Cloth Basics for Newborns

Cloth Diaper Basics

How many cloth diapers do I need for one newborn / baby?
If you are going to wash every day: A minimum of 18 cloth diapers.
If you are going to wash every other day: A minimum of 28 cloth diapers.
If you are going to wash two-three times a week: 3-4 dozen cloth diapers.

How many cloth diapers do I need for twin newborns / babies?
If you are going to wash two-three times a week: 5-6 dozen cloth diapers.

Should I wait a few weeks before starting cloth diapers on a newborn?
It depends on personal preference. There are some cloth diapering parents that use cloth diapers from day one with a newborn, others that use after the umbilical cord falls out and even some who wait a week to a few weeks. Depending on the preference of the parents, those who wait may wait for baby to be a certain size, weight, age, medical related events such as a pre-mature baby in the NICU ( neo-natal intensive care unit), and circumcision could delay their use. And for some parents, it's just a desire to skip the multiple changes during the newborn phase, because the disposable diapers will absorb more and feel dry longer on a newborn and the cloth diapers will feel wet when they are fully saturated and need to be changed more frequently so they do not leak. Another reason is not all new moms recovering from giving birth want to use cloth diapers in the hospital or want the first week or so to be taking on the cloth diaper laundry. They want time to adjust to bringing home a new baby and slowly find their routine with their new bundle. So it is whatever you want to do  to make a cloth diapering routine that works best for your family and you.

Will one size cloth diapers fit my newborn?
Yes and No. The reason this is a yes and no answer is because it really depends on the size and weight of the baby. For some cloth diapering parents, they may find their baby fits perfectly in one size from birth to potty training, while for others their baby may fit perfectly in a one size when they get bigger in size and weight as they get older. The next thing is it depends on how that particular brand of diaper fits on your baby. You may find when trying different one size brands that some may fit a newborn better than others. Some may have a great fit on your tiny newborn while others may have gaps around the legs. The bigger the gap, the greater the increase for leaks. What is good about the one size, is if it does not fit your baby right away, at some point they most likely will fit, so in the future, they can be used and would not require you to return them.

Can I use cloth diapers during those first few days of meconium? 
Yes, you can use cloth diapers during those first few days of meconium. 

Will meconium stain my cloth diapers?
Some  cloth diaper parents feel it will come off the diapers pretty well after being washed. For those, who want to take precautions against meconium staining your cloth diapers, you can add a cloth liner or flushable liner to the inside of your diapers during the first few days of meconium. Also, some cloth diapering parents opt to wait until the meconium passes before switching their baby to cloth diapers.

Is it okay that my cloth diaper leaves marks on my child's thighs?

You want cloth diapers to have a snug fit. If they are too loose, they can leak. Seeing red marks around baby's thighs when taking off a diaper, whether it be disposable or cloth diaper is normal. If the baby is crying as you are trying to apply the diaper to a snug fit and is not crying because he or she is getting a diaper change, then be cautious to make sure you are not pinching baby's skin as you are applying a tighter fit.

* Remember how many cloth diapers (even disposable diapers) you go through, will vary depending on how often your child goes to the bathroom, as well as other factors, such as  whether your child sleeps through the night and you change their diaper in the morning, wakes up every time they need a change at night, or wakes up for feedings or drinks of water at night and needs a change after. On average, newborns go through about 8-12 cloth diapers a day. Older babies go through about 8-9 cloth diapers a day.