It can be tricky to figure out the best way to cloth diaper. But changing from disposable diapers to the more eco-friendly choice of cloth diapers is not as daunting as you may think.
Like with everything else, something only feels overwhelming when you don’t know what to do, have unnecessary worries, or have to try multiple things and methods before you get it right.
In this blog post, we have curated the three top expert tips and tricks that will help you discover the best way to cloth diaper.
This way, you can feel at ease, making the money-saving transition from disposables to reusables!
How to choose the best cloth diaper fit for your baby
In the olden days, there was only one type of cloth you could use as a reusable diaper. Many people tend to think that you still only use a flat white cloth and a couple of safety pins to make it work!
But this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Today, cloth diapers look a lot like regular disposable diapers. Except for the fact that they can wash and reuse them and pass them down to your next baby!
Cloth diapers come in different shapes, colors, and fittings. So, of course, everyone wants to know which ones are the best fit?
There are three main categories of cloth diapers you can choose from:
- Flat and prefolds: These are ideal for newborns, as they easily adapt to the baby’s tiny and sometimes oddly-shaped body.
- Sized cloth diapers: As the word expresses, these diapers are made according to age and size. Choosing this option, you must try on a few sizes to find the right fit. As the baby develops with time, you need to remember to swap the diapers so they stay comfy throughout their growth.
- One-sized cloth diapers: These are suitable for most babies from birth until potty training. They usually come with velcro or snaps, just like a disposable one, so you can adjust the fit as your baby grows. This reason alone makes it one of the most popular choices on the market since you don’t have to keep purchasing new ones!
A few key features to consider when choosing the right fit for your baby:
- Ensure the cloth diaper has a “snug fit” (not too big or too small, but a comfy close fit that’s not leaving any marks on your baby’s sensitive skin)
- The diapers have a good quality elastic or snaps (so you don’t end up with poop all over the place)
- That the diaper is made of an absorbent material such as hemp or bamboo (to avoid leakage)
How to avoid leaks and blowouts
While reusable diapers are very similar to the function of disposable ones, the risk of leaks, or even blowouts, is equally as big whether you use one type or the other.
The key to avoiding leakage is to figure out which cloth diapering system works best for you and your baby:
The “all-in-one” system:
The one type of cloth diaper that looks and works most like disposable ones. It only consists of one part made of an absorbent material on the inside and a waterproof exterior to prevent leakage.
The “all-in-twos” system option 1:
Commonly used in flat and prefold diapers
As you have probably guessed already, this system consists of two parts: A cloth diaper (usually a flat or prefold cloth) and a waterproof cover to prevent the diaper from leaking.
The “all-in-twos” system option 2:
Commonly used in hybrid and pocket diapers.
Contrary to the other option, this diaper system is made of a waterproof diaper where you attach an insert to absorb all the moisture from pee and poop.
Because all babies are different in shapes and sizes, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
With three different systems to choose from, the most important thing is to select the right fit according to what you think will work for you and your child.
But keep in mind that if the diaper is too loose, it might leak, and if too tight, you might have more incidents with blowouts.
How to make cloth diapers easier to store and wash
Parents who are new to cloth diapering might instantly worry about how on Earth they’re going to store and adequately clean those dirty cloth diapers… and we hear you loud and clear!
It’s two of the biggest challenges that keep parents from going green.
That’s why we have innovated a brand new solution to this super inconvenient problem.
You see, storing and washing cloth diapers in your regular washing machine can be tricky and a little (ahem) unpleasant…
From avoiding poop and pee in the laundry basket to stripping the diapers and figuring out the perfect washing cycle, the list goes on!
At Pika, we have come up with the perfect solution that will save you time, energy, and stress.
The Pika Cloth Diaper Easy Cleaning Machine does all the work for you; You simply put in up to 10 dirty diapers, add the disinfectant Pika pod, and push start. That’s it.
Click here to learn more!
The bottom line
No matter what diapering system you’re going with, there’s no doubt that there are plenty of options to find what works for your family.
Whether you go with all-in-ones, two-part prefolds, or sized diapers, you can toss them all into the Pika Pure Cleaning Machine for quick, easy, and convenient storage and washing.
This way, you can ease your mind and put all your energy towards caring for your little one instead.
Interested in learning more about how to cloth diaper? Then check out our other article [here] that covers everything you need about cloth diapering!
