What and Where to Buy

So, which diapers should you get? How many? What kind of pail? What about cloth wipes? I'll try to give you a few options on this page. Keep in mind when thinking about buying cloth diapers not only the fit and absorbancy for when used, but also how it will affect washing and drying. A diaper and cover wash more easily than an All-in-One, whose layers are sewn together.

I would suggest having at least 24 diapers, although you can get away with less if you wash more often. For a newborn, who can often go through 10-12 diapers a day, I would definitely suggest at least 2 dozen, and then you can get less in larger sizes. Some diapers are "one-sized," but few of these fit a newborn well - they tend to be bulky. However, many you could use from 2-3 months up.

It's tempting to want to get all one type of diaper, all one type of cover, and so on. I would urge you to try several different types and brands and experiment with what works for you before going all out. I find I like a mix of diapers for variety and different needs - I will often do a prefold without a cover at home, a pocket diaper when out, or a fitted with a wool cover for a night diaper. Some people do only use one type all the time and it works for them.

On a tight Budget

If you are on a tight budget, prefolds are the way to go. (I personally like Indian Prefolds the best, but many prefer Chinese prefolds. You can see more info about the types of prefolds on the types of cloth diapers page.) If you get 2-3 dozen of each size, a few good hemp doublers, and a few covers (like Bummi Whisper Wraps or Imse Vimse Bumpy Day and Night Covers) in each size, you'll be good to go from birth to potty learning for under $300.00. Infant prefolds might be a bit bulky on a newborn. One answer to this might be to just buy a few of the thin Gerber prefolds you can find at Target or Babies R Us to use at first. You can also find preemie size prefolds. Since you change a newborn several times at night, you won't need to worry about a night diaper lasting for hours on end.

Easiest system/Daycare friendly system

If you want the easiest system out there, go for pocket diapers or all-in-ones. I would recommend getting a mix, since pocket diapers are more easily adjustable in absorbancy and wash more quickly then most AIOs, since you can take them apart. Many AIOs have snap in soakers that can be taken off for quicker washing and drying (these are also called AI2s, or all-in-twos).

For pocket diapers, I used to recommend Fuzzi Bunz. However, as of September 1st, 2006, they raised their price by $3.00 a diaper and only allow them to be sold as a set with their own type of microterry insert (the Mother of Eden, or MOE, insert). Also, they are mass-produced, and I think their quality is just not as good as the pocket diapers made by WAHMs (work at home moms), although they will still last you quite a while and have good resale value.

My two favorite WAHM-made pocket diapers are Preston's Pants and Snap-EZ. Snap-EZ used to be pricier than Fuzzi Bunz, but recently dropped their price so it's now lower. They don't come with a free insert, but these are better made and have more size options. Preston's Pants has an endless array of options and fabrics and custom embroidery that is beautiful (of course, you don't have to get the embroidery). A little pricier, these have a fantastic fit to them.

If buying mass produced diapers, I would recommend looking at buying them used since they are readily available on diapering boards and are often in good condition. Other than Fuzzi Bunz, there are Swaddlebees, which are a good, trim, pocket diaper, but they might not be suitable for heavier wetters. For a one-size pocket, check out bumGenius! diapers, which have a unique stretch tab system and velcro tabs.

For AIOs, there are a lot to choose from. Many are WAHM made, and I recommend looking into these, as it is great to support WAHMs, and, as said above, they tend to be higher quality. Many CDer's rave about Very Baby AIOs. These are a pattern that are made by many different WAHMs. I would highly recommend going with a quick-dry AIO. Check out reviews of all these diapers at Diaper Pin.

Diapering a Newborn

I used and liked Kissaluv size 0s for our newborn. They fit really well and were adorable, although they take quite a bit of time to dry after washing. The next time around, however, I think I may just go with a few prefolds and covers, since the newborn sizes only last a few months.

You could also look into SOS diapers and Muttaquin diapers, two beautifully made WAHM diapers. These are both fabulous, but can be pricy - good deals can be had second hand.

Diaper Pail

For our diaper pail, we use a flip top pail with a reusable liner, the same kind many diaper services use. The Diaper Champ can be used for cloth diapers, although I don't recommend it - we always had trouble with diapers getting caught in the chute. The Safety First Odorless Diaper Pail can also be used, but again diapers can get caught. Many moms just use a flip top garbage can. I would suggest looking for something that a reusable bag fits well in and can do a reasonable job with odor. I like having two liners that I change out when I wash, and I like the Mother of Eden liners best.

Cloth Wipes

For cloth wipes, I really love the wipes made by Cloth Diaper Mama on Hyena Cart, especially the organic velour and bamboo velour ones. I also like Wahmies© Multi-Purpose Cloth Wipes (I get them on ebay, although you can find them at Lil Bunz as well). These have one layer of terry and one of fleece, and I find they clean really well. It is also easy to make your own wipes by cutting up old receiving blankets or sewing them out of fleece, terry, or hemp.

I used to soak my wipes in a mixture that is mostly water with a squirt of Dr. Bronner's, and a few drops of tea tree oil and lavender, wring them out, and keep them in a wipes warmer. I then switched to keeping the solution in a bottle and squirted it on the wipes when needed. You can buy premade wipe solutions as well, and I used one (Kissaluv's Diaper Lotion Potion) for my diaper bag.

Good places to buy

I only recommend places I have used and liked.

Cotton Babies

Good quick service, good deal on packages. Great place for buying the bigger brands of diapers, and home of the bumGenius! diaper.

Cotton Tail Baby

Good service, good packages. Carries some brands that Cotton Babies doesn't. Also carries Very Baby diapers.

Christensen Creations (SOS Diapers)

I love this one-size fitted! Can get organic here as well. Very popular and sells out quickly, so I suggest getting on the mailing list if you want to snag some new, or look to buy second hand, where I have found many at reasonable prices.

Nicki's Diapers

Good source for covers, with free shipping.

Preston's Pants

As mentioned above, these are one of my favorite pocket diapers.

Snap-EZ

As mentioned above, these are also one of my favorite pocket diapers.

Hyena Cart

Hyena cart is not one store, but a site that contains over a hundred WAHM stores. From affordable to decadent, you can find it here. Great place to look for wool as well.

Check out the resources page for links to good places to buy used diapers.