Beginner Stashes, Getting Started

Ok, you have decided to cloth diaper, but where do you start? How many diapers will you need, what to get?

You are in the right place!!!

The very bare basics beginner stash you will need is as follows. This is a good place to start and build from.

A note. I suggest not buying a ton of anything as you will not know what works best for you or your baby till you try it. No matter how much other parents may rave about or be in love with one diaper brand or one system, it still may not work for you, your budget, or your baby. All babies are built different and different diapers fit different babies, well differently. Keep this in mind when shopping and establishing your stash!

Newborn:
It is tempting to run out and buy a bunch of newborn diapers, but keep in mind babies grow fast, I mean really fast. People will give you disposables, they always do, and chances are you will have more new born disposables than you can use up before baby out grows them.

Newborn poo is icky. Yes extra dark and stainy. Many cloth diaper folks chooser to wait till babe gets the newborn poops out of the way before they start CDing.

Ok you know these basics but still really want to CD. Alrighty. You have a few choices which one is right for you?

The following options cover what is most readily available on the market and a variety of sizes from newborn to big baby sizes. Most you will find are One Size options though, with snaps that make them adjustable to a variety of baby sizes, these usually fit between 6-8 lbs up to 35lbs. You will need Newborn size for anything smaller than that and big baby sized for anything over 35 lbs. OS options are more cost effective than their sized brethren as you will otherwise find yourself needing to buy an entire stash in each size NB, S, M, L, XL, otherwise, which can quickly become very expensive.

You will find you will need an average of 12 diapers per day between laundry. So a stash of 24 diapers will approximately last you 2 days, 48 diapers will allow you to wash every 3-4 days. Some babies you will find wet far more than average and will require larger stashes.

The basics are:
Prefolds:
Prefolds (also covers flats and fitteds), these are a cloth diaper that you fold to fit around your babe and hold in place with a  belt, pins or fasteners. You then can choose to use a waterproof cover over the diaper to ensure everything stays dry.

The two most common covers for prefolds are wool or PUL. Wool covers either come in a pull up form you slip on over the diaper or with velcro or snap fasteners. PUL covers come in either velcro or snap fasteners.

Prefolds come in different sizes and can easily be folded to fit very tiny bottoms, they are bulky enough to take up extra space and the covers usually easily fit very tiny babies. I feel prefolds are the most adjustable option for different bottom sizes and shapes.

Fitteds come in different sizes and are less bulky. They look like a prefold that has been cut to fit the shape of a babies body and do not require great origami skills.

Flats are just that a flat bit of fabric you fold to fit your needs.

Prefolds are amazing at catching newborn messes and rarely have blow outs if fitted properly. They are very efficient poo grabbers. Only draw back is wet fabric is directly against skin with no stay dry barrier.

You can add extra absorbent doublers and inserts to help grab added wetness but this is usually not needed for newborns. Newborns have teeny tiny bladders. You can also add liners to lay against skin such as silk which is amazing for sensitive skin.

Prefolds, flats and fitteds come in a variety of fabrics. You will most likely find cotton, hemp and bamboo.

Prefolds, fitteds and flats must be changed every time a child urinates or soils. You should "air" the cover after each changing swapping on a new one, but PUL covers can usually be used a couple times maybe even three before needing washed. The rule is wash every time poop gets onto the cover, or when urine odor does not fade after airing till dry. Wool covers should be aired every time baby is changed. Should be washed when soiled, but need not be washed often when wet. The rule again is to wash when they still smell of urine after dried from airing, This is only about once a week or less for wool verses every 2-3 changes for PUL.

You will need an average of 24 flats, fitteds or prefolds for a starter stash, if you buy newborn size they will be outgrown soon, if you buy the next size up they will fit longer but may be large on new babies.

You will need an average of 12 PUL covers or 6 Wool covers.
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Pockets:
Pockets, these are a cover with an inner stay dry liner. There is a pocket between the water proof and the stay dry layers where you stuff absorbent layers. You can use inserts made for pockets, folded prefolds or folded flats. The pocket covers are made of PUL and either fasten with velcro or snaps. No pins, belts or fasteners are needed when using pockets.

Pockets covers come in newborn, one size, and big baby.

Inserts come in microfiber, bamboo, bamboo blend (usually bamboo on the outside and MF on the inside), charcoal bamboo, cotton and hemp. Bamboo and MF are the most common or some combo of the two. Inserts come in 3 sizes from newborn to regular to extra large.

MF can not be used against babies skin as it will cause over drying and skin issues. Bamboo, cotton and hemp can be used against the skin.

The stay dry layer of pocket covers is usually either microfleece or microsuede. Both are synthetic fibers and allow urine and moisture to pass through and into the absorbent layers within while maintaining a  feel dry barrier between baby and absorbent layers.

Pockets must be changed every time baby soils and how often they need changed when baby urinates will depend on how absorbent the layers within are and how many inserts you have within. Maybe people like this option for night times as baby can go longer and sleep better without feeling wet.

Both pocket cover and insert must be washed every time baby is changed!

You will need an average of 24 pocket covers for a beginner stash and I recommend an insert stash of double that for 48 total to begin. A common cause of pocket leaks is not enough absorbency and not all inserts are created equal, some being far more absorbent than others. If your pockets constantly leak you likely need more absorbency! And remember if you have a prefold stash already you can use prefolds and flats to stuff your pockets. Heck in a pinch anything absorbent will work, towels, t shirts, you would be surprised what some of our local moms have used in an emergency.
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All in ones and Two in ones:
AIO are a self contained one piece option. They often have a stay dry layer that allows babies skin to feel dry even after wetting, they have an absorbent layer and they have a water proof outer PUL layer.

TIO are like their AIO brothers but the absorbent layer kinda flips out for washing and drying.

Both must be washed every time diapers are changed. Both take longer to wash and dry than other cloth options, and must be handled with more care. They are an attractive option for new CDers due to how easy they are to use. There is little learning curve involved as they are fully self contained. These however are my least favorite option.

AIO and TIO come in multiple sizes and have velcro and snap options.

You will need an average of 24 AIO or TWO for a beginner stash.

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 Now that you know your options, I suggest looking t brands, we have a list of brands above under our banner, just click the button that says brands. I suggest asking around, seeing what others like, seeing what is in your budget and getting a small variety of items, keeping in mind you minimum guide of how many diapers total you will need.

Also remember well kept and well cared for diapers hold value! If you find you have something that isn't working you can resell it and get something you love!

I hope this beginners guide has been helpful, and remember it is always okay to ask questions!