Cloth Diapering a Newborn

Soon after the joy and elation of seeing those two little lines on the home pregnancy test, the overwhelming thoughts of all the choices you'll face over the coming months start to set in.  Most people who decide to use cloth diapers are completely unprepared for the unbelievable number of choices they encounter.  For some, it is so overwhelming that they end up putting it off and are unprepared when baby arrives. The availability of throw-away diapers at every turn often leaves the dreams of a cloth diapered baby bum forgotten and filed under "to do with next baby!"  We hope to help prepare you before baby arrives (or very soon after!) so that you will have all of your newborn diapering needs met and can concentrate on cuddling with your new baby.

Truthfully, there are endless combinations of diapers that can be successfully used with newborn babies.  Our goal here is to provide newborn diapering recommendations that will make your first cloth diapering experience a positive one- this means giving you a short list of cloth diapers that work, that are readily available in any quantity needed, and that are easy to use and clean.  We have helped cloth diaper thousands of babies, and have a good sense of what works for most of the people most of the time.  We also have kept cost in mind, as we understand that budget is a concern for many!

How many diapers for a newborn?
Let's be realistic about how many diapers you really need.  Newborns will go through about 12 diapers (on average) each day.  At first, little distinction is made between day and night as baby will likely be pooping with every feeding, about every 2 hours or less.  Those first weeks with a newborn are a blur, and most parents don't want to wash diapers every day.  For this reason, we recommend a minimum of 2 dozen diapers to start.  Three dozen diapers would be even better.

What size diapers for the average newborn (6-8 pounds)?
Success with cloth diapers depends largely on achieving a good fit.  A good fit means that when the diaper is on, there are no gaps around the thighs or across the back for that explosive newborn poo to trickle out of (something that happens frequently with paper diapers!)  Newborn thighs are very skinny, and often will not fill up the leg holes in size 'small' diapers.  To achieve the best fit that will prevent leaks, you will need infant sized prefolds or newborn sized fitted diapers (or all-in-ones or pocket diapers).

What kind of cloth diapers for newborns?
Many families are so excited about all-in-ones and pocket diapers (neither require diaper covers) that they don't consider the other options.  Because newborns are harder to fit and require so many diapers, we've found that most people are happiest with a combination of diaper service quality prefolds and newborn fitted diapers, with a handful of all in ones and/or pocket diapers to try.  Then as baby grows, you can make an informed choice about which diapers to purchase for the next size up.

Fitted diapers and prefolds are made of natural fibers so are soft and absorbent- as soon as baby poos, the fabric instantly absorbs and contains the mess.  This means no leaks out the top or sides of the diapers, no messy clothes to wash, and no need to bathe with every diaper change!  All fitted diapers and prefolds require a cover for waterproofing, so if by chance anything escapes the diaper, the cover provides a second line of defense.

What do most people get? (most popular choices***)
We've listed below our most successful and popular newborn options.  Keep in mind that while many people begin with these items as "staples," most people will also try a wide variety of other things during the first few months to decide what will work best when they move up to the next size.

3 dozen diapers total:

• Unbleached Prefolds- infant size***; and/or
• Kissaluvs Size 0 fitted diapers***

4-6 Diaper Covers (wool option included- if choosing wool, we recommend having at least a couple machine washable covers as backup):

• Bummis Super Whisper Wrap*** (synthetic, machine washable); and/or
• Imse Vimse Organic Cotton Diaper Cover (synthetic with organic cotton outer, machine washable); and/or 
• Little Beetle Organic Merino Wool Covers (natural fiber, hand wash- read more about wool here)

Essential Accessories:

• Planet Wise Pail Liner (2 in rotation)
• Kissaluvs Cloth Wipes*** (2-3 dozen)
• Happy Tushies wet bag - small or large size - for outings
• Snappi Diaper Fasteners (for use with prefolds)
• Wool Wash (if choosing wool diaper covers)

I really, really want to do only All-In-Ones and/or Pocket Diapers- what should I get?
For a perfect fit in all-in-ones and pocket diapers from day one, we recommend:

• BumGenius AIO diapers (size XS for 6-8 lbs, S over 8 lbs)
• Thirsties Duo Cloth Diapers Size 1
• Bumkins AIO Cloth Diapers

How long will my baby's first diapers fit?
Infant sized prefolds and Kissaluvs 0s will fit up to about 15 lbs. (usually 3-4 months).  Most babies can then go into size medium diapers in most brands, which will last a year or more!  XS AIOs and pocket diapers usually fit about 6-8 weeks, and size small AIOs and pockets fit 4-6 months.  See size charts for other products not listed here.

We've tried to keep this page simple and straight-forward, and have resisted the urge to make too many recommendations that may further confuse or overwhelm!  Every day, I tell someone that it is much harder to think about cloth diapering than to actually do it.  Get your basics so that your baby will have cloth on his or her bum from the beginning.  After a few weeks with your diapers, you will be a pro!  Then try a few other things that look interesting.  You will soon know what your favorites are, what you plan to try for the next size up, and what other accessories you may want to pick up.

Make sure to utilize our gift registry- register not only for what you need, but for all the things you want to try too!  We invite you to keep your registry for the entire time your child is in diapers.