Cloth Diapering FAQ's

There are so many questions that new parents have about cloth diapers and so many myths that incorrectly answer those questions. Here we've tried to compile the most frequently asked questions about our diapers, and the truths behind them.

If you still have any questions that we have not covered, contact Margaret at info@sweetheartdiapers.com to set up a in home visit to show you the products we carry first hand.

1. What are the advantages to using cloth diapers?
   • Save lots of money (see question #2, "How expensive is it?")
   • Better for the environment (see question #17 for environmental facts)
   • Better for baby's skin (see question #15, "What about diaper rash?")
   • Earlier potty training
   • Babies look adorable!
   • Cloth diapering has come a long way, and today's products are reliable and easy to use!
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2. How expensive is it?

   Using cloth diapers instead of disposable will save you anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.

   How much money you save depends on which products you choose. Like anything else you buy, there is a big price range amongst various products. Because cloth diapers are a reusable product, once you buy all the diapers you need up front, you may never have to purchase a diaper ever again! The savings are even greater if you use your cloth diapers on subsequent children. Generally, a parent only spends between $300-700 on cloth diapering a baby from birth to potty training, while disposables cost parents anywhere from $1000-$3000!

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3. How often will I have to do laundry?

   It is recommended that you have between 24-36 diapers, which means you will be doing a load every 2 or 3 days. Newborns need to be changed more often than older babies. Depending on the age of your baby, they will need to be changed between 8-12 times a day. It is not advisable to go much longer than 3 days between loads of laundry; your diapers will clean easier if they are not sitting around dirty for too long.

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4. How many diapers do I need?

   Generally, 24-36 diapers is a good number to have in your collection. This will allow you to do laundry every 2-3 days.

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5. Terminology

   Pre-folds:
   Pre-folds are a multi-layered square of fabric, usually sewn into three panels with extra layers in the centre panel for added absorbency. They require you to fold them prior to use. Prefolds are a two-part diapering system, because you need to put on the diaper AND a waterproof diaper cover, which are sold separately.

   • Require folding
   • Quick-drying
   • A waterproof cover is required overtop
   • May be used in conjuction with a diaper fastener for a more securely worn prefold
   • The most economical cloth diapering option
   • Rotate diaper covers: You only need about 3 covers for every 12 prefolds, saving you money.

   Fitted Diaper:
   Fitted diapers have elastic at the waist and legs and are fastened with snaps or hook and loop (Velcro or Aplix) closures. Fitted diapers are a two-part diapering system, because you need to put on the diaper AND a waterproof diaper cover, which are sold separately.

   • Wide variety of fabric choices, including organic cotton and bamboo
   • Closes with snaps or Velcro-type fastener
   • A waterproof diaper cover is required overtop
   • Rotate your diaper covers: You only need about 3 covers for every 12 fitted diapers, saving you money.
   • No folding required
   • No pins

   Diaper Covers:
   These are waterproof covers that you need to use over pre-folds and fitted diapers. They fasten with snaps or Velcro-type fasteners. The ones we carry are made of Polyurethane Laminate (PUL). PUL covers are waterproof but breathable, mildew resistant, and will not yellow or crack over time.

   Pocket Diaper:
   Pocket diapers are made up of 2 parts: a waterproof outer layer (PUL) with an inner layer of fleece. These two layers are sewn together in such a way as to leave an opening at the back into which you insert an extra strip of absorbent material (called an insert). When your baby wets the diaper, the moisture is wicked through the inner cover layer to the insert. Simply stuff the provided insert into the sewn-in pocket, and remove the insert again for washing. Pocket diapers can be equated to disposable diapers in terms of ease of use, and they are very popular.

   • Provide that 'stay dry' feeling similar to disposable diapers
   • Customizable absorbency by adding more inserts into the pocket
   • Convenient: no extra waterproof cover required
   • Quick drying
   • Fasten with either snaps or Velcro-type closures
   • No folding required
   • No pins

   All-in-One Diaper (AIO):
   These are the most similar to disposable diapers. Absorbent material and a waterproof cover are built into the diaper. AIOs aim to provide the ultimate in convenience by providing everything you need in one step. No separate covers required and no stuffing like you would a pocket diaper.

   • Most convenient
   • Longer drying time
   • Fasten with either snaps or Velcro-type closures
   • No folding required
   • No pins

   Diaper Insert:
   An insert is the absorbent material that you insert into the pocket of a pocket diaper.

