How Many Cloth Diapers Do I Need?

How many cloth diapers you need depends on the age of your baby and how often you plan to wash diapers. You will need fewer in each size as you baby grows. The type of diapers you choose will also influence the number of diapers you need.

Some styles will need changing a bit less often. For instance, pocket diapers have a moisture resistant barrier between the baby and the absorbent insert. This means you can change baby less often unless the diaper is dirty so you will likely need fewer than for a less absorbent option.

If you have a heavy wetter your baby will be on the high end of the number shown. You can extend the absorbency by using a doubler, using two prefolds or using newborn prefolds as doublers for older babies. With my own daughter, I often use a hemp and micrifiber pocket insert combination so she stays dry all night and during long naps. Since I can't always predict her naps, I use this combo a lot during the day and it works great for keeping her dry.

While one size diapers are popular right now, many parents prefer the less bulky fit of sized diapers. Since your baby is likely to only need two sizes and will need only a few of the larges if they happen to get that big, sized diapers offer a great option for parents.

Cloth diapering will save you a lot of money, but the up front investment can be intimidating for parents who are unsure if cloth is the best choice for their families. If you can't afford to invest in all you need all at once, you can start with one day's worth and then add more the next time you get paid. Just take the amount you are spending now on disposables and save it to purchase more cloth once a month until you have the number you need.

You will want to get a few extras to have on hand while you are washing diapers. Nothing is worse than having a sick baby and no clean diapers.

Up to 6 Mos. 10-12 per day
6-12 Mos. 8-10 per day
12-24 Mos. 6-8 per day
Potty Learning 2-4 per day

You will need one diaper cover for about every 4-6 diapers you have. Most covers can be reused a few times by airing them out between changes unless they are dirty. It is always a good idea to have one more cover than you think you need in case one gets dirty at a bad time!

Wool covers can go even longer between washes if they are properly lanolized when they are washed. PUL diaper covers are easily cleaned and dry quickly if the need to handwash one arises between loads of laundry.

Pockets and all-in-ones do not need covers. You will need to have at least 1 insert for each day time pocket style and 2-3 inserts for each night time diaper. Hemp is a great choice for extra absorbency for heavy wetters or overnight.

Your Baby Deserves Only the Best Nappies

Babies are a parent's most precious gift. They are also cuddly, content, and depend on parents for every need to be met. Because babies cannot verbalize what they want yet, parents must be very vigilant and act smart to keep their babies safe, comfortable, and happy. One of the issues that parents must address is the quality of nappies they buy. Babies have very delicate skin and the type of material and shape of the nappies will affect how moisture affects the baby's skin.

Nappies that are made of poor and cheap materials will irritate the baby's skin and will disrupt the baby's comfort. The result will be a cranky baby who may end up with a rash. Your baby is precious and your baby deserves only the best. What makes good nappies? There are many factors to consider when buying things for your baby. Although price may be an issue for many families, quality should not be sacrificed, as baby's comfort comes first.

When looking for best nappies focus on brand, material, latest technology on keeping baby dry, and of course, shape and size. The best materials will feel soft to the touch, not rough on baby's skin. Reputable brands are able to offer the best advances in technology to keep wetness away from baby's skin as much as possible. Shape is important, as good nappies should contour the baby where it matters the most to prevent leaks and tears on the material. Size is important as well; fit your baby with the right size of nappies. Nappies that are too small will make baby uncomfortable. One that is too big will not protect from leaks appropriately.

Other concerns are the environment. Most parents use disposable nappies, but Eco disposable nappies are now available as well. Although many green parents use cloth ones that they can wash and reuse, sometimes, due to time and place, cloth nappies might not be practical. Using eco disposable nappies for those instances is a good solution. Each parent wants to make this planet the best place for future generations. One way to start is by keeping baby happy, as your baby deserves only best nappies.