Yet ANOTHER post on cloth diapering

I know I've blogged about cloth diapering before, but for some reason, something so simple requires a lot of work!  There's a lot to know about cloth diapering, which I think is part of the thing that's so to a lot of people and turns them off to the whole thing.  There are so many different brands and styles, it's hard to know what's best.  I don't really think there's a "best" out there.  Every kid is different and every family has different needs and expectations from cloth diapers.  Just for the record, again, I LOVE cloth!  I've been very happy with by cloth diapering experiences both with Vince and with Olivia.  I saw a new style of cloth at The Breastfeeding Center when I was there.   It's Kiwi Pie from Gro-Via and it's totally cloth, but cut alike an all in one.  Here's a pic.

It's totally cloth so you need a cover with it, unless you're planning to use it like I am, just around the house when I can check it frequently and change it often.  GroVia is also making a wool diaper cover that I was SUPER excited about!  I've seen wool diaper covers on Nova Natural.com before and they look really interesting. 
I like the idea of the natural fibers and breathability.  However, I was always a little leery of the washability of wool.  What finally made me decided against it is the pull-on design.  Removing pants and shoes isn't always the most convenient. Also, pulling down a diaper cover after an extremely messy diaper tends to make a bigger mess.

GroVia's Wool Diaper Cover

Short Nappy Pants from Nova Natural

Long Nappy Pants from Nova Natural

How hippy does that little guy (girl?) look in those long nappy pants?!?!  SO CUTE!  Anyway, the point of this blog post was supposed to be to post the top 6 mistakes of cloth diapering that I found on GroVia's webpage when I was looking up the wool diaper cover.
 I am guilty of #1 and #6.  Mostly #6.  It's so true!  How many times have I washed Vince's diapers that I'm still using for Olivia?  I should be thankful that they're still in one piece, not frustrated that they're starting to leak and the velcro's going bad!

Top 6 Mistakes When Cloth Diapering

Underestimating Stash Size
We cannot stress enough how important stash size is. Whether using sized or one size diapers you MUST have enough diapers to not only last between washings, but also rotate your stash. With a one size diapering system we recommend enough diapers for 38-50 CHANGES. Even an AI2 system like GroVia requires 14 Shells, 38 Soaker pads for full time diapering. Any less than this means excessive wear and tear on your diapers that are being used on a daily basis. There is not a single other piece of clothing that gets used and washed as much as a cloth diaper, yet we expect them to last through many months or even years of use. Remember, the less often you have to wash your diapers and covers, the longer they will last. If you choose to diaper with a smaller stash plan on replacing your diapers every 6-9 months. Don't expect one-size diapers (or sized diapers!) to last 2 years if you only have 10-15 in rotation!

Extreme Wash Routines
You’ve just invested a large amount of money in your baby’s diaper stash. Protect your investment by caring for them properly. We cannot count the number of customers who have destroyed their stash by “sanitizing” their diapers, washing them in bleach (or other whiteners), or simply not following the care labels on their diapers.

Not Changing Often Enough
Cloth diapers are wonderful for many reasons. They are eco-friendly, healthy, and cost effective when compared to their disposable counterparts. Cloth diapers do not contain SAP (super absorbent polymer) gel, which is the component of disposable diapers that make them trim, yet so absorbent. The average disposable diaper can hold 10 pees before being changed. Whether you use disposables or cloth, your baby should be changed every 2 hours during the day. This keeps baby’s skin healthy and keeps those rare leaks at bay! When customers ask “How many hours can we leave my baby in your diaper before changing?” the answer is, “As soon as you notice they’re wet!”

Washing Once a Week (or Less)
The quickest way to ruin a diaper is to leave it soiled in a closed, dark, warm pail for several days before washing it. This environment is prime breeding grounds for fungi, bacteria, and critters (yes, I’ve even heard maggot stories). Treat your diapers as you would your own lingerie. Soiled diapers should be washed every 2 days according to manufacturer’s instructions. If you have stains, hang them in the sun. Mother Nature knows what she’s doing. The sun naturally bleaches out stains, and kills bacteria and yeast. Best of all it doesn’t cost a dime and is chemical free!

Synthetics and Natural Fiber Diapers are DIFFERENT!
There are advantages and disadvantages to natural fiber diapers. Natural fibers and organics are wonderful for absorbency and purity. Cotton, hemp, and bamboo are among the most popular. They have a lower environmental impact in their milling process and biodegrade rather well. Natural fibers are milled with fewer or no chemicals, and feel great against baby's tender skin. They do however wear differently and are not as tolerant of extreme washing conditions as polyester diapers can be. Natural fiber diapers will wear much the same as your favorite t-shirt or sweatshirt. Polyester and microfiber diapers won't stain as easily, tolerate high temp washes, soaks, bleaching, and have a longer life span. If you are a fan of a complex wash routine, sanitize cycles, bleach and soaking skip the natural fibers and go with synthetic.



“One Size” Does Not Mean “Lasts Forever, Fits Everyone”
In the past 3-4 years we’ve seen a boom of one size diapers come onto the market. One size diapers have many advantages as they fit a broad size range and can often eliminate the need to buy multiple sizes of diapers. With this have come many unrealistic expectations. One size diapers are often made of the same materials as their sized counterparts. One size diapers are not able to withstand any more wear and laundering than sized diapers. If you diaper full time with a one size system and want them to last until potty learning, buy enough diapers (38-45 minimum). Babies come in different shapes and sizes and not every diaper, one size or not, is guaranteed to fit. Try one or two diapers before investing in an entire stash!