There are five types of cloth diapers available.(1) 1) Flat, to be folded and pinned; 2) prefold, rectangular diapers with a thick centre panel; 3) contoured, hour-glass shape; 4) fitted, with elastic legs and sometimes waist, and fasteners such as snaps or VELCRO; and 5) all-in-one fitted diapers with a waterproof outer layer.
Some cloth diapers are available in retail stores, and some through home representatives, but most types are available mainly through mail order, often directly from the manufacturer. Most companies offer brochures on their products. Two mail order companies which offer catalogues containing various diapers and accessories are: Baby Love Products (2), and Born To Love (3).
Sewing patterns are available for making fitted diapers: Baby Softwear (formerly Sweetums (b), one size & preemie, precut materials available); Kwik Sew #2062 (3 sizes & preemie and XL); and Snappy Nappy (3) (3 sizes). Prefold and contoured diaper patterns: "Back to Basics" (3).
Accessories
Waterproof Pants
There are three types of waterproof pants or diaper covers:
1) Tie-on pants - e.g., Baby Snibbs (1,2) (vinyl 10/$10), Bummis (6) (nylon $3.75).
2) Pull-on pants - Wool Knit: Aristocrats (4,7) ($20); Nylon: Babykins (4,5) (3/$10), Bummis (4,6) ($6), Bundles of Love (5) ($4), Featherlite (2) ($4, with snaps $5.50); Indisposables (5) ($4.25, breathable $5.25), T's for Tots (4,5) ($5)
3) Waterproof diaper wraps (with hook-and-loop fasteners such as Velcro) - Babykins (4,5) (nylon $7, with lining $8); Bummis (4,7) (nylon Whisper Wrap $6); Bundles of Love (5) (nylon $5, with cotton print $6), Indisposables (5) (nylon $7, breathable $8); Kooshies (5) (poly/vinyl $7); Nikky (2,3,4) (breathable polyester $19.99, cotton knit $26.60, wool $29.99).
Sewing patterns for diaper wraps: Kwik Sew #2062, McCalls #5194, and Simplicity #7523. Pull-on pants: McCalls #6899. "Back to Basics" (3) has pull-on pants (with snaps) and diaper wraps.
Some waterproof pants and wraps are available in breathable waterproof fabrics, which help reduce the build up of heat on baby's skin. For example, Nikky offers wool, and cotton knit or polyester coated with a breathable waterproof membrane, Indisposables offers nylon coated with a breathable waterproof membrane.
Waterproof diaper wraps are often used over fitted diapers for maximum protection from messy leaks. They can also be used to apply flat, prefold or contoured diapers without pins. (Lay diaper on inside of open wrap, lay baby on diaper, bring up front of diaper and diaper wrap, and fasten sides to front.)
Absorbent Inserts
Absorbent inserts or pads (labelled "liners" by some
manufacturers) are generally used at night, to increase absorbency
capacity inside fitted or contoured diapers. They can be positioned
toward the front for boys and in the centre for girls. Small
contoured diapers, or washcloths folded in half can also be used
as inserts.
Diaper Liners
Diaper liners are available in disposable (e.g., KOOSHIES (5)
or CURITY) and reusable form (e.g., BABY LOVE (2) or INDISPOSABLES
(5)). The latter three are made of water-permeable, non-absorbent
material (e.g., rayon or polyurethane) to help keep the wet diaper
away from the baby's skin; these are especially recommended for
use at night.
Liners make clean-up of messy diapers easier. KOOSHIES liners
(made of wood cellulose) are flushable.(8) CURITY liners can
be discarded with the feces or rinsed off in the toilet. If they
are wet only, they can be washed with the diapers and reused
a few times. Reusable liners are easier to rinse in the toilet
than a complete diaper.
Cloth Wipes
Cloth baby wipes are inexpensive alternatives to disposable wipes.(9)
They are used with warm water to wipe the baby's bottom before
applying a dry diaper. They can then be put in the diaper pail
and washed with the diapers. Cloth wipes can be made from a single
layer of cotton flannelette (25x30cm/10"x12" is a good
size), or old face cloths can be used.
