Since I've had many friends ask me recently about cloth diapering (how awesome is that! I'm getting less and less weird as the years go by) I thought I would write a little series "Everything I think you should know about cloth diapers." Everyone's opinions vary of this subject and this is just mine.
Where to start
Choose a system that will work for you. Google cloth diapering and your head is going to start spinning with all the different options. AOI's, AI2's, fitted, pocket, wool, prefolds, flats and hybrids of everything in between. If you have a friend who cloth diapers, chances are they will have a few different kinds. Ask them if you can snoop.
What will you find in my diaper stash? Everything. But there are some definite favorites and if I could go back, I would stick with just a couple styles.
Least favorite: AOI's or all in ones. I can almost hear many of my friends shrieking, "What?! Those are my favorite!" Yes, I know. Everyone will tell you how simple these are and so similar to disposables. They are almost a no brainer. Here is why I don't care for them. First, you can't separate the waterproof layer from the absorbent layer. Why is this a problem? Because PUL (the waterproof barrier) should be treated differently than the absorbent layer. Heat breaks down the PUL shortening it's life and the best way to clean your diapers is with the hottest water you can use. The dryer further damages them. They will have a shorter lifespan than any other type of diaper. Sorry. You also can't bleach them. Eeek! Bleach! Yes, everyone says to never use bleach on your diapers. But if you have stripped your diapers of any build up (more on this later) and tried everything under the sun including the sun and they still stink and give your baby diaper rash, bleach is the best last ditch option. I can almost hear my inbox filling with more protests. A little bleach ain't gonna kill you or your diapers. But bleach will kill your PUL. Hmm, maybe that's why everyone freaks at the mention of bleach. Do they all use AIO's?
Same things with the AI2's (all in 2's).
My Favorites: Fitted diapers with a separate cover. Now I can wash the hell out of my diapers and keep the covers separate. These are almost as easy to use as an AIO, you just need to put a cover on them. The cover can be PUL, fleece or wool. My favorite is wool (more on that later) and not just because I'm an obsessive knitter.
Yes, wool being stinkin' cute is one of the reasons.
Second would be flats. These are your great-grandma's diapers. Simply a large square piece of cotton. These have a learning curve but if you like origami, you'll love flat diapers. These will fit from newborn to toddler, just fold them a little different. For cost effectiveness, these are #1. You can find them usually under $2 a diaper or easily make them yourself out of the millions of receiving blankets you are gifted. Just make sure they are cotton. They also dry mega fast saving on your electric bill or if you line dry you don't have to wait as long. Search on youtube.com for videos on how to fold them. You'll find plenty.
Actually, I should back up a little. My #1 favorite method of cloth diapering is no diapers (or part-time). I'll have to do a post on Elimination Communication but for now, check out this article by my crunchy idol Mayim Bialik http://moms.today.com/_news/2011/08/03/7142386-no-diapers-no-potty-training-no-kidding-the-practice-of-elimination-communication
Next up: The fun part, washing those diapers.