Places to help you along the way ...

 
 

My family uses elimination communication www.caravandoren.com/greenliving/ec because we enjoy it, find it useful and enjoyed how our daughter was out of diapers by 18 months.  But when we are traveling, running lots of errands or simply in a place in which we need diapers, here are my favorites...

Diaper descriptions and Favorites:

  • Prefolds -
    • Easy to stack and store, generally fits all baby shapes and sizes, though a little less user friendly for unfamiliar family/baby sitters.
    • The cheapest and therefore one can have many more in the home and not have to stress about soiled diapers.
    • Useful as burp rags, changing pads, rags, extra coverage under the sheets and much more.
      • Easily found at Park + Vine and amazon.com
  • Diaper Covers
    • Covers are necessary to keep clothing and furniture dry when using a prefold or fitted cloth diaper. 
    • Reuse with multiple diaper changes, just replace the prefold or fitted diaper until the cover is leaking, soiled or stinky; then wash.
      • Thirsties is my favorite brand. They last a long time and because of their double enforced elastic around the legs they seem to fit many shapes and sizes of legs and they seem not to leak.
      • Not recommended to dry these on high heat. Hang drying will make them last a long time!
        • www.thirstiesbaby.com/products/cloth-diapers/diaper-cover
        • Recommendations for snap versus Velcro:
          • Velcro is great for the newborn or young infant (0-5 months) before they are as active and able to sit. 
            • Velcro allows for quick diaper changes.
            • But can be rough on the skin and easy for older baby's to remove.
          • Snaps are great for 5 months on up, for when the baby is more active and starting to explore how to take off diapers.
            • These take a bit longer to put on, but worth every second so as to not cause abrasions on the baby's belly or be easily removed by said baby
      • A TIP for keeping clothing dry: always check the backside and leg holes of the diaper, if there is any part left outside of the cover, it will soak the baby's clothing.
  • Fitted Diapers
    • These are shaped like a disposable or all-in-ones, but still need a cover over top. Super absorbable.
    • These are useful because then you can have the luxury and simplicity of the Velcro or snaps that come with the fitted style, but these will last longer and cost less than all-in-ones in the long run because you can reuse the cover many times before it needs washed.  
    • Therefore you may dry these on high heat for a quicker result than an all-in-one
  • Fancy Diapers (AKA: all-in-ones): These have the fitted diaper shape with the cover already attached.
    • The main difference in the care instructions is that it's best not to put these on high heat because the covers are with the cloth diaper and high heat speeds the rate at which the cover loses it's water resistance.
    • These are great for long trips, baby sitters, great for use if baby has a diaper rash because they generally wick away the moisture better and great for quick diaper changes.
    • More expensive, more care instructions, sometimes difficult to find the brand that works the best for your baby, but wonderful to have on hand.
  • Good Natured Baby Diaper service is great even if for a short time.
    • They truly have teeny tiny prefolds for the newborn

Washing instructions and recommendations:

  • Use a free and clear detergent (meaning, one without fillers, fragrances and bleach), vinegar and baking soda or the Norwex recommendation below.
  • Increase the life of your covers by hang drying, do not use high heat.
  • Good Natured Baby diaper service has a great description of ideas and stripping instructions when diapers are giving you trouble.
    • Go to their website (http://goodnaturedbaby.com/faqs.php), and under FAQ search near the bottom for the question: "My baby is soaking through his diaper every time, what should I do?"
  • Detergent and Drying Tips
 
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