FAQs
WHY CLOTH DIAPERS?
- Cloth diapers save money.
- Cloth diapers are ECO-friendly.
- Cloth diapers are gentle and non-toxic.
HOW MANY DIAPERS DO I NEED?
This is a question that often our customers make. There is not an exact number but, consider this below.
First of all you need to determine how often you will be doing laundry. With that in mind, here are some reasonable estimates of how many diapers you will need:
- Newborn to 4 months: 20 – 24 diapers (approx.)
- Infant (4 to 10 months): 16 – 20 diapers (approx.)
- Toddler (10 months to potty training): 12 – 16 diapers (approx.)
Please note quantities are based on an average sized baby and if you wash every other day. More diapers will be needed if you go longer between washing.
WHAT TYPE OF INSERTS SHOULD I USE ON MY CLOTH DIAPERS?
When buying cloth diapers, cloth diaper inserts are a necessity to help absorb what ever your little one may leak. If you're new to cloth diapering, the differences between cloth diaper inserts can be confusing to say the least! At Cutefluffybum.com, we have 4 types of inserts made at different absorbency levels and materials for cloth diapers.
Stay Dry inserts have 4 layers. The first layer is stay dry sueded to keep dry. The 2 inner layers are microfibers that make it super absorbent. The fourth layer is bamboo for naturally antimicrobial and resists odor. They are safe to put against your baby's skin.
Bamboo Blend inserts are made of 4 layers which contains 80% bamboo and 20% cotton. These are safe to place against your baby's skin and are very soft. Bamboo is a popular option for cloth diapers. It wicks moisture away quickly, and can keep your baby comfortable even when wet.
Charcoal Bamboo inserts 4 layers. The 2 inner layers are microfiber, and the two outer layers are a special fabric known as charcoal bamboo. It is made with a process of heating the bamboo to charcoal and then spinning it into fibers. It is stay dry, which means it will wick moisture away from your baby's skin and the fabric will still feel dry even when wet. They are supposed to be antimicrobial and resist smells. It is safe to use against your baby's skin.
Microfiber inserts are the generic inserts that most pocket diapers come with. They are 3 layers of microfiber fabric, and they are not stay dry or safe to use against your baby's skin as they may cause irritation and rashes.
If you have a heavy wetter, use two inserts inside your pocket diaper at night to ensure a leak-free night!
WILL A ONE-SIZE DIAPER FIT MY NEWBORN?
We have heard many new parents say that they feel confuse about choosing One-Size diapers or Newborn-Size cloth diapers for their new babies. It is a safe statement to say that One-Size diapers fit better starting at 8 pounds, but that will vary depend on the build of your baby.
Any One-Size diaper is going to bulkier on a newborn than a Newborn-Size diaper would since the diaper needs to grow with your baby and fit through the toddler years. If you want an ultra-trim diaper for your newborn, we suggest using a Newborn-Size diaper option.
HOW OFTEN DO I NEED TO CHANGE THE DIAPERS?
Do you change your baby often enough? It is the first question I ask when some customers contact me when leaking problems or I do hear parents worry with diaper rash.
Frequent changes, even with "disposable" diapers, are important to the health of your baby's skin. Infrequent diaper changes make it difficult for your baby's skin to protect itself from the many causes of irritation in the diaper area. Frequent changes will help to minimize the effects of all irritants.
Newborns often need to be changed every 1-2 hours. They can wet frequently (i.e. 8-20 times a day) and in small amounts. Even an older baby needs changing every 2-3 hours until they begin to hold their urine for longer periods of time. At one year, babies may wet 7-10 times a day, but in greater amounts. At two years, your child will need a greater absorbency capacity in your diapers, but may only need 5-8 changes a day.
If you are only changing your baby every 4-6 hours, the diaper may become so saturated the wetness has nowhere to go but out!
It may seem like a lot of work at first, but soon you will get into the routine of frequent changes. If you keep your changing supplies well organized and choose an easy-to-use cloth diapering system, your diaper changing can be FAST.
Every diaper change offers opportunities for making eye contact, playful interaction and bonding with your baby – reciting nursery rhymes, making up silly songs or stories, identifying body parts or that funny thing called a "belly button", etc.
Enjoy this short time with your baby. You won't believe how fast this time will go – until it is already gone.
BASIC CLOTH DIAPER WASHING INSTRUCTIONS
There are many variations on how to wash cloth diapers, but this method is tried and true by many a mama.
- Always use highest water level allowed by your washer.
- Begin with a cold rinse, no detergent.
- After cold rinse run a regular wash cycle on warm, using 1/4 cup detergent or if your using a detergent made for cloth diapers, follow the instructions on package.
- Follow up with an extra rinse on cold.
- Thoroughly dry diapers in the sun or in your automatic dryer. The sun will save energy and bleach out stains. If you use a dryer, use the lowest temperature that successfully dries your diapers.
