One month before giving birth I decided to use cloth diapers on our 2nd baby. Some of my friends are already doing it on their toddlers but most of them started out when their kids are already 2 months old. I didn't know anyone else who used cloth for few-days old babies, so I don't know whom to ask for advice. With the power of internet and support from my husband and friends, I purchased few pieces and hoped for the best.

When Margaux was 1 week old, I felt confident to start using cloth diapers. It was right after the cord stump fell off and I already regained my energy to tackle laundry. Now she's 4 months old and we've finally outgrown out newborn stash.

So I wonder, if given a chance to do it all over again, what would I change? What advises will I give to those who are starting out?

1. GATHER YOUR SUPPLIES

You will need:

• Cloth diapers
• Wipes
• Wetbag (for travelling)
• Hangers or Clips (for laundry)
• Baby detergent (no fabric conditioner)
• A pail with cover (storage for soiled nappies); and 
• Bidet/waterhose (at home)

Optional: flushable liners. Purchase these items before hand so you can start smoothly.

2. TRY VARIETY OF CLOTH DIAPERS

"What is the best cloth diaper brand for my newborn baby?"
This is one of the most frequently asked questions I've encountered on every online cloth diaper support groups. Honestly, if you ask any expert in cloth diapering they can't answer you with a specific brand. What works for Maria may not work for Jane. In preparing your stash buy at least 1 kind of each system (All-in-one, all-in-two, hybrid fitted, fitted, pockets, prefolds) and 1-2 pieces of each brand.

If you think that you have found out works for you: resell the ones you don't like and buy bulk on the ones you like. That would have saved me time in browsing and frustrating myself in the search of "the best cloth diaper" for my baby. Reading reviews and comparisons can help you narrow down your choices.

Keep in mind that hands on experience is always better to determine what will work for you.


3. HOW MANY CLOTH DIAPERS DO I NEED?
The rule on diaper either cloth or disposable is that it must be change every 2-3 hours to avoid infection and rashes. Imagine throwing a piece of disposable diaper down the trash every 3 hours? Such a waste of money.

A newborn baby especially breastfed baby poops a lot. I mean a every-after-feeding-a-lot. Be prepared. They can consume 8-12 nappies per day. So if you plan to wash everyday a stash of 20 or more is enough. Just multiply 8-12 pieces to the number of days you plan to wash you cds. Don't worry about the laundry. Once they've settled into regular 1-3 poop per day you'll have lesser soiled nappies. Just make sure to change it every 2-3 hours. Luckily, Margaux started to poop for 1-2 times a day when she's 2 weeks old.

Formula is:

Number of Nappies used per day X Number of  Days before Laundry Day = Your Ideal Stash 

Example: 8-12 cloth diapers per day  X launder every 3 days =  24-26 cloth diaper stash needed

4. LAUNDRY IS EASY

Our laundry routine:

1. Pre rinse: Spin with water for 10minutes
2. Rinse: spin with water for 10minutes
3. Wash: spin with water and detergent for 15 minutes. For nappies with stains: Sun bleaching for 1-2 hours or until the stain is gone. Lay the diaper flat out, with stains facing up the sun. (Read: http://www.wikihow.com/Solar-Bleach-Cloth-Diapers )
4. Rinse 4-5 times
5. Spin dry (optional if you have one), then line dry

5. ALL-IN-TWO SYSTEM DID NOT WORK FOR US

top row: Alva Baby Pocket Type Newborn Size CD
bottom row: Alva Baby Cover Type Newborn Size CD

Most of the online forums I've read suggested to use Cover Type CD + Insert/lampin for newborns. It is a system where you will just change the insert and wipe the cover to reuse it again. You'll need to change the cover when it comes contact with poop. Unfortunately, baby's poop are all explosive. Every poop gets into the cover and I would always end up changing the whole thing. Some mommies love and
swear how easy this system is. It is just not for me during those times. I might give it another try soon.












6. ARE NEWBORN SIZE CLOTH DIAPER WORTH IT?

1 month old

3 weeks old

Audrey's Fitted Cloth Diaper

Lily and Luna Newborn Hybrid Cloth Diaper

7. NOT ALL ONE-SIZE ARE MADE EQUAL


One-size (OS) cloth diapers are made to fit from newborn (3kg.) up to todllers (20kg.). Some brands have smaller versions of OS nappies which can easily fit on a newborn baby. Here are some of the brands we've tried:

• Alva Baby 3.0 Pocket - perfect fit for newborn
• Babyland - perfect fit for newborn, soft shell
• Booldeet Posh - good fit for newborn but bulky insert. We used Birdseye cloth as insert
• Bumgenius 4.0 - perfect fit
• Bum Nature (Hybrid Fitted) - too bulky for newborn
• Butt Talks (Hybrid Fitted) - too bulky for newborn
• Dandy Nappy 5.0 AIO - good fit
• Ecopwet 3.0 Pocket - perfect fit for newborn
• Ecopwet Cover Type OS - good fit
• Famicheer - perfect fit for newborn
• Freshbutt by K (fitteds) - perfect fit for newborn
• KaWaii Baby - perfect fit for newborn, soft shell
• Quiglebum Solids - good fit but bulky insert. We used birdseye cloth as insert
• Quiglebum Printed - good fit but bulky insert. We used birdseye cloth as insert