Your favorite cloth diapering tip

[LilyLiberty]

Hi everyone. To reintroduce myself (briefly) ... I'm not a mom but I'm putting together a cloth diapering kit for a friend of mine who will become one in August. I got some friends in on the act so we'll be able to put together a bigger, better, diaper basket for E than I had expected. Hooray!

I'm going to get in touch with my inner crafter and put all the diapering gear together in a basket with some ribbon, but I also want to include a little booklet of tips since E and her husband are completely new to cloth diapering. I was thinking of a one or two pager with things like, "If it really stinks, try using ____" something that she could stick up on her washer or, "If baby develops a rash try _____" or whatever. I'd love it if folks would contribute their best cloth-diapering tips and tricks on this thread. Don't worry, I'll credit the mothering.com community in my booklet!

Her shower is on Saturday so I'm hoping to have the whole basket sorted by then.

Thanks again Moms!

[Ifluffedthree]

Always expects mistakes to happen. It is how you become good at cloth diapering.

Getting a routine down is key to successful cloth diapering.

[funkymamajoy]

1. add vinegar to the rinse cycle. Its a softener and gets rid of stink
2. sun drying gets out stains
3. run pins through your hair first, then they'll slide through the diaper
4. let baby go without a cover to clear up a rash

[Michigan Mama]

If baby is going to be exclusively breastfed, no need to clean the poo off first. It will dissolve in the machine!

Once baby starts to have big kid poopies (after starting solids), flushable or fleece liners or a diaper sprayer can make clean up much more simple! (Not totally necessary, of course, just helpful).



What a great thing to do for a friend!

[Nillarilla]

Occasionally run your clean dipes through another hot wash with no soap to remove buildup.
Use a dry pail it's less stinky/messy
Cold rinse, hot wash with a little detergent, double rinse
A little air on the derriere will clear up a rash

[Ruthie's momma]

If baby's bottom does need some diaper area rash cream, make sure to use a cloth diaper friendly brand. A fleece liner will also help to protect the cloth diaper.

[LilyLiberty]

Thanks all! These are great!

[bea3]

Don't take it too seriously and have fun! Enjoy diapering your little one. Sing a special song or play an eye contact game or give a quick massage at every change.

CHANGE YOUR BABY OFTEN! They wet a lot and when using cloth, especially natural fibers, your baby will feel wet and love a change!