As I was packing away everything for our move in 9 days, I decided to stop and enjoy the fluffy newborn cloth diapers that were about to be boxed up.
I am excited to use the cloth diapers on my new baby but honestly the thought of washing them is a little sad. Right now they are hot off the sewing machine- no fading, ultra soft bamboo, no stains. Perfect squishiness.
Of course, I’ll get over that and have them all ready in a few weeks. This is not the first time I have cloth diapered a newborn. Paisley was exclusively cloth diapered from the beginning. However, for her I used mainly Kissaluvs size 0.
Like many of you, 2 years ago I was seeking guidance and reading dozens of reviews and opinions on what was best for a newborn. I wish I would have had a guide, but at the time I only knew of diaperswappers – and you know how easy it is to find something there lol.
I never had any doubts when cloth diapering Paisley. That’s what we had, so that’s what we used. I do remember wishing the diapers weren’t so soaked after one pee or wondering why she got a horrid rash when I used serged or suedecloth diapers. But those experiences taught me that not every diaper will work for every baby.
This time around I have chosen to use bamboo inner diapers. Goodmamas, Mutts, Kindhearted Woman, Nanipoos and a few miscellaneous brands. I also have a dozen green edged prefolds. For covers, I have opted to use wool.
With Paisley we used wool and PUL covers. Although I liked the containment the PUL covers offered, I didn’t like how hot the diapers were. There was zero breathability. Honestly though, I’ll have a few on hand for going out to church or dinner. That security is needed when you already have enough other things to worry about!
My favorite PUL covers are Proraps, but I’ll also be buying Thirsties this time around.
My biggest advice that I would offer to someone hesitant to cloth diaper their newborn is to just do it. Dive in and ignore all those “what-ifs”. Is there anything easy about a newborn anyways?
I never had problems with meconium staining and if a stain did arise the sun really is miraculous! Having discovered Bac-out since Paisley’s birth I will be using that this time.
The cord was never an issue, especially when using diapers with a snap down notch. With wool I would either fold down the waistband or pull it up over the cord.
Washing is super easy because you don’t have to dunk the diapers. Man do I look forward to that! All diapers go into the pail and wash as you desire. (my routine: prewash with bac-out, wash, second rinse, dry in dryer)
If you are a first time mom, I applaud you for considering cloth diapers. Entering motherhood is a crazy time! But you couldn’t have made a better decision about diapers. It only takes a couple (or a few 
) of weeks to hit that groove. Then after that everything is second hand….until something pops up like a rash. BUT don’t panic!
There is a solution for all problems and I will do my best to get you through them.
Here are a few pictures for you of baby #4s stash:
Goodmamas: One size fitted
Newborn Mutts: fitted cloth diaper
Kindhearted Woman, Nanipoos, Pampered Cheeks, and a couple of others
Interlock Wool Soakers - the bus was done by Nissi of Sapo Verde
Wool covers
{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
Autumn,
I love all your reviews on cloth diapering. We have used cloth for many of our children. I have never used the AIO’s or the wool soakies. I’ve looked at some of the sites you recommend, but am wondering how one could afford these on a limited budget? It’s a huge expense all at once. Any suggestions? Maybe a post on this would be good. Thanks!
Blessings,
Michelle
Generally AIOs are more expensive than prefolds or even pockets. Nana Bottoms makes good quality, inexpensive all-in-ones that I have recommended in the past. Wool soakers are only expensive if you buy the big names. Recycled wool is very affordable. The cute striped wool soaker in the bottom pic is Wollybottoms and is recycled. I only paid $18 for it. If you click on the wool category tab you’ll see other recommendations for recycled wool and even how to make your own. The other interlock soakers in the pics were bought used and I didn’t pay over $15 for any of them (even the worn-one-time Luxe). There are deals to be found but you have to always be on the look out and give yourself plenty of time to shop.
Oh, I just love the wool covers!! Where did you get them?
All of them were bought off of diaperswappers except for the striped Woollybottoms soaker. I got that one from the Cloth Diaper Superstore.
Hi Autumn. Thanks for the great blogs. I’m going to be a first-time mommy in 2 short months and I plan to CD from the get-go, despite lack of support from friends and family who think I’m nuts. I have a question though. How much Bac-Out do you use when you pre-wash with it? I was also concerned about those first time tarry poos staining and hadn’t considered Bac-out, which I already have on hand. Thanks!
