Cloth Diapers: Major Facts
A cloth diaper is a modern-day type of diaper that is convenient and stylish.
Cloth diapers are much like disposable diapers. Yet, cloth diapers are washable and reusable.
BoyGirl Dry Diapers from Canagoza are one-size-fits-all diapers. They are completely adjustable in that they have three front rows of snaps that are adjusted in order to fit a baby's weight or size.
In other words, BoyGirl Dry Diapers are designed to grow with your baby.
There are five main types of modern-day cloth diapers: pocket, all-in-one, all-in-two, fitted, and snap-in-one.
I. Pocket Cloth Diaper
A pocket cloth diaper is made up of three completely different layers: a waterproof outer material, stay-dry material, and absorbent pocket diaper insert(s).
The waterproof outer material is sewn to the inner stay-dry material; together those two layers form a pocket that is stuffed with the third layer, the absorbent pocket diaper insert(s).
Please see Appendix I for a thorough discussion of the parts of a cloth diaper.
II. All-in-one Cloth Diaper
Also known as “AIOs," all-in-one cloth diapers are the easiest diapers to use and have the absorbent material sewn into the diaper cover (shell).
The diaper cover comprises a waterproof outer material and stay-dry material. The inserts may be natural fibers or synthetic fibers, and the diaper will fasten with either snaps or Velcro.
An AIO may be a one-sized diaper or a sized diaper. Many newborn diapers are also AIO style.
III. All-in-two Cloth Diaper
An all-in-two (AI2) diaper is a two-piece system in which absorbent inserts are laid or snapped inside a diaper cover. The cover comprises a waterproof outer material that has an inner soft stay-dry material.
The soft stay-dry material wicks moisture away and keeps a baby's skin dry and comfortable. The soft stay-dry material gives the baby a stay-dry feeling.
Diaper inserts of an AI2 diaper goes directly against the baby's skin. Nonetheless, many AI2s, like BoyGirl AI2s, also have a pocket option.
Reusable BoyGirl AI2 Dry Diapers are highly versatile. Unlike a pocket diaper, the beauty of the AI2 design is that diaper cover can be reused with fresh BoyGirl AI2 Spare Inserts.
When the AI2 initial inserts becomes wet (soiled), the stay-dry material of the diaper cover is still dry (clean), and outside part of the diaper cover is clean, you simply change out the AI2 initial inserts with the AI2 spare inserts instead of washing the entire cloth diaper.
Interchange between two covers if desired.
When the AI2 initial inserts and stay-dry material becomes wet (soiled), and outside part of the diaper cover is dirty, replace both the cover and AI2 initial inserts with clean ones.
Clearly, owning one BoyGirl AI2 Dry Diaper is similar to owning two or more pocket, all-in-one (AIO), or fitted diapers.
IV. Fitted Cloth Diaper
Fitted diapers are the fourth style of cloth diapers. These diapers are a two-step system.
Fitted diapers are great at containing messes with their gathered, elasticized legs and waists.
Like all-in-ones diapers, fitted diapers are shaped like disposable diapers. Nevertheless, unlike all-in-ones, fitted diapers do not have a waterproof layer, so fitted cloth diapers require a BoyGirl Wipeable Inner Diaper Cover.
Using a wipeable inner cover over fitted diapers provides the waterproof layer as well as double protection against leaks and blowouts.
Fitted diapers are easy to put on, just like disposable diapers. They do not require folding and will typically secure in the front or side with snap or Velcro closures.
Nevertheless, because fitted diapers require a wipeable inner diaper cover, two key steps have to be followed: open the diaper, lift baby's bottom, slide the diaper underneath, and close the diaper. Then, repeat with the cover.
V. Snap-in-one Cloth Diaper
A snap-in-one (SIO) is a diaper in which the inside/s snap into the cover.
A SIO is much like an all-in-one except that the inserts of a BoyGirl SIO Dry Diaper can be removed for fast drying time and customization of absorbency.
Modern-day Cloth Diapers: The frequently asked Questions
The benefits of cloth products for your child over disposable products have never been in question; it has largely been a question of convenience. New technology has allowed cloth diapers to be used in an easier fashion than ever before.
There are so many questions that new parents have about modern-day cloth diapers versus disposable diapers. We know – based on our primary research on modern-day cloth diapers and from our descriptive research from reputable sources on the World Wide Web (WWW).
Here, we have compiled the most frequently asked questions about modern-day cloth diapers. If you still have a burning question that is unanswered after reading this, please Contact Us. We will get back to you as soon as we can, and we may even add your question to this list.
Why should I Cloth Diaper my Baby?
1. Cloth Diapers are Healthier than Disposable Diapers
What should be of serious concern to all parents are the toxic chemicals present in disposable diapers. Have you ever given a thought on what makes "super absorbent" disposable diapers so absorbent?
Super absorbent disposable diapers contain sodium polyacrylate, which absorbs up to 100 times its own weight in water (Kassem, 2013).
If you have ever used disposable diapers, you have probably noticed beads of clear gel on your baby's skin after a diaper change. In other words, sodium polyacrylate is often visible as small gel-like crystals on the skin of babies.
