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Green Ninja's diaper routine

Cloth diapering, although much easier then it was when we were babies, does take some getting used to. Organization and preparation are essential, but once you get used to it, it becomes part of your daily routine. At the end of the day, the extra time and effort is nothing compared to the benefits to your baby and the environment.

When Baby Ninja was born, we were new to cloth diapering. We always knew we wanted to use cloth diapers for our family, but didn't know much about it. For the first three weeks, we had to use disposable diapers since the cloth diapers we had were not small enough. During this time we watched helplessly as the bags of trash went to the curb every week. We went from a bag of trash every two months, to a large bag every week. That alone was great motivation to get started with cloth diapers. Now that our second Ninja is here, we are much more prepared.

There are a few things we learned pretty quickly:

  • Newborn babies are really small and need to be changed a lot
  • What works for some people may not work for you. I read a million positive reviews for a particular brand of diapers. Trusting the literature, I bought a few. Those diapers (which we do not sell at Green Ninja) leaked within an hour
  • Cute does not equal leak-proof. Function is far more important
  • A well stocked and well organized diaper changing area is essential to cloth diapering success
  • The longer you use cloth diapers to easier it gets. Conversely, the more you use disposable diapers, the harder it is to give up the convenience. We are creatures of habit - when you get into to the habit of using and washing cloth diapers it becomes second nature.

After much research and trying different methods, we figured out what worked for us. Here are some suggestions. Keep in mind that all babies are different and all households are different so we encourage to you to try different things to figure out what works for you and your family.

The Diaper Stash

Our diaper stash is made of a variety of brands and types of diapers. This is the result of trying out different diapers to figure out what works. The down side of this is we ended up with some diapers that leaked. These became our back-up diapers. We found that having a variety of diaper types works well. For example, we used fitted diapers, prefolds and all-in-ones for our newborn, pocket diapers for night-time diapering and some trimmer all-in-ones to wear with jeans and other slimmer fitting clothes. We used sized diapers (size small) when Baby Ninja was very small (under 6 months) and mostly one-size diapers after that.

Green Ninja's Favourite....

Tiny Newborn diapers -Organic cotton prefolds (preemie) with a Bummis Super Brite diaper cover (newborn) or FuzziBunz Perfect Size pocket diaper (size x-small)

Newborn diapers -AppleCheeks one size bamboo insert with a Bummis Super Brite diaper cover (newborm or size small) or FuzziBunz Perfect Size pocket diaper (size x-small or small)

Night-time diapers - FuzziBunz one-size pocket diaper with a FuzziBunz microfibre insert layered on top of an AppleCheeks 3-layer bamboo insert (folded into thirds).  We used bumGenius one-size pocket diapers until Baby Ninja learned how to undo the velcro. More recently we have had many leak-free nights with a Flip Stay-dry insert layered on top of either a Flip Organic Insert or a AppleCheeks 3-layer bamboo insert (folded into thirds) inside a Flip diaper cover.

Convenient diapers -bumGenius All-in-one diapers...as easy as a disposable

Versatile diaper system - Flip Hybrid Diaper System

Economical diapers -Flip Hybrid Diaper System or Bummis organic cotton prefolds with a Bummis diaper cover

Trimmest diapers -bumGenius Elemental One-size All-in-one diapers (Super trim...even fits under skinny jeans)

Nighttime diapering

Nighttime diapering is often a challenge since your baby could be in the same diaper for up to 12-13 hours (if you're lucky). The solution is increasing the absorbency of your diaper using multiple inserts and/or using inserts made of very absorbent fabric. We have found the most effective insert combination to be a microfibre insert on top of a hemp or bamboo insert. Microfibre acts like a sponge in that it absorbs liquid quickly, but when it is squeezed, or compressed, the liquid leaks out. Hemp and bamboo are very absorbent and can hold a lot of liquid, even when compressed, however they do not absorb the liquid as quickly as microfibre (bamboo absorbs more readily than hemp, but still not as quickly as microfibre). By using microfibre on top of hemp or bamboo, urine gets absorbed quickly into the microfibre and wetness is locked in the hemp or bamboo to prevent leaks over a long period of time. Some babies may require a booster or even a 3rd insert to keep them dry through the night.  Also, if your baby sleeps on their front, you may need to add a booster at the front of the diaper.  Be careful not to add too many inserts or boosters since this could cause gaps in legs or waist.  If there are gaps, the pee will leak out before it gets a chance to be absorbed by the insert.

