Stocking Your Stash

One of the most asked questions for first time cloth users is "How many diapers will I need?". That will depend on the type of diaper you use and how frequently you want to wash them. I've broken it down into 2 categories, Pocket or AIO & Fitted or Prefold diapers, for less confusion. Both categories are based on 48 hour washing, which is what I recommend to avoid the "stink" factor, "48 hours don't let 'em sour! "which we'll chat about more later.

POCKET or AIOs

Infants:

15-20 diapers with inserts

2-3 dozen wipes

Babies & Toddlers:

10-15 diapers with inserts
2-3 doublers for night

2 dozen wipes

FITTED or PREFOLD*

Infants:

20-25 diapers/prefolds

7-8 covers

Snappis &/or diaper pins

2-3 dozen wipes

Babies & Toddlers:

15-20 diapers/prefolds

5-6 covers

2-3 doublers for nights

Snappis &/or diaper pins

2 dozen wipes

*I personally have not tried fitted diapers. From my experience with prefolds to you need to change the diapers more frequently than pocket/AIO diapers to avoid leaks. This is the reason for the extra diapers in the fitted/prefold group.

STORAGE

Home: Diaper pail or hanging wet bag

Travel: small wet bag (2)

Odor eliminating discs or essential oils for pails

We have a Sterilite storage tote (size up from a shoe box) that we keep on top of our dryer to use as our diaper pail for dirty diapers. Either poke holes in the lid or don't snap it shut to keep air circulating a little- cost:$4 at Target or Walmart. For out & about I love my Bumkins small wet tote, it easily folds up to put in my purse. Any small wet bag will do the trick OR use a gallon sized Ziploc bag, although, it's not as eco-friendly as a reusable wet bag and it will not hold as many diapers. I have never used oils or discs and we have no odor problems- if you're reading and you love a certain odor product, let's hear it!

That is ALL you need to get started. Sure, there are tons of "creature comforts" in the cloth diaper world but as far as necessity- you need diapers or covers, something to stuff inside (prefold, insert,fitted), wipes, and something to store the dirty ones in and you're golden. Easy peasy!!!! Give it a shot and see what you think!

photo above: Diaper Lab, a cloth diaper retail store in the Boston area.