Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to SweetPeas Cloth Frequently Asked Questions section. Here you will find an assortmant of the most asked questions concerning cloth diapering, of course if you do not see one that answers a concern that you have please email me with your question. We are here to help and raise your comfort level when it comes to cloth diapering your child.

How many cloth diapers will I need? TOP

Are you going to cloth diaper full time or part time? It may sound like a silly question but many people cloth diaper while at home and use disposables while on the go. You should know that cloth diapering on the go can be just as easy as using disposable diapers, sometimes easier. A full time cloth diaper stash is usually around 18-24 cloth diapers, give or take a few depending on how often you want to wash your diapers. If you used a sized diaper you will need this many diapers for each size (i.e. 18-24 smalls and 18-24 mediums). If you choose a one-size diaper then 18-24 one-size diapers should last from birth to potty training depending on your childs size. If you are using prefolds then you will need 2-3 dozen prefolds and 4-6 diapers covers. Keep in mind that newborns go through about 12-15 diapers a day while older babies have 8-10 diaper changes a day. The amount of diapers you purchase really depends on how often you want to wash your diapers. You can get by with about 12 diapers if you want to do laundry every day.

Do I have to use disposable diapers when I am away from home? TOP

As mentioned in another question, cloth diapering can be just as easy as disposable diapers while on the go. Pack your diaper bag with your cloth diapers making sure you have some cloth wipes, a small spray bottle for your wipes solution(a bathroom sink with water will do) , and your wet bag/diaper tote to contain the soiled diaper. Change the diaper as usual only place the diaper and wipes in your wet bag. The best part is you don't even need a trash can!

I want to cloth diaper full time, what all do I need to get the job done? TOP

18-24 newborn or small sizes
12-18 medium sizes
2-3 dozen cloth wipes
Waterproof diaper tote/wetbag
1 diaper pail (A fancy name for a flip top trash can)
Diaper pail liner (The trash bag so to speak)
Spray bottle for wipe solution or water

*If you are using a one-size diaper then you need 18-24 diapers total (birth to potty training) assuming you will wash diapers every one to two days!

What type of cloth diaper should I buy? TOP

It really depends on your lifestyle. If you are looking for the most economical option then prefolds and diaper covers are for you! They are very soft and absorbent and the covers have leg gussets that contain messes really well! For daycare I would recommend all-in-ones because they are the easiest to use and are very trim under clothes. These diapers are wonderful at keeping blowouts in, but they are more expensive. If you have a heavy wetter or need a diaper to keep your child dry for long periods of time then pocket diapers work best because you can add inserts to meet your childs absorbency needs! These are just general guidelines that might work best for your child and your lifestyle. Most people have a variety of diaper styles that they use in different situations. Email me if you have any questions on what styles might work best for your family!

What about when my child has to be left with a babysitter, grandparents, or taken to daycare? TOP

Cloth diapers are easy for anyone to use! I usually pack some all-in-ones with aplix so whoever has to change the diaper doesn't have to worry about the fit of the diaper or mess with the snaps. The only difference is they are putting the dirty diaper into a bag with a zipper instead of the trash.

Will my house smell like a diaper pail? TOP

Your house will not smell like a diaper pail as long as you keep the lid on your pail and you don't leave the diapers sit between washings for days at a time. If you will be waiting a little longer between washes you can always add a diaper pail freshner. Many liners have a tag that allow for a fragrance to be placed on and some have a place for a disc that includes a scent. I actually believe my home smells better as it doesn't have the perfume smell of disposable diapers.

What about the solid waste? TOP

A newborn babies waste, for the most part is liquid. There is no need to worry about it when it comes to washing. The dirty diaper goes straight into the diaper pail until wash day. However, around 6 months of age when your baby starts eating solids he/she will be passing solids. It is best to purchase a quality diaper sprayer to wash the solids and knock them off prior to washing. Diaper sprayers can be attached directly to a toilet, shower, or utility sink. You simply knock off the solids into the toilet, spray the diaper IF there is any left over yuck and throw the diaper into the pail until time to wash! You can also purchase bio-soft liners to place inside the diaper that are biodegradable when you are out and about. You can throw the liners into the toilet or trashcan and the diaper can go straight into the wetbag with virtually no mess in public!

Do I still need to purchase wipes and use disposable wipes? TOP

Not at all, some people do cloth diaper and still use disposable wipes because of the ease of cleaning. If you purchase a quality cloth and use water you will have no problems. There are numerous wipe solutions available for cloth wipes and warmers. Some people prefer to make their own wipe solution from a number of "recipes" that are available. A simple wipe solution consists of a 1/2 cup of baby oil, 1/2 cup of babywash, and 2 cups of water. Mix and place into a spray bottle. Spray the cloth and wipe clean just as you would with a disposable wipe.

Is it difficult to cloth diaper a newborn? TOP

Not at all. The difficult part is the hospital, unless you will be delivering at home or at a hospital where your newborn never leaves your side. But, once you get your bundle of joy home you can start right away! Many people choose to start cloth diapering once the umbilical cord falls off and heals so they don't have to worry about the cloth not giving or bending in the same way as a disposable. But most newborn cloth diapers now have an umbilical cord scoop that comes down below the stump. Many people told me how difficult it would be to cloth diaper a newborn but I found it amazingly easy! To start off I tried a combination of prefolds with diaper covers and FuzziBunz size x-small. This combo worked great for me, I was able to use the prefolds/covers at home and the FuzziBunz for outings and at night. I purchased 3 dozen prefolds, 4 diaper covers (x-small) and a few FuzziBunz x-small. I went with the FuzziBunz because of the fit for my sons umbilical cord. My total cost for cloth diapering my newborn was around $200, not bad for newborn diapering with 12-15 changes a day for 6 weeks. Another plus is you can re-sell your cloth diapers for a great price when they outgrow them or keep them for your next child. My newborn cloth diapering experience has been amazing, I love knowing that I am keeping him as healthy as can be while helping out the environment. If you have additional questions please feel free to contact me for additional information.