Hi, friends! So, now that we've discussed the different types of diapers available, let's talk about how to build a stash: what you need, how much you need, key accessories, etc. I'll be listing some of my favorite brands, but please note that brands that work for us (and our teeny girl) may not work for everyone! Take a look at your options and pick one that feels right for your needs!
Let's start with a quick look at what my stash includes:
Diapers
What you need and how many you need will depend on how often you want to wash. For example, if you're okay with washing a load every day, you can get away with a smaller stash. If that's too much laundry for you or your lifestyle, you up the number to last you the number of days between washing. We wash every other day (typically), so I made sure my stash lasted me 2-3 days.If you're starting from newborn days, you'll want to guesstimate about 12 diapers each day (so 12 dipes if you wash every day, 24 if you wash every other, you get the idea). Older babies typically go through 8 diapers each day, so a stash of 24 will last you 2-3 days easily.
Another thing to consider when determining how many you need is the system you choose. AIOs and pockets must be washed after each wear, so you'll need a bigger stash. With AI2s or prefold/fitted systems, you typically get more than one wear out of each cover, but inserts still need to be washed after each wear. That said, here's what each system's stash might look like (for an every other day wash routine):
- Prefolds: 24 flats or prefolds, 10 covers
- Fitteds: 24 diapers, 10 covers
- Pockets: 24 diapers, 24-30 inserts
- AIO: 24 diapers
- AI2: 24 inserts, 10 covers
What I Do
We've switched between different systems as we've learned what works for The Bird. We started out with Rumparooz Lil Joeys diapers (an AIO newborn system). I wanted to start off with something SUPER user friendly, at least until we got our feet under us with this whole parenting thing. I assumed we'd use them for a few weeks, but we ended up using them for a few months (because Miss Thing is TINY). That said, my investment was worth it, but it wouldn't be for everyone. We then moved to the Flip AI2 Hybrid system. We loved our Flips, but we were getting leaks often. Turned out, they just weren't snug enough on Wren's teeny legs. We're now using AppleCheeks and I'm IN LOVE with the brand. They're actually pocket diapers, but we use them as AI2 in order to get more use out of each cover. (We've also noticed fewer leaks when using them as AI2, and I don't have to stuff them!) The AC are pricier than Flip, so we've bought mostly used and slowly built a stash. We still go back and forth some, but AC are our primary brand now.
Inserts, Boosters, & Liners
We talked inserts a bit, but I want to address the different options you have and what that might mean for how many you need. You can go with natural fibers (bamboo, hemp, etc) or synthetic (microfiber), and you can choose between sized or one size. The key differences are in absorbency level and wicking properties. Natural fibers will be more absorbent (and less prone to leaks), but won't feel as dry. Microfiber wicks moisture away much faster, but doesn't hold as much and is prone to compression leaks (think about squishing a sponge and you get the idea).Money Saving Tip: You can use flour sack towels as flats, too! I haven't done it personally, but I have several friends who've had success with them. Here's a link if you're interested.
You'll be changing about as often no matter which fiber type you choose, so just go with your preference there. As far as sized v. one size, if you go with sized inserts, you'll need a stash in each size, so keep that in mind.
Now, let's talk boosters & liners. These are optional stash additions, but can be SUPER useful. Boosters allow you to easily up absorbency (for naps, night time, or outings) without doubling up bulk. We love boosters for night time! Liners are thin layers of fabric (typically microfleece) that lay on top of your inserts. They help with wicking (as they stay very dry against baby's skin), keep your inserts from staining, and make poo disposal a breeze (nothing, uh, sticks to them...if you catch my drift). They're also useful if you find yourself needing to use diaper cream to treat a difficult rash. Most commercial diaper creams will stain and can clog fibers, causing your inserts to repel, liners keep the cream off your dipes!
As far as numbers, it varies for boosters and liners. You don't HAVE to have either, so it's really personal preference. We have about 10 boosters and a ton of liners (but that's because I made my own). Start with a few and add on if you like them.
One other optional addition are disposable liners. These make clean up on the go crazy easy. They're thin layers of (typically flushable) material that lay on top of your dipes to catch any messes that may happen. When you change the diaper, simply toss the liner and contents, replace your insert, and you're good to go. No worries about carrying around a mess in your wet bag. They also make caregivers' lives easier, as you can imagine. We don't use them very often, but I keep a few in our diaper bag for moments when they're nice to have.
