My Very Simple Solution to the Complex Problem of Cloth Diapering a Newborn

I’ve heard people who don’t cloth diaper repeatedly question why I would get myself into something so “complicated” as using cloth when there are a million other things that need my attention as a new mom. I have to tell you, though, cloth diapering is NOT hard! Yes, you have extra laundry. Yes, you have a learning curve as you figure out your best wash routine, the best diapers for your growing baby, and troubleshooting occasional laundering problems. But there’s a HUGE community waiting to help you, and before you know it, you are a cloth diapering champ and are thanking your lucky stars to be avoiding those late night trips to Walgreens to pay through the nose for YET ANOTHER package of diapers.

I started cloth diapering Darah when she was 7 months old, and I really felt like I knew what I was doing within a week. Seriously! So I figured that cloth diapering baby 2, right from the start, would be just like getting on a bike after a few years off of one. I even had all her old diapers ready to go!

But my research into cloth diapering from the start revealed something: those “one size” diapers that I have tons of aren’t necessarily a good fit for brand new babies (unless you have a really chunky one, which I likely won’t have). They are simply too big! But do not despair, many brands make newborn size cloth diapers. There’s the solution, right?! Except, then you have to buy a bare minimum of 18 diapers at roughly $14/each that will just be worn for 1-2 months. So that would mean spending $252 for 1-2 months of diapering and then having to get diapers for the next size up if you don’t already have a stash. Suddenly something that was supposed to be very simple got really complicated.

While it is true that you can re-sell your used diapers for close to what you paid for them, I knew I just wouldn’t have time for all that. I was really confused about how to make this work, and was just about resigned to the fact that I wouldn’t be cloth diapering for the first 2 months.

How to Cloth Diaper a Newborn

And then I read about Earthy Crunchy Mama and her AMAZING newborn cloth diaper rental program. I got myself signed up and am SO excited to share the details with you of how this works and why it is THE WAY TO GO if you want to use cloth from the start. 2017 Edit: Jen’s program is no longer operating but here’s a link to one that is currently available, though I haven’t personally tried it. Just didn’t want to leave you without an option! There are also some decent prices on 6 packs of newborn diapers on Amazon if you want to check that out. 

Jen is the brains behind this operation, and she is SO UNBELIEVABLY NICE! You can tell that she is absolutely passionate about helping parents easily transition to the world of cloth, and she wants to do everything possible to help you feel comfortable and relaxed about your decision to try it out. She has put together VERY comprehensive packages that you can rent so that you don’t need to buy anything else related to diapers in your first 1-2 months. You also get the opportunity to try out several different brands and types of diapers to figure out which types you like the most. This is such a great thing, because when you are ready to buy your next size diapers (be they one size or sized diapers…your choice), you will know if you are a pocket family, or an AIO family, or if you like hybrids or want to get a variety (you’ll also be down with all that cloth diaper lingo by that point!).

I want to show you what came in my rental package. It is SO awesome! First, just look at all the fluff! EEEEE!!!! (I promise, if you want to try cloth you will start to LOVE getting fluff in the mail. It’s addicting…you’ve been warned). Let me break down for you what’s in my package (which Jen specifically tailors to each client based on a phone conversation about your needs and wants). You will notice that some of the products are brand new, and some have been used. I can tell you that by looking at the diapers, themselves, you wouldn’t know which was which. Everything is in impeccable condition!

 

Cloth Diaper Rental

Here’s what was included (if it has a * beside it, that means that you get the keep the product!):

24 diapers, broken down as follows

(3) new bumGenius All-in-One diapers

(3) used GroVia Newborn All-in-One diapers

(9) used FuzziBunz Pocket diapers

(9) used MiniMaestro Pocket diapers

(3) new Punkin’ Butt inserts, size XS

(1) new Rumparooz wet bag

(1) used GroVia pail liner

*(12) new cloth wipes

*(24) new reusable micro-fleece liners

*(1) new Baby’s Butt balm

*(1) Eco Sprout Detergent

*(1) Water test strip

The package also comes with detailed information about each product, and great tips for launder and care of your diapers. Jen really dotted all her i’s and crossed all her t’s with this package. Even if you know NOTHING about cloth, what she has provided with give you a great deal of confidence to get started!

Stay tuned for part 2 of this series next month, where I break down the cost of the rental program (VERY affordable) and tell you about my experience using these products on a new baby! 

If you are eager to learn more now, you can find lots of information on Jen’s site about her cloth diaper rental program and how you can join. If you decide to sign up, I would love for you to list me as your referral (Tiffany or Stuff Parents Need). I receive a $5 credit to the shop for each referral I send her way! And she has so much great stuff that I’d love to buy! Told you cloth was addicting!

Edit: Here’s the follow-up post I wrote after I finished cloth diapering a newborn with the cloth diaper rental program!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary product for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.