The Diaper Facts

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Diaper Facts
Everything you ever wanted to ask about cloth diapers!

How Do I Get Started With Cloth Diapering?

Cloth Diapering With A Diaper Service

How Do I Wash Cloth Diapers?

Expensive to Wash Cloth Diapers?

Why are my cloth diapers and covers stinky?

Here's my Stinky Diaper Solution

Why are my cloth diapers and/or diaper covers leaking?!?

How Do I Make My Diaper Covers Last?

The Ancient Art of Diaper Folding

Frugal Baby
Taking care of baby (& mom!) needs naturally, doesn't have to cost a whole lot of money!

Frugal Diapering

Frugal Diaper Washing

Frugal Diaper Rash and Baby Wipe Tips

Make Your Own Baby Bum Sweaters!

Make Your Own Rebozo Sling

Let Sleeping Babies Lie - please...

Other articles that might be of interest:

How to Choose the Perfect Cloth Diapering System

Feeling Confused About Your Cloth Diapering Decision?

Diapering Expert Shares Secrets!

Do Cloth Diapers Seem Too Expensive?

Your Choice Does Make a Difference!

What's Wrong With 'Disposable' Single-Use Diapers?

Environmental Concerns - What Do They Mean For You and Your Baby?

Environmental Concerns II - Looking at Both Sides of the Issue

MORE QUESTIONS:

I really only have one question as far as cloth diaper reliability. Do they leak any more or less than disposables? When I used them on my nephews the covers were still made of plastic and were scratchy and not terribly reliable for containing everything. Has that improved also?

Oh, covers are wonderfully soft nowadays! You can have your choice of polyester, cotton, nylon, poly-fleece, ultrex, wool and more!
On the BTLdiapering mailing list, I have been reading that most mothers are finding LESS leakage with cloth then when they were using disposable diapers!

My goal is to have something that is breathable and waterproof. I hate changing my baby's clothes because of the wetness coming through. Please advise me on the best thing to solve my problem.

To get something completely waterproof, you need to give up breathability. For completely breathable, you need to give up complete waterproofness.
However there are many covers in-between. Wool soakers have excellent breathability, and with adequate diaper absorbency underneith, this works for most babies. Fleece covers are another excellent choice - with a lot less care.

Leaking Covers: Does it have anything to do with how they are washed?

It could - it depends on what you are using. Borax, bleach, bleach alternatives and other whitening agents can affect your cover's waterproofness.

I noticed on the Aristocrats packaging it said untreated Wool Soaker. Do I need to add Lanolin or do anything special before I use it for the first time? My baby is not due until Sept. I would like to be ready.

By untreated, they mean no chemicals have been added to the wool. As for Lanolin, some moms find the soaker works great - right out of the package. Others find, especially with a heavy-wetter, that a Lanolin treatment first works best.

I have twins and really want to switch to cloth dipes. However I need to know a few things. How many dipes will I need?

Let's start with how often are you changing your girls? Maybe 6-8 times a day? For this you would need about a total of 12-16 diapers a day.
How often are you able to or want to do laundry? Maybe every two days? For this you would need about 24-32 diapers to start.

How many covers for twins?

I would plan on at least two covers each per day. So washing every other day, you will need 8 covers.

What kind of dipes are best for 13 month olds and older?

Any kind of diapers will work well, depending on your baby's build. Some styles fit better on chunky babies, others fit better on slim babies.

I really like the diaper covers with Velcro®, but are they the best chioce?

A good way to start is to invest in some Velcro® covers, and use prefold diapers inside. You can just fold the diaper in thirds and lay inside the wrap. Then use the wrap to hold the diaper on.

I am looking for convience and dipes that won't cost me an arm and a leg up front.

Our cheapest Velcro® wraps and diaper system would be Babykins unlined wraps @ 1/5.95 CDN - total = $47.60 CDN and Chinese prefolds @ 12/$33.59 CDN - total =24/67.18 CDN
Total cost = $114.78 CDN ($78.05 US)
However, you can start with half that amount and wash more often, then invest in more diapers and covers next month. So that would be $57.39 CDN ($39.03 US) for 12 prefolds and 4 covers.

What are the best dipe covers?

The best cover will depend on your wants, needs and budget. You can get great covers cheaply, but if they don't fit well, or don't breathe enough to prevent rashes in sensitive babies, this won't be a real savings. However, you can spend a fortune on covers and not be happy as well. The best cover (or diaper) is what fits your baby well, keeps baby dry, and fits within your budget.

Are there any sites that give discounts to Moms of twins or more? I could really use a discount as I am a single mom, and looking for a way to cut down on the costs of things. Thank you in advance for your advice!

There may be, but I don't know of any specific twin discounts. We offer quantity discounts - the more you buy the more you save. Ways to save: Sew your own, buy used diapers, ask for them for gifts. Swap unwanted baby items for diapers. Here are some more Frugal Diapering Tips.

Do you recommend washing the diaper covers before their first use? If so, machine or hand wash? Hot water or warm? Regular detergent or Dreft?

No, unlike diapers, covers do not need to be washed before use. However, you certainly can if you wish to. How you wash them will depend on which brand you purchased. If washing directions were included, it is best to follow them.
For the first washing, prior to use, I would use a gentle soap or clear-type detergent, and warm water. Unless the manufacturer says not to, I would just toss them into the washing machine with a regular laundry.

END OF DIAPER FAQ

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