Since we have covered the different types of cloth diapers we are going to discuss the "extras" you may need. I am going to list them in order of importance (my personal opinion- yours may vary!)
Detergent: Ask any cloth diapering mama what laundry detergent she uses for her diapers and you will get 10 different responses. This goes for wash routines as well but that is a whole separate blog entry! I have used Rockin' Green Detergent from the start and have had WONDERFUL luck with it. Jackson has very sensitive skin and it has never given him a rash or even made him red. I think they key to cloth diapering is a good detergent along with a good wash routine. Because of that I recommend Rockin' Green. Yes, your sister's husband's wife's cousin makes her own laundry detergent and has never had any issues but I will stick to my Rockin' Green. We use Bare Naked Babies (the unscented version.) I use 2 tablespoons, wash every other day and 1 bag lasts me about 2- 2 1/2 months. For $17 bucks and no stink issues- I'll take it!
Wet Bag/ Pail Liner: Both of these have been a must for me. I carry a medium size Planet Wise wet bag in my diaper bag at all times. It holds between 5-7 diapers and has a zipper closure so it keeps the "stink" in.
I wash this every time I wash my diapers (every other day.) I dump all of the diapers into the wash, no need to touch them. Then throw the bag in the wash with the diapers. Simple as that!
When we are at home, I use a Planet Wise Pail Liner because this holds more diapers. It fits right into a standard size kitchen trash can (lid and foot pedal are a definite plus!) I empty this the same way as my wet bag. Dump it and straight into the wash.
Planet Wise also has a large size wet bag. It zippers closed and has a handle that can hook to the door knob/changing table.
Some people use these instead of a pail liner. I did at first but once Jackson started to roll and I was more cautious about leaving him on the changing table unattended (I know.. I know.. bad mom) I switched to the liner with a trash can so I could do everything with one hand.
Drying Rack: I try to sun my diapers as much as possible. The sun is amazing for getting out stains, removing stink, saving money, etc. I use a foldable drying rack that way I can hang them in the house if it is raining or easily move it to the back deck on a sunny day. Something like this works great!
Cloth Wipes/Solution: These are not a necessity but they really make things so much easier. I used to use disposable wipes while I was out but found it a real hassle having to separate the wipe from the wet bag or finding a trash can if I wasn't changing him near a trash can. I used cloth wipes at home so I'm not sure why I waited to so long to use them out and about. I now use a Planet Wise Wipe Pouch and flannel wipes that I wash right along with my diapers.
I store my wipes dry and use a diaper solution spray that I spray onto the cloth wipe right before I change him. Some people like to store their wipes wet, either way is fine and this bag is perfect for either option.
Flushable Liners: Flushable liners are a great solution for when baby starts solid foods and you must remove waste from the diaper before putting them in the wash. They lay on top of the diaper and you can flush them right down toilet. They are also great to use if you are fighting a stubborn diaper rash and have to use a cream that isn't cloth diaper safe. I also used them for the early days of the meconium poos that are notorious for staining your beautiful new diapers you have been waiting to try out.
Diaper pins? Gone are the days that diaper pins are needed to secure a flat/prefold. We used Snappis, they worked great for us but I really became a fan of the trifold rather than using a Snappi. This is how a Snappi works:
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I recently found Boingos which are similar to Snappi but require less work and are a lot cuter! Also great for reflux or colicky babies because the tab does not stretch across their sensitive tummy. These will be at the store very soon and I will let you know what I think about them. Here is how Boingos work:
Diaper Sprayer: This is another option for getting the solid waste our of a diaper before washing (instead of flushable liners.) It hooks to the back of your toilet so you can spray the diaper contents into the toilet. This is not on my must have list but some people can't live without them. You will find what works best for your family!
Extra Inserts/Doublers: Extra inserts or doublers are great for naps/overnight/long car rides. They increase the absorbency in the diaper and help to prevent leaks. There are several different types: microfiber, bamboo, hemp, charcoal bamboo, etc. I have never had to purchase extra inserts as most pocket diapers come with two and that has always worked fine for us. I use two microfiber inserts in a pocket diaper at night or occasionally one bamboo and one microfiber and we don't have any leaks. Once again, you will find out what works best for your family.
Now that we have discussed all of the "extras" we will move onto prepping/wash routines/stripping... stay tuned.
