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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.redandhoney.com Beth@RedandHoney

    How cute!! I love the owls one, and of course since we’re planning to live in Africa, the giraffes one! It would be great to try out a new kind of cloth diaper. I’m having some frustrations with mine right now :(

    I’m also a subscriber!

    Thanks for the great giveaway :)

  • http://www.simplysmilesphotography.com Lyndee Rodgers

    Disco dots if my fav-soooo cute! What an adorable idea, and what a great way to save the environment! They are trendy enough to catch the eye of the most uppity critic :)

  • http://www.anastasiamariephotography.com Stacy

    Oooh! can I do all 4 and enter 4 times?! lol. This is tough! The fabrics are all so cute!! I’m a fan of the ice giraffes and disco dots :)

  • http://www.scribfamily.blogspot.com Larna

    I love the owls on the line fabric! We are a cloth diapering family too! These diapers look so soft and I would love to see one on my son’s bum :)

  • http://caseyrandom.blogspot.com Casey

    I love the ooga blooga fabric! how adorable

  • http://caseyrandom.blogspot.com Casey
  • http://www.twoofakindworkingonafullhouse.blogspot.com Dee

    The disco dots is my favorite! These are soooooo cute! I’m 30 weeks pregnant and will be cloth diapering this baby!

  • http://www.twoofakindworkingonafullhouse.blogspot.com Dee

    I just subscribed via email!

  • http://www.rebeccawadephotography.com Rebecca

    I love the Pink LWI one, it is so girly and cute!! :)

  • Holli

    I tweeted about the giveway http://twitter.com/starryobsession/status/1992913063

    I love the blue dotty owls fabric!

    I just subscribed to here via google reader!

    And I blogged about the giveaway http://hollitravels.blogspot.com/2009/06/one-creative-mother.html

  • Melanie

    I want to enter, maybe if I win it’ll turn me into a cloth diaperer, lol…I just subscribed :)

  • Kyliee

    I added you and I would love to enter :) I love Merrilee’s diapers!!

  • http://www.lifetimetreasures.blogspot.com Melanie

    I love the safari and the disco dots. I’ve been considering cloth diapering and since DH and I are going to start TTC after Konner’s birthday I’d love to win. I’m off to put this on my blog.

  • http://www.vincens.typepad.com Cara

    Oh, Pink Ooga Booga!! I didn’t know they had a girl version! I’d love a new diaper, my little doll is quickly growing out of hers and I can’t sew fast enough!

  • http://simplemom.net Tsh

    The Ooga Booga fabric is adorable! I’d love to have that.

  • Stephanie

    My favorite pattern is definitely the giraffe pattern but I also love the two owl patterns. My daughter’s room is a jungle theme so the giraffes win hands down. SO cute!

  • http://simplemom.net Tsh

    I just tweeted your giveaway!

  • http://www.melissaharmonphotography.com Melissa

    I would love to enter! Just subscribed to the blog and will add your button to mine! Thanx! : )

  • http://www.messycanvas.com Mandy Steward

    I love the brown robots! Wow, her diapers are amazing.

  • http://www.kirida.com kirida

    I love the Baby Dogs pattern! I also subscribed.

  • Janel

    Just subscribed, would love to jump into cloth diapering with our 3rd baby who will be arriving in October! Love all the prints, especially the horses.

  • Autumn

    I would love to win this in the doodlebug pattern!

  • http://www.harvestofdailylife.com Talina

    OMG, these are so darn cute! I love the Disco Dots!

  • http://www.harvestofdailylife.com Talina
  • Jess

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE Ooga Booga but since we already have an ooga booga for us ill go with ooga booga sugar & spice for my niece!!!

  • Jess

    I subscribe

  • http://www.afamiliarpath.com melissa

    i’d love to try cloth diapers! i like the aqua and lime.

  • http://www.harvestofdailylife.com Talina

    I am subscribed via feed reader too!

  • http://www.munchkinfarm.blogspot.com Michelle

    The sage safari print is my favorite!

  • http://www.munchkinfarm.blogspot.com Michelle
  • Colleen Ha`zlehurst

    I love the pink and gray stripes. Too sweet.

  • Jackie

    I’m loving the ooga booga. So cute. Nice sites ladies, and fun giveaway.

  • http://twitter.com/queenoftheclick Queen of the Click

    I like the ooga blooga fabric. We are expecting our first.

  • http://twitter.com/queenoftheclick Queen of the Click

    I follow this blog.

  • Jennifer Hamitlon

    I love them all but my favorite would have to be the Oofa Blooga Dilley Dally T&T fitted OS!! What an awesome giveaway!!!

  • Jennifer Hamitlon

    I twittered about this great giveaway!! http://twitter.com/eclairemom/status/1998328416
    Thanks!!

  • Jennifer Hamitlon

    I am a proud subscriber via My Yahoo!!!

  • http://www.xanga.com/MommyNWifeAprill Aprill Payionk

    I would love to enter! I don’t cloth diaper currently but plan to with the next one.

    I LOVE the Disco Dots! Too cute!

    http://twitter.com/Aprill20

    I subscribed!

  • melanie

    Baby Dogs and Robot Rumble are my favorite fabrics. What a great giveaway!

  • http://www.glimpse.terrifischer.com Terri

    Yeah, but what if I can’t make a decision? What if I have a few favorites? Can I still enter? ;) I’m stuck between the natural velour and the summer lovin’.

  • Terri

    I like the Ooga Booga one. So cute. Of course, I look forward to checking back for the more girly prints.

  • Melinda Moccia

    I’m probably the biggest Dilley dally fan right now. I love the diapers!! My favorite print on her flikcr is definitely the green skull toss cause I sent it….hehe.

  • Cate Capps

    Aww, I love all of them, but I think my fave is the Skully pattern! She is sooo talented!

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  • http://jaimeflemingphotography.yolasite.com Jaime Fleming

    i have been a fan of these diapers for several months. they are by far the CUTEST little booty covers i have come across! i love ALL the fabrics. it is so hard to pick one. but i think if i were forced to pick a favorite, i would go with the skulls. (the ninjas are hilarious…is it bad that i have been considering buying the ninjas for my daughter?!?! lol)

    i plan on buying a one of these to use as “costumes” for my photography business. i think the skulls could be used on either gender, so i’ll prolly go with that when i get the $ to buy. and i am buying the skull one for my friend’s son’s birthday. (he’ll be getting his present a little early because i can’t stand waiting much longer!)

  • Angela

    ooh, love all the designs but I have to say the Grazing horses one is just too too cute!

  • http://kristensbloglife.blogspot.com/ kristen ~ Pajama Mama

    I love the grazing horses, particularly because it would work with my son now and my daughter who we’ll be bringing home later this year-pretty but neutral! i’ve been wanting to take the plunge to cloth diapers for some time now-this would help!

  • Megan S.

    I love the Owl Dilley Dally print!!! So cute!!

  • Amanda

    I can’t pick a fave! They’re all so cute. I do LOVE the way the diapers switch from low rise to high rise, though – that’s so smart. I don’t currently cloth diaper my son because I work and daycare won’t do it, but if I SAH with my next one, I’d love to. I’d definitely try it out with my son if I won one. :)

  • Jenny

    I love the owl. They remind me of the pac man ghosts.

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