Cloth Diapering 101: What do I need to get started?

The number of diapers to purchase is based upon your budget, your diapering choice, and how often you will be laundering your diapers. The recommendations below are based on the assumption that you will be doing laundry every other day.

How many daily diaper changes should I expect?
Newborn: 10–12 diapers
6–12 months: 8-10 diapers
12–24 months: 6–8 diapers
24+ months: 4-6 diapers

How many diapers will I need in rotation?
Newborn: 20–24 diapers
6–12 months: 16-20 diapers
12–24 months: 12–16 diapers
24+ months: 8-12 diapers

How many covers do I need?
A wrap or cover can be wiped clean and reused several times before requiring a full washing. Most people recommend one wrap for every 3-4 diapers in rotation.

Do I have to purchase new diapers?
NO! You can purchase gently used diapers from maybe stores and online shops! It's definitely worth it to save a few dollars.

What accessories do I need?
I recommend purchasing 2 pail liners, a cloth diaper friendly diaper ointment, 1 wet bag, 3 dozen cloth wipes, 1baby wipe solution mist, cloth diaper friendly detergent (I use TIDE Original Powder in my HE machine), 1 diaper sprayer (optional), and wool dryer balls if using the dryer. If line drying, you may want to purchase a clothes line or a drying rack. I also recommend a 3 pack of snappis if you are using prefolds!

Cloth Diapering 101: Accessories

Inserts
Inserts are used to add absorbency to a diapering system. Inserts can be placed between the diaper and cover or stuffed into the pocket or sleeve.

Diaper Ointment
It is very important to choose a baby ointment that is cloth diaper safe. Many traditional diaper ointments contain petroleum or other ingredients which coat fibers and cause diapers to repel.

Reusable Wipes
Are a great alternative to disposable wipes and can save you up to $500. Pair with a baby wipe solution for the best results.

Baby Wipe Solution
When using reusable wipes you will want to purchase a baby wipe solution to properly cleanse and moisturize your baby’s skin.

Wet Bag
A great accessory for your diaper bag used to either enclose clean or soiled diapers. Wet bags come with a closure system to keep odors from escaping.

Diaper Pail
The use of a diaper pail is necessary to keep odors at bay while storing your baby’s soiled diapers until laundry day. 52 quart garbage pails with a lid are a popular choice but any large container with a closure will work.

Pail Liner
Washable liners are designed to fit your diaper pail and be thrown in the wash with your soiled diapers. Pail liners are waterproof and designed to keep odors sealed within.

Diaper Sprayer
A hose with a nozel that is attached to the plumbing of your toilet and is used to cleanse poop from soiled diapers. Diaper sprayers aren’t typically necessary until your baby begins to eat solids.

Cloth Diapering 101: Thirsties' Types of Cloth

There are different styles of diapers to meet the needs of each individual family and baby. All babies are shaped differently and have different absorbency needs so one type of diaper may work better for your baby than another. In addition to fit and absorbency, many families may also compare convenience versus cost. For example, an all in one or pocket diaper may be more convenient, but a two piece system is typically less expensive and can be more absorbent.

All In One

All In One, commonly known as AIO, is the most similar type of cloth diaper to a disposable diaper. The one piece system consists of a waterproof cover with the absorbency sewn inside.

Thirsties Duo AIO includes a signature tunnel design which allows for thorough cleaning and stuffing of additional absorbency as needed. The interior is lined with a stay-dry fleece to keep baby comfortable and dry. The soaker (absorbency) is made of microfiber terry.

To use: Simply slide the diaper under baby and fasten with hook and loop or snap closure.

Pros: Convenient, easy, quick, daycare and sitter friendly, great for diaper bags, can be paired with insert for additional absorbency

Cons: AIO’s may take longer to dry than other diapers, may need additional absorbency for heavy wetters or extended, overnight use.

Pocket

A pocket diaper is a 2 piece system consisting of a waterproof outer shell sewn together with stay-dry lining with openings on one or both ends. The sleeve or pocket that is created is used to stuff the included absorbent insert.

