Pinoy Baby 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.

(1) What's the difference among flat, prefolds, fitted, and contour cloth diapers?

Flat cloth diapers (lampin). Traditional double gauze or birdseye lampin. Use with a good quality waterproof diaper cover to prevent leaks.

Prefolded diapers. Made of the same material as lampin, but folded and sewn into three panels. The center panel is thicker for greater absorbency. Use with a good quality waterproof diaper cover to prevent leaks.

Fitted cloth diapers. Looks like a disposable diaper but it's made of cloth. Fastens to baby with Velcro closures. The fitteds we carry are made of fleece, which 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.

Contour cloth diapers. Looks like a fitted diaper but has no Velcro closures. Fasten to a baby by using a pin, a Snappi, or by wrapping with a snug-fitting diaper cover. The fitteds we carry are made of fleece, which wicks moisture away from baby's skin leaving baby feeling drier. Use with a good quality waterproof diaper cover to prevent leaks.

(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/prefold. Some babies are uncomfortable in wet cotton gauze lampin.
Contour + Diaper Cover	High-quality fabric. Quick laundry time. Leakproof. Feels dry against baby's skin.	More expensive than lampin.
Fitted Diaper + Diaper Cover	High-quality fabric. Most leakproof system. Easy to put on baby. Feels dry against baby's skin.	More expensive than lampin.
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.
All-in-One	Feels dry against baby's skin. Easy to use (shaped like a disposable diaper).	More expensive than lampin. Less leakproof than systems with diaper covers. Takes a long time to dry.

(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. 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. A full cloth diapering set (good for 6 months) starts at only P4,000. In contrast, 6 months of disposable diapers will cost you P11000 to P18000. Cloth-diapered babies also learn to potty-train faster.

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 a lampin. Here's the easiest:

 

If you're using Thirsties 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 or one-size diapers for travelling/nighttime/naps (optional)

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) 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.

If you're using a pocket diaper, remove the insert before washing.

Before washing, presoak the diaper and insert/s 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.

Pinoybaby 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.