Just bragging on my stash…
This is about half of our diapers, gloriously organized in the drawer of the changing table. I find we don’t need more space than this, because half are always dirty. By the time diapers get washed, hang to dry, stuffed, and put back in the drawer he has dirtied enough to make room for all the freshly cleaned ones. The far left row contains the Daddy-friendly all-in-ones and a few disposables that haven’t been touched in weeks. The middle 2 rows are the “night time” diapers which have a hemp insert. The final row are the rest of the pocket diapers with regular microfiber inserts. for some reason the skull covered Goodmama AIO is in that row. We hate it so I guess it just got stuck where ever.
I officially decided I don’t like fitted diapers, which require a cover over them. I’ve sold all our fitted diapers and covers on eBay and will be purchasing more one-size pocket diapers and all-in-ones. Currently we have 15 one-sized pocket diapers, 2 one-size all-in-one diapers, and 6 small sized all-in-ones diapers. I’ve fallen in love with diapers made with organic bamboo, so I’m about to spend the money I earned on eBay on several more of that kind… Bamboo Baby One-size All-in-One diaper and Baby Kicks One-size Pocket Diaper.
As I continue my quest to educate people (who read this blog, haha) about cloth diapering, I will now explain briefly what these weird terms “fitted” “all-in-one” etc mean.
A Fitted cloth diaper is when material is already sewn in to the shape of a diaper and has some type of snap or velcro closure. No more folding old school big white cloths or using pins, but they still require a cover.
A Pocket diaper has a water proof outer layer and a soft lining that has a pocket which you stuff with absorbent material (called an insert). I prefer using a thin cotton insert on top of a hemp insert. Hemp is super super absorbent & thinner than cotton inserts, but absorbs slower than cotton. Combine the two and its perfect.
An all-in-one (or AIO) is a diaper that already has the absorbent material sewn into it. No cover needed. No stuffing needed. Basically it is just like a disposable diaper, but reusable. Often AIO diapers still have a pocket space behind their absorbent layer in case you want to add more (such as adding a hemp insert to keep the diaper from leaking overnight).
Finally, the other term I often use is “one-size”. You can buy cloth diapers by size, just like disposables but it is more economical to buy one-size diapers which can be adjusted at the waist, rise, and/or thighs. Very clever, very fabulous.
Here is a pretty good info video about 2 of my favorite brands…
I have to say, I am completely and totally sold on the whole cloth diaper thing. While admittedly, I do not change that many diapers, not due to a lack of desire, more a lack of skill, I am amazed at their effectiveness. Just as good as disposable and better in some respects. Better for the environment, much less expensive over the long term, multi-baby usable and Sawyer looks adorable in them since they make his little butt look bigger and resemble a little sumo when he’s dressed. I was definitely skeptical at first but not anymore. Viva Les Cloth Diapers!