Thirsties Duo Diaper (our pocket diaper) comes with a waterproof shell with a stay-dry lining sewn into it. The openings on both ends make for easy stuffing while allowing the insert to easily agitate out of the diaper in the wash. The inserts feature two layers of serged microfiber terry snapped together with five serged layers of hemp jersey; seven thirsty layers in all!

40% of our customers chose pocket diapers as their favorite type of cloth diaper. (Based on 2012 Thirsties Customer Survey of 720 cloth diapering families)

To use: Secure the insert within the tunnel or pocket, slide the diaper under baby and fasten with hook and loop or snap closure. You may find it easier to stuff the inserts into the diapers right after washing and drying, so that your diaper is ready for use.

Pros: Convenient, adjustable, daycare and sitter friendly (when inserts are pre-stuffed), absorbent

Cons: Bulkier than other diapers, need to stuff inserts into diaper after laundering

Fitted

Fitted diapers are made from absorbent fabric that is tailored to fit, providing complete coverage around your baby. Fitted diapers require the use of a diaper cover to make it waterproof. The use of the fitted diaper and a cover provides two elastic barriers at the legs and waist to prevent leaks.

Thirsties Duo Fab Fitted includes a signature tunnel design which allows for thorough cleaning and stuffing of additional absorbency as needed. The interior is lined with a stay-dry fleece to keep baby comfortable and dry. The soaker (absorbency) is made of microfiber terry.

To use: Simply take the fitted diaper, slide under baby, and fasten hook and loop or snap closure. Repeat steps with the diaper cover.

Pros: Ultra absorbent, soft, comfortable, can be paired with insert for additional absorbency

Cons: Bulky, long dry time, higher cost, 2 piece system that must be paired with absorbent layer

Prefold and Flat

Prefold and flat diapers are what most people think of when cloth diapering is referenced. Prefolds are popular for their affordability and are the most common diaper supplied by cloth diaper services. Using prefolds or flats requiring folding the diaper and then covering it with a waterproof diaper cover. Snappis are a popular closure used to secure prefolds and flats.

Thirsties Duo Hemp Prefold’s revolutionary tunnel design provides a trim fit and is beneficial for better washing and quicker drying times. Our custom hemp jersey is incredibly soft and knitted right here in the USA. We do not recommend the use of diaper pins or Snappi fasteners with Thirsties Duo Hemp Prefolds as the fabric is knit and the sharp points on the fasteners may damage the fabric. We recommend trifolding our prefolds.

To use: Fold the prefold into thirds, and lay into a trim waterproof cover such as the Thirsties Duo Wrap or Thirsties Diaper Cover, and fasten hook and loop or snap closure. For added absorbency in the front for little boys fold the prefold down on top and then trifold.

Pros: Very absorbent, durable, soft, versatile, affordable

Cons: Takes extra time to fold

Stay Dry Duo Insert (exclusive to Thirsties)

Thirsties Stay Dry Duo Insert is a specialty that has two layers of our fast absorbing microfiber terry, topped with our stay-dry and stain resistant microfleece and snapped together with five layers of our buttery soft hemp jersey. Use the insert with a trim fitting cover to provide a snug fit.

To use: Lay the insert into the diaper cover, slide the insert and cover under the baby, and fasten hook and loop or snap closures.

Pros: Easy, quick, absorbent, affordable

Cons: Less coverage than a prefold or fitted diaper

Cover and Wrap

Covers and wraps are waterproof barriers that are used over fitteds, prefolds, specialty inserts, or flat diapers. The laminate inside of the diaper can be wiped clean between uses, allowing you to use the cover for 3-4 diaper changes before washing.

Thirsties offers our Diaper Cover and Duo Wrap as waterproofing options for your cloth diapers. The Diaper Cover comes in 4 sizes, has a generous cut, and the x-small features an umbilical cord cut-out. The Duo Wrap uses the duo sizing system and offers a trimmer fit.

To use: With the absorbent layer fastened on baby or placed inside the cover, slide cover under baby, and fasten with hook and loop or snap closure.

Pros: Light and pliable, double leg gussets, easy to use

Cons: 2 piece system that must be paired with absorbent layer

You can find this article here.