The Bare Butt Basics part 3 How to get started with a newborn

When deciding to use real diapers instead of disposable ones there is a lot to consider. I know, before I took the leap into using cloth, that I felt overwhelmed by all the choices, vocabulary, recommendations, and styles. I knew when I was first pregnant I wanted to use cloth, but somehow in the confusion of a cerclage operation, bed rest, c-section, twins in the NICU, preemie twins at home, life as a new Mom, etc. I lost that goal. Disposables were easy, free (at first as I got so many as gifts and the NICU sent us home with a bunch) and quickly became what I knew how to use. Then I decided to switch, fell in love with cloth, and regretted not having used them right from the start. I think one of the reasons I want to write this blog is so that people who love the idea of using real diapers, but who feel daunted by it, have a source to go to to get some advice.

Are you pregnant and preparing to use cloth on your new little one?

If you are, then there are a few things to consider to help you to decide what to purchase. One of the things to look at is how big you expect your baby to be on arrival. If this is your first, you might have no idea, but if it is your second (or 19th) then you might have a better idea. The other thing you have to consider is how important it is to you to use cloth from day 1 or if you think you might use disposables for the first few weeks. Newborns are often tiny, and newborn diapers need to be tiny too. Newborns tend to grow very quickly and therefore outgrow their newborn diapers very quickly too. If you know you have bigger babies, and aren't disgusted by using disposables for a few weeks, then skipping newborn diapers and moving on to one sized diapers might be an option for you. If you have smallish babies (or are having multiples) or if using cloth from day one is important to you, then having a newborn stash is important. If I have a third child I plan to have my newborn diapers in the hospital with me, ready to use from day one.

The newborn diapering stage can be fairly short or can go on for a few months, depending on size and urine output. During this stage babies pee and poo often. You will need a minimum of 10 to 12 diapers a day. If you are planning to wash ever 2nd day, then you need at least 20 -24 diapers. I find that on the day I wash I never get things straight from the washer, into the dryer and folded/stuffed and put away in a few hours, it takes me all day. So if you are like me, then you probably need a 3rd days worth of diapers (so 30 -36) in order to have enough to wash every 2nd day and have enough for the day you are washing. Some people make due with way less, but it takes more effort.

For the newborn stage, because it is so short, often people go with the cheapest option of prefolds and covers. Preemie or newborn sized prefolds, snappied on to the baby (to prevent newborn poo from escaping out around their skinny legs), with a xs or s cover is a great solution that wont break the bank. Small prefolds can later be pad folded and laid in a cover once they are too small to snappi, or used as a booster or doubler with other diapers when the baby gets bigger, so they may get a lot of use.

If your bank account can afford it (or if you are asking for diapers as shower gifts) it is always nice to have some other options to use. Many of the major cloth diaper companies are making small size or mini sized diapers designed for preemies or the newborn stage. Most of these are "all in one" style diapers. Some even come with a snap in front designed to give room for the belly button cord. Another option would be to get some small sized fitteds to use under covers.

If you have large babies, you might decide to skip newborn size diapers altogether and just purchase one sized diapers which start fitting around 8 pounds to 10 pounds. These diapers are designed to also fit up to around 35 pounds. Even on their smallest settings though, many one sized diapers look huge on small babies. If you have a set of newborn diapers you can put off using any one sized diapers until they fit really well, usually around 12-15 pounds. If you decide to go right to one sized diapers (therefore probably never needing to buy another set), you will save money but will have to put up with a few weeks to a few months of your diapers being a bit too big. If you are opting to go straight to one size diapers, it pays to look around for brands that will fit sooner, as not all one sized diapers are sized the same way.

Many times sized diapers are cheaper to buy than one sized ones. You may decide to use sized diapers, replacing your smaller sized ones as your baby outgrows them. If you are unsure what type of diaper you will like the best (pockets, prefolds, fitteds, etc...) sometimes buying a stash of diapers including many different types in the smaller sizes will allow you to experiment. Once you know what you like the best you can replace them, as your baby grows, with that type.