(1) What are the different kinds of cloth diapers?
Flat cloth diaper (lampin). Traditional double gauze or birdseye lampin. Use with a good quality waterproof diaper cover to prevent leaks.
Prefolds. Made of the same material as lampin but already folded and sewn into three panels. The center panel is thicker, for greater absorbency. The prefolds we carry are made of birdseye cotton, and have 8 layers in center, making them the most absorbent prefolds around. Use with a good quality waterproof diaper cover to prevent leaks.
Contour cloth diaper. Shaped like a disposable diaper but it's reusable and is made of cloth. No fasteners: you can fasten them with pins, clips or Snappis, or you just put a snug-fitting diaper cover over it. The contours we carry are made of cotton fleece, which wicks moisture away from baby's skin leaving baby feeling drier. Use with a good quality waterproof diaper cover.
Fitted cloth diaper. Looks like a disposable diaper but it's reusable and is made of cloth. Fastens to baby with Velcro closures. The fitteds we carry are made of fabric that wicks moisture away from baby's skin leaving baby feeling drier. Keeps most leaks in on its own, but use with a good quality waterproof diaper cover when you need watertight protection.
All-in-One. Looks like a disposable diaper but it's reusable, is made of cloth, and already has a waterproof cover built in. Fastens to baby with Velcro closures.
One Size Diapers. Looks like an All-in-One but is adjustable so that it can fit babies from birth to toddler-age.
(2) Which cloth diapering system is right for me?We offer five cloth diapering systems, each with its pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| Lampin or Prefold + Diaper Cover | Cheapest and most popular. Fastest laundry time. Leakproof. Can use the same lampin from birth to potty-training. |
You need to learn how to use a lampin. Some babies are uncomfortable in wet cotton gauze lampin. |
| Contour Diaper + Diaper Cover | Cheaper than fitteds, AIOs and pocket diapers. |
You need a snug-fitting diaper cover or a diaper fastener (pins, clips or Snappis). |
| Fitted Diaper + Diaper Cover | Most leakproof system. Easy to put on baby. Feels dry against baby's skin. |
More expensive than lampin. |
| All-in-One Diaper | Feels dry against baby's skin. Easy to put on baby. |
More expensive than lampin. Less leakproof than systems with diaper covers. Takes a long time to dry. |
| One-Size Diaper | Feels dry against baby's skin. Can use the same diaper from birth to potty-training. |
More expensive than lampin. Less leakproof than systems with diaper covers. Takes a long time to dry. Complex adjustments. Bulky on younger babies. |
For a more detailed comparison, click here (PDF).
I personally prefer the fitted diaper + diaper cover system, because it's the most leakproof, so I never have to worry about messes. But you might have a different preference.
Note that you don't need to use just one system! Many cloth diapering moms have a combination of different systems! (See item #5.)
(3) I'm happy with disposables. Why should I use cloth diapers?
Cloth diapers are better for baby. Cloth diapers don't contain harsh chemicals. Cloth-diapered babies get diaper rash less frequently! In contrast, disposable diapers contain dioxin (a probable carcinogen) and TBT, a toxic chemical that harms people's immune and hormonal systems. Studies have also linked disposable diapers to asthma symptoms and possible lower sperm count in males.
Cloth diapers are better for you. Cloth diapers are cheaper. If your child is potty-trained at around 2-1/2 years old, you can spend a grand total of only P16,800 on diapers, and your next baby can wear the same diapers as well! In contrast, if you use disposable diapers, you will spend a grand total of P55,000 to P90,000 on each child! Cloth-diapered babies are also easier to potty-train!
Cloth diapers are better for Mother Earth. You won't be adding disposable nappies to our already over-burdened landfills.
(4) I don't know how to use a lampin.
There are many ways to fold and fasten a lampin. This slideshow at Babycenter.com.ph shows one of the easiest.
If you're using Thirsties diaper covers, you can also use the lampin without pins or clasps. Just fold the lampin, lay it in the diaper cover, and put it on baby. Check out these instructions from Baby Center Philippines.
Remember: always wash new diapers before first use, and change baby's nappy every 2 to 3 hours. If you intend to use the diaper for longer than that (e.g., at night), you might find it helpful to fold an additional lampin into the diaper for extra absorbency.
(5) How many should I buy?
It partly depends on how often you do laundry, but a good complete set for an exclusively cloth-diapered baby might look like this:
- 24 lampin
- 4 to 6 diaper covers
- 6 fitted diapers, AIOs or one-size diapers for travelling, nighttime, or naps (optional)
- 2 to 3 extra inserts/soakers/doublers for when you need extra absorbency (optional); a plain folded lampin is a great insert!
If you're buying for an older baby (5 months or older), you can subtract a few diapers, because babies need less diaper changes as they grow older. Toddlers only need 2 to 3 diaper covers.
(6) What size should I get?
Click here for diaper sizing guides.
(7) How do I wash soiled diapers?
Before putting in the diaper pail, shake the poop into the toilet. Spraying with a high-pressure spray bottle or hose can also help, especially with newborn or breastfed poop.
Before washing, presoak in soapy water for about 10 minutes.
Handwash, or wash in the washing machine with only 1/2 the usual amount of detergent. Do not use fabric conditioner! If your washing machine has hot water, wash on HOT. Optional: add 1 tsp fresh calamansi juice to the final rinse to remove detergent residue.
Dry on LOW or line-dry.
(8) Help! My diapers are leaking! What's wrong?
All the diapers and covers we carry are known for their superior leakproof protection. Below are some common reasons for leaks and their corresponding solutions:
(a) The fit may be too big. Make sure you ordered the diapers that are the correct size for your baby's weight.
(b) The cloth diaper might have been washed using the wrong detergent. Detergents that contain fabric softeners and other additives make them less absorbent. Solution: Wash your diapers once in plain dishwashing liquid (no moisturizers!) instead of detergent. Rinse well.
(c) Residue from diaper rash ointment might have made the cloth diaper less absorbent. Solution: Wash your diapers once in plain dishwashing liquid (no moisturizers!) instead of detergent. Rinse well.
(d) The diapers might not be changed frequently enough. Lampin needs to be changed at least every 2 hours. Modern cloth diapers can last up to around 4 hours. If you need to use the diaper longer than that, try using a doubler like an additional lampin or an extra insert.
(e) Your baby might be a heavy wetter and might need a doubler. Try using an additional lampin or an extra insert as a doubler.
(f) Your baby boy's private parts might have been pointing upwards or sidewards when you put on the diaper. Solution:Point his privates downwards.
(g) You might have mistakenly tucked the lampin/prefold inside the flap of the diaper cover. Tucking the diaper into the flap can actually cause moisture to wick out onto the diaper cover.
Pinoybaby Store is an authorized reseller of all the diapering products we sell. If you have problems with any of our diaper products, contact us so we can tell you how to avail of the manufacturers' warranty.