Sodium polyacrylate is thought to be linked to skin irritations and respiratory problems (Kassem, 2013).
Sodium polyacrylate is the same substance that was removed from tampons in 1985 for causing toxic shock syndrome (Ash, 2006).
Magana (2004) noted:
The sodium polyacrylate in the conventional disposable diapers is designed to form a gel-like crystal. They [researchers] have found that this gel has correlations with allergic reactions, severe skin irritations, and staph infections. Since these gel-like crystals are designed to hold large amounts of water, if baby were to swallow even a small amount, it can be fatal (p.16).
For the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), one byproduct of the paper-bleaching process used in manufacturing disposable diapers is dioxin (USEPA, 2015a). Trace quantities of dioxin may exist in the disposable diapers (USEPA, 2015a).
Dioxin is listed by the USEPA as the most toxic of cancer related chemicals (USEPA, 2015a). For the USEPA, dioxin, in various forms, has been shown to cause cancer, birth defects, liver damage, skin diseases, and genetic damage (USEPA, 2015b).
Disposable diapers contain Tributyl-tin (TBT). TBT is a toxic pollutant known to cause hormonal problems in humans and animals (Ciula, 2011).
Many disposable diapers manufacturer add fragrance to their diapers to cover fecal or chemical odors. The fragrance is the strong smell disposable diapers often give off when newly opened.
In many cases, the fragrance contains phthalates. Phthalates are a class of chemicals known to disrupt the endrocrine system (Sharratt, 2010).
January 2019, some researchers in France published the results of their study about disposable diapers. The study revealed disposable diapers contain traces of dangerous chemicals. They are about 60 chemicals, some of which have been banned in the European Union for over 15 years (Willsher, 2019).
One such chemical is glyphosate. Glyphosate is used in the weed killer Roundup. Furthermore, other substances ordinarily found in cigarette smoke or diesel fumes were found (Willsher, 2019).
Disposable diapers may overheat the genitals of baby boys (Raj, 2014). Recent studies have shown higher temperature of the scrotum can decrease the sperm count and increase the risk of testicular cancer (Raj, 2014).
May 2000, Archives of Disease in Childhood published a research revealing scrotal temperature is increased in boys wearing disposable diapers and prolonged use of disposable diapers will blunt or completely end the physiological testicular cooling mechanism important for normal spermatogenesis (Partsch, Aukamp, & Sippell, 2000).
A 2001 United Kingdom study published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood suggests infant boys who wear disposable diapers could experience impaired fertility as adults (Green America, 2003).
In short, according to Green America (2003), there may be reasons to be concerned about the health effects of disposable diapers.
In stark contrast, cloth diapers are free of the numerous chemicals found in disposable diapers. BoyGirl Dry Diapers are the best way to protect your baby from sodium polyacrylate, dioxin, TBT, phthalates, glyphosate, and many other chemicals.
In cloth diapers, there are no chemicals added to absorb moisture -- fabrics used absorp without any help. The cloth diapers are effective because of the absorbent fabrics and waterproof cover.
Cloth diapering is no harder than using disposable. With the health risks associated with disposable diapers, the extra time to wash, dry, and assemble cloth diapers is worth the peace of mind.
When you are considering cloth diapers versus disposable diapers, choose a healthy life for your baby by choosing BoyGirl Dry Diapers.
2. Disposable Diapers may cause Diaper Rash
Surprised? It is true. Disposable diapers may cause rashes: This is even verified by one disposable diapers manufacturer whose own studies have shown the occurrence of diaper rash increases from 7.1 percent to 61 percent with the increased use of disposable diapers (City University of New York, 2009).
According to Journal of Pediatrics, 54% of one-month-old babies using disposable diapers had rashes. Sixteen (16) percent of the 54% had severe rashes (City University of New York, 2009).
The disposable diapers are increasingly absorbent nowadays, thanks to the super absorbent gel, sodium polyacrylate. The best way to prevent rash is to change different diapers frequently. Many parents are, however, changing their babies' disposable diapers less frequently than they really should because of the super absorbent gel.
Despite the highly absorbent quality of disposable diapers, urine and bacteria are still present in these diapers, and thus laying against your baby's bum.
Diaper rash is caused by lengthy exposure to moisture combined with friction, bacteria, and ammonia buildup (City University of New York, 2009).
In addition, the super absorbent gel 'pulls' natural moisture from baby's skin, encouraging irritation (City University of New York, 2009).
Disposable diapers contain a variety of plastics, adhesives, glues, elastics, dyes, and lubricants, some of which can cause irritation. Usually, disposable diapers cause chafing and sensitivity around the base of the legs because of the plastic elastics (Sharratt, 2010).
In stark contrast, a cloth diaper simply molds to your baby, allowing the skin to still breathe and not get too tight (Sharratt, 2010).
3. Cloth Diapers are cheaper than Disposable Diapers
Hands up! Who does not like the idea of saving money? A typical baby goes through 6,000 disposable diapers before they are potty trained (Savedge, 2009). For the United States Environmental Protection Agency, sometimes, a baby may use up to 8,000 disposable diapers before they are trained how to use a potty (USEPA, 2015b).
