One Size vs Sized Cloth Diapers: The Great Debate

A heavily debated topic in the cloth diapering world is whether one-size diapers or sized diapers are superior.

One-size diapers are the most popular cloth diaper on the market today, and are advertised as fitting babies from birth to potty training. Normally the diaper is adjusted by snapping down the front rise snaps or depending on the diaper could be adjusted by tightening the elastic inside the shell. In my experience most one-size diapers were far too large for even my 9lb newborn and seemed to fit starting around 12 lbs. However Rumparooz and Fuzzibunz seemed to run smaller and both fit Grace at birth.  Popular one-sized diapers include BumGenius, Fuzzibunz One Size, Rumparooz, Charlie Banana, and Blueberry Diapers.

Sized diapers, on the other hand come, in sizes like small, medium, and large. They tend to offer a more custom and trimmer fit due to the less material that is used. However, you will need to buy two or three sets of diapers to diaper your child from birth to potty training. Popular sized diapers include, AppleCheeks, and FuzziBunz Perfect Size.

So Which type of diaper is best for you? See the chart below to help you decide.

What's that smell? and Other Diaper Issues

Just when you think you finally have your cloth diaper routine down, you walk into the nursery and are knocked over by the smell of the diaper pail. Whether it is a stinky diaper or a leaky diaper you are bound to run into one of these problems during your cloth diapering journey.

Smelly Diapers?

If your diapers have all of a sudden begun to smell your first step is to identify the problem.
Do your diapers smell like...

Snaps vs. Aplix: Which is Better

Snaps vs. aplix (commonly referred to as velcro) is one of the great debates in the cloth diapering community. Everyone seems to have their own opinion. Some prefer the ease of aplix while others like the durability of snaps. I have used both closures with Grace, and they each have a place in my stash. The debate is much more complex than some will lead you to believe. You need to decide which is better for your own family. I will lay out the facts and let you decide.

How to Prep Your Diapers

Before you can put those adorable new diapers on baby you need to prep them first. Prepping is the process of washing your diapers before the first use, so that they can obtain maximum absorbency. This washing process removes oils from natural fibers and cleans any residue left over from the manufacturing process.

Baby Registry Must Haves for the Natural Mommy: Diapering Edition

I feel like everyone has their preference when it comes to diapers, and what might work for one family or baby does not work for another. We are a cloth diapering family (you can read more about our decision process and routine here), so most of my recommendations are going to be geared more towards the cloth diapering mama. While we do try to cloth diaper as much as possible, we did have to use disposables with Grace between 4 and 5 months due to her casts (again, you can read about that journey here).

Complete Beginner's Guide to Washing Cloth Diapers

Gone are the days of wet pails and bleach that your grandmother used. Thank goodness! Today there is a much easier and less time consuming way to wash those stinky diapers. This article will explain everything you need to know to wash your diapers at home.

Pail Liners and Diaper Sprayers: The Lowdown on Cloth Diaper Accessories

Most cloth diaper accessories are not necessary, but they sure do make cloth diapering easier. I know that I wouldn't attempt cloth diapering without most of these. Here are some things you might want to  consider.

Help! Which Cloth Diaper is Right for Me?

There are a ton of options on the market today for cloth diapers, and this seems to be the most intimidating and confusing part of the cloth diapering journey. Especially, when you hear that there are at least 8 different types of cloth diapers. Yes, 8.  I know that might seem completely overwhelming, but I am here to help.

It helps to look at cloth diapers in two catogories, those that require a seperate waterproof cover and those that do not. All 8 cloth diaper types fit nicely into these two catagories. Those that require diaper covers tend to be more traditional, more affordable and have a higher learning curve, while those that do not require a cover are similar to disposables, but also more expensive.

Below I will go through all 8 types of diapers giving you the pros and cons of each as well as my own opinion. I will also give you some examples of some brands. However, it is best to find the style of diaper you want to try first and then look for brands you like. By the end hopefully you will have a better understanding of what will work best for you.

Cloth Diapering 101: An Overview

I will admit that when I first started researching baby items, I was strongly against cloth diapering. I found it too confusing, too complex, too crunchy, and just downright gross. As I continued my research I kept seeing the words "cloth diapering" reappear over and over again. I saw them when researching how to save money and they were there again in articles on reducing baby's toxin exposure. I decided that I at least had to look in to it. At first I will admit that I was confused and a little overwhelmed, but over time I became more and more convinced that cloth diapering may just be the right choice for our family. After cloth diapering Grace for 9 months, I can reassure you that cloth diapering is not all that confusing or difficult.  I 'll admit it is a little crunchy, and definitely can be gross (but no more or less than disposables.)

Over the next several weeks we will explore everything a cloth diapering newbie needs to know before they start, and don't worry we'll take it slow. Cloth diapering is not right for every family or situation. Even I use disposables sometimes (Gasp!), but I applaud you for even thinking about giving it a try.

Before I begin I should start with a disclaimer. Cloth diapering can be very addictive. Many wonderful strong-willed women have been known to be overcome by a strong desire to buy every cute  piece of fluff (diaper) they pass, and can be found talking passionately and incessantly about cloth diapering to all they meet.  If you are willing to take your chances, let's begin.