Yes it really is that simple! The first cold rinse is to get all the nasties out and the second cold rinse is to get all the detergent out. Can you skip one of these steps? I don't recommend it, but if you were to skip something I would skip the last rinse. The first rinse will ensure that your detergent is going to really be able to do it's job getting your diapers clean.
WHAT DETERGENT SHOULD I USE WHEN WASHING MY CLOTH DIAPERS?
Babies often have sensitive skin. When urine mixes with residue left behind by detergents, it could cause rashes or other issues for your little one. Laundry detergents that may work well for your family or baby's regular clothes may not work with cloth diapers.
When washing cloth diapers, always use a detergent that is free of perfumes, dyes, whiteners, brighteners, softeners, enzymes, or other fabric enhancers. These ingredients can cause skin sensitivities, premature wear of your cloth diapers, and other issues.
Note: Do not use detergents containing pure soap, enzymes, fabric whiteners, fabric brighteners, fabric softeners or anything scented.
CAN I PUT EXTRA INSERTS IN THE POCKET DIAPER FOR HIGHER ABSORBENCY?
Yes, you can. That's the beauty of the pocket diaper. You can customize the number of inserts according to your needs and baby's comfort level. Especial for night time.
HOW TO PREVENT LEAKING?
1) Absorbency First, it's important to change your baby frequently. Although cloth diapers do absorb very well and are much healthier than their disposable counterparts, you cannot leave baby in a diaper for 4-5 hours during the day and expect the diaper not to leak. If a diaper becomes saturated it will leak!
Therefore, we recommend changing baby every 2-3 hours or as needed (usually more often for younger babies and less often for older babies). If your little one is a super soaker – then you may consider adding additional absorbency to prevent leaks.
2) Size If the diaper doesn't fit properly, it will leak. Diapers that are too small or too big will cause leaking and/or wicking. If you're using a one size diaper – make sure you're using the right setting for your little one!
Please note, while one size diapers are designed to fit babies from roughly 0-35 pounds through potty training (usually around 35 pounds) – it's important to realize that babies come in all shapes and sizes – therefore a one size diaper is a relative term.
Newborns don't typically fit a one-size diaper very well from day one.
3) Residue Buildup The third main reason you could be experiencing leaks has to do with residue buildup. If you're using a Free and Clear or commercial detergent (including commercial HE detergents) then it is highly likely you're diapers have a build-up of residues which is causing your diapers to leak/repel.
Additionally, if you've used any fabric softener or oily/petroleum based diaper cream without a liner – this will also cause your diapers to completely repel as well.
Therefore it's important to not use any fabric softener, non cloth diaper friend creams/ointments (without the use of a liner) as well as an approved detergent.
Cloth diaper friendly detergents will reduce your chances of detergent residue build-up and are free from enzymes, dyes, fragrances, fabric softeners, etc? which can cause excessive wear and tear on your diapers.
CLOTH DIAPER FITTING TIPS:
1) No holes or gaps around the legs This might indicate that the diaper is too big. Adjust the rise and waist settings to a smaller size and try again. Too loose around the waist. You might notice leaking around the belly or back if you don't have a good fit around the waist. A diaper should be snug but not too tight. You should be able to place 1-2 fingers easily without too much effort.
2) Boys VS Girls Boys tend to pee in the front or towards the top of the diaper. Girls tend to pee in the middle of the diaper. You may need to adjust where the absorbent layers are or add an extra insert where they need it most. Leg rolls. Some babies have more rolls than others. Be sure that your diaper is fitting inside the leg rolls where the natural underwear line would be. If you happen to get some squishy leg rolls inside the diaper, when your baby moves it might create a gap for pee to escape.
MY DIAPERS ARE HORRIBLY STINKY! WHAT CAN I DO?
Cloth diapering should never be stinky. If your diapers smell bad as soon as they get used, then there is a problem.
Usually the problem is detergent build-up. Occasionally the problem is that they are not getting clean enough or you are using too much detergent.
Smell them when they are wet out of the washer or warm out of the dryer. If they smell at that point, then they are not getting cleaned enough. If they smell fine but stink as soon as your baby pees in it, then they have detergent build-up problem.
Build-up refers to residue left by detergents, fabric softeners, and other substances used to clean diapers. The first suggestion which will work for both problems is to make sure you have enough water in your washing machine and enough “swish” room for your diapers. Some front-loading washing machines do not add enough water to thoroughly soak the diapers and will not do a good job in getting them clean. Adding water to the machine can remedy this problem. Do not overload your machine with diapers or they will not get clean. If you have detergent build-up, then it is time to strip wash them.
You've got questions, and we've got answers free of charge – clear, easy and well researched! Contact us if you do not find the answer to your question here.
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