Babies are famous for their kissably soft, perfectly smooth and beautiful skin. So, it's extremely important to use products that are non - toxic, hypoallergenic, chemical and paraben free against their skin.
As new parents, it can be overwhelming to decide whether you want to go the cloth diaper way or stick to the modern disposable diapers. Cloth diapers, once thought of as remnants of the olden days, have started to make a comeback. Reusable cloth diapers are no longer like your grandmother's pieces of cloth and safety pins. They have been replaced by all in one, easy to use styles with charming prints.
There are a bunch of options available in today's market from all - in - one diapers to big pieces of cloth that you need to fold yourself. If you are confused about all these choices, here's a rundown of the various available choices:
- Flats + Covers: This style of diaper consists of an absorbent large piece of fabric that you need to fold yourself and pin against your baby's bottom + a waterproof outer shell to prevent leakages. Although these require a bit of patience and experience, they're easy to wash, dry super fast and are extremely affordable.
- Fitted + Covers: This diaper is similar to the previous one in that it has a separate inner absorbent layer and an outer waterproof cover. The inner layer is ready - to - wear with elastic leg openings and snap closures at the waist: and they offer full coverage. These diapers are convenient as you don't need too many outer cover shells and can invest in more of the fitted absorbent covers. But you should know that they can get quite bulky!
- Pocket Diapers: Pocket diapers consist of an outer waterproof printed layer, and a pocket to hold an absorbent insert. These diapers are super convenient as you can easily adjust the absorbency of the diaper according to your baby's needs; use a thin bamboo charcoal insert during the day and a couple of hemp inserts for nighttime. They require no special knowledge, but you need to wash the whole diaper unlike prefolds and flats.
- All - in - one Diapers: These diapers are closest to disposable diapers as they require no prep at all: they are ready to wear. A waterproof outer layer, an absorbent layer and the stay dry layer are all sewn together. They are usually preferred by grandparents and other family members as they require no folding, stuffing or confusion. But they are the most expensive of the lot and it's not possible to adjust levels of absorbency.
Choose what's right for you:
The only things that matters when deciding what cloth diaper you want to use for your baby is to find a system that works best for your family. Purchasing cloth diapers is an investment so before jumping all in with one style or brand, it's better to try out different styles and brands to see what works for your family and your baby. You should also remember that it's never all or nothing when using reusable diapers - you can find a healthy balance between disposable and reusable diapers. Replacing even 25% of your disposable use with cloth diapers will reduce pounds of waste from landfills and will help keep your baby's bottom safe and healthy.