PUL covers do not need to be washed after each use. Instead, they can be used through 2-5 diaper changes unless they get stool on them.
For newborns, I recommend having a cover for every 4 diapers; so if you have 24 diapers, you should plan on having 6 covers. This may seem high, but that lovely newborn stool (especially for breastfed babies) seems to have a funny way of leaking out onto the covers quite frequently!
For all other ages, I recommend having 2-3 covers for each day that you don’t want to do laundry.
Fleece Covers – Fleece covers are many a parents’ favorite for providing a great, breathable system. Most parents prefer to use fleece covers overnight due to their added bulk. Like PUL covers, these don’t need to be washed every time, and can go a few wearings before needing laundering. Here, you can find the Stacinator Deluxe Fleece Cover and the Polar Bummi to meet your fleece cover needs. I recommend having 1-2 of these on hand for each day you don’t want to do laundry if you’re using them for overnight usage; if you’re using them throughout the day, the same cover recommendations stand as for the PUL covers.
Wool Covers – For those looking for a natural solution, you need look no further than wool covers. Wool is naturally an anti-bacterial fiber, and, when combined with modern lanolin solutions, provides a fabulous waterproofing option for your child. Some of the wool covers you’ll find here include Stacinator Stretch Wool Cover, the Rumpster RumpWraps, and LlamaJama Wool Covers. If you’re looking for an overnight solution, you should get 1 or 2 covers. If you’re looking to use them every day, the same recommendations stand as for the PUL covers.
Pocket Diaper Inserts
If you’ve chosen to use pocket diapers for your diapering system, you will need diaper inserts to add absorbency to your diapers. For newborns, one insert per diaper usually is more than enough since they don’t sleep long enough overnight to need too much absorbency. However, as babies get older, they will need more than one insert for some diapers, especially those at naptime, bedtime, and any time you know you’re going to be out of the house for an extended period of time. It’s hard to recommend an exact number, as every child is different; as a rule, start out by getting 1 extra insert for every 4 diapers, and then see if you need more.
I hope that this has helped you understand what you need to get started with cloth diapers. As always, if you have any questions, I’m right here to help!
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