FAQ: What are Pocket Diapers?

Pocket diapers are diapers that have a waterproof outer layer and usually a stay dry inner layer.  Between these two layers of fabric is a pocket into which you can insert your desired amount of absorbency.

They are a one time use diaper.  This means, that you use them once between washes.  You cannot simply replace the absorbent layer, and reuse the same shell.

Pocket diapers are simple to use in that they close with either velcro or snaps rather than snappis or pins.

They will cost you from $13 to $25 (or more) a diaper, depending upon the brand you buy.

You can buy pocket diapers in different sizes (S, M, L, etc) or in One Size fits all (really, it's one size fits most).

Over the course of your baby's diapering days you will need about 24 pocket diapers (if you use them exclusively) in each size.

Pocket diapers just happen to be my favorite type of diaper to use.  My favorite brands are Fuzzi Bunz OS pocket diapers, and Rump-a-rooz OS pocket diapers.  I also like bumGenius for new cloth diaperers and for babysitters because they're super easy to use.  If you want inexpensive pocket diapers, you will find quality diapers in the Tweedlebugs and Smartipants brands (though, there are downsides to going cheap because corners must be cut, understandeably)

If you want cheaper pocket diapers that are still quality, you can buy them directly from work-at-home-moms (WAHMs) on places like Etsy.com.  I do not sell any pocket diapers but lots of the people on the Etsy Cloth Diaper Team do.  You can find them by putting "etsyclothdiaper" in the search box.

FAQ: Washing Wool Soakers

One of the most amazing diaper covers you will ever use is one made of wool.  I know, it seems crazy that something made with wool and all those tiny little holes will hold back liquid, but it does!  It is not waterproof, rather, it is water resistant and it's the lanolin in it that makes it such.  You cannot wash wool with the rest of your diapers, however, it requires a separate process.

How often should you wash it? 
You really only need to wash wool once every two weeks or when soiled.  I know it seems crazy, but I'll tell you from experience, that it's true!  You should air the soaker out between washes so that the liquid it absorbs will evaporate, but once it's dry it will be ready and fresh to go again!

What water temperature should you use?
I recommend cold to warm water.  Never use hot water.

Is there a special process to washing it? 
Use natural detergent, or better yet a wool wash and let your wool soak inside out in a tub of water and the detergent for about 10 minutes (look at the package of the detergent for clearer instructions on how much to use per gallon of water.  Next, rinse the wool by submerging it gently in cold water. Do not wring the soaker out, though you can squeeze it gently.  Roll in a dry towel to remove the excess water.

Can I put my wool in the dryer?
Putting wool in the dryer will cause it to shrink and felt, which is generally not the desired end.  You should lay your wool flat to dry.  It may take a day or two, so be patient.

Do I need to lanolize it every time I wash it?  
You only need to lanolize your wool (add more lanolin to it) when it starts to leak or become less water-repellant.  You can either use a wool wash with lanolin already in it, or use pure lanolin disolved in warm water added to a tub of water and repeat the steps used when washing wool.

Do you have any wool?  Is it handmade or store-bought?  What is your wool-washing routine?

FAQ: What about the poop?

I'm pretty vocal about my decision to cloth diaper.  I'm a cloth diaper show-off, really.  When people see my daughter's adorable fluffy butt, there is one inevitable question that is always asked:

What do you do with the poop? 

Breast milk Poop

When your baby is a newborn and is producing that liquid, breastmilk poop, there's no need to do anything with it.  You can put it right in the washer as is.  I don't know about formula poop, but I assume it's the same?  

Solid Poop

Once your baby starts eating solids--rice cereal, pureed veggies, etc.--it's time to put their poop in the toilet. You can do this through a number of methods

1) A diaper sprayer.  This is a simple device that attaches to your toilet and is used to hose off your diapers.  You can usually set the strength of the spray to where you want it.  It's a great device for removing solids from your diapers hands-free

2) Diaper liners.  Mostly, these are found in the flushable variety.  You lay them in your baby's diaper, and if they poop, the liner catches it and you just dump it into the toilet and flush.  If you manage to find cloth liners (which can easily be made with a bit of microfleece or microsuede), it will be much easier to dump the solids using them than not using anything.  

3) Shake it off.  Many people say that you can just shake the solids into your toilet, but this doesn't always work.  However, in certain cases, the poop does just "shake" off into the toilet.  If you cant get it off this way and you have no sprayer or liners, you can dunk your diaper in the toilet water or use toilet paper to pry it off.  

What about the poop residue that stays on the diaper?  I hate to break it to you guys, but your washers are MADE for cleaning really nasty stuff off your clothes! It's not going to hurt it to get a little poop in there.  It will not contaminate your clothing! Trust me, I've been doing dirty diapers in my washing machine every 1-2 days for nine months now and my other clothes still come out fresh and clean! :-D

So, are you grossed out?  Are you wavering in your decision to cloth diaper just because of a little poop?  Well, there's one more thing I have to tell you:

Disposable Diaper Poop

According to the instructions on the package of disposable diapers, you need to shake the poop off of them into the toilet when soiled.  Human feces are not meant to dwell in landfills because they can pollute and contaminate the water, the soil, and even the air .  Human poop is meant to be disposed of in the sewer system.  So, no matter how you slice it, you will need to dispose of your baby's poop in the toilet.  You might as well do it with adorable cloth diapers that save your baby's skin, the environment, and tons of dollars!!!

So how do you deal with poop?  Do you do it differently than any of the ways I mentioned here?  Do you have a tried and true method?  Did I leave anything out?  I'd love to hear your expert advice! 

FAQ: How many diapers do I need in my stash?

One of the most common questions I hear about cloth diapering is "How many diapers do I need?" 
Well, the answer to that can range from 12-36 or even more if you're like me and are somewhat of a cloth diapering enthusiast. 


For Newborns: 24-36 for full time cloth diapering because they require more diaper changes.

Toddlers: 12-24 for full time cloth diapering because their diaper needs to be changed less frequently.

Part Time
  I think 12 is a good number of cloth diapers to have if you're only going to use them part time (as in, you use disposables at night, with your sitter, or when you leave the house, etc.)

More than one in Diapers: I feel you'd need at least 36 diapers if you want to cloth diaper two babies at once full time.  48 is a more generous number because you'll get a laundry break!

Type of Diaper
  If you have sized diapers, you'll need to repeat the number of diapers needed for each size.  That would be 12-36 XS diapers, 12-36 S diapers, etc.  If you buy One Size diapers, you'll only need to buy your stash once.  There are positives and negatives to doing both. 

What do you think?  Do you agree with these numbers? Did I leave anything out?  How often do you cloth diaper?  How many babies do you have in diapers and how old are they?  How many diapers do you have/need in your stash and why?  I'm not the only cloth diapering "expert" (ha!) out there, so I'd love to get your expert advice as well.