Jonnie's Herbs with Honesty

So many people today are terrified at the thought of cloth diapering. Here’s is my journey so far 5 months in of cloth diapering ALL THE TIME. It’s not as scary as it seems. The first few poopy diapers are a little nerve racking but eventually it just becomes part of life.

If you are able to recognize your baby’s cues and get them to a potty, it saves a lot of washing and only takes one little wipe to clean their bottom, versus five.

I can’t speak much to the price difference, because that wasn’t why I started cloth. I started cloth to get away from all of the microplastics and chemicals in disposable diapers. Be careful what type of cloth diaper you get because most are still made from polyester, so you run straight back into microplastics. After hours of shopping, I finally found ONE brand that makes their diapers out of 100% organic cotton. Don’t worry you can buy a waterproof cover that goes over it so that you don’t have leaks. It works fantastically! Esembly cloth diapers, in my experience, have been amazing and I highly recommend this brand to anyone looking into cloth diapering. They are a pricier option, but in order to avoid the microplastics this seems to be the best.

Now, on to the process.

1. Choosing Diapers

• For most beginner friendly and natural go with Esembly.

• For cost efficiency and natural go with pre-folds and snappies.

• For ease and cost efficiency go with pocket diapers.

If you decide to use Esembly diapers, as mentioned above, then you do not need to have any pins or Snappi’s. All you really need is the cloth diapers and the waterproof covers. I recommend getting some spare cotton pads to add some extra absorbency. Lay diaper down, (optional: add cotton pad), lay baby down, snap diaper, snap on cover.

Onto pocket diapers. I have yet to find any cotton pocket diapers; However I was given some pocket diapers that I use after I run out of Esembly for the day. I’m using the pocket diapers while I save up to buy more Esembly diapers. For pocket diapers it is easiest to pre-stuff them. It does take longer to get pocket diapers ready because you have to stuff them. Stuff water proof diapers with a pad (I like to add a cotton pad on top to protect babies skin and add more absorbency) and fold to store. Just lay baby down and snap on the pre-stuffed diaper.

There are pre-folds and the most original dish towel method. I have yet to try pre-folds; However I am looking into it so stay tuned! My experience with the dish towel was nothing but subpar. Don’t be afraid to try it, but it is definitely not the most beginner friendly.

2. Using Diapers

• Get a woven gift basket to put dirty diapers in. It keeps you on top of the laundry, which prevents any diapers getting moldy (this has never happened to me but I do laundry at least every other day) and isn’t expensive.

• Wet diapers can just be tossed in the basket and washed at the end of the day or the next day.
• Poopy diapers (before 6 months) can be washed out in the sink with water and rung out then added to the basket with wet diapers. Dirty diapers after 6 months . . . I don’t know, I haven’t got their yet. I think the disposable sheets from Esembly is what I’m going to try. Just toss the “Tosser” than rinse the diaper like normal.

For the first few poops it will be very tempting to break out the disposables and not turn back. Stay strong! Eventually it will become the normal. Don’t trade in the cloth diapers just for the ease of disposables because you are also trading the safety of cotton for manufactured population control.

3. Washing Diapers

• Rinse.
• Wash.
• Hang.
• Repeat.

After the dirty diapers have been rinsed and collected with the wet diapers, take your basket to the washer (or washboard if you’re awesome and have more time), add in your natural laundry soap (I’ve heard amazing things about Pronounce and Esembly makes one too. I prefer to make mine because it is cheap and easy), add a cup of vinegar as a natural fabric softener and deodorizer and wash on hot. After they are clean hang them on a clothes line or rack in the sun to dry. Once dry fold and store until next use.

Cloth diapering is a journey and you get better the longer you do it. I am 5 months in and I don’t regret it one second. Stay tuned for my Laundry detergent recipe!