Fasteners
Diaper pins with locking tops are available(2) for use with flat
diapers. Fitted diapers are generally equipped with snaps, or
hook-and-loop fasteners (e.g. VELCRO). VELCRO is probably the
fastest and easiest to use and allows the most gradual adjustment
in size. Most diapers with VELCRO come with fold-in tabs to help
keep lint from collecting in the hooks while the diapers are
being laundered. If lint collects in the hooks it can be removed
with the help of a comb to restore good fastening.
Sample Cloth Diaper Layette
- 36 fitted or contoured diapers or 48 square diapers(9) - Generally,
you can wash 24 diapers in a load. If you have at least 30 diapers,
you will only have to launder diapers every 2-3 days. If toddler-size
diapers are later needed, 20-25 would suffice, as toddlers urinate
less frequently.
- 2-3 "all-in-one" diapers
- 6-7 pair of waterproof pants in each of 2 or 3 sizes (only
size small or medium needed at first). For the first size, you
may want to try a variety of waterproof covers. When you order
the next size, you can go with your preference.
- 6-18 absorbent inserts (if using fitted or contoured diapers)(11)
- 200 disposable or 12 reusable diaper liners (some non-absorbent
ones for night)
- 30 cloth wipes
Diaper Service
Diaper services deliver clean diapers and pick up soiled ones
on a regular basis, usually once a week. They offer prefold,
shaped, and/or fitted diapers and most carry a variety of waterproof
pants. Some folding may be necessary with prefold diapers, but
pinning is not necessary if waterproof diaper wraps are used.
Loose feces is shaken into the toilet, but for most companies, feces is not rinsed off the diapers. Bacteriostatic conditioning of the cloth, and deodorizers in the pail help prevent odors. Reputable diaper services have outside lab testing done regularly to ensure cleanliness, absorbency, and proper pH and bacteriostat levels.
Prices vary ($10-$16/week) depending on diaper style, number of weeks booked, and number of diapers required per week. Diaper service is not available in all communities, but some diaper services deliver to outlying areas and towns.
Disposable Diapers
The principal disposable diaper brands are PAMPERS and PAMPERS
PRINTS (formerly LUVS) made by Procter & Gamble Inc., HUGGIES
made by Kimberly Clark of Canada Inc., and various private label
brands manufactured for retailers. Prices range from about $0.20
to $0.45 per diaper, increasing as sizes get larger.
Disposable diapers use softwood pulp and a chemical powder called "Absorbent Gelling Material" for their absorbent core. This "AGM" absorbs many times its weight in liquid and forms a gel to reduce the amount of moisture coming back on baby's skin. (On rare occasions, this gel may escape from the diaper and stick to baby's skin. It can be washed off with soap and water.)(12) The diapers have a water-permeable, non-absorbent inner lining, and a plastic outer layer.
Most brands have internal elastic leg cuffs and non-absorbent elastic waist bands to protect against leakage, as well as refastenable adhesive tapes which allow for wet checks and gradual adjustment in waist size. Disposable diapers come in many sizes and styles. These include a special newborn diaper with a place cut away to accommodate the umbilical cord during baby's first few weeks, and a toddler diaper with a narrower crotch for easier walking. Diapers for boys have more absorbency at the front, and for girls, there is more absorbency in the centre.
Important Considerations
Absorbency
As a general rule, diapers should be changed when wet; therefore,
during normal daytime use, diapers need not have the capacity
to hold multiple urinations. Newborns urinate frequently (e.g.,
8-20 times a day) and in small amounts. At one year, babies may
urinate 7-10 times a day, but in greater amounts. At two years,
they will need greater absorbency capacity in their diapers,
but may only need 5-8 changes a day.
Cloth Diapers
A cloth diaper should provide almost double the absorbency capacity
of the expected urine loading (14) (see absorbency capacities
on centre page). For example, if the diaper has a capacity of
220-250g, no absorbent inserts hold 100g each, adding two or
three inside this diaper would be recommended for a toddler at
night (total capacity 400-500g).
DRYING TIME: Generally, the thicker the diaper, the more difficult it is to clean and dry. A waterproof layer (if it's fastened all around the edges of an all-in-one diaper) will add to this difficulty. From an environmental and economic perspective, a diaper with a relatively short drying time may be preferable, used with abosrbent inserts (or double diapering) if/when necessary.(15)
Disposable Diapers
Disposable diapers are capable of holding multiple urinations.
