I want the least expensive diaper possible, even if it is the least "convenient" option.  I will
buy the next diaper size up as my baby grows.
  • Your best bet is to use prefold diapers with a diaper cover.   Some prefolds are labeled
    "Diaper Service Quality" or "DSQ" prefolds.  Others are not DSQ but are made of lush organic
    cotton or hemp.  These are adequately absorbent for diapering.  Beware the cheap prefolds you
    find at the big box stores.  They are fine as burp cloths, but will not work for diapering unless
    you like cleaning up after leaks!  With prefolds, you will need to buy bigger prefolds and diaper
    covers as your baby grows, but even so, this is the least expensive option.  Prefolds require
    using a diaper pin or Snappi® to keep them in position on your baby, but when used properly,
    they can do a good job of containing messes.  You can also lay them into a diaper cover without
    using a pin or Snappi® , but in our experience this approach does not contain messes very well
    and the diaper covers get soiled when the baby poops.  Most people need about 25-30 prefolds
    and about 6 diaper covers.  Diaper covers can be reused multiple times until they become
    soiled.  Because the wet diaper sits right against your baby's skin, you will want to change the
    diaper as soon as it becomes wet or soiled.  

    We are happy to announce that we now carry Play All Day Gear Organic Hemp Prefolds.  These
    are so luxuriously soft and hemp is twice as absorbent as cotton.  If you decide to use
    prefolds, we think these are the best around, and made by a Colorado mom!  We have made the
    decision not to carry these diapers at Living Earth Babies because we'd rather promote the
    use of Hemp over Chinese cotton and support a local mom.
I want to keep my costs down, but I'm willing to pay a little more for a diaper that is easy
for anyone to use.  I'm willing to use a 2-step system with a diaper and diaper cover.  I will
buy the next diaper size up as my baby grows.
  • Your best bet is to use a Fitted Diaper with a diaper cover.  Fitted diapers are very soft
    against your baby's skin, easy to put on and take off, and do an excellent job of containing
    messes.  The fitted diapers that we sell have a fleece layer against the baby's skin and a
    microfiber insert sewn inside, so your baby stays dry while the moisture is absorbed into the
    interior of the diaper.  These diapers are sized, so you will need to buy new ones as your baby
    grows.  We offer Thirsties Fab Fitted Diapers, Under the Nile Organic Cotton Fitted Diapers,
    and Play All Day Gear Organic Hemp Fitted Diapers.  All are excellent brands, and both
    Thirsties and Play All Day Gear are made by local Colorado moms.

    Note:  Another option is a Contour Diaper with a diaper cover.  At this time, we do not offer
    any contour diapers.  Our personal opinion and experience is that most brands of contour
    diapers do not do a very good job of containing poops around the legs, which means the diaper
    cover gets soiled with almost every diaper change.  While a prefold may take a few more
    seconds to put on your baby, it actually does a better job than contours at containing messes
    because the fabric is folded in around the baby's thighs.  If you want the next step up in
    convenience from a prefold, we believe that a Fitted Diaper is worth the extra money.
I'm willing to pay more for a diaper that has the waterproofing built in so I don't have to use
a diaper cover.  I will buy the next diaper size up as my baby grows.
  • Your best bet is to use a Pocket or an All-in-One (AIO) diaper.  Both types of diapers are
    extremely convenient and easy to use.  They both have a fleece layer against the baby's skin so
    the baby stays dry.  

    A Pocket diaper has an opening at one end so you can place an insert into the interior of the
    diaper to absorb moisture.  Pocket diapers provide a lot of flexibility because you can put a
    prefold diaper into the insert, use a microfiber insert, or use a hemp insert if you prefer.  You
    could even use a little hand towel as an insert!  At night, you can double-stuff the pocket to
    provide more absorbancy.  

    An AIO diaper is probably the most convenient diaper to use.  These diapers have a microfiber
    insert sewn in, so there are no extra steps to take.  Just use the diaper "as is" for superior
    absorbancy.  Although you don't have to use an insert with this diaper, the AIO that we sell also
    has a pocket so that you can add an insert to increase absorbancy when needed.
I'm willing to pay more for a diaper that has the waterproofing built in, and I want a
"one-size-fits-all" diaper so I only need to invest in one set of diapers.
  • Your best bet is to use a "One Size Fits All" pocket diaper.  These diapers have snaps on the
    front of the diaper that let you adjust the rise as your baby grows.  They are a GREAT
    DIAPERING SOLUTION!!  Just like anything that is "One-Size-Fits-All"... please realize that
    in reality they should probably be called "One-Size-Fits-Most, Most-Of-The-Time".  If your
    baby has very skinny legs or is an extra large baby, you might be better off with a sized AIO
    diaper.
A few clicks on the internet and you discover the huge number of cloth diapering options.  It can seem
overwhelming to investigate every brand of diaper, and figure out which type of diaper is right for
you.  This page will provide an overview of the different diapering strategies, and help you zero in on
what's best for you.  If you are in the Boulder, CO area, attend one of our Diaper Demos.

First... The Basics:
All cloth diapering strategies are made up of 2 essential components:

a cloth diaper to absorb and contain the messes
a waterproof barrier

Some cloth diapers require a diaper cover to provide the waterproof barrier.  Other cloth diapers build the waterproofing right in by using a PUL liner or PUL outer fabric.  As you might guess, there
are also differences in cost, with more expensive diapers offering a more "convenient" system.

Now... Your Diaper Decision:
Diaper Decisions
Some Additional Points:
You may want to consider a combination of diaper styles.  For example, you might use prefolds or
fitted diapers during the day and when you are at home, but use pockets or AIOs when you have a
babysitter or Grandma over, or if you're leaving baby at a daycare center.

Just like buying organic veggies is more expensive than conventionally grown produce, the same goes
for diapers.  Organic cotton or hemp products may be right for you if your baby has very sensitive
skin or you don't want artificial fibers near your baby's skin, but you will usually pay more for organic
or hemp fabrics.
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