One reason for that is that even though a disposable diaper can hold a day's worth of urine and probably more, disposable diapers should also be changed frequently (City University of New York, 2009). In stark contrast, BoyGirl Dry Diapers are reused after washing, rather than just throwing them away.
Chicago (United States of America) parent Maureen Smithe says she spent about US$500 (around KES60,000) in advance on cloth diapers and related supplies to clean them. She is saving so much from the estimated US$3,000 (around KES360,000) she would have spent on disposable diapers -- cost per wear is low for cloth diapers. Her family can take a vacation (among other things) with the money saved (Crowe, 2011).
Smithe’s cost per diaper is dropping because her daughter was potty trained at age two (2), a year earlier than expected. It is because babies in cloth diapers are willing to potty train sooner than their peers in disposable diapers (Crowe, 2011).
BoyGirl Dry Diapers are around less than 50% of what you would spend on disposable diapers and will probably last through your baby's future sibling. If you take your time (like Maureen Smithe) and do your maths properly, you will realize how much money you are literally dumping into the landfills by buying disposable diapers.
4. Cloth Diapers save you more Money
The invention of cloth diapers has meant terrific money saving for families. Rather than buying several sets of cloth diapers in each size needed, most families are able to buy a single “stash” of cloth diapers.
One-size cloth diapers fit babies at their different sizes by having an adjustment, usually on the front of the diaper. The adjustment makes the cloth diaper shorter or taller. Three snap-downs on the front of the cloth diaper allow you to easily adjust the size of the diaper as your baby grows.
In addition, the waist closes tighter or looser around the baby with snaps or Velcro.
When you first pick up a one-size cloth diaper, you may be thinking “how would this work from birth to potty training?” Very good question. It is a safe statement to say one-size diapers fit better starting at 3.5-16 kilograms (up to around 56cm waist circumference).
For BoyGirl AI2 Dry Diapers, for babies weighing less than 3.5 kilograms, especially some newborn babies, you may have to only use one detachable AI2 insert. For BoyGirl AIO Dry Diapers, for babies weighing less than 3.5 kilograms, especially some newborn babies, you may not have to use the removable bamboo cotton insert. For babies weighing more than 16 kilograms, please use/purchase BoyGirl AI2 Children’s Dry Diaper(s).
Please note that it is good to have several diapers/spare inserts/booster inserts to ensure you have a few extra clean to get you through a day or two days while the rest are in the washing machine or drying.
For sun drying or air-drying, gently squeezing the inserts to remove excess water will reduce the drying time. Aim to hang on a clothesline your diaper/s (and other baby clothing) early in the morning.
5. Reliable and Comfortable
Comfortable BoyGirl Dry Diapers provide a much softer "landing pad" than a flat disposable paper diaper. Supreme comfort, superior fit, and unmatched leak proof performance in each diaper: These are the characteristics of BoyGirl Dry Diapers.
Providing the very best diaper for your child’s comfort requires excellent design, the highest quality fabrics, and sewing with the utmost care and attention. Take, for example, our signature leg gussets. These gussets move with your baby to provide a custom fit and advanced protection against leaks. Our snap closures allow for the greatest adjustability for an amazingly comfortable fit.
The use of our waterproof PUL fabric (along with our ultra-absorbent inserts and stay-dry material) keeps your baby feeling dry and the messes inside.
Fabrics used in Canagoza cloth diapers are soft. Cloth diapers stay cool and breathable in the hottest of weather.
Cloth is softer than disposable paper diapers (Alexander, 2020). That is the end of the story. Otherwise, wouldn't we all be wearing paper underwear?
6. Health of the Environment
Disposable diapers make up the third largest source of solid waste in landfills, after newspapers and food and beverage containers. That is a significant fact considering disposable diapers are a single product used by a limited portion of the population (Philadelphia University, n.d.).
For Environment Canada, “The effluents from the disposable diaper manufacturing process (plastic, pulp, and bleached paper) are more damaging to the environment than the cotton and hemp growing and manufacturing process" (King, 2008).
The average disposable wearing baby will create two thousand kilograms of bio-hazardous waste that will sit in a landfill for hundreds of years. In fact, the use of the disposable diapers adds billions of kilograms of urine, feces, plastic, and paper to landfills each year throughout the world.
In order for the disposable diapers to decompose, they must be exposed to air and sun (Philadelphia University, n.d.).
How likely is that? For Philadelphia University (n.d.), 30% of a disposable diaper is made of plastic, which is not easily biodegradable. For the United States Environmental Protection Agency, disposable diapers last for centuries in landfills (USEPA, 2015b). It will take around 500 years for a disposable diaper to biodegrade (Philadelphia University, n.d.).
When you throw away that disposable diaper, it may be worth remembering it will still be sitting in the landfill for long.
The production of disposable diapers consumes excessive amounts of resources and energy, contributing to notable amounts of carbon emissions.
