Ahhh, the baby stuff hunt. It's near impossible to make a decision on which diapers / stroller / carrier / carseat / etc. to buy when you've never used one before, and thus really have no idea what features you'll actually find useful!
Alrighty, here's my not-so-concise-but-very-
Cloth diapers are really a personal thing, I recommend getting your hands on one of each of a few styles (kijiji, online, diaper shops, etc) & going from there. We used disposables for the 1st few weeks with both kids (less laundry during the crazy month or so), but you can totally do cloth if you're gangbusters.
There are basically 3 styles of cloth diapers (give or take a few, if you count G-diapers and other hybrids):
- "Prefolds" = a square of cotton that's been folded over on itself 6 or so times & sewn together, you then fold it and put in on the bum & then put a diaper cover over that.
- "Pocket" diapers = essentially a cover that has a lining (cotton, bamboo, etc.) & has a "pocket" opening in the back where you then slide a "liner" (cotton, bamboo, hemp, micro fibre, etc.) into.
- "Fitted" diapers = a diaper that's cut to fit the bum (just snap 'er on), but you need a cover to put over it
In my opinion, pocket are the easiest, followed by fitted (most daycares are game for these either). There's the option with pockets of getting all-natural ones, or micro fibre. Depends what you want against baby's skin.
We went with BumGenius (made in USA) one-size pocket diapers with our 1st child, mainly due to simplicity (hubby didn't want to fiddle with folding things, etc.). They were awesome, although after a year or so the velcro & elastics started to go. I probably spent ~$500 on them, they paid for themselves within 5 months, & I sold the lot for ~$200 after we trained Kai. We didn't think they'd last through our 2nd child's diaper years, so we opted for knock-off bamboo (Giggle Life, made in China) pocket diapers for him (work good, not as great as the BGs) & at night he's in MotherEase Sandy's or MotherEase one-size (made in Niagara).
Flushable liners ... they tend to be pricey, and aren't necessary until you've introduced solids (formula included, breastmilk is water soluble so you don't have to get rid of that poop, just toss it in the washer). Personally, I don't bother with them. Just rinse the dipe in the toilet (you can get fancy sprayers if you like), then into a dry bag or bucket, then into the washer every 2 days or so.
Beware diaper creams ... don't use them with cloth diapers. EVER. They coat diapers in a layer of oil that is hard to remove & eliminates absorbency. I use cornstarch & coconut oil when needed & it works like a charm.
Just fyi, no matter what detergent combo you use to wash them with, line drying in the sun works wonders to eliminate stains & smells :)
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