Everything you need to successfully start cloth diapering

Guys, I am so very excited about this new kit we are offering at Zukababy! I'm a little jealous that there was nothing like this when I was getting started cloth diapering!

When I first began doing cloth diaper consulting, I always tried to point people toward prefolds and covers because that is what I have loved from day one. However, as I've worked with more and more cloth diaper mamas, I realize that everyone has a different lifestyle, different baby, and a different preference. Therefore, I now recommend trying out many different styles to find out what you like best. I've spent many an hour sitting with cloth newbies making a list of what to try.

Well, we've made it simple for you. Zukababy now offers a complete cloth diapering kit that contains everything you'll need to get started cloth diapering!

Isn't it beautiful?

This kit includes (as copied and pasted from the Zukababy website):

• One dozen prefolds
• 1 Snappi
• 6 Fitted Diapers
• 1 Thirsties Duo Cover
• 1 Rumparooz Cover
• 1 Bummis Whisper Wrap Super Snap Cover
• 1 Flip One-Size Cover
• Flip Stay Dry Inserts – Your choice: 3 one-size or 6 newborn
• 1 pack Flip Disposable Inserts (18 per pack)
• 2 Overnight Hemp Doublers
• 1 Bumgenius 4.0 One-Size Pocket Diaper
• 1 FuzziBunz One-Size Pocket Diaper
• 1 Go Green The Champ One-Size Pocket Diaper
• 1 Bumgenius Freetime Stay Dry All-in-One
• 1 Bumgenius Elemental Organic Cotton All-in-One
• Planetwise Wet/Dry Bag
• Pail Wetbag – Your choice: 2 pail liners or one GroVia hanging pail
• 12 Pack of Flannel Cloth Wipes
• BabeeGreens Cleansing Set – wipe solution concentrate and spray bottle
• 1 pack of Flushable liners (100 per roll)

I checked and I just can't think of anything else you'll need. Other than soap to wash them with. But there's a kit for that, too. I'll write a short post about that tomorrow! Even if you don't purchase this particular kit, this is a great master list to go by as you build your stash. 

The kit contains 26 diapers, which is plenty to cloth diaper full time. It contains all of the types of diapers, (prefolds, fitteds, pockets, all-in-ones, and hybrids) including some disposable inserts. Several major brands are represented. It's just really amazing.

About the cost: if you've done any internet research, you'll know that almost everyone says that you need to be ready to invest around $400 to get started cloth diapering. Here are the costs for the Zukababy diaper kit, by size:

Infant size kit: $381.82 plus tax (fits size 5-16lbs)

Baby size kit: $412.35 plus tax (fits size 16-30lbs)

All orders over $99 qualify for free shipping, so there is no shipping charge.

You'll be hard pressed to find or build a kit that is this inclusive for such a low price. I haven't seen one yet.

But wait, there's more! (sorry, couldn't resist)

Next week, I will be posting a special way to get $50 taken off of the cost of your cloth diaper kit. Check back on Monday to find out how! (Sign up for my email updates to ensure you get a reminder! Or go find me on Facebook!)

If you want to go ahead and order your kit, or you want to check into purchasing some of these items individually, click through this link to get to my Zukababy page!

Shared at Fat Tuesday.

How cloth diapering works part one - what you need

I told you on Monday that cloth diapering is easy, and I'm willing to bet that not all of you believe me!

I was surprised myself at just how easy cloth diapering can be.

For starters, here's what I recommend you purchase:

18-24 diapers

5-10 diaper covers

24 cloth wipes

a water sprayer

a garbage can big enough to hold 2 days worth of diapers (mine is like 20 gallons, 10 would be fine for diapering one child)

a wet bag

diaper liners (optional, but highly recommended)

3-4 doublers

Here's a couple photo samples of everything I just mentioned, except for the sprayer because I forgot about it. :P

Clockwise from top left: diaper cover, pock

et diaper with insert, diaper liner, cloth wipe, doubler, prefold diaper

Diaper pail and wet bag (also, a few wet diapers, in case you didn't know what to do with the pail, I guess!)

You can see two types of diapers in my picture. The prefold, which you fold into thirds and place inside the diaper cover, and the pocket diaper, in which you stuff the insert inside the pocket. Hence the name. When you change the pocket diaper, just pull out the insert before you throw it in your pail. I find that prefolds leak less, and pocket diapers travel better because they take up less space in your diaper bag.

The sprayer is to fill with diaper solution to spray your cloth wipes (or your baby's heiny) with. I've filled mine with a witch hazel/water mix, a tea trea oil infused water, water with a little baby wash. There are a lot of options, and the water seems to be the only important ingredient.

The doubler is to use at night to prevent leaks, you just place it on top of the diaper (where it will be closer to baby's skin). Many doubler also help to wick away moisture and help baby keep feeling dry.

The liners are designed to help remove solid waste. You simply lift it out and flush it down the toilet. These are not expensive and definitely a worthy investment! If your baby is still exclusively breastfed, these are not necessary because breastfed-baby poo is so runny. However, breast milk poo is water soluble so there's no need to rinse the diapers before washing, anyway.

So, there are the basics. There are ton more resources out there, but this is what we've been using in our home the past year.

If you're interested in ordering some cloth diapers or learning more about what's out there, here are two great resources to check out:

www.zukababy.com

www.greenmountaindiapers.com

Check back friday to learn how to set up a wash routine for your cloth diapers!

Questions? I know you guys have got 'em!