| Cloth diapering a newborn is simple and can save a lot | | | | best for containing messes. Fitted diapers are easy to |
| of money. Newborns go through 10-12 diapers a day | | | | use, and having a diaper and a cover means you have |
| or more, with cloth diapers you never have to buy | | | | two layers of elastic at the legs to prevent messy |
| more until your baby moves to the next size. I have | | | | leaks. Fitted diapers such as the Kissaluvs 0, Heiny |
| cloth diapered my daughter since she was in the | | | | Huggers newborn, or the Thirsties Fab Fitted are great |
| hospital. When I saw that the expensive disposable | | | | choices. Bummis or Thirsties diaper covers are both |
| diapers we were given had chafed her little legs, I | | | | good choices for covers. |
| gave them away and she has never worn another | | | | Finally, for a lot of parents, the biggest issue is cost. If |
| disposable diaper. Breastfed baby's diapers don't even | | | | you are most concerned about the introductory cost, |
| need rinsing before washing, just toss them in the | | | | then prefolds and covers are the most cost-effective |
| diaper pail. It all rinses out in the wash. I promise! | | | | choice. Newborn size prefolds are very inexpensive |
| How do you choose the right cloth diaper for your | | | | and a few diaper covers and prefolds will last until |
| family? Consider what is most important to you. | | | | about 10 pounds, or several weeks for small babies. |
| For some parents the sudden reality of a newborn is | | | | Infant prefolds are a bit bulky on small newborns, but |
| overwhelming so they prefer the utmost in | | | | can easily be folded to fit in a diaper cover. They will |
| convenience for diapering. If convenience is your | | | | last until about 15 pounds, so the minor added cost is |
| motivator, all in one or pocket diapers are likely to be | | | | more than made up for by the extra usefulness of |
| your best option. While pricier than some other choices, | | | | these slightly larger diapers. |
| they are by far the most convenient. You might | | | | There are many ways to economize if you are not in |
| consider also consider a one size cloth diaper. While a | | | | a position to spend a lot of money on diapers right at |
| one size diaper stash will cost a bit more in the | | | | the start. Washing every day means you need to buy |
| beginning, they will last from about 8 pounds to 35 | | | | fewer diapers. You can also buy half of your diaper |
| pounds so you'll save in the long run. | | | | stash as more convenient diapers and half as less |
| For some parents the most important consideration is | | | | expensive diapers so you can fill in with the less |
| containment. They want to have the minimum risk of | | | | expensive diapers if needed. For instance, if you plan |
| diaper blowouts and leakage - this also helps reduce | | | | to use one size diapers, you can add a few prefolds |
| newborn laundry! Fitted diapers with covers are the | | | | or fitteds and covers to help you stretch your dollar. |