Cloth diapering can seem daunting, but it really doesn't have to be! You can start with as little as just 1 diaper if that's what you feel comfortable with, and that will make a great diaper for some seedling photos or to romp around in outside, worst case! So, let's get started!
Starting with the obvious one! You'll need some cloth diapers, and as mentioned, you can start with just 1, or you can go for a full stash. We usually recommend that you trial a few brands and systems so that you get a better feel for what works best for you, because it may not be what you initially thought! We have newborn and one-size trial packs available just for that purpose.
A full stash is the number of diapers you need between laundry days (usually 2 days), and the magic number for most people is around 24 diapers. We don't suggest you get your full stash right away - start with around 12 and save some room for cute new prints! A newborn can go through as many as 12 diapers a day, so mix and match some with size 1 diapers that can help you transition into one-size diapers as they grow
Whichever system you choose, you'll need to make sure you have an absorbent layer and a waterproof layer. More on the different cloth diaper systems in a brief video here
2. Pail Liners and Wet Bags
We have a big variety of bags to store cloth nappies between laundry days - ones with drawstring, zipper, or no closure at all - to suit your needs. If your diapers are being maintained well and kept in an aerated room, there shouldn't be any smell, so a special nappy bin is usually not necessary. The benefit of these pail liners is that they can be washed alongside your cloth nappies, so get at least 2 to be able to rotate them.
Wet Bags are designed to hold fresh changes of nappies and even clothes when you take your baby out. Our preference is for wet/dry bags which can hold both clean and dirty nappies in the same bag, to minimize the number of bags you need to bring out with you. They're also great for swimming and the beach!
3. Biodegradable/Flushable Liners
These are not to be confused with inserts! These liners are large, thin sheets and are designed to create a barrier between the nappy and your baby's skin, as well as to help with cleaning up poop. If you trust your toilet to flush well, simply lift the liner with poop inside out of the diaper and toss into the toilet and flush. If you don't, these are generally made of biodegradable bamboo fibers, so you can dispose of it along with the poop.
These are optional and more useful when your baby has started solids (so that their poop is solid), but is also handy for protecting your nappies from creams (you can also look for cloth-safe ones like this) that can clog the pores of the fabric and over time cause it to repel liquid (i.e. leaks!)
That's it! Easy as ABC ♡