   Disposable Liner:
   Disposable liners are placed down the middle of the diaper prior to putting it on baby. They are convenient because they are flushable and biodegradable. A disposable liner should always be used if you are applying diaper creams or lotions, in order to avoid residue buildup on the diaper.

   Absorbent Liner:
   Absorbent liners are separate pieces of absorbent material that are placed down the middle of the diaper to increase a diaper's absorbency. They are ideal for whenever you want to go longer between diaper changes, such as for overnight.

   Diaper Pail:
   A container used to store dirty diapers. Choose something with a secure-fitting lid. A kitchen garbage can works well. (Sweetheart Diapers does not sell these. They can be bought at any store that sells garbage cans.) Dirty diapers do not need to be soaked in water.

   Diaper Pail Liner:
   A waterproof, machine-washable bag that goes in the diaper pail. You won't have to wash your diaper pail or worry about it retaining odours if you use a pail liner. On laundry day, pull out the pail liner and take it straight to the wash so you don't have to touch any wetness. Empty out the diapers, then throw the pail liner in the laundry with your diapers.

   Wet Bag:
   A waterproof, machine-washable tote bag for carrying dirty diapers when you're away from home. On laundry day, throw the wet bag in the laundry along with your diapers. Wet bags are also great for bathing suits, lunches, snacks, and anything else you can think of!

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6. Is it hard? Will husband/grandma/babysitter/etc. be able to do it?

   Some styles are super easy to use while others require a bit more know-how. It is nice to have a variety of styles on hand. I like to put the "easier" ones in the diaper bag for babysitters. In order from most easy to least easy: 1)All-in-ones 2)Pocket Diapers 3)Fitted Diapers 4)Prefolds.

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7. What should I start out with if I want to try them out without investing too much?

   If you want to try out cloth diapers without investing too much up front, you might be like to start off by purchasing a Sweetheart Diapers Starter Kit or a Super Easy Diaper Sampler. These packages consist of a variety of different styles of diapers so that you can try them out and determine which type you like best. Then you can order more of the ones you like.

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8. How do you wash them?
   • Wet diapers go directly into the diaper pail, no rinsing is necessary. While your baby is exclusively nursing, soiled diapers can also go directly into the diaper pail without rinsing, since breastfed poop is water soluble. For babies eating solids and for formula-fed babies, solid poop must be plopped into the toilet and flushed. If necessary, rinse the poopy diaper in the toilet. A diaper sprayer can also be used.
   • Remove any inserts or liners
   • Set your washing machine settings to: COLD PRE-WASH, HOT REGULAR WASH, COLD EXTRA RINSE
   • Use fragrance-free, bleach-free, additive-free detergent
   • Use only ½ to ¼ the amount of detergent you would normally use.
   • DON'T USE: bleach, fabric softener, dryer sheets, diaper creams - they leave a residue and reduce absorbency.
   • Dry on medium heat or hang to dry.
   • For complete washing instructions, click here.
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9. Doesn't it smell and get really messy?

   A diaper change is a diaper change, no matter what material the diaper is made of. Using reusable diapers is not any smellier or messier than using disposable diapers. In fact, a garbage can full of disposables smells significantly worse than reusables!

   For wet diapers and runny poop (before your baby starts solids): The only difference is that you toss your cloth diaper into your dry diaper pail, instead of into the garbage!

   For a soiled diaper, after your baby starts solids: There is one extra step - dumping the solids into the toilet, prior to putting the diaper in your dry diaper pail.

   Make sure to get a pail with a tight fitting lid, and you will not smell the soiled diapers at all!

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10. What do you store the dirty diapers in?

    Any container with a secure fitting lid can be used to store your dirty diapers until laundry time. This is your diaper pail. A kitchen garbage can works well. The size of your diaper pail depends on how often you will be doing laundry. Personally, I use an 8 gallon/30 liter garbage can with a pop-up lid and it works great. You do not need to soak dirty diapers in water. It isn't necessary with today's washing machines. Also, it gets messy and can be a drowning hazard.

    I highly recommend investing in a diaper pail liner. This is a waterproof, machine-washable bag that goes in your diaper pail. It minimizes your workload since you won't have to worry about washing your diaper pail or it retaining odours. On laundry day, pull out the pail liner and take it straight to the wash, so you don't have to touch any wetness. The pail liner can also be tossed in the laundry.

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11. What about all that laundry? Doesn't it make a lot of work?

