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Jun 2009

Cloth Diapering 101 + Giveaway!

June 1, 2009 By 71 Comments
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2956274055_db29af49be1Please welcome my guest author today, Merrilee Dilley, the work at home mom behind Dilley Dally Diapers. She has offered to come give us some insight into the basics of cloth diapering as well as share some excellent recources.

When Angie first approached me about writing a guest blog about cloth diapers, I was excited. Since becoming a mother 9 months ago I dived head first into the world of cloth diapering, and have loved every moment of it. Even my husband has caught the bug. Cloth diapers are cheaper than disposables, better for your baby, better for the environment, easy to use and above all – cloth diapers are cute!

All about the diapers

Modern cloth diapers are much different from the folding and pinning of ages past. Depending on your situation there is an easy option that will work for you. For disposable users who don’t want a lot of change, there are All-in-Ones (AIOs) that have a built in waterproof layer and function just like sposies! Pocket diapers are similar to AIOs but have a stay dry fabric inner, and a slit in the back that allows you to “stuff” the pocket with the absorbency of your choice and that also reduces drying time. For those of us who prefer natural fibers, there are fitted diapers that are not waterproof and are used in combination with a plastic or wool cover. If you need to save a ton of money, traditional prefold diapers are still around as well, with the addition of a “snappi” as an alternative to pins, even prefolds are easy.

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There are advantages and disadvantages for each style, and my recommendation is to try a few of each and see what you like. I know many fans of pocket diapers, but I found that I preferred fitted diapers and wool pants. Jillian’s Drawers has a great trial program that allows you to try one of each type for $10. The upfront cost of cloth diapers can seem daunting, but cloth diapers can be used for multiple children, and can even be sold when done! My tip is to calculate how much money you spend on disposables each month, and see how many months it would take for the purchase of cloth diapers to pay for themselves.

Common Misconceptions

Another common misconception about cloth diapers is the increase in laundry. At our house we do one load every other night. Cloth diapers typically do not leak as often as disposables either (if they fit and are used properly). We’ve only had a handful of leaks and blowouts, reducing the baby’s clothing laundry down to one load every week and a half! Washing diapers doesn’t require anything special either. If your baby is exclusively breastfed, poopy diapers go straight into the wash. If your baby is formula fed or on solids, poop gets flushed. This can be really easy with the use of flushable diaper liners or a diaper sprayer that attaches to the back of the toilet. Diapers don’t need to be dunked anymore! From there they can go straight into the wash.
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Some last thoughts

There are a few additional items I would recommend when thinking about cloth diapering. I use cloth wipes, and just wash them with the diapers. Wetbags are a waterproof bag that are a good addition to any diaperbag, but they are great for transporting dirty diapers. Also check to see what laundry detergent is recommended by the manufacturer, and make sure that your diaper cream is cloth diaper safe. There are hundreds of resources available about cloth diapering. Diaper Swappers and the Diaper Pin have online resources and forums that I found immensely helpful when I was first starting. Feel free to ask any additional questions in the comments below or email me directly at Merrilee@dilleydally.com.

The giveaway!

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As promised, a fabulous giveaway! Merrilee is graciously offering 1 (one) Dilley Dally One Size Diaper in the fabric of your choice. See available fabrics by clicking HERE (author’s note: more girly fabrics coming in this week!). Please allow 2 weeks for shipping, as it is a custom fabric choice.

Angie’s note: You don’t have to be expecting or have a little one to enter, think of the amazing gift one of her diapers could make for a friend! As a photographer I think having a handful of these adorable diapers is a fab idea, think of the diaper-cover-look possibilities!

You may enter by doing one or all of the following:

  • Visit Merrilee’s shop or her Flickr (return here, commenting which of her products/fabrics are your fave)
  • Twitter about this giveaway (return here, leaving a comment with the link)
  • Subscribe to The Creative Mama’s feed (return here, mentioning that you are a subscriber)
  • Blog about Merrilee’s gracious giveaway (of course, head back to let us know the link)

This giveaway ends Sunday night, June 7 at 10pm PST – no exceptions : ) Winner will be announced the following morning. Good luck to you!

[All images courtesy of Merrilee Dilley]

About Angie


Angie is the founder and editor of The Creative Mama, who lives in the beautiful Bay Area, CA. She also blogs her own personal journey at angiewarren.com. When she isn't writing or taking photos, Angie can be found having tickle fights with her boys and frequenting the local Starbucks.

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  • http://www.becomingsarah.com Sarah @ BecomingSarah.com

    HOW ADORABLE! Those diapers are amazingly cute!

    My favorite pattern is the giraffe one, but there are so many really nice ones. Like the ooga booga lol; that one made me laugh =)

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  • http://hobbitdoor.blogspot.com Stacie@HobbitDoor

    I love the Sage Safari, Oogga Booga Sugar and Spice and the doodlebug fabrics! So cute!
    I subscribe! :D

  • KT

    I love the Sonoma! We are adopting and not sure if it’s a boy or girl. I’ve been researching cloth diapers and would love to finally settle on a brand. Your prints look adorable!

  • anneke

    I love the LWI dyed diapers! My favorite is the aqua, though my favorite print is little dogs. So cute!

  • Kristine

    Great article!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the grazing horses fabric!! Your diapers are beautiful!!

  • Fawn

    I love all the too cute fabrics! I’d have to say Rockstar’s my fave, but I seriously doubt DH would let me put it on boy. :) Next one I buy, I think I’m going with skully!

  • Jen

    I love ALL your stuff..if I were to win a free giveaway I would have to say to sign me up for a ‘baby dogs’ OS diaper for JAQ edd 9/26 that fabric is so frickin cute!! Love your stuff!!

  • Lissa

    I love the disco dots! That’s the one I would like the best. But they are all amazing. How awesome to be able to do what you love and spend so much time how with your little boy. I’ve been wanting to get some cloth diapers and veer away from the disposables so this would be a good start…

  • Kathleen

    Hi there! We are expecting our first baby and have been trying to decide where to purchase our cloth diapers. A friend suggested that I check out Merrilee’s line and I can see why! I LOVE the sage safari and the ice giraffes. SO CUTE!

  • http://me-lace.blogspot.com lace

    I like the ice giraffes fabric. These are really cute diapers. I’d love one of these to be my very first cloth diaper. I’ve yet to try them

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  • Dana C

    I love the giraffe fabric – perfect for a boy or girl. We’re thinking about adding to our family and I’d love to try cloth diapers this time around.

  • Dana C

    I’m a happy subscriber too!

  • Shelly

    I love the ogga boogie sugar and spice!

  • http://www.sweeterstill.blogspot.com SJ

    I heart the disco dots! So so cute. I just decided to make the switch to cloth- both this post and the series on Simple Mom helped convince me. I ordered my first cloth dipes and am waiting for them to arrive yay!

  • http://www.babbleofnobodysnothings.blogspot.com Jessica

    i’m loving the doodlebug and the oogabooga sugar and spice. :) the disco dots with a matching head band would be really cute on my little one as well! the owls are uber cute too…i need a little boy!

  • http://www.harvestofdailylife.com Talina

    The Disco Dots print is super cute! Perfect for my little Tater.

  • Jill

    I really like the Ice Giraffes print.

  • serena

    Cute diapers! Thanks for the article on CD’ing. I love the Ice Giraffes!!!

  • http://jessica@dreamingbear.com Jessica

    i am so happy to be a CD’ing mama! it’s been so easy and so worth it, even though i was totally overwhelmed when i was pregnant just reading about it! i subscribe:)

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