If you are considering cloth diapering your little peanut, let me just remind you, it's not like diapering of the old days. Cloth diapers have become extremely user-friendly. Best of all, you can do it on a small initial budget. There are many options these days and it's super-easy!
It's a good idea to buy several diapers made by different companies initially to see which ones work best for you. Also try out the variety of styles. Some people love certain brands and stick to those in the future, but the fit and absorbtion varies from brand to brand. If there are brands you've purchased and don't really care for, either use them for your emergency stash or re-sell them. Yes, people will buy used cloth diapers in good condition. At least you can get a portion of your investment back.
Before ordering diapers, you also need to consider the different styles. You have AIOs, or all-in-one as an option. It's not the most popular, but some people prefer this option because of the ease of use. AIOs are basically prestuffed diapers. No stuffing diapers is required. You just wash, dry and wear again. The cons are probably what makes them less impressive to prespective cloth diapering junkies (I am totally one!). They take much longer to dry in the dryer than other cloth diapers and you don't have to option to add or take away inserts for more or less absorbtion as you need it. Basically, it's what you see is what you get with these diapers.
Now we've come to my personal favorites, pocket diapers. These seem to be the most popular with cloth diapering junkies, like myself. They are very easy to use and also very versatile. They are basically an outer shell with a pocket on one end that you can stuff with liners/inserts and doublers. Most pocket diapers come with either 1 or 2 liners/inserts. It's not recommended to use more than two liners/inserts because it will become overstuffed. With these diapers you can control the amount of absorbtion by using the liners/inserts or even doublers (which can be purchased separately). You can also purchase a variety of additional liners/inserts to use. The most common ones are microfiber. The other options are bamboo, hemp, blended, cotton and more. Again, this has to do with one's own preference. Washing and care of pocket diapers is a breeze. You separate the diapers and the liners/inserts and throw them in the wash. Washing and care of these diapers is something I will go over in greater details in the future. After they are dry you simply place the liners/inserts back into the pockets and you're ready to place back on your little one's bum.
Next you have the traditional prefolds. These are still a popular option. There are a variety of prefold diapers you can purchase as well as fastners. Again, it's a matter of preference. The materials vary as well. With these you also have the option to use hemp, cotton, and more. These are very economical diapers because their uses are beyond just diapers and the prices tend to be less than the other styles. With prefolds you can use the traditional pins or a device called Snappi. The Snappi fastens the diaper in front without the use of pins. These can be as cute as any other style of diaper by the diaper cover you choose. Many of the diaper companies also make the covers for prefolds. If folding isn't appealing to you there is a style of prefolds called pre-fitted, which is basically a prefold diaper already sewn into the shape/form as other diapers. You would use a fastner for these as well. They are the same as a prefold without the hastle of folding. The prefold diapers can also be used as inserts/liners or doublers in pocket diapers, because they are very absorbent. As I mentioned before, these diapers can be used for things beyond diapering. Some people use them for burp cloths and I've even heard of people using old prefolds for cleaning because of the absorbency.
You also have to consider which type of faster you prefer. With AIOs and pocket diapers you have either snaps or velcro fastners. There are pros and cons to each. I'll start with snaps. Some people think that using these for night-time changes is difficult to mess with while extremely tired. I get that, however, snaps are my number one preference, especially with a toddler in diapers. That leads me to the pros in snaps. Those cute little hands can't get the snaps off as easily. We know how devilish those cute little stinkers can be! Velcro fastners make it easier for them to get the diapers off. Usually they don't figure it out until the toddler stage, thankfully. You have to remember that if it's easy for you to fasten and unfasten, then it's easy for them to figure out. That's why snaps are my number one pick. I've already mentioned the fastners for the prefolds, but the prefold cover options are the same as those of the AIO's and the pocket diapers.
Yet another thing to consider for Pocket diapers and AIOs is the size. Some companies make one size that adjusts to your growing baby, as others offer different sizes (typically sm., med. and lg). Obviously the more economical option is to go with the adjustable, one size diapers, as they will be the last diapers your baby wears. Isn't it nice hearing that? Some people feel that the different size option is best because the fit is better. I've never had any issues with the adjustable diapers, so it's not something that was important to me. The one-size adjustable diapers usually tend to have snaps on the outside that adjust the size. I've seen some that adjust from the inside. They vary from company to company.
To obtain cloth diapers and supplies on a low-budget, consider co-ops on Facebook. I personally belong to several co-ops and am partial to one in particular. You can snag some great deals on diapers. By using a co-op, you would get a lower price than you would if ordering directly from the company, because several people go in on larger quantities to bring the cost down. Make sure you are dealing with reputable co-ops. Another low-cost option is ebay. That's right, you can order off-brand or even brand name diapers for less. I've used both options with great results. You can also just order directly from the companies from some less-known, yet quality companies. My personal favorite is Kawaii Baby diapers. You can pick up these diapers from boutiques or you can order them direct from the company. The website is www.theluvyourbaby.com. You can pick up diapers for less than $6 each. I know many people who swear by Sunbaby diapers, however, they don't work for us. The fit isn't right, but the diapers are unbelievably ADORABLE!!! These are just a couple options that I've tried and recommend. The prices of the different brands vary drastically. You have the higher end like BumGenius, blueberry and GroVia, to name a few, which are great diapers, but at a higher price than those of (in my opinion) equal quality at a lower price. It depends on your budget. We'll get more into the cost of cloth vs. disposable later on.
With the options available today for parents considering cloth diapering, it makes doing it more accessible and easily tolerable at the same time for those who wouldn't have considered it in the past.
Good Luck and Happy Diapering!
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