mary-grazy.blogspot.com: CLOTH DIAPERING 101-my own cloth diaper routine

I just want to share my own cloth diaper routine and the things I have learned to help you better.

Why I choose cloth diaper?
-it is better for my baby
-it can really save money
-better for the environment (less trash)
-it works better than disposable diaper
-cloth diapers are durable and adorable
-also it can be resold or we could used them again if we extend our family.

I started using cloth diaper since my son (Alaric) was turning 2 months old. Because I realize that I am throwing money out of disposable diapers and having lots of garbage everyday. Also he easily get diaper rashes from disposables. I used Alva 3.0 and some babyland brands cloth diaper for my son.(total of 21 pcs diapers good for 2 to 3 days).It is a pocket type diaper and similar to disposable diapers which is convenient to use.

How much my diaper cost?

I'm using 21 diapers ( all are charcoal insert) which cost approximately to Php 240 each so comparing to disposable diaper,

DISPOSABLE DIAPER
DISPOSABLE DIAPER
Age range	Used diaper per day	Total Diapers used (pcs)	Size of Diaper	Cost per Diaper (PHP)	Total Cost (PHP)
0 - 3 months	9	810	S	6.5	5265
4 - 6 months	8	720	M	7.5	5400
7 - 12 months	7	1260	L	8.5	10710
1 - 2 yrs old	6	2160	XL	10.5	22680
2 - 3 yrs old	4	1440	XL	10.5	15120
Total Number of Diapers		6390 pcs		TOTAL COST OF DIAPER	59,175.00
VS.
CLOTH DIAPER
Age range		Number of Cloth diapers		Cost of cloth diaper (per piece)	Total Cost (PHP)
0 - 3 yrs old		21		240	5040
TOTAL NUMBER OF DIAPERS		25		TOTAL COST OF DIAPERS	6000.00

These diapers can be used for babies weighing 3 to 15 kg. ( 0 - 2 1/2 yrs old).
You will save a lot of money if using cloth diaper even if you add detergent,electricity and water cost.

micro fiber insert (left) ; bamboo charcoal insert (right)

The picture above shows inside and outside of the diaper. This outside is waterproof and inside is soft polyester. It is stay dry meaning when the baby pees he doesn't feel wet. There are many options of inserts to chose from (in the picture above it is microfiber and bamboo charcoal insert).I prefer to used bamboo charcoal insert.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE MICROFIBER INSERTS AND BAMBOO INSERTS?

Microfiber inserts are very absorbent,it is a three layer of microfiber fabric.(they can absorb up to eight times their weight in liquid) and are great for using during the day.

Bamboo inserts are more absorbent than microfiber inserts,it is a three inner layer of microfiber fabric and and the two outer layers are a special fabric known as charcoal bamboo. However, they are also more expensive.

If you are using microfiber inserts and you find that your baby is a heavy wetter during the night then you can use two or even three inserts to make it through the night.The grey bamboo inserts can be used directly next to the baby’s skin and allows you to change just the insert if needed.

For my baby I used the smallest setting when he was 2 months old. And now he is 5 months old,medium setting fits him.It really depends on the size of your baby.

This is the diaper pocket where to put the insert inside.

NOTE: do not place microfiber insert directly against the skin just place it inside the pocket, it is so stay-dry that it will cause irritation.

When my baby pees and removing dirty diaper I pull out the insert and place them in diaper bin. I used two trash bin just for my diapers. (smaller one is for the inserts and other one is for the diaper shell). But when he poop, I immediately wash the diaper using diaper sprayer (see picture below),flush the poop and soak the diaper in a small basin or pail with small amount of detergent then rinse for easily washing on laundry day. But if you don't have a diaper sprayer, you can just soak the diaper and rinse.

LAUNDRY DAY!

Every second day I wash my diapers. Here is my routine:

1. Wash and rinse without detergent.

2. Wash with detergent, rinse well and then spin. I used tide powder original also for my baby's clothes. (Using fabric conditioner and detergent with bleach contains are not recommended.) Since I'm using automatic washer I set the course into soak.