In Kenya, Mutura (2020) noted:
Mountains of soiled disposable diapers are rapidly building in towns across the country, posing a headache to health officials in management of solid waste… The increased use of disposable diapers in Kenya is placing a heavy load on already strained waste management sectors, with environmentalists saying this is posing great danger than that caused by the banned plastic carrier bags. In most dumpsites across the country, recycling of solid waste is manageable, but diapers, which are daily waste constituting a high percentage of the total waste, have proved to be a challenge. In some estates, diapers are a nuisance as they are discarded in the open and some being ravished by dogs causing even more danger.
Besides filling dwindling landfill space, disposable diapers endanger health of sanitation workers, because disposable diapers in landfills may contain over 100 intestinal viruses (Philadelphia University, n.d.).
For Environment Canada, the waste from the cloth diaper is properly treated as sewage, while disposable diapers in landfills can be a breeding ground for a wide variety of viruses, including hepatitis B (King, 2008).
The very lengthy decomposition of disposable diapers waste and the subsequent health risks of untreated human waste, with its potential disease-causing organisms, will cause problems, particularly if this leaches into the groundwater supply and contaminates our water resources (King, 2008).
7. Cloth Diapers are easy to put on
In our mothers' time, pins, plastic pants (or rubber pants), and time were needed to fold a cloth napkin into a diaper. Now with BoyGirl Dry Diapers, cloth diapering is really as easy as using disposable diapers.
Please note: Learn if your baby fits in the small, medium, or large setting. For small or medium setting, if you notice that your insert(s) are coming out after locking, fold under top flap of the insert(s) to decrease length.
8. Cloth Diapers are easy to wash
We know for a fact moms new to cloth diapering shake at the thought of cleaning soiled diapers. With modern-day cloth diapers, cleaning is a breeze. Baby's poo is contained by the disposable DryBamboo Diaper Liner, which is thrown away into a toilet or pit latrine.
You can either collect about a washing machine load of wet diapers to be washed together, or you can just hand-wash the rinsed diaper/s alongside other baby clothing. No sweat -- really.
The convenience of disposable diapers is largely an illusion. Consider the extra hours you may have to work to cover the cost of disposable diapers; overtime is not such a convenience.
Cloth diapers are also not terribly inconvenient to wash; they come clean after just one water load (Russo, 2013).
9. Kenyan made and sustainable
We are very proud of the fact that Canagoza products will in the future be manufactured in Kenya by a group of talented individuals. We are committed to fair and sustainable labor practices, providing people in our own communities with jobs and helping local economies.
We do not stop there. We will be recycling our scrap fabric.
Why does Canagoza go to so much trouble? It is because socially and environmentally responsible practices are as important to us as they are to you.
As a result of our high-quality standards for raw materials and manufacturing, we will be offering one of the best warranties in the industry.
Stand out from the Crowd
Be different. Show you care about your baby (ies) by giving them the best in everything, including the way you diaper them. We strongly believe BoyGirl Dry Diapers are an excellent option for all babies and families.
Soft comfortable fabrics used in BoyGirl Dry Diapers are absorbent and gentle on your baby’s skin. Choosing BoyGirl Dry Diapers gives you control over what touches your baby's skin.
BoyGirl Dry Diapers are of high quality (they have significant lifespan) and give the convenience of a disposable diaper. Washable, reusable BoyGirl Dry Diapers mean less money out of your pocket and less waste in our landfills.
BoyGirl Dry Diapers are thus preferred by cloth diapering moms, dads, and caregivers.
Love your baby and save the Earth too. It is a whole lot awesome shopping for cloth diapers that come in different styles and colors. It is also lots of fun sharing the wonders of cloth diapering to other usually very curious moms, dads, and caregivers.
How do I clean Cloth Diapers?
Before you start using your diapers – very important
Wash diapers in cool water with a small amount of zero residue detergent before first use. New fabrics have a special finish on them that gives them "new fabric" smell and feel. This finish is water-repellent and must be removed by washing before use.
What to do with dirty Diapers
(1) Open the diaper and remove it from the baby. Flush away flushable liner into the toilet or throw it into a pit latrine. Next, remove the BoyGirl AI2 removable inserts.
(2) While at home, after a diaper change, it is recommended to initially rinse the wet/soiled inserts in cool or warm water before storing them in a PeeGuard Wet Bag or PeeGuard Wet/Dry Bag or washing later. Do not add detergent during rinsing.
(3) Wash the covers using cool water. Do not wash them in hot water. Use a small amount of cloth-friendly detergent (a detergent that rinses clean) to wash both the inserts and covers.
To prolong the lifespan of the BoyGirl AI2 Dry Diaper(s), please do not use fabric softeners or bleach.
(4) Rinse the covers and inserts in cool water.
(5) Dry outside on a clothesline. Sunlight is a natural brightener and disinfectant.
To prolong the lifespan of the BoyGirl AI2 Dry Diaper(s), please do not dry the covers using a machine. Nevertheless, you can dry the inserts in a machine/drier, as they are not laminated with TPU. Dry the inserts on low-heat setting (Diaper Jungle, 2015; Jillian’s Drawer, 2015).
Machine washing
(1) Wash cool with no detergent.