Crystal, I do 3 generous squirts of Bac-out in the prewash. Most people think we’re nuts for cloth diapering
This is my first time cloth diapering and I’ve just collected a large variety for my stash. The one thing missing so far is the fitteds. I love the goodmama’s, mutts, and pretty much your whole stash. I wish I could afford them! I’ll watch for them second hand so I can try them at some point. I don’t have any wool covers either, but I’ll probably get one or two before the baby is born. Thanks for the tips!
I have to agree with you about any reservations about cloth diapering a newborn. “Just do it.” I am on baby #4 but she is my first CD baby. I was nervous about doing it, but it’s so simple! We are using green edge prefolds with some wool pull on covers from loveybums and a few Bummis super snaps. It’s so easy and I feel good about wrapping her bum in soft cloth instead of chemical filled paper. Besides the fact that now we’re not contributing to the landfills with disposables. I love cloth diapering and anyone who’s afraid to do it should just bite the bullet and go for it! Enjoy!!
Autumn,
I so look forward to reading your blog posts. I’ve learned so much in my first several months of CDing, and you always have such useful and fun info!! I wish you the best for the new little one, and look forward to reading all about your CD experiences all over again!!
Many blessings to you and your wonderful family!
I share Michelle’s concerns regarding the high cost of starting off in cloth- prefolds are definitely the cheapest and if you go to the clearance and seconds part of the websites (Green Mountain and Little Lions both have a seconds and clearance section) you’ll save even more. If you knit you can make your own wool covers- there are a ton of free patterns and you can find if you google “soaker patterns” and cheap wool at KNITPICKS. I spent less than $60 to get started!
hth
An earlier post in here had a lot of links to sites on making your own stuff. For the non-knitters, there were sites on making a wool soaker out of a wool sweater thet had shrunk. You can find some beautiful sweaters at Goodwill/Salvation Army shops that people got rid of when they shrunk. Low budget!
Here is the post you are referring to: http://allaboutclothdiapers.com/winter-woolies-part-2
The best way to save even more money with cloth diapers is to sew your own. Diaperkit.com is a great place for a beginner. I teach cloth diapering classes in Utah. In my class my students sew and take home an All-in-One diaper. Really they are simple to sew!!!
Yes, Alison, I love what Amber at diaperkit.com offers!
I am expecting baby number 3 in March and decided to give cloth diapering a try to save money. I can’t beleive all the options. Its been very overwhelming! I have purchased 2 BG 3.0s and starter gdiaper kit with intentions of making inserts for the g’s. Then I just decided to look into making my own. I found a site that shows how to make your own prefolds out of old flannel shirts and terry towels or mircofiber towels. So far I have made 8. I don’t know if they will work very well but I thought I would give it a try rather than giving away the old flannel shirts and nightgowns and using the torn terry towels for rags. Your information has been very helpful! I look forward to reading more! I’m glad you mentioned the proraps I just purchase a few and some snappis. I am hoping for the best! What is Bac-out and where do you get it? Thanks Autumn!
Hi Autumn!
I just watched your video on Bac-out. My questions were answered Thank you!
Hey Autumn,
I love your site. I am preparing for baby #2 and I want to CD from day one as last time I had to wait 3 months before my petite little girl fit into her prefolds. I live in Commonwealth of Dominica and spending $15 on just one fitted diaper is out of the question when considering the exchange rate plus the extra cost of shipping and customs duty! So I am thinking of ordering some preemie and newborn prefolds. I’d love to hear more about your experiences with the prefolds that you said you bought. Thanks for all the excellent information… onelove
I believe the prefolds I mentioned in that post were the green edged GMDs. Green Mountain Diapers no longer makes them but they were too big for a newborn in my opinion. I used them a couple of times when Sterling reached ~12lbs but I still had to fold down the front and back. I found the prefolds on ebay at the granitesmith store to be a great price when I had limited funds in 2005 and starting cloth diapers. You can find information on them here: http://allaboutclothdiapers.com/how-to-start-cloth-diapering-on-a-budget/ I still have those prefolds and they are in great shape (albeit we don’t use them often).
Can you please explain exactly what happens when you take the soiled diaper off of:
a newborn with bf poo or pee
older child with semi solid poo
toddler?
Like do you take it off then rinse them out then put in pail or have a wet pail system? What do I do for daycare? Would you recommend this to me my whole stash: Flips, Soft Bums & Grobaby, if yes how many of each should I have on hand with a newborn & to do laundry like every 2-3 days? Thanks a million!!!!