Homesteading: A Woman's Journey

Cloth Diapering

Cloth diapers have changed.  Years ago, the cloth diapers were a flat large piece of cloth that you had to fold a particular way to get the absorbancy and fit needed.  Next came the prefold diapers, a piece of cloth with a thicker layer in the middle.  You still needed to fold it somewhat to get a good fit.  Problem I always had with both of these was the lack of getting a good fit in the legs to prevent "diaper blow outs" which always seems to happen when baby is wearing their newest dressy outfit or you are somewhere in public. 

Today, you can still buy the prefold diapers but there are better solutions available.  Cloth diapers have stepped into a new era with the fitted cloth diapers.  What a blessing!  These diapers are similar in shape to the popular disposible diapers.  They have elastic in the legs, some also having gussets, that provide a much more secure fit.  For closures at the waist, you can use hook & loop tape, snaps or diaper pins. 

The fitted cloth diapers come in 3 basic variations that seem to be the most popular.  Your typical fitted cloth diaper is made with the elastic legs, sometimes elastic across the back for a snugger fit.  You can find these made in a variety of fabrics, the most common being flannel, fleece or terry. Most styles come with an absorbancy layer built into them.  They don't have a moisture barrier fabric so you need to put a diaper cover over them to prevent leaks.  The All-In-One (AIO) diaper is the same as the basic fitted one with one major difference.  AIO diapers have a moisture barrier fabric either layered inside the diaper or used as the outside layer of fabric.  The most common that I have seen are made with PUL fabric. PUL is a fabric that has a coating applied to the right side that prevents the moisture from leaking through. The AIO diapers have an advantage in that you do not need a diaper cover.    The pocket diaper is a simple fitted diaper "shell" with a pocket opening into which you place a soaker. 

I have used cloth diapers on Abigail since birth.  I started making my own and found that each of the difference styles had it's benefits and drawbacks.  It was a process of trial and error to find the diaper style that worked best, not only in the fit & absorbancy but in the care and laundering of the diaper.  Now we have a new baby in the house and he will be reaping the benefits of the work I did with our daughter's diapering.  Each person who cloth diapers will have their own preferences.  Here I will explain what I learned and what works best for us.

Basic fitted diapers without the moisture barrier layer are easy to use but with one drawback.  Many times the diaper would still leak even with the diaper cover.  Many diaper covers are too small in one area or another to properly fit over the diaper.  To guarantee the best fit you pretty much have to purchase the covers from the same company who makes the diaper.  The main problem are is in the height of the diaper.  Any area of the diaper that is not covered by the diaper cover is prone to leaks.  Another disadvantage is that the diapers, because the absorbancy layer being built into the diaper, take much longer to dry in the dryer.  With the AIO diapers, you also have the problem that depending on the moisture barrier fabric used, you may not be able to dry the diapers in the clothes dryer.  PUL fabric can break down in the heat of the dryer and over a short time lose it's water barrier quality.  If the diaper has a layer of ProCare or other water barrier fabric you may be able to use the dryer without any problems.  The primary advantages to these dipaers is that you don't have several parts (diaper, absorbancy layer, cover) to keep track of.  The diapers, especially the AIO, are ready to use.  The AIO diapers are great when away from home or for use as overnight diapers as you don't have to worry about leaks in the carseat or bed.  A free diaper pattern for these can be found at:  Mama Bird's Diaper Pattern

The pocket diapers are alittle more work to use, but many find them to be easier in the long run.  The diaper shell is made similar to the fitted diapers but without the built-in absorbancy layer.  Most have a pocket opening in the back into which you place the soaker or a folded up prefold diaper to give the diaper the absorbancy level needed.  The outer shell has a water barrier either in the form of PUL fabric or a layer of water barrier material sewn to the back fabric during construction to allow you to use the diapers without needing a diaper cover.  The soaker is simply a rectangle of fabric made from a very absorbant fabric such as fleece, flannel, hemp, or terry.  The advantage to the pocket diapers is that they are very fast to dry in the dryer or clothesline.  You also have the ability to adjust the absorbancy layer's thickness to fit the needs of your baby.     Here is a link to a free pattern for this style:  Ritas Rump Pocket Diaper Pattern

When making diapers for Micah, I have found a balance between the diapers styles that works very well for us.  I took the Mama Bird pattern and made it without an absorbancy layer inside.  The inside fabric is made from either a heavy flannel or a fleece, depending on what I have on hand.  In the middle, I placed a layer of ProCare to prevent leaks.  The outside layer is made from any cotton fabric or fleece.  I made the diaper with the elastic in the legs and back.  Once made, I attached tabs on the sides for closures.  NOTE:  here is where I altered the pattern a bit.  I made the tabs about 3 inches long.  On each tab, I  placed a square of hook & loop tape.  The "hook" part is placed near the end of the tab and the "loop" part is placed near the diaper. When you launder the diaper, you fold the hook tape to attach it to the loop tape.  This will help prevent the hook tape from getting pieces of lint or threads caught in it during laundering.  On the outside of the right hand tab, I placed a long piece of loop tape.  On the front of the diaper, I place a long piece of loop tape across the entire front of the diaper.  The longer the loop tape is in the front, the more adjustment you will have.  To close the diaper, I first attach the right hand tab to fit.  The left hand tab is then placed over the diaper front.  This is where the loop tape on the right tab is important.  If the diaper is alittle large for your baby, you are able to snug up the diaper's waist by overlapping the tabs.

For absorbancy, I make separate soakers.  I measure the soakers to fit the size of the diaper.  The soaker is simply a double layer of fleece that are stitched together either with a zigzag stitch or serger.  You can make 2 with one being slightly smaller.  These are stacked together if needed.  The advantage that I am finding is that I am able to make diapers 1 size larger than the baby's size and get more use from them.  By having the soaker layer separate from the diaper, the drying time is shortened and I am able to adjust the absorbancy needed.  ProCare inside the diaper allows me to machine wash and dry the diapers without worry that the water barrier will fail over time.

I also make my own baby wipes.  Simply cut pieces of heavy weight flannel to the size desired with pinking shears or you can serge or zigzag stitch the edges to prevent unraveling.  Place in a container with a mixture of water and a couple drops of baby wash.  You can also recycle old receiving blankets to make the wipes.

Enjoy!

Diapers

08:16, Monday, May 26, 2008 .. Posted by Belle

Thank you for posting the daiper pattern site. I am going to look at it!

I also make homemade baby wipes out of flannel, the 'baby' in our house is seven and he still uses the baby wipes...we just call them cloth wipes though. I don't think he would like us calling them baby wipes ;)

Great post, I enjoyed reading it!
Belle

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08:22, Tuesday, May 27, 2008 .. Posted by Sara

I started using cloth right before my youngest potty trained. And now with baby #4, I will cloth diaper the entire time. I am going to make the pocket diapers on the mama bird site. And use the birdseye prefolds for stuffers and probably have some type of extra layer for night times. Thanks for sharing what you have learned from using cloth.

Blessings, sara