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Question: How Many Diapers do I
need?
Answer:
There isn't exactly a one size fits all answer to this one because it depends
on the age of your child (how often they wet a diaper) and how often you want
to do laundry. Here's some info below to help you make the best decision
for your family. Keep in mind,
the more diapers have in your rotation, the less use per diaper which means
they will last longer. So here's the scoop:
Newborns go through about 12-15 diapers a day for the first 3 weeks or so--oh those
memorable 15 diaper days!
After those initial weeks, it calms down a little. Figure babies nurse
about every two hours, and following that feeding is usually a diaper
change -- that equates to about 12 diapers a day with a couple extra (for the diaper bag, or for during a wash
cycle). Last thing you want to do with a newborn is scramble around
trying to figure out what to do if you run out of diapers. I recommend a
minimum of 18-which means washing pretty much daily.
After about 2-3 months
your baby will need to be changed 6-10 times a day. Newborns typically use
about 10 to 12 diapers per day, infants use 8 to 10 diapers a day, Toddlers use
6 to 8 diapers per day.
You will need a few extra
on hand while you are washing and a few for the diaper bag (already packed so
you are set to go).
Most full-time cloth
diaper users we've talked to want to do laundry at least every 2-3 days. Use
the above information to guide your decision as to how many diapers per size to
buy for your family's needs.
Our Detailed General
Recommendations in short:
Diapers:
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18-24
diapers per size if you want to wash every 2-3 days
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Approx.
3 dozen will allow you to wash every 3-4 days (especially for newborns).
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Part-timers
can get away with 8-12
Diaper covers
(needed for prefold and fitted diaper users only): 4-6 per size. That's
right. You do not need a cover for each diaper. A good fitted
diaper (like all those carried at Angel Bunz) will
contain messes from soiling your covers. These can be rinsed at the sink
while a fresh one is rotated in for use for days. That's precisely what
makes fitted systems a frugal diapering choice. Prefold
users may want to have another cover or two since prefolds generally do not cantain messes as well as fitteds. Especially if you're still fine-tuning
your folding skills, more covers can mean fewer wet outfits which means.less
laundry! Some people like to use wool covers for nighttime because they enjoy
the breathability and
durability of this fabric. We recommend 1-2 wool covers for nighttime
use. If wool is your primary fabric choice for covers, you will need at
least 4.
Training Pants
Potty learners-We suggest starting with 5 training pants because
depending where your child is at in the learning stage you could start with 5
and might go through that in a day or three days or a week as learning
progresses.
Note for
parents of multiples: If you have more than one child in diapers you do
NOT need to double these numbers necessarily but how many more you will
actually need depends on the age spread between your children.and how often you
want to do laundry. Feel free to call us to discuss your individual
needs.
That's It! What follows below is optional, but we
decided to list it here anyway because the fact is the following accessories
are really successories.
They will make your diapering journey a success because they make it really
easy to use cloth diapers. The easier you make it for yourself, the more
likely you are to succeed and stick with it!
Accessories (Successories):
Doublers/ inserts
etc.:
Entirely dependent on your baby!
Pocket diaper users: you
may require an additional insert or two for each night-time diaper (in addition
to the insert that comes with the diaper) depending on how often you want to
change a soiled diaper and how much output your child has. If your child needs more absorbency than 2 microterry inserts, we recommend a hemp doubler because it adds absorbency without adding more bulk.
Pre-fold, fitted, and All in one diaper users:
Doublers may be helpful for very heavy wetters,
naptime or nighttime. A doubler
is essentially additional absorbent fabric laid in a diaper before putting it
on baby. Having a few on hand "just in case" is a good idea if you aren't sure yet whether you need them.
Cloth wipes:
2-3 dozen. Easy and inexpensive,
especially since you're already washing diapers. You will find
yourself using these for everything. A necessary luxury, you will find an assortment
of textures in our cloth
wipes page. Some changes don't
require a wipe at all and others will require a few. The ones we sell fit
in a wipe warmer, wicker basket, or recycled disposable wipes box. They
are better for you because you won't have to sort trash from cloth during a
diaper change (making the whole diapering process quicker-just toss wipe and
diaper into your diaper pail or wet bag). They keep your hands from getting
icky (Can't say that about disposable wipes). They're much better for you
baby than disposable wipes which contain harsh additives,
preservatives and perfumes that cause rash for many babies..and they are much
less expensive than disposable wipes.
A squirt bottle-with room temperature water (our
recommendation for sensitive newborn skin) or homemade wipes solution, or Kissaluvs diaper lotion potion (for a treat) does the trick
on for even the nastiest clean-up jobs. Works
great whether u spray baby or spray the wipe.
Diaper pail/wet
bag/tote bag(s),: 1-3 Waterproof bags for transporting wet/dirty diapers while away from home or to
the washing machine come in quite handy. Small ones for the diaper bag, larger
ones for extended trips, or pail liners. Use it as a pail on its own (fastened
to a doorknob) or to line a Rubbermaid foot pedal lidded trash bin. These
bags can be washed along with the diapers. I highly recommend
the Wahmies Pail Liner or the Bummis
drawstring Large bag.
You may also want a tote made of the same material because the last thing
you'll want to have happen is that you put a wet cloth diaper in a grocery or
plastic bag and accidentally dispose of it in the trash (there goes your
investment). These wet bags are simply turned
inside out in the washer--so your hands never touch anything nasty. Wash
dry and use again. Its nice
to have an extra one on hand while the other is in the wash.
Snappi Diaper Fastener: 1-2 For anyone who owns a prefold
diaper (as a backup diaper or primary diapering system) For a couple of dollars you can make that prefold contain things soooo much better with a Snappi.
Flushable Liners help
lessen wetness against skin and/or make clean-up easier. Flushable
biodegradable liners are great for those transitioning from disposibles to cloth. Makes clean up quick.
The
Minishower - Eliminates the need to scrub or dunk diapers.
Prevents laundry stains. Great for those with shared laundry facilities. Can make it so you do wash less often.
We use ours for toddler superpoopers,
for potty trainers who want mommy to help wipe them-no way!-spray it off, for
people who step in dog poo
and soooo much more.
You can always contact us to
help design a system suited to your family's needs and budget.
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