(2) Use a regular cool cycle with a cloth-friendly detergent. Start by using slightly less than the recommended amount of detergent for your type of machine (unless the detergent is specifically labeled with directions for washing cloth diapers).
Make sure to set your load/water level to the largest setting if washing 12 or more diapers.
(3) Extra rinse: If your machine does not have an extra rinse setting, turn the dial to rinse manually.
(4) Special note for high-efficiency front-loading machines. If you have a high-efficiency or front-loading machine that does not allow you to choose the load size or water level, this means your machine is weighing laundry to determine the water level.
Add a wet towel to "trick" your machine into using the appropriate amount of water to get diapers nice and clean.
(5) Thoroughly dry diapers in the sun (the covers dry quickly). The sun will save energy and perform natural bleaching.
Please do not dry the covers using a machine. Nevertheless, you can dry the inserts in a machine/drier, as they are not laminated with TPU.
Dry the inserts on low-heat setting.
What Detergent should I use when washing my Cloth Diapers?
Choose a mild (gentle) detergent that does not contain any of the following additives:
(i) Fabric softeners,
(ii) Perfumes,
(iii) Whiteners,
(iv) Dyes,
(v) Ultraviolet (UV) brighteners,
(vi) Stain guard ingredients,
(vii) Enzymes, and
(viii) Other fabric enhancers or anything scented (Bummies Quebec Canada, n.d.).
The above additives can cause skin sensitivities, premature wear of your cloth diapers, and other issues (Bummies Quebec Canada, n.d.).
Lengthening the Life of your Cloth Diapers
Please do not use bleaches completely. That is because traces could be left that can have negative health effect. From our own interviews, many parents in Kenya who used plastic pants with nappies before shifting to modern-day cloth diapering complained traces of bleaches were sometimes left on nappies that caused irritation. Bleach will also ruin the elastic and waterproofing material (TPU).
Also, avoid borax, whitening additives, detergents with chlorine bleach, and stain removers. You may use lemon juice to whiten -- up to ½ (half) a cup.
Again, never use fabric softeners. Fabric softeners coat fabric, thereby reducing absorbency.
It is recommended not to dry the diaper cover in a dryer, as it will weaken/damage the TPU. Nevertheless, you can dry the inserts in a machine/drier, as they are not laminated with TPU. Dry them on low-heat setting (Jillian’s Drawer, 2015).
How often do I need to change the Diapers?
Frequent changes, even with disposable diapers, are important to the health of your baby's skin.
Newborns pee in small amounts. They can wet frequently, eight to 20 (8-20) times a day. For this reason, newborns often need to be changed every one to two (1-2) hours. Even an older baby needs changing every two to three (2-3) hours until they begin to hold their urine for longer periods of time.
At one year, babies may wet seven to 10 (7-10) times a day, but in greater amounts. At two years, your child will need a greater absorbency capacity, but may only need five to eight (5-8) changes a day.
If you are only changing your baby every four to six (4-6) hours, the diaper may become so saturated and the wetness has nowhere to go, but out.
Please note: Once you realize your baby has pooed, please make a diaper change immediately even if it is, for example, five (5) minutes after you had made a diaper change (Eco Cloth Diaper, 2016).
It may seem like a lot of work at first, but soon you will get into the routine of frequent changes. If you keep your changing supplies well organized and choose an easy-to-use cloth diapering system, your diaper changing can be quick.
Every diaper change offers opportunities for making eye contact, playful interaction, and bonding with your baby. Enjoy this short time with your baby. You will not believe how fast this time shall go – until it is already gone (Eco Cloth Diaper, 2016).
What Accessories are recommended?
(1) SunDry Baby Changing Mat
(2) DryBamboo Diaper Liners and Baby Wipes/First Bamboo Baby Wipes: Honestly the easiest way to wipe when using cloth diapers. You can store a spray bottle of water on your changing table or in your PeeGuard Wet/Dry Bag.
Spray when needed and wipe with a DryBamboo Baby Wipe.
Alternatively, toss First Bamboo Baby Wipes in the PeeGuard Wet/Dry Bag. Just moisten with water before use or store moist wipes in a wipes warmer.
Pamper your baby. Traveling? Just store pre-moistened wipes in a tight sealing PeeGuard Wet Bag or PeeGuard Wet/Dry Bag.
(3) PeeGuard Wet Bag or PeeGuard Wet/Dry Bag: You will want a waterproof bag with a tight seal to use while at home and when travelling.
On laundry day, just remove the entire liner and wash the bag alongside your diapers.
We recommend purchasing two PeeGuard Wet Bags or PeeGuard Wet/Dry Bags so that you will have one for use when the other is in the wash (Eco Cloth Diaper, 2016).
Can I put an extra Insert(s) for higher absorbency?
Yes, you can. That is the beauty of cloth diapers. You can customize the number of booster inserts according to your needs and baby's comfort level, especial for night time.
Please choose BoyGirl Booster Insert(s). These inserts are made of outer layers of bamboo charcoal or bamboo cotton fabric and inner layers of microfiber fabric.
Can I travel with Cloth Diapers?
