If you’re diapering a baby for the first time or even switching from disposables to cloth diapers, don’t make these 5 common mistakes.
- Putting all your eggs in one basket: Instead of searching for the “best diaper” and buying a whole stash (along with every accessory you think you’ll need), take it slow. Look for the diapers that work best for your family and your baby. If your stash consists of several brands and styles, you may appreciate it later if your preferences or your baby’s shape changes.
- Putting diapers on like disposables: Disposables tend to sit very high in the back but cloth diapers generally sit at (or even under) the bellybutton, with the rear elastic in line with the bellybutton. If you are using a larger rise setting & having trouble getting the legs snug, try dropping down a rise setting – you might be surprised how much better they fit. Speaking of legs, make sure the leg elastic is in the “underwear line” and not in chubby thigh rolls.
- Expecting disposable diaper absorbency: Cloth diapers don’t contain SAP and generally can’t be worn 6-12 hours “out of the box.” You can find diapers that will get baby through the night dry, and you can add absorbency for naps etc. however when the inserts are saturated, the diaper may leak. Plan to check baby’s diaper every 2-3 hours during the day.
- Being afraid of the diapers: There is a lot of crazy advice out there for washing cloth diapers. In the end, there’s very little you can do to truly damage your diapers. Use cloth safe rash creams and/or liners, limit machine drying, and follow the manufacturer’s washing instructions. Don’t be afraid to use a generous amount of detergent, and if you feel they aren’t getting clean, or you find yourself rinsing over & over all day long – get help! Cloth diapers are just another load of laundry.
- Becoming obsessed: OK there may be no avoiding this. You’re officially a cloth diapering mom (or dad) when you find yourself dreaming about cloth diapers, hearing common words like “prep” and immediately thinking cloth diapers, and spending all the money you saved on more diapers!
Did you make any mistakes as a new cloth diaper user?
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Maria wants to live in a world where cloth diapers are the norm and moms can make parenting choices without judgement. When she’s not chasing her 18, 14 and 11-year old kids around, you might find her checking out the latest gadgets, organizing something (again) or exercising in the fresh air. 
When folks first switch to cloth diapers using covers or pocket diapers-they can finish using any old disposables that baby has outgrown, by just lying them in the cover and closing them with the cover or pocket closure. It will not increase absorbancy-but it will close a disposable diaper that is too small to close!
Great tip!