Milo’s stash of real diapers

This post is written for the Real Diaper Week Carnival with the theme “Real Simple. Real Diapers.” We aim to educate and advocate the use of cloth diapers in the Philippines. Please scroll below to read the other carnival posts about cloth diaper styles, how to’s or must haves.

While I was still buntis, Renz and I already decided that we would use cloth diapers on our baby. Thanks to the wonderful world of the Internet, I was able to educate myself with ‘modern’ cloth diapers. I learned that there were plenty of cloth diapering (CD) options and systems to choose from – all-in-one (AIO), pocket diapers, all-in-two (AI2 or hybrid), prefolds, flats, diaper covers, wool, sized diapers, fitteds, etc. I also looked into what accessories I would need to have on hand to ensure success with CDs – snappis, wet bags, proper laundry detergent, cloth wipes, bamboo, hemp, liners, etc. It was totally overwhelming but very addicting. By reading up on the various mommy forums, we decided to go with prefolds/diaper covers, pockets, and a couple of Grovia hybrids for Milo.

For Milo’s first month, we used prefolds with a Snappi and Thirsties Duo Size 1 diaper covers. Since newborns poo and pee so much, going through an average of 15 diapers per day, this was one of the most economical CD options for us. This system worked very well for us since Milo was born with skinny chicken legs and we were able to adjust the prefold to fit perfectly around his skinny legs. Also, we were able to always identify when he was wet so we were able to immediately changed his diaper – to avoid UTI or rashes. The best part is, we didn’t mind changing his diaper so often since they were washable and reusable. By the time he was 1 month old, he weighed 10lbs. By then, some of his pocket diapers fit.

Pocket diapers are called this because they have a ‘pocket’ or opening within the diaper where the absorbancy can be adjusted as needed. Just like with disposables, you replace the entire diaper when soiled. But, with CDs, you don’t throw it away and you get to reuse them! Based on the various reviews I read and taking into account the cost factor, we invested mainly in Bum Genius and Sunbaby with a couple of Alva Baby and Next9 diapers. We have a total of about 25 pocket diapers in my stash Milo’s stash and we wash every other day. 7 months into it, our daily favorties are the Sunbaby diapers and Bum Genius for night time. Pocket diapers can even be used as swim diapers – just remove the insert! We used one of our Sunbaby diapers when Milo went swimming for the first time last week.

The most frequent question I get when people find out we use CDs is – Isn’t it hard? The answer is a big fat NO. Sure, we do a few more loads of laundry a week but it’s really not a big deal – this coming from a household without a helper. We do all of the laundry ourselves and it’s a great feeling to be able to see how many diapers we wash knowing that we’re saving money every time we get to reuse a CD. Since Milo just turned 7 months old, I estimate that we’ve gone through about 2,100 diaper changes (7 months x 30 days x 10 diapers/day). Wow, that’s a whole lot of garbage we saved from going into the landfill. The advantages that come with using CDs far outweigh the disadvantages. They’re cuter, better for the environment, better for Milo’s bum, and better for our wallets!

There’s not one perfect cloth diaper system/brand/type for everyone. My advice to those interested in using CDs is to research and gather differing opinions first. Don’t invest in only one kind/brand of diapers especially if you have never tried it. Diapers are not made equal and cheapest is not always the best. All babies are also built differently so even though some diapers claim to be ‘one size’, what fits well for some may not fit well for others. Even when you have settled on some brands/types of CDs, it is still addicting to buy new ones to try the different kinds. This is one of the funnest parts with Cloth Diapering – learning and experimenting with the different kinds to see what is best for you and your baby.

Check out the other entries for this blog carnival:

Next9 Baby’s The CD Revolution

Tickled Mom Clarice’s Stuff you need for an easier CD-ing life

Happy Tots Studio’s Matteo’s Diaper Story

Hoo Goes Where’s Real Diapers Our CD Journey

Misisagun’s We Choose Cloth

MrsBry’s Z loves: Next9 Cloth Diapers

This Mom’s Life’s Transitioning to Cloth Diapers

ms. Masungit’s Cloth Diapers? Where?

The Odyssey of Dinna’s nurturing rafael: the cloth diaper chronicles

The Articulate Pen’s Making the Switch to Cloth Diapers

The Common Mom’s Surviving the Holidays with Cloth Diapers

Tickled Mom Abie’s Cloth Diapers. A Quick Review of the Different Systems

Swept Away’s What We Love About Cloth Diapers

Chronicles of a Nursing Mom’s Going out of Town with Cloth Diapers