    Not really. You can spend as little as 15 minutes a week on laundering your cloth diapers! If you own enough diapers to do a load every 3 days, the total amount of time spent on one load of laundry (including carrying your diaper pail or bag to machine, dumping in contents, turning dials, adding detergent, moving diapers from washer to dryer, dumping dry diapers into a basket, and carrying them back to your change station) takes approximately 5 minutes. Therefore, if you do 3 loads of diapers a week, you're only spending about 15 minutes a week on laundering your diapers. Plus, you will never have to run out to the store in the middle of the night because you've run out of diapers!

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12. What about when baby is changed away from home - what do you do with the dirty diaper?

    Yes, you will have to bring those dirty diapers home with you. You can keep a plastic bag in your diaper bag and just toss them in there. But if you are environmentally conscious, you probably don't want to be throwing out plastic bags all the time. The best thing to use is what we call a wet bag or a tote bag. These are water-proof, machine-washable bags that are ideal for toting used diapers. You can use them over and over again, and toss them into the laundry along with your diapers. Plus they come in fun colours!

    Wet bags, or tote bags, have many other uses as well, such as at the pool or beach for wet bathing suits. These are a great investment, and a great gift!

    Your other option is to use disposables if you will be away from laundry facilities for an extended period of time. Whether you are a die-hard cloth-only person, or choose to use disposables in certain situations because of their convenience is entirely up to you.

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13. What about diaper pins? I don't want to prick my baby!

    With modern cloth diapers, you don't need pins!
    All the diapering systems we carry use snap closures or Velcro-type fasteners.
    If you want a prefold to fit extra securely, a Snappi diaper fastener can be used in place of diaper pins.

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14. How comfortable are they?

    Baby can't tell us how they are feeling, however if they could, I'm sure they would all agree: Cloth is MORE comfortable!

    Think about if you had to wear paper or plastic underwear all day versus soft cotton or microfleece… I know what I would choose!

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15. What about diaper rash?

    Many studies show that the occurrence of diaper rash on babies that wear cloth diapers is much lower than those in disposables. In fact, many parents whose babies have experienced severe skin reactions when using disposable diapers have had to make the switch to cloth.

    Babies tend to be changed more frequently in cloth diapers, because moms are aware of when baby is actually wet. Disposables often feel dry even when they are saturated with pee! Also, cloth diapers are made of breathable materials, which allow air to circulate. Disposables on the other hand trap in heat and moisture, which can cause diaper rash.

    Note: If your baby has diaper rash while wearing cloth diapers and you need to use a cream, use a disposable liner in the diaper so that the cream doesn't get on the diapers, because it will leave a residue on your diapers that can affect their absorbency.

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16. Aren't they really bulky?

    Modern cloth diapers have come a long way - they are not very bulky at all! But they do make baby's bum a bit bigger than today's slim and trim disposables, so keep that in mind when picking out clothes.

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17. Isn't it bad for the environment because it uses a lot of water, electricity, and detergent to launder?

    While laundering cloth diapers does use water and electricity, the alternatives (using and supporting the manufacturing of disposable diapers) are much worse. Also, you will use much less detergent, because when washing your diapers, you should only use about ½ to ¼ the amount of detergent that you would normally use. Research shows that the environmental damages caused by disposable diapers far outweigh those of reusables.

    ENVIRONMENTAL FACTS
    (The following is taken from www.motherease.com)

    • Wastewater from washing cloth diapers is relatively benign while the wastewater from pulp, paper and plastics contain solvents, sludge, heavy metals, unreacted polymers, dioxins and furans.
    • Although cloth diaper use emits air pollution, the air pollution from the manufacture of disposables is far more noxious.
    • Pulp bleaching emits dioxins and furans into the air, as does incineration.
    • Single use disposable diapers use 37% more water than home laundered.
    • Disposables appear to produce less sewage because in them, human waste goes to dump sites. This practice violates World Health Organization guidelines and is technically illegal. Washing cloth diapers at home uses 50-70 gal. of water every three days. For perspective, a toilet-trained person, flushing the toilet 5-6 times a day, also uses 70 gal. of water every three days.
    • Landfill sites do not provide the conditions necessary for diapers to decompose. They are in effect "mummified" and retain their original weight volume and form. Human feces can contain harmful pathogens (for example, babies who have been vaccinated for polio will excrete poliovirus) when feces are discarded with disposable diapers there is potential for public exposure (via rodents, pets, flies or birds).