This has obvious advantages; however, combined with the cost
of disposables, this super absorbency can tend to discourage
frequent diaper changing during the day. It is often difficult
to tell if the diaper is wet unless you take the diaper off and
look at the inside. If a baby is left in wet or soiled diapers
for extended periods of time, the combination of moisture, heat,
bacterial growth and friction from baby's movement can cause
discomfort and skin problems.
Good Fit
A good fit will help prevent friction on baby's skin, and will
help prevent messy leaks. The many sizes and adjustable waist
and double elastic leg openings in disposable diapers generally
ensure a good fit and minimize leakage.
Both fitted cloth diapers and waterproof diaper wraps have elastic in the leg openings, and often in the waist (all places of possible leakage). They allow adjustment in the size of the leg and waist openings. If fitted diapers and wraps are used together, they will also provide double, adjustable elasticized barriers against messy leaks.
When purchasing fitted cloth diapers and waterproof pants, choose products which are big enough to allow for baby's quick growth (e.g., a size super-large NIKKY pant will fit some chubby babies as young as 6 months and may be used until toilet training). Diapers or pants that are too small or done up too tightly around the waist or legs can cause discomfort. Elastic legs and waist should not leave large gaps, nor should they be stretched to the limit.
Newborns
If a newborn is under 2.7kg./6lbs., some of the fitted cloth
diapers may not fit until he/she is one or two months old and
weighing 3.2-4kg./7-9lbs. Parents can use diaper service or disposables
for the first while, or invest in some preemie-size fitted cloth
diapers, or small contoured diapers and newborn-size diaper wraps.
Small contoured diapers can later be used as absorbent inserts
for night.
Toddlers
Toilet training age varies from 22 months to 3 1/2 years. Night
training comes later for some children, and it is not uncommon
for girls to be trained earlier than boys. The average weight
for children at toilet training age is 12-13.5kg./26-30 lbs.,
though some children may weigh 16kg./35 lbs. or more. Extra-large
diapers are available in disposables or fitted cloth. BABY SOFTWEAR
offers "diaper extenders" which can be sewn to the
tops of the diapers if a child outgrows them before being toilet
trained.
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2. BABY LOVE PRODUCTS, 5015-46 Street, Camrose, Alberta T4V 3G3 Ph. (780)672-1763 Free colour catalogue.
3. BORN TO LOVE, 15 Silas Hill Drive, North York, Ontario M2J 2X8 Ph. (416)499-8309. Free 56-page black-and-white catalogue.
5. See centre page for manufacturer's phone number.
6. BUMMIS, 10 Pine Avenue West #219, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1T9 Ph. (519)289-9415.
7. ARISTOCRATS Baby Products, Box 23, 552 Willow St., Fauquier, B.C. V0G 1K0 Ph. (604)269-7343.
8. Do not flush disposable liners down the toilet if your toilet plugs easily or if you are on a farm septic system.
9. $0.39 each for flannelette wipes (BABY LOVE PRODUCTS catalogue). NOTE: Terry cloth wipes may not be advisable if your diapers have VELCRO closures as the cloth may get snagged sometimes if the VELCRO hooks become exposed.
10. If buying a variety of diapers, choose ones with similar drying times. Otherwise, you'll have to hang up the thicker ones to finish drying.
11. Number of inserts needed will depend on absorbency of diapers and liners, and on the child. You don't necessarily have to get the inserts that are sold with the diapers you choose. Some inserts are thick and bulky. Thinner ones (e.g., 3 or 4 layers of flannelette) dry faster and allow for a more gradual increase in absorbency as needed.
12. Procter & Gamble, Inc. reports that they tested the absorbent gelling material for safety and it has been shown to be non-irritating and non-toxic. An external panel of experts reviewed the data and supported the conclusions.
13. Source: Procter & Gamble, Inc.
14. Based on the experience and calculations of Sharon Krushel, mother of two and coordinator for this publication, using absorbency test results of Pat Bowerman, author of Changing Times.
15. For many Canadians, the consumption of energy also results in other environmental impacts (e.g., the burning of coal produces air pollution). Reducing time in the dryer, with the use of fast-drying diapers and/or hang drying, will reduce environmental impact.