Contributed by Virginia King.
Yes, believe it or not, cloth diapers are a great alternative to disposable.
Unlike the white leaky diapers held together by safety pins that your grandmother used, today’s cloth diapers have improved in design. With a little research, you can find a brand that actually fits your baby and doesn’t leak. Plus they come in cute fabrics and colors. Not only cost effective, they are a great choice for moms wanting to “go green.”
With so much variety out there now compared to 30 years ago, there is a cloth diaper for every size baby (from the skinny minny to the chunky monkey). The different types include:
- Flat fold diapers
- Pre-fold diapers
- Contoured diapers
- Fitted diapers
- Pocket diapers
- All-in-one diapers
While some cloth diapers can be bought and used as is, others require inserts or waterproof covers to make the diaper the best it can be. Ideally, a mother should buy one diaper from each type and, if possible, also buy several different brands within that type to find the best fit and protection for her baby.
I used Pocket Diapers with my son Aaron. In particular, I used the “Fuzzi Bunz” brand. In my case, I had to buy inserts to stuff into the pocket. Some websites call the inserts “accessories,” but they are not optional like we think of accessories. Without the inserts, Aarons’ diapers would have leaked for sure.
For a breakdown of the cost of cloth versus disposables, click here. For a comparison between the different types of cloth diapers, click here.
Other good websites include:
www.clothdiaper.com
www.naturalgenerations.net
www.whattoexpect.com/groups/all-about-cloth-diapers