    The following is taken from "The Joy of Cloth", Mothering Magazine, May/June 1998, by Jane McConnell

    • In Canada and the US more than 20,000,000,000 disposables are discarded into landfill sites each year!
    • It takes 500 years for disposable diapers to decompose.
    • 82,000 tons of plastic is needed each year to make disposable diapers in the U.S.
    • 1.3 million tons of wood pulp is needed each year to make disposable diapers in the U.S.
    • 250,000 trees are used up each year to make disposable diapers in the U.S.
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18. What about sizes? Do I have to keep buying more as my baby grows?

    Some diapering systems have multiple sizes, while others are one-size fits all. There are pros and cons to both so it really comes down to personal choice. For example, one-size will fit your child from birth through potty training, however they might not outlast several children since they are constantly being worn and washed, whereas multiple sizes requires you to buy more, but they might last you through multiple children. Also, you might find that one-size-fits-all diapers are bulkier on small babies, whereas a sized XS or S will fit perfectly.

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19. How long can you use them before they wear out? Can you use them for more than one child?

    Yes, you can use your diapers on more than one baby. How long your diapers last depends on many different factors. The answer to this question would be the same as if you asked me how long a pair of jeans might last. Some people get holes in their jeans after a few months, while others have a pair that lasts them 15 years. So there is no concrete answer to this question. A few things to consider that will affect your diapers' life span include whether you hang to dry or use a dryer, and how often the diaper is being washed and worn. For example, if you are washing your diapers every day or only every 3 days, and are you using one-size diapers continuously for 2.5 years, or using sized diapers that get put away after the size is outgrown.

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20. What if my baby's a heavy wetter or has really long naps?

    You can easily increase a diaper's absorbency by adding an extra absorbent liner, or a "doubler". (You can't do that with disposables!)

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21. Don't they leak a lot more than the leading disposable brands?

    No. We sell good quality brands of diapers that should not leak.

    If you experience leaks, it could be the result of one of the following:

    1. Are you using the right size? (it can't be too big!)
    
    
    2. Are you laundering them properly? Too much detergent, the use of fabric softeners, or the type of detergent may affect the absorbency because they can leave residue on the fabric. You should use ½ to ¼ the amount of detergent, never use fabric softener, and use a detergent that has no perfumes, brighteners, or other additives. Click here for complete washing instructions.
    
    
    3. Has the diaper reached maximum absorbency? Babies wearing cloth diapers need to be changed more frequently than babies wearing disposable diapers. You can increase the absorbency of any diaper by adding an extra absorbent liner.
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22. Won't they get stained?

    Surprisingly, stains aren't that common. Even poopy diapers usually come out of the laundry without stains. Be sure to set your washing machine to a high water setting, and do an extra rinse cycle. If your diapers do get stains, hanging them up to dry outside will make them look like new again (the sun will bleach them).

    It is required that poop (except for purely breastfed poop) is removed from the diaper before washing. For messy poop that sticks to the material, you might consider using a diaper sprayer It is not recommended to soak diapers that are made of PUL.

    Keep in mind that even if a diaper has stains, it's still clean. It's not recommended to use bleach on your diapers. Bleach can wear away the material and affect the diaper's absorbency.

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23. What if I only have one baby – is it worth it to go out and buy all those diapers?

    Definitely! For several reasons:

    • You will still save lots of money: You can spend as little as $300 for all the diapers you will need. (Prices vary depending on what type of diapers you use.) Compare that to the $3000-6000 you would spend on disposables for one child from birth to potty training.
    • You will do something good for the earth: You will prevent thousands of diapers from ending up in landfills. Click here for other environmental facts.
    • They are better for baby's skin: No chemicals coming into contact with baby's sensitive skin. Less instances of diaper rash because cloth diapers "breathe" whereas disposables do not. See question #15. "What about diaper rash?".
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24. What's wrong with department store cloth diapers?

    We do not recommend purchasing department store brand cloth diapers. From personal experience as well as testimonials from customers and friends, most people who use the department store brands agree that they are made of poor quality, are not very absorbent, break down quickly, and cause frequent leaks and messes.

    The cloth diapers we sell at Sweetheart Diapers and More are superior quality diapers that will last throughout the entire time your child is in diapers, and possibly for multiple children. The difference in quality adds up to a much more enjoyable diapering experience.

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25. Do you sell used diapers?

    At Sweetheart Diapers and More we only sell new diapers. We would not want you to get diapers that repel liquid, leak, or have been damaged by bleach because someone else laundered them improperly. We only sell products that we know are in perfect condition so that your cloth diapering experience is a positive one.

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