cloth diaper stash and accessories

Yesterday's post was long and probably a little tedious, so I'll keep today's shorter and more to the point.  Cloth diapering is really as simple or as complicated as you make it. 

I believe in keeping it simple; it does not have to be difficult or time-consuming. These are the basics you should have to get started with cloth diapering, in my opinion.  The list can and will evolve based on your own needs and preferences as you go along, but this is a good guideline.

~At least 24 diapers.  I have quite a few more than that, which is great, but 24 is enough.  Newborns need to be changed anywhere from 8-12 times a day, and diapers need to be washed every other day. 

~A stash of newborn diapers.  You can go with disposables for a couple of weeks until the cord falls off, which is what we did.  Or you can buy newborn sized cloth diapers (lots of people sell these used, since they're not used very long), which is probably what I would do next time. 

~Wipes.  I use cloth wipes, homemade flannel little washcloths from my aunt.  They are probably similar to these -- http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?products_id=104 -- but you could use almost any thin cotton washcloth.  My pediatrician recommended wiping Emmett's bottom with chamomile tea, when he was tiny and had diaper rash, to help heal it.  It worked perfectly and I stuck with it.  I keep a stack of wipes (I have probably about 30 or more) and a mug of brewed chamomile tea on the changing table.  I just brew a new mug every couple days.  For me, it's even easier to use these than to use disposable wipes, because I can throw these right in with the dirty diapers and then they get washed with the diapers.  I don't have to have a separate garbage can in there for wipes. Also I do keep small packs of disposable wipes handy for the diaper bag.

~A small stash of thin washcloths (if you don't use cloth wipes - if you do, those can double for this purpose).  If you ever need to use diaper rash cream, you have to put a washcloth barrier inside the diaper.  The cream stains the cloth diapers and can make them less absorbent.  If you just put a thin washcloth in between the baby's skin and the diaper, you can still use diaper cream with cloth diapers.


~A wet bag for the diaper bag, to store dirty/wet diapers when you're out.  I like this one by Planet Wise.  They have a sealed section for wet/dirty diapers and a separate dry section for clean diapers, extra clothes, wipes, or anything else. 

~Diaper pail or wet bag.  I bought a regular diaper pail from babies r us (this one) at the beginning and it worked okay.  You can just use the plastic bag insert several times before throwing it out and replacing it.  The size of the hole to toss the diapers in is a bit awkward and annoying for the cloth, though.  A couple months ago I finally ditched that method and bought two of these Planet Wise hanging wet bags, which hang on a hook by the changing table, to use instead of a diaper pail.  Two, because that way I can toss the bag in to wash with the diapers every time I do diaper laundry and always have the clean one ready to use.

~Diaper sprayer.  I have and like the bumgenius one, but there are lots of brands out there.  Hook it up to your toilet's water supply and hang it on the wall.  It is a life saver when rinsing out dirty diapers. 

~Clothesline or other place to hang up the diaper covers.  You can dry them but they hold up better if you hang them up and just toss the inserts in the dryer.

~Diaper detergent.  Rockin' Green is my favorite, I am almost a year in and I've never had to strip my diapers (which you can do with small amounts of bleach and Dawn liquid dishsoap if needed, if they really get the stinkies). 

Tomorrow, I'll talk about some of the logistics of storing & washing diapers, and what has worked the best for us to keep up the cloth diapering while on the go and while traveling.

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