Yes, you can. Just flush any solids (toilets will likely be nearby) and store used diapers in a waterproof, tight sealing PeeGuard Wet Bag or PeeGuard Wet/Dry Bag.
Many people use flushable DryBamboo Diaper Liners when traveling to simplify diaper care on the go.
Wash as usual once you return home.
If traveling for longer than a couple of days, you can ask to use washing machine of where you will be staying.
How to prevent leaking?
(1) Absorbency: It is important to change your baby frequently as instructed above. If your little one is a super soaker, then you may consider adding additional absorbency, booster insert(s), to prevent leaks.
(2) Size: If the diaper does not fit properly, it will leak. Diapers that are too small or too big will cause leaking and/or wicking. Make sure you are using the right setting for your little one.
(3) Residue Buildup: The third main reason you could be experiencing leaks has to do with residue buildup. Buildup refers to residue left by detergents.
If you have used any fabric softener or non-cloth diaper friendly creams/ointment, they will also cause your diapers to repel as well. It is thus important to not use any fabric softener and non-cloth diaper friendly creams/ointments.
Cloth diaper friendly detergents will reduce your chances of detergent residue buildup.
My Diapers are stinky, what can I do?
Cloth diapering should never be stinky. If your diapers smell bad, then there is a problem. Usually the problem is detergent buildup. Occasionally, the problem is that they are not getting clean enough or you are using too much detergent.
Smell the cloth diapers when they are wet out of the washer or dry out of the clothesline. If they smell at that point, then they are not getting cleaned enough.
If the cloth diapers smell fine but stink as soon as your baby pees in it, then they have detergent buildup problem.
The first suggestion that will work for both problems is to make sure you have enough water in your washing machine and enough “swish” room for your diapers — or enough water in your basin.
Some front-loading washing machines do not add enough water to thoroughly soak the diapers and will not do a good job in getting them clean.
Adding water to the machine can remedy this problem. Do not overload your machine with diapers or they will not get clean (Eco Cloth Diaper, 2016).
Cloth Diaper fitting Tips
To check the fit, first pick up your baby’s legs after putting the diaper on and observe how it hugs their bottom.
Is it comfortable? Can you see any “gaps” between your baby’s leg and the diaper? Does it slide down your baby’s body while moving? If so, you are going to want to make your cloth diaper a bit more secure and ensure it is laying flat on your baby’s waist.
A good rule of thumb is to have your diaper tight enough so no moisture escapes, but loose enough that you can slide in a finger.
(1) Too loose around the waist: You might notice leaking around the belly or back if you do not have a good fit around the waist.
A well-fitting cloth diaper will always be tight around your baby’s legs and waist no matter what -- but not too tight. You should be able to place one to two (1-2) fingers easily without too much effort.
(2) Boys versus girls: Boys tend to pee in the front or towards the top of the diaper. Girls tend to pee in the middle of the diaper. You may need to adjust where the inserts are or add a booster insert(s).
(3) Leg rolls: Some babies have more rolls than others. Be sure your diaper is fitting inside the leg rolls where the natural underwear line would be.
If you happen to get some squishy leg rolls inside the diaper, when your baby moves, it might create a gap for pee to escape (Kelly Closet, 2016b).
(4) If your diaper is leaking out of the side around the leg openings, change the diaper and remove the insert. If the insert is over saturated, you need to add more absorbency, a BoyGirl Booster Insert.
If it is not saturated and is leaking around the leg openings, then you either have a fit or a repelling issue or will need to adjust the tightness of the diaper.
(5) If your cloth diaper is leaking out of the front top, make sure the insert is not pushing any of the lining fabric up against your baby’s clothing. That will cause the diaper to wick moisture up and out of the top.
If you have a boy who only has leaks during sleep, you might need to "aim down" to avoid leaks.
Photo Credit: Cotton Babies (2014)
If your Cloth Diaper is leaking out of the Front Top
(6) If your diaper is leaking out the back, double check to ensure the insert and all inner fabrics are tucked in completely. If the insert is sticking out of the top of the diaper, it will wick moisture onto your baby’s clothing.
We also occasionally see leaks up the back with little girls who are heavy wetters or little boys who are aimed off to the side of the insert.
Photo Credit: Cotton Babies (2014)
If your diaper is leaking out the back
(7) Are you still experiencing leaks? Add more absorbency. This could mean one or more BoyGirl Booster Inserts.
References
Please click on (or tap on) the following link to access/view the "References": References -- Cloth Diapers.doc
Appendix 1: Parts of a Cloth Diaper
a. Waterproof outer Cover
Soft, waterproof outer polyurethane laminate (PUL) fabric forms a waterproof barrier. PUL fabric is made up of polyester and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). PUL is odor resistant, significantly durable, and comfortable.
PUL is also slightly stretchable fabric and machine washable. Prints remain bright and colorful wash after wash.
Minky PUL fabric is like fleece. Minky PUL fabric is, however, softer and thicker than fleece.
The quality of minky fabric prevents its colors from fading and its warmth from decreasing over time.
b. Stay-dry Material
The inner material is a layer of fabric between the baby’s skin and the absorbent inserts. The quality of your "stay-dry" material is crucial in a modern-day cloth diaper.