What I Do
We use a combination of Flip microfiber and AppleCheeks bamboo inserts. We started out with only microfiber, and while it works great during the day, we were starting to get leaks at night. I bought a few bamboo inserts and the leaks stopped! We love the bamboo so much that I've started buying additional inserts for daytime use, too (they're great for outings because they last us a little longer). We also have a stash of Flip newborn microfiber inserts that I use as boosters, and they work perfectly. I just fold a bamboo flat around the microfiber, and we get the best of both worlds. For liners, I bought a few yards of microfleece from a craft store and cut it to fit our diapers. They wash great, work amazingly, and cost maybe $5 for like 30. Plus, they're pink and have birds on them. Win win. As I mentioned, we don't go the disposable route often (I think the microfleece works just as well if not better), but we do have a few on hand, just in case.
Cloth Wipes, Bum Spray, & Balm
When I first started looking into cloth, I thought the idea of cloth wipes was weirdly extreme (disposable wipes just seemed waaaaay easier and less messy). I came around pretty quickly when I realized how easy it was to just fold the wipe into the dirty diaper and toss the whole thing into the wet bag (rather than needing an extra trash can for wipes). Not to mention the money we're saving by not buying (as many) disposable wipes. (We still use them, because parenting. We just don't use them for diapers). There are tons of options for wipes and they're super affordable. You can get premade ones from pretty much all of the major brands, there are a bunch of ladies that sell them on Etsy, and I've even known folks to make their own buy cutting up flannel receiving blankets or using baby washcloths. You'll need at least 24 (we have 48 and never run out), so just opt for the ones that work for your budget.Now, when you use cloth wipes, you need a way to dampen them, right? Right. However, people are split on their methods for this. The teams seem to be: Team "Wet As Needed" and Team "Store Damp." Team WAN uses a spray bottle of wipe solution to spritz a wipe or two at each change, keeping the rest dry until needed. Team SD wets their entire stash and stores them in a wipe dispenser. There's no single "best" way to do it, but I will say I'm biased toward Team WAN because I have an issue with (aka fear of) mildew. That said, you do you, mama. If it works, awesome!
As far as wipe solutions go, there are probably as many recipes/suggestions/products for that as there are options for wipes. Again, you can buy pre-made or make your own pretty easily. Recipes range from "put water in a spray bottle" to complicated concoctions involving essential oils, distilled water, and Castille soap. We opted to get a pre-made solution tabs that you dissolve in water as needed, and I love it (link below). Just like with the above, just pick a method that works for you.
In addition to wipes and bum spray, you may have an occasional need for booty balm. While rashes are rare, they do happen (teething, learning to crawl, illness, new meds, etc.) When they pop up, you have a few options. You can either use a commercial diaper cream (Desitin, Butt Paste, Balmex, etc) with a liner (otherwise you'll get stains & repelling), or you can use a cloth-safe cream. Most all-natural diaper creams are cloth safe, but if in doubt, Google it. There are many many websites out there than can tell you if your cream will stain/cause issues. Another option (and one we love) is to use coconut oil. It's natural, easy to find, affordable, and works great for the occasional daily irritation. For the big bad rashes (like the ones her antibiotic gave her), we pull out the big guns and liners. My advice is just to check your cream past a reputable site to be sure it's safe.
What I Do
We bought our cloth wipes from an Etsy shop ($25 for 48 wipes!), and we've never run out. They've lasted us a solid 9 months and are still kickin', too. They're flannel, serged on the edges to prevent fraying, and are all white (i.e. bleachable if needed). We love them. To dampen, I keep a small spray bottle (one I found at Target in the travel section) next to her changing table. We periodically fill it with warm water, drop one of these Baby Bits tablets into it, and shake to dissolve. Her skin stays baby soft and the lavender helps to soothe any potential irritation. If we do have irritation issues, we use either California Baby (the calendula version) or coconut oil. I've also used Honest's Healing Balm with success. If the rash gets bad, I add Balmex into the rotation, making sure I have plenty of liners on hand.
