Cloth Diapers: important reminders, tips, and trouble shoots

Welcome to Cloth Diapering! Glad you have made or are thinking about making the switch!

This page is dedicated to offering you important reminders about cloth diapering as well as some trouble shoot help. Cloth Diapers usually consists of two parts.

++One is the absorbent part which is always made up from a natural fiber. For Example, Hemp, Cotton, Bamboo. Called an insert, soaker, prefold, or fitted diaper

(Some inserts are topped with a stay dry polyester fabric that wicks the moisture away then is absorbed into the soaker underneath.)

++Second is the outer or diaper cover usually a laminate or water resistant shell. This part contains the moisture/waterproof (see diaper styles for a comparison of the different kinds of covers)

++Inserts should never be washed with fabric softener or dried with dryer sheets.

++Diaper cream can cause residue especially commercial brands with petroleum jelly, or fish oil. Use a stay dry liner to protect your inserts.

++Prep diapers/inserts first before FIRST time use. They will need to be washed atlest 3 times, fluffed in dryer between washings before absorbing fully. For shells, wash once, tumble dry and remove promptly.

++Cloth diapers add bulk so buy clothing accordingly you may have to size up especially with a non stretchy fabric.

LEAKS

Leaks can be caused from many things such as repelling, not enough absorbency or poor fit.

++Make sure your diapers fully prepped or you may need to add a booster pouch to gain more absorbency.

++Check fit on diapers around waist and legs. Make sure there are no gaps everything is snug and comfortable for baby. Is diaper fully covered?

++Repelling is caused from residue on inserts like diaper creams, or soap residue from using way too much soap or just not rinsing it out all the way.  Strip the diapers with a tbsp of blue dawn, full wash bin and rinse until the soap is all out, completely.  Having a good detergent makes cloth diapering easy peasy.

+During naps or night, have more absorbency directly in the wet zone. This is in the middle for girls and the front for boys using a booster, cloth wipe, something absorbent. 

..to be continued