Do you know what fluffy mail is? Cloth diapers!

Originally posted 10/27/08


Our last installment of Ditch the Disposables. I hope you have enjoyed what I've written. More importantly I hope you have made some changes.

Disposable diapers to cloth diapers fun and easy
Toilet paper to cloth wipes/washcloths (for #1 or #2 too if you are really, really adventurous) I do this some

I LOVE cloth diapers. This post is likely to get long because I have a lot to say about cloth diapers.

These diapers are not your mother's diapers. These diapers are more like disposables. They are easy to use and easy to clean.

First let's have a little tutorial for those cloth diaper newbies who may be reading. Please remember that this is just my opinion and everyone will have different results.

There are 4 basic kinds of cloth diapers: prefolds, AIO's, fitteds with covers, pockets.

Prefolds-These are your mothers diapers. They are just the soft cotton square/rectangular diapers that you lay baby on and fold up. Now they make Snappis to fasten them with so you don't have to use pins. These come in basically one or two colors; white and off-white. But you can tie dye them or color them.

Advantages: CHEAP, you choose absorbency

Disadvantages: time consuming to put on, several steps, bulky



AIO's-These are almost exactly like sposies. They either snap or velcro. One step and you are done. These Berry Plush are especially soft, comfortable and cute. Every print and fabric imaginable can be found. These are best for short periods of time or when you feel lazy.

Advantages: quick, simple, slim

Disadvantages: can't choose absorbency




Fitteds with covers: The bottom diaper is either snaps or velcro and it goes under a cover. (These must have a cover or they will get the clothing wet.) They come in various fabrics and designs, as will the covers. Usually the covers are plain though. As you can see in the picture, they aren't all plain. These are Kissaluvs (my fave) and a Gen Y cover, which I thought was just so pretty, but that I've never actually used.


Advantages: ease of use, can choose absorbency


Disadvantages: two steps, can be bulky


Pockets: These are great for overnight and car rides. Every imaginable print or fabric. These are Blueberries which is a wonderful brand and one of my faves.


Advantages: last all night because you customize absorbency, they usually grow with baby a little better than other kinds


Disadvantages: STUFFING them gets tedious, hands can be too big


With cloth diapers there are "name brands" and then there are "generic brands". Name brands are Bum Genius, Fuzzi Bunz, Kissaluvs and other brands like that, which are made by bigger companies and get national advertising. Generic brands are the work at home diapers like Loving, Caring, Anointed, and Kuddly Kreations. Basically moms who work from home to make a little extra money.


There are LOTS of places to buy diapers but let me suggest the two places I do most my buying: Kelly's Closet, Diaper Swappers


Kelly's Closet has new diapers of all the name brands. Diaper Swappers is a mother to mother forum used to sell and trade used diapers.


I suggest trying out a little of all and finding what you like. Every diaper will fit babies differently. And what you like for one baby may not work for another.

This post has already gotten extremely long but I wanted to finish this up today. I do use cloth wipes sometimes. Let me just list advantages/disadvantages and let you decide. Please stop reading if you are squeamish, because while I will try to be discreet, we are talking about bodily functions here.


Advantages: cleans you all the way, doesn't leave lint behind, leaves you feeling fresh, great for periods, great for after relations, really cleans you up, bigger surface, no breakthrough contact


Disadvantages: society says its gross, will still have to buy toilet paper for company and husbands (because I don't know any who will use cloth), will have to get over being squeamish when washing (the reason my other kids don't use them...just me and Millicent so far)


So that's it. Please let me know what you have done, how you are doing and what you plan to do.

Ditch the Disposables:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7