Cloth diapers come in numerous sizes, shapes, and colors. Some are handmade and sold on Etsy, while others are professionally manufactured and distributed by companies. Some cloth diapers are made of wool, others of PUL or TPU. Then there are various cloth diaper systems, such as AiO (All in One), 2iO (Two in One), diaper covers, etc. Depending on the type of cloth diaper, handling can be more or less complicated. To shed some light on the world of cloth diapers, we've written an article for you.
How many children will be diapered with cloth diapers?
The number and weight of children play a significant role in calculating the cost of cloth diapers. For example, if several children are to be diapered with cloth diapers, you can simplify the process and save money by purchasing only adjustable cloth diapers that grow with the child. This ensures that all children can be diapered in the same way.
Adjustable diapers are easily recognizable by the snaps at the front (not the snaps on the flaps). These snaps allow the cloth diapers to be adjusted to the child's leg thickness and length. The snaps at the top should also allow for adjustment to the waist size.
Should only cloth diapers be used?
If you want to completely forgo disposable diapers, you'll need a larger quantity of cloth diapers. This is because you have to factor in the washing intervals. Many recommend a combination of a waterproof cover and various inserts for parents who use cloth diapers full-time. This, they say, saves money and allows the system to be used for a very long time. Our criticism of this system is that the different inserts generate significantly more laundry. While the cover doesn't always need to be washed (only when it comes into contact with urine or stool), achieving good absorbency requires using different fabrics inside it. Often, bamboo or hemp boosters are combined with cotton inserts. These individual components all end up in the wash and quickly clog up the entire clothesline.
Therefore, we recommend complete systems consisting of a single diaper. Of course, you'll need more individual diapers (but the cost actually works out similarly), but the mental load of washing, hanging up, and putting them away is significantly reduced.
How much money can be spent on cloth diapers?
Disposable diapers are often a significant financial burden, which is why many parents switch to cloth diapers for financial reasons. However, not every cloth diaper and system is particularly cost-effective. Systems consisting of a cover and inserts can be extremely economical if you limit the number of hemp and bamboo boosters. Using old washcloths can also save money. Unfortunately, this option often comes at the expense of more frequent diaper changes, as the diapers fill up quickly.
Complete diapering systems often appear more expensive at first glance, as you have to buy a lot of diapers right from the start. If money is a major factor, it's definitely advisable to make a detailed breakdown of the individual costs to avoid any hidden expenses.
Which cloth diaper system is the best fit?
Unlike disposable diapers, cloth diapers are available for every need. There are convenient all-in-one diapers where you simply put the diaper on and you're done, and then there are various modular systems where you combine an outer layer (usually a waterproof cover/diaper cover) with absorbent inner layers.
All-in-one diapers are generally easy to understand and greatly reduce the amount of laundry, as it is only a single diaper.
Modular systems allow you to adapt the cloth diaper to your specific needs. For example, if you only buy diaper covers, you could inexpensively fold washcloths or small towels and insert them into the cover. Unfortunately, this limits absorbency. Absorbency can be increased with boosters, usually made of hemp or bamboo, but these are more expensive. Because the diaper consists of many individual parts, you often end up with more laundry.
What materials should the cloth diaper be made of?
When choosing cloth diapers, it's not just about the system, but also the materials. Some people prefer wool, but they should keep in mind that wool diapers (which are usually modular systems) need to be lanolized regularly. Cotton is also often preferred, but cotton isn't waterproof, which means you need a waterproof inner layer. This is usually a liner made of either PUL or wool.
PUL or TPU coated diapers are waterproof, and no chemicals are used in the production of TPU.
In this article, we will examine the advantages and disadvantages of different cloth diaper materials in more detail: What materials are cloth diapers made of?
What are the possible diaper-changing time windows?
If the child is cared for at home, frequent diaper changes are usually not a problem, and the focus doesn't necessarily have to be on highly absorbent cloth diapers. However, if you spend more time outdoors or out and about, or if the child is cared for by others, longer intervals between diaper changes are usually ideal. In this case, you should look for absorbent materials made of bamboo or hemp, as these can retain a maximum amount of moisture.
Is the child being changed by other people?
If grandparents, babysitters, or even daycare staff are going to change the child's diaper, disposable diapers are a good option. These don't require elaborate preparation or separate storage after use, depending on the fabric; they can be put on and taken off just like disposable diapers.
What is the washing routine?
Most cloth diapers are washed at 40 to 60°C with regular detergent. They can be washed together with underwear or other hot laundry without any problems. Cloth diapers should be stored for a maximum of 3 days, as otherwise many odor-causing germs can develop.
How do Lybbie diapers perform?
Our Lybbie diapers are adjustable and can be worn by children weighing between 6 and 14 kg. Thanks to our specially woven bamboo absorbent material, the diaper can remain leak-proof for at least six hours when used and cared for correctly. To minimize laundry, we opted for a one-piece diaper design. This makes our Lybbie diaper easy to reuse and results in minimal extra laundry. Each diaper costs €34.90. To keep the diaper as clean as possible, we recommend washing it at least every three days.
Our diaper consists of a TPU outer layer, as this is water-repellent and manufactured without chemicals. Inside, there is a breathable AWJ fabric that wicks moisture away to the bamboo absorbent core.