My favourite, and so far most successful, nighttime diaper combination is a Flip Stay-dry insert layered on top of either a Flip Organic Insert or an AppleCheeks 3-layer bamboo insert (folded into thirds) inside a Flip diaper cover.   The Flip One-Size Diaper covers can accomedate multiple layers of inserts without leaving gaps in the legs.  The fit is very generous, yet trim.   I can honestly say, we've had NO LEAKS using this system! We have also had great success layering a microfibre insert on top of a AppleCheeks 3-layer bamboo insert (folded into thirds) in a FuzziBunz One Size diaper.  FuzziBunz One Size diapers are great for overnight because the legs and waist can be adjusted perfectly to accommodate multiple inserts without leaving gaps at the legs.  

Finally...keep in mind that when it comes to nighttime diapering, trim fit often needs to be sacrificed for dry sheets in the morning. If your baby requires multiple inserts, the diaper is not going to be as trim as usual. You may need to use pyjamas that are a size larger. We have found that 2-piece pyjamas accommodate large diaper bums a little better than one piece pyjamas.

Wipes

If you are going to use cloth diapers, you might as well use cloth wipes. Cloth wipes are easy to use, take no effort to clean and are so much better for your baby and the environment. Keep a bunch of wipes on your change table and simply throw the dirty ones in your diaper pail. Wash and dry them with your diapers. I don't even bother to fold them; I just stuff them in a container when they are clean.

You do need quite a few wipes...at least 30. There are many different types and brands you can use depending on your fabric preference and budget. If you can afford them, wipes made of natural fibres such as bamboo or organic cotton are great. A cheaper option is to buy a few packages of baby face cloths at a department store or dollar store. You can also make your own buy cutting old towels, faces cloths, clothes or receiving blankets into squares.

For especially messy diaper changes, I keep a roll of toilet paper on the change table. I use toilet paper to do an initial wipe and flush it with the mess. Then I use a moistened wipe to clean the skin. This makes doing laundry a little easier.

Wipes Solutions

One of the benefits of using cloth wipes is you know exactly what you are using on your baby’s bottom. To moisten your wipes you will need some kind of wipes solution. This can be made from any number of things depending on your needs. The simplest solution is plain tap water. If your change station is set up in the bathroom, you can use warm water directly from the tap. Keep in mind that water can strip moisture from your baby’s skin. Using baby oil or a good organic diaper ointment will help to prevent dry skin.

You can keep your wipes solution in bottle with a pull-top spout (like a sports bottle) or spray bottle. You can also store your wipes solution and wipes in a commercial baby wipes container to have pre-moistened wipes. Some people use a wipe warmer to keep the solution warm. I just keep it at room temperature.

If you choose to make your wipes solution in larger batches, you should use distilled water and keep it in the fridge. I make small amounts and replace it about once a week and have never had a problem with mildew or mustiness.

A wipes solution should contain a combination of:

  • Water
  • Organic Soap to cleanse (eg. baby wash, shampoo)
  • Oil to moisturize (eg. baby oil, vegetable oil)
  • Essential Oils for their antibacterial, antifungal and aromatherapeutic properties (eg. lavender, tea tree oil)

Green Ninja Wipes Solutions

In 500mL sports bottle, combine:

  • 1 cup of tap water
  • Add 1 Teaspoon of organic baby oil (to moisturize the skin)
  • Add 3 - 4 drops of lavender essential oil (anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, disinfectant)
  • Add 1 Tablespoon of organic baby wash or baby shampoo

Be sure to add the water first so you don’t get too many bubbles. Feel free to experiment with the amounts and variety of baby oil, essential oils and baby wash.  Tea tree oil can be used instead of lavender oil if your baby has a yeast infection. Tea tree oil is also anti-bacterial, but can be harsh if used too frequently.

Liners

We use both fleece liners and flushable liners. Fleece liners are great because the keep baby feeling dry. We always use them at night, or when using a diaper without a built-in fleece layer. We use flushable liners when we anticipate a messy diaper as well as in the diapers we send to day care. You can also use both at the same time…the fleece liner to keep baby dry an the flushable liner for easy clean-ups.

Cloth Diapering on the Go

Using cloth diapers while you are out does take a little more planning, but can be just as easy as using disposables... especially if you go to someone’s house. Who wants a stinky diaper left behind after a dinner party anyway?