Diaper Pail, Pail Liner, Wet Bags, Diaper Sprayer, & Spray Pal
Last, but not least, storage and clean up! This is the part I know you've all been waiting anxiously for, right? Thought so. Not to disappoint, but I'm not going to go into the dirty details of our clean up process just yet. Today I'm focusing on supplies, but that part is coming. For now, let's talk about what you need.You need somewhere to put the dirty diapers until time to wash. For us, that meant a diaper pail, but it could also be as simple as a large wet bag. If you choose a "pail," you don't have to get a traditional diaper pail, a trash can works great. I'll link the one we have below, but I've also used a $10 kitchen trash bin from Walmart with zero issues and I know some folks swear by their fancy stainless pails. Whatever you choose, though, you're going to want a liner, preferably one made from PUL or a similar fabric so that it's waterproof and washes easily with your dipes. That way, come wash day, you take the liner out of the pail, dump it and the contents into the washer, add your soap, and go. Washable liners make the process much simpler.
Note: there's some debate over whether you should have a pail with a lid, or an open pail. We have a lid (because we have pets and a mobile baby), and we haven't had any issues so far. The concern is that diapers left in a closed pail (with no air circulation) may result in a mold/mildew problem, and many hold that open pails don't smell as strongly as closed pails. Again, we've had no issues, but an open pail may be something you want to consider if you don't plan on washing every other day.
You can also opt for a large wet bag (if you don't want to go the pail route). Wet bags are convenient in that they are easy to store anywhere and make travel a snap. We have a large wet bag for travel (when we know we won't have our pail), and it's just as easy to deal with. So, if you're space constrained, a wet bag might be the way to go.
Speaking of wet bags, you're going to want several smaller ones, too. They're key for outings while in cloth (storing dirties), but they're also nice for soiled clothes, wet bathing suits, and other things you want to keep separate from the contents of your diaper bag. We have several in rotation so that we know one will always be clean and ready to go. We used to keep a tiny wet bag with pre-moistened wipes on hand as well, but it became a hassle, so now we use disposable wipes when out. Your call on that.
The final thing you may want for clean up at home is considered optional by some, but not at this house. It's a diaper sprayer and it's essential. This magic little thing connects to your toilet and allows you to easily spray off messes before tossing diapers into the pail. {Warning, I'm going to talk poo for a second, so if you're squeamish, skip the rest of this paragraph.} If your baby is EBF (exclusively breastfed), you do not need to worry about poo. EBF poo is completly water soluble, so you can just toss the entire mess into the pail. If not, you'll need to remove any solid waste before washing. That can be done with the ol' "dunk and swish" method, but I'm not cool with that. That's where the sprayer comes in handy. When your little is a bit older and eating more, most of the mess will fall off the diaper (especially if you're using a liner). For those times when it doesn't, the sprayer is our best friend. It's quick, easy, and fairly mess free, especially when paired with the Spray Pal (more below). You can find sprayers from several brands, and they tend to be about $60 new. You can also supposedly make your own, but I'm not quite handy enough for that.
Finally, the Spray Pal is a fun little invention that helps keep messes contained when you're cleaning up. You simply attach a dirty dipe with the clip, spray off, and drop the dipe in the pail. I didn't think we needed one, but we got it on sale and now I reco it to everyone, sale price or not.
What I Do
We use a diaper pail from Safety 1st with a large Planet Wise liner. We have two liners so that one can go in the pail when the other is headed for the wash. We also have a smaller trash bin in the bathroom, with a smaller Planet Wise liner, that we use for diapers that have to be rinsed. It minimizes walking back and forth to the nursery. We also love Planet Wise wet bags and AppleCheeks size 1 sacs for travel & outings. We have about 4 that we use in rotation. They wash well and keep everything clean and stink free. Finally, we use this sprayer and the Spray Pal.
I think that's pretty much it for my stash essentials! It has evolved since The Bird was born and will probably continue to evolve with future littles. The nice thing is that I can generally resell things that don't work for us in order to fund different things to try. Buying used is a great way to save money when you're experimenting, and there are tons of groups on Facebook dedicated to that exact purpose. In addition, many cloth diapering stores offer trial or rental programs to help you find a stash that works for you. Go in and talk to the owners - they'll be more than happy to help, I promise. Cloth mamas love talking about fluff!
Tomorrow I'll talk more about our process (for both changing and laundry), what we do when we travel, and do a bit of troubleshooting (stink, stains, and leaks). I'm also planning a post on moving beyond diapers with cloth (swim & potty training), and perhaps one on brand experiences. In the meantime, if you have any other questions, just ask!
Thanks for reading!
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