subject: Washable Diapers Make Diapering Newborns Simple [print this page] Newborn cloth diapers are a much-discussed area of cloth diapering. We began cloth diapering my little one before she was even 24 hours old. She is now nearly 2 years old and we still use cloth diapers every day. Newborn cloth diapers are simple - and you can do it!
Some parents are afraid to start cloth diapering at the very beginning. They worry that the fabric may be stained with meconium (the nasty black poops babies have the first few days). Yes, meconium can stain. Using a diaper liner prevent stains and sunlight will take out any stains. Sunlight is a natural whitener and is inexpensive too!
The other major concern new parents have is that using cloth diapers will be so hard they can't do it while they are adjusting to parenting. There are easy cloth diapers and hard cloth diapers. Choose the easy ones and it will all be simple enough you can do it even in your sleep - and you will feel like you are sleep-walking those first few weeks.
Using cloth diaper wipes is much simpler than using disposables - and gentler on babies skin. Wipes also work as doublers for heavy wetters.
The simplest newborn cloth diapers are all in one diapers. These are one-piece diapers that have a moisture resistant outer layer so they don't need a diaper cover. The inside has an absorbent soaker attached - so there is no need for stuffing or finding pieces in the laundry. All in ones (AIOs) are as simple as cloth diapering gets for babies of any size. They go on just like a disposable except that they are reusable - simplifiing your life since you never run out of diapers as long as you have access to a washer. A few popular AIOs include Lil Joeys and Little for Now all in ones.
The next most popular option is a fitted diaper with a waterproof diaper cover or a wool diaper cover. Popular fitted diapers include Kissaluvs and Little for Now sized fitteds. The most economical choice for newborn cloth diapers is prefolds with covers. Again, you can choose a waterproof cover or a wool diaper cover.
Chinese or Indian prefolds come in a teeny tiny size that will fit up to about 10 pounds and a larger "infant" size that will fit from about 7-15 lbs.. The larger size may be a bit bulky the first couple of weeks, but they will fit much longer. The itty bitty size fits great for most newborns, but is quickly outgrown. Prefolds are very inexpensive, so you can easily buy two or three dozen and only have to wash every 2-3 days. Just be sure to get enough covers. You can get by for a few days with 4 covers, but you'll be a lot happier with 6-8 covers.
One size diapers may not fit will on a newborn, depending on the brand and the baby. Some brands don't fit well until close to 10 pounds.
To keep things super simple, we kept a zippered wet bag, a few diapers, reusable wipes and a bottle of wipes solution near our bed so midnight (or midday) diaper changes were as easy as possible. No matter which newborn cloth diapers you choose, you'll quickly adjust to using them.
