What Experienced Mamas Would Tell Their Newbie Cloth Diapering Selves

I asked some experienced cloth diapering moms what they would tell a new cloth diapering mom, or what they would go back in time and tell their newbie selves. Here’s what they said:

The biggest thing is don’t let anyone talk you out of your decision to cloth diaper once you have made an informed decision. I let people talk me out of cloth diapering my now 18mo daughter from the start. That is the only regret I have with her. – Charity at Just Another Cloth Mom

If I was going back to the beginning I would tell myself not to be so afraid of cloth wipes, they work so much better, stay warmer out of the wipes warmer, are easy to use and save us lots of $$! – Colleen at Naturally Crafty Mom

I would tell myself, “Blow money on fitteds and wool, not pockets.” Elizabeth at Water Rolls Uphill

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a new cloth diaper user, I’d say to start sooner, not be so frustrated, and to use Tide with hard water. Mostly I’d tell myself to not be afraid. Fear and frustration are your biggest enemies when you’re trying something new. They do not always lead to the last ‘f’ which is failure. It only leads to experience and learning, which is a good thing! – Jill at Life is Not Bubble Wrapped

I would have told myself that it doesn’t have to be all or nothing with cloth diapering. Even cloth diapering part time will save money in the long run along with the other benefits. You don’t have to be all in one camp or the other. The crunchy granola police aren’t going to knock on your door because you used disposables on that trip to Grandma’s. – Michelle at Domesticating Michelle

Relax they are for pooping everything will be ok – Jessica

Spend the money on the good stuff. Don’t skimp out to “try” them because then you’re not getting the real experience.

Don’t think diaper quality is based on the price, some of my “cheapies” have been my best diapers. And some more expensive not so much. It’s not always “You get what you pay for”

Get ready for a serious addiction.

I would tell myself to get more prefolds and covers and and hybrid fitteds, and fewer pockets, and to skip microfiber. But I wouldn’t tell everyone that, those are just the things I’ve come to prefer.

once u find a detergent that works well with a laundry routine don’t change no matter what!

I would have told myself there is support and ways to work and cloth diaper a child. I always thought it would be too much to ask a daycare provider to do.

Go ahead and buy the expensive newborn diapers. Prefolds + squirmey newborns = O_o. Also, the fitteds and AIO’s are expensive, but stuffing diapers stops being cute after awhile.

You don’t have to have a crazy wash routine. Getting them clean should be inexpensive and easy

Buy a diaper sprayer! Makes it sooooo much easier .

Don’t be scared to strip them. They’ll be fine – in fact, they’ll work like new again.

The “cloth diaper safe detergent” charts are crap. Use regular detergent.

BUY ALL THE BABYLEGS!!!! Show off those diapers every chance you get while they are still small. Once they get bigger you will miss being able to take them out in public in a t-shirt, diaper, and babylegs to show off their fluffy butts!

Stay away from commercial dipes and NO microfiber! I had a whole stash of commercials with mf inserts and they leaked and stunk and I could not figure it out till I found fitteds with covers.

Honestly, while I love ALL my dipes, I’d go back and tell myself to only buy JB Baby’s! AI2s and prefolds only for me.

Do your research, but be open to trying different styles of diapers by different makers. Some will work better than others for your baby’s build.

Try all kinds because you may find that some which you though you would hate are actually going to be your favorite.

I’d tell myself to skip the $5 mf inserts and create a stash using prefolds. I would have saved money, time and frustration.

1. It’s not that hard. 2. Just try it. You can always go back to disposables if you don’t like them and they have good resale value (little money wasted on trying) 3. Invest in a bunch of different styles/types to find out what you will like 4. Know yourself/your values before choosing a system. i.e. is cost your most important issue (if so go with prefolds) or if you want the closest thing to disposables and are kind of lazy (like me) go with all in ones. 5. talk to people who do it. It’s less scary

Don’t invest in a bulk order of one kind. Try everything. Buy used. Do NOT google.

Try a variety to figure out what works for you and your baby. And don’t expect your stash to work for all of your babies. I’ve had to change my stash with every baby. If you are using cloth for financial reasons stick to prefolds and covers and never, ever go on hyena cart or etsy. Really never. And lastly I would say to myself “welcome to your new addiction”!

If you cant see it, feel it, smell it then don’t buy it used. I’ve had a case of the bst gone bad.

So how about me? What would I say to my 2004 self? It’s not rocket surgery…err…brain science! Don’t overthink it. It will all be OK! How about you?

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