When I was new to cloth diapers there were plenty of questions to untangle. Which cloth diapers should you choose? Which is the best one? Why are there so many different types? How many diapers do you need? Here I'm sharing the things I wish someone had told me from the start.
How I found my way into cloth diapers
I tried my way through different diaper systems and materials, and found a real hobby in it all. I was amazed at how many parents of little ones, just like me, fell for cloth diapers — and surprised by how many people think they're the same diapers Grandma used. To my mind, modern cloth diapers are the diapers of the future.
For you who are new to cloth diapers, or looking for an alternative to disposables, here are the tips I wish someone had given me at the beginning.
Four tips I wish I'd been given
- Keep it easy — start small. There's nothing odd about alternating disposables with cloth diapers. Some people start right away on the maternity ward and find it the most natural thing, but I had my hands full in the new role of mum and chose to bring cloth diapers in slowly. They found their way into our routines just as the post-birth aches and the freezer meals were being phased out.
- Try different diapers. Our little babies come in all shapes, and different diapers suit different moments. I borrowed diapers from my sister, wrote notes for the different inserts and was terrified of putting them in wrong. Looking back, I realize it didn't matter that much — as long as you use good-quality inserts it needn't be complicated.
- Don't be afraid to adjust the snaps. On one-size diapers, the baby sometimes grows in length, sometimes in width. It can take you by surprise when it's time to change the setting — especially the times you have to snap back down to a smaller size again.
- Don't overcomplicate the washing. You're probably already using a gentle detergent for the rest of your baby's laundry — use it for the cloth diapers too.
My journey to find a reusable alternative to disposables has been genuinely fun. As a seasoned cloth-diaper user, I'm looking forward to using cloth diapers early on with a possible sibling — I have the routine, and I love the feeling of using the same diaper over and over again.
By Emelie, founder of Time Ahead Sweden — mum of three and curious about how, as a parent, you can make considered choices in everyday life.