When I go out or take Baby Ninja to day care, I pack my diaper bag with cloth diapers and flushable liners. I pre-wet some cloth wipes with my wipes solution and keep them in a sealable ziplock bag. I also use a water resistant diaper tote (eg. Medium Fabulous Wetbag, or Bummi’s Tote bag) for the dirty diapers. Diaper totes with zippers are helpful to keep smells at bay. When you get home, just transfer the dirty diapers and diaper tote (inside out) into your diaper pail.

Diaper Rashes and Diaper Cream

Although diaper rashes are rare with cloth diapered baby, they can happen. Babies with sensitive skin or food sensitivities may be especially prone to diaper rashes. Rashes can also be caused by infrequent diaper changes. Most cloth diaper manufacturers recommend not using diaper cream (especially cream with zinc oxide) with cloth diapers. The cream and oils can build up on the diaper preventing the diaper from absorbing liquid.

The Green Ninja solution to treat diaper rashes... Angel Baby Bottom Balm. This product is great for treating diaper rash AND is perfectly safe for cloth diapers. In fact, it was designed for use with cloth diapers. This is a completely natural, toxin-free, organic diaper balm. It is made by Earth Mama Angel Baby, and like all their products, it rates 0 (which is the best rating you can get) on EWG's skin deep database. Although this balm does not leave a residue, it is still a good idea to use a liner when you use any type of diaper cream or oil. If you already have leaky diapers because of diaper cream build-up, there is an easy solution. You need to strip your diapers.

Diaper Sprayer

Before cloth diapers are thrown into the diaper pail, it is important to remove as much solid waste as possible. In fact, you are supposed to do this with disposable diapers as well (who knew?). The only exception is exclusively breastfed babies...their solid waste is water soluble. Formula fed babies and babies on solid food do require the extra step of rinsing, or shaking solids into the toilet. I have found 2 things that are essential to dealing with messy diapers at this stage: liners and a diaper sprayer. Flushable liners are especially helpful since you can throw the liner in the toilet with the mess. If you are lucky, there will be no mess left behind to rinse.

There are occasions when the diaper itself gets soiled, or if you use fleece liners, you have to rinse the residual solids off the diaper or liner. This is where the diaper sprayer is extremely useful. When I first heard of this device I thought it was excessive and kind of silly. After trying to clean diapers in the toilet using various techniques (swishing, swirling, flushing...) I caved and bought a diaper sprayer. These high pressure sprayers quickly, easily and cleanly remove messy solids from the diaper. Your hands never need to come in contact with the toilet water or the mess…and you don’t have to worry about accidently flushing a diaper or fleece liner down the toilet (I almost did that a few times).

The sprayer attaches to the intake valve on the toilet by a long hose so the water that comes out is from your water supply, not the toilet. They are very easy to install and versatile. I use it to rinse the bath tub or to fill the cleaning pail. Some use it as a bidet or for feminine hygiene.

Leaky Diapers

Leaky diapers could be caused by:

  • Infrequent diaper changes. Cloth diapers need to be changed every 2-3 hours to avoid leaking and more importantly to keep your baby’s sensitive skin clean and dry. Wet diapers (disposable and cloth) can breed bacteria, a common cause of diaper rashes. Solid waste can prevent diapers from absorbing liquid and should be changed as soon as you notice it, or... I guess smell it.
  • Not enough absorbency. If the diaper, or insert, is fully saturated it will not able to hold any more liquid. When this happens the urine has no where to go but out. This can easily be fixed by using an insert made from a more absorbent fabric or using multiple inserts. Sometimes adding a booster will do the trick.
  • Improper fit. Make sure the diaper is the correct size for your baby and fastened properly without any large gaps. Clothing tucked into the diaper, or too close to the edge of the diaper could also cause urine to leak by wicking.
  • Residue or build-up on the diaper or insert. Residue from detergent, fabric softener, minerals from hard water or diaper creams could prevent the fibres from absorbing or allowing the moisture to pass through. When this happens, the diaper needs to be stripped. Even if you don’t have a problem with leaking, it’s a good idea to strip your diapers every couple of months to prevent residue build-up. Also, if your diapers are still stinky after they are washed, it’s a good indication that they need to be stripped.
  • Incompatible detergent. Detergents containing fabric softeners, brighteners, phosphates, enzymes, alcohol, additives, perfumes, dyes and fragrances could cause build- up and prevent your diapers from absorbing properly. If you have been using the wrong detergent, all you need to do is strip your diapers (maybe a few times) and switch to an appropriate detergent. See the list of recommended detergents for some suggestions.