The stay-dry material could either be microfleece, suede cloth, microchamois, bamboo charcoal, or bamboo cotton. This material does not have absorbent characteristics, but rather is used to repel liquid or wick moisture away from the skin to keep baby feeling dry.
When used in a diaper, the urine is supposed to pass through the stay-dry material and absorb into the absorbent layers of the insert.
The stay-dry nature of the materials will keep a baby feeling dry, even when they have a wet insert (WIP, 2015).
Microfleece
Microfleece fabric is soft and cozy against the skin, while wicking away moisture to give skin a stay-dry feeling. Microfleece also resists staining and does not hold on to poo like other fabrics do.
Microfleece is our personal favorite because of the stay-dry feeling and because it is so soft and cushy. As compared to suede cloth, microfleece is known for being the softer and fluffier (WIP, 2015).
Suede Cloth
Suede cloth is great for custom diaper inners because it provides the same stay-dry feeling as microfleece, but suede cloth cooler and less bulky than microfleece. Suede cloth is frequently preferred in warmer climates or warmer times of a year.
Like microfleece, suede cloth also resists staining and does not hold on to poo like other fabrics do. We love suede cloth for its soft trimmness.
Microchamois
Microchamois is used as the layer closest to baby's skin. Microchamois does not absorb any moisture, but instead wicks it through into the absorbent part of the diaper, and away from baby's skin.
As microchamois does not absorb moisture, it feels dry, keeping baby's skin dry. As compared to suede cloth, microchamois is known for being the softer and fluffier.
Bamboo/Bamboo Charcoal
Bamboo is a popular option for stay-dry material. Bamboo wicks moisture away quickly and can keep your baby comfortable even when wet.
Bamboo charcoal is made through a process of heating the bamboo to charcoal and then processing it into silky filaments and consequently fibers.
All the stay-dry fabrics at Canagoza have been specifically produced to our specifications, which make them effective and significantly durable when used to make a modern-day cloth diaper.
c. Inserts
Each BoyGirl Dry Diaper (pocket, AIO, AI2, and SIO) comes with soft, super-absorbent inserts that keeps your baby dry by absorbing the pee.
Cloth diaper inserts are the most important part of a cloth diaper, because they are the absorbent part that holds urine. These inserts are made up of layers of super thirsty fabrics (materials).
Sometimes referred to as soaker pads, cloth diaper inserts can be made from a variety of materials, but the most common include microfiber, bamboo (and bamboo charcoal), hemp, and cotton.
(i) Microfiber: In the diaper world, microfiber is the most commonly used material in inserts and doublers. Microfiber inserts are very economical. They absorb liquid quickly and dry quickly.
(ii) Bamboo (and bamboo charcoal): Bamboo fiber is a very absorbent material. It can be
naturally antimicrobial (can kill bacteria and resist mold and mildew) and can resist odor.
For those reasons, bamboo is a good fabric for use in cloth diapering. More expensive than microfiber and cotton, bamboo inserts are silky soft, smart, and absorbent.
Bamboo is often blended with cotton (in the ratio of 70% bamboo to 30% cotton) to give the insert a little more structure.
Bamboo fleece is very soft and stays soft wash after wash.
The bamboo charcoal nano particles are embedded in the fabric rather than simply coated onto the surface. The fabric can, therefore, be washed numerous times with no adverse effect on the charcoal qualities.
Bamboo charcoal fibers dry quickly.
(iii) Hemp: Hemp is a natural, environmentally-friendly fiber; and considered a premium insert material. Hemp fiber is known for its very absorbent property and can be antifungal.
While hemp may not absorb as fast as cotton or other absorbent fabrics, it will absorb more. This characteristic makes hemp a great layer to add to cloth diapers.
For example, bamboo or microfiber will give maximum absorbency, letting the first layer absorb quickly, allowing the hemp to absorb the remaining moisture without allowing the diaper to leak.
Hemp comes with a higher price tag, but it holds the most liquid. It also takes the longest to dry.
(iv) Cotton: Cotton is the most widely used fabric in the world and is known for being a natural fabric. This feature alone makes it desirable for cloth diapers.
Cotton does tend to dry stiff if you air-dry, but is a relatively good absorber.
Cotton flannel is very thin and flexible.
(v) Zorb: Zorb is a non-toxic and non-allergenic fabric made from a proprietary blend of natural and man-made fibers.
Zorb can absorb/hold 10 times its own weight in less than half a second and soaks 20 times quicker than other materials, including cotton and microfibre.
With the incredible holding power of zorb, leaking and exterior wicking can be reduced or eliminated.
All of these materials are used for different reasons. Some absorb fast, some slow; some absorb more, some less.
d. Common Styles of Inserts
(i) Flat: One large square of fabric you fold into a pad shape before stuffing the diaper.
Please note: Bamboo cotton gauze flat diapers (70% bamboo and 30% cotton) are known to dry within few hours, so they can work well when there is no sunlight and if you do not have a machine dryer.
