Getting Started With Cloth Diapers

The number of diapers you need ultimately depends on the age of the baby and how long you want to go between washings. We recommend washing every 1-3 days, so you’ll want to estimate how many diapers you’ll use each day and how often you will wash.

Newborns can go through as many as 12-15 inserts or diapers per day, so having 24-36 diapers on hand is usually a good number. This will allow you to go 2-3 days between washings.

As babies get older and start sleeping longer periods at night, they often only require between 5 and 8 diapers per day, so you may need fewer diapers in larger sizes or will be able to wash less often.

Once those diapers are dirty, you need somewhere to put them! Luckily, there are many great options! Diaper pails with a variety of colorful designs  to match baby’s room are a popular option. You can also try a hanging pail which can be placed in the bathroom or on the nursery door. Both options are stylish, functional, and eco-friendly.

Cloth diapers are easy to use outside of the house as well. Just take a stylish and functional wet bag to store the dirty diapers in until you get home and can add them to the rest of your dirty diapers.

If your baby is fed only breastmilk, their poop is completely water soluble and will wash out easily in the washer! No removal required before washing, how great is that? Just put the dirty diaper in your diaper pail and add them directly to your washer on wash day.

If baby drinks formula or is started to eat solids, the poop should be removed before washing to avoid stains or buildup. We suggest using a diaper sprayer to easily remove the solids. You can also use biodegradable liners to catch the solid waste, or simply shake it off into the toilet before washing.

Taking a wet bag along will keep things simple while you’re out and about. You can roll up the cloth diaper and put it right in the wet bag until you get home. The Planet Wise Wet/Dry Bag is great because you can keep the clean diapers and wipes in the dry pocket then once they are used transfer them to the wet pocket. These come in many fun styles and colors.

There are pros and cons to both natural and synthetic fibers and we recommend trying some of each to determine what fits your family best.

Many people prefer to have a natural material against baby’s skin, such as wool, bamboo, or hemp. Many natural fibers are very trim and absorbent, as well as being anti-microbial. Wool, for instance, is naturally moisture resistant and reduces odors! However, natural fibers don’t have the wicking qualities that many synthetic materials offer, so your baby may be more sensitive to the wetness. They can also be heavier and generally cost more than synthetic fibers (however you're not buying as many.)

Synthetic fabrics, like microfiber, also have a lot of great advantages! They are often a lighter material and are generally less expensive. One reason many people love synthetic is because they can quickly wick moisture away from the skin, making baby feel dry and more comfortable, and in turn reduce diaper rash.