Flat Inserts
(ii) Prefold: A flat diaper that has been prefolded and sewn into shape. It is used on its own or as an insert.
Prefolds are designed to allow air flow and each panel is only two (2) layers thick, which allows for thorough cleansing with little effort and quick drying times.
Prefold Insert
Instructions for Folding Prefold Insert
(iii) Trifold: A wider style of insert that you fold into thirds before stuffing.
Photo Credit: Padded Tush Stats
Trifold Insert
(iv) Pad: Multiple layers sewn into a thick pad shaped to fit your diaper.
Photo Credit: Olivia (2014)
Pad Insert
(v) Petal-style: Two or more thin inserts sewn together at one end.
Petal-style Insert
Please note: Generally, inserts, especially pad and trifold inserts, take longer time to dry than clothing like t-shirts and bodysuits.
Ensure, therefore, to have at least one BoyGirl AI2 Spare Inserts for each diaper cover so that you will be using BoyGirl AI2 Initial Detachable Inserts for each use while the BoyGirl AI2 Spare Inserts are drying outside.
e. Booster Insert
A booster insert is an extra layer/diaper insert added to increase pee absorbency. Also called a doubler, a booster insert is placed inside a pocket diaper and on top of the stay-dry material of an AIO, AI2, and SIO diaper.
Alternatively, a booster can also be placed inside an AI2 diaper pocket or in-between the snappable inserts.
For fitted diaper(s), a booster inside is placed inside on top of the absorbent cotton/bamboo fabric.
Booster inserts allow you to customize your BoyGirl Dry Diapers according to your immediate needs.
Use a BoyGirl Booster Insert if you have a heavy wetter or in case you notice your child's pee volume has increased.
Booster inserts are sometimes cut in an hourglass shape to reduce bulkiness between babies’ legs, as shown below:
Hourglass Shape Booster Inserts
Other times, booster inserts are smaller rectangles that can be used as a newborn cloth diaper insert when the full-size insert is still too bulky for your tiny baby.
How you intend to use your booster inserts will determine what design and features are best for your cloth diapers.
If you have an all-in-one, all-in-two, or fitted diaper(s), you will be using a booster insert that will sit next to your baby's skin.
Many parents using this system favor booster inserts having a wicking top layer. The wicking material will sit on top of the absorbent layers and pull wetness to the inner layers of your cloth diapers.
How many Booster Inserts do I need? It will really depend on your baby’s particular habits and what you prefer. If you have a light wetter who rarely needs added daytime absorbency, then a handful of booster inserts should work fine.
As long as you have enough to get through nights until washing day, you will be fine.
Nonetheless, some babies are heavy wetters and regularly leak through a standard diaper configuration. In this instance, we recommend you have a diaper booster for every cloth diaper in your stash.
Until you know what to expect, it might be safe to have at least six (6) to 12 BoyGirl Booster Inserts (or at least two per diaper) on hand.
The BoyGirl Booster Insert is considered by many to be one of the most important.
Offering you the best cloth diapering support, which includes the highest quality booster insert products, is our goal at Canagoza.
The BoyGirl Booster Inserts will not only keep your infant feeling dry, but also gives extra absorbency (Kelly Closet, 2016a).
f. Double Gussets
Double gussets are an additional row of elastic at the leg of a cloth diaper sewn internally. Double gussets offer an extra layer of protection to help contain messes — they provide superior leak protection.
Sometimes, the double gussets are internal and made of the same material as the lining of the diaper.
Other double gussets use the same material as the outside or cover of the diaper and are finished the same way as the outside leg elastic.
g. Snap or Velcro Closures/Fasteners
There is also another decision to be made by you: The closing system of the diaper.
Let us have a look at some of the features of the two (2) types of closing systems for cloth diapers: snap buttons and Velcro fasteners.
Snaps. They have the following features/benefits/advantages:
(i) Cleaner look;
(ii) Lasts longer life than Velcro. This can benefit you in a few ways. They will last through the use of more than one child and will offer better resale value if you choose to sell your diapers after you no longer need them;
(iii) Snaps are harder for your child to take off once they learn how to remove their diaper;
(iv) Hanging down of wing is less likely;
(v) The snap sound is enjoyable;
(vi) Easy to replace: The snaps always work and if for some reason they stop working, you just replace it/them;
(vii) Ease of use: Contrary to popular belief, the snap buttons are fast fasteners; and
(viii) Two rows of snaps provides a high level of fit.
Velcro. They have the following features/benefits/advantages:
(i) Fast fasten: Putting on a Velcro cloth diaper is similar to putting on a disposable, which can make things easier for people hesitant to use cloth diapers.
Some mothers used to disposable diapers may find the Velcro fastener easier to use (when compared to snap buttons), especially on wriggly babies;
(ii) Velcro may cost you less than snaps;
(iii) Velcro may last shorter than snaps; and
(iv) Comes loose: It is easy for toddlers to pull open Velcro fasteners once the toddlers learn how and try to play with them.
As you can see, there is no right or wrong decision, just depends on what you want to live with.
Nevertheless, WIP (2015) recommends Velcro on younger babies, but as they get older, snaps should be used (WIP, 2015).