Why should I use Cloth Diapers?

Inexpensive

·        Save over $1,000-$1,500 on your first child over the period of 30 months, even more if you have more children.

·        You can also sell your diapers and covers on the Internet when you are done.

·         With disposables averaging $ .20 a piece, the costs can easily surpass $584 a year when changing 8 times a day. Comparing the costs of using reusable cloth diapers, even though quality diapers can run pretty high, there remains a significant savings.

·        Cloth diapering can cost less than $500-$1,200 depending on what diapering system you use. In most cases you do get what you pay for, and if you get cheap diapers you will end up spending more in the long run and deal with the frustration of diapers that do not work well.

 

 

Healthier

·        Cotton/Hemp Diapers keep baby cooler and reduce the incidence of diaper rash, especially if you have micro fleece next to the skin.

·        There is gel and chemicals called organochlorines (which some countries have stopped using but is still used in the U.S.) and sodium polyacrylate in disposable diapers. Sodium Polyacrylate was linked to Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS) in tampons and is no longer used to make them.

·        Another chemical found in disposable diapers in trace amounts is dioxin, the most toxic of all cancer-linked chemicals. In the smallest detectable amounts, dioxin has been found to cause genetic damage, liver disease, and immune system suppression in laboratory animals.

 

 

Easy to use

·        All of Chumbas diaper products are easy to use and interchangeable with each other and with other diapers you may already have.

·        If you use prefolds they will work with both the Fleece Sandwich and the Chumbas Hugs without having to use pins

 

 

Earth Friendly

 

·        Using cloth diapers keeps tons of garbage out of the landfills and cuts down on waste overall.

·        One baby using disposables uses about 9000 diapers in a period of 2 1/2 years creating more than 1 ton of garbage. Diaper services use more water and electricity than washing them at home.

 

What do I need to get started?

Most babies will get several months of use from each size cloth diaper. The newborn size will be outgrown more quickly than the other sizes. Buying newborn sizes is worth the investment unless your newborn already weighs 9 lbs. or more. Most people buy some newborn or some small sizes.

 

 

Chinese Prefolds or Hemp Inserts (Hempins)

2 Dozen - For those who primarily use prefolds or if you have a newborn. 3 dozen would be even better to wash every few days.

 

Fleece Sandwich

To wash every day - 7-10 Fleece Sandwiches. To wash every other day, 12-14

 

Chumbas Hugs

6-8 Hugs is a good start

 

Washable Wipes

2-3 dozen is recommended.

 

Diaper Pail Liner

Line your diaper pail with a washable diaper pail liner.  When you are ready to wash the diapers, just throw it in along with your diapers.  So simple!

 

 

Diaper Pail

You will need a diaper pail with a lid that completely closes and preferably locks for safety.

 

How do I wash my new Diapers?

 

·        For the Fleece Sandwich, Chumbas Hug and SuperTrim AIO, wash on warm with your other diapers then tumble dry medium or hang to dry. Never use fabric softener or bleach on your Chumbas.

 

·        Chumbas Hempins have been prewashed 2 times.  Prewash another 2-3 times to reach maximum absorbancy of the hemp fabric.  Hemp fabric has natural oils that need to be washed out or your Hempins will not absorb properly.

 

·        Unbleached Chinese Prefolds should be prewashed and dried 3-5 times in very hot water prior to use.  You will know they are ready to use when you can sprinkle water on them and it soaks right into the fabric, instead of “beading” on the surface of the diaper.

 

·        Woolie Babie Soakers can be washed as needed with gentle shampoo and laid flat to dry.  To relanolize the wool, simply wash in Eucalan Wool Wash, or you can melt a pea size amount of pure lanolin (like Lanisoh) in a small amount of water in the microwave.  Add to a small amount of tepid water in the sink (just enough water to cover the Woolie Baby soaker.  Soak for ½ hour, and gently squeeze water out.  DO NOT RINSE!  Lay flat to dry.

 

·        Many follow a wash routine like this:

 

1.     Diaper are stored in a “dry diaper pail” (no water in the pail) until wash day.   You can simply shake off excess poop before putting the diapers in the pail.  Babies who are exclusively breastfed do not need their diapers shaken or rinsed prior to washing.

 

2.     Washable wipes are a must, especially since you are using cloth.  Just throw them in the diaper pail and wash them at the same time as with the diapers. Follow the same washing instructions.

 

3.     Put the dirty diapers in the washing machine and rinse them in a cold water rinse cycle or a cold water presoak without using soap. This will keep stains from setting in on your diapers. 

 

4.     Next wash your diapers on warm or hot with soap. Diaper are very prone to detergent buildup.  You only need to use ½ to ¼ of the regular amount of detergent

 

5.     Some use Tea Tree oil when laundering diapers.  Tea Tree oil has antiseptic properties.  If you decide to do this, use about 15-20 drops in either the wash or the rinse cycle.

 

6.     Use 2 rinse cycles, to ensure no detergent residue remains on the diapers.

 

7.     Drying:  CPF’s and Chumbas Hempin inserts can be dried on high temperatures. Any diaper containing PUL (Chumbas SuperTrim AIO, Hugs) should be tumble dried on low temperatures or hung to dry to ensure the waterproof properties of the PUL are retained. 

 

8.     DO NOT USE DRYER SHEETS OR FABRIC SOFTENER WITH YOUR DIAPERS!  Dryer sheets and fabric softener keep your diapers from absorbing properly.

 

 

Trouble Shooting

With a good cloth diapering system you should have almost no leakage. Disposables are not leak proof either. If you experience leakage on a regular basis, something is not working properly:

 

·        Proper Use of Prefolds/Inserts

Are you tucking the insert or prefold into the cover so clothes do not get wet? This is usually the problem

·        The fit of the diaper

Is there leaking around the leg openings, but the the diaper and cover   are not very wet? This is caused by the fit of the diaper cover. Sometimes people buy diaper covers too big, thinking they will use them longer, loose fitting covers could be your problem. Diaper cover can be too small or too tight.

·        How often are you changing? 

Are you changing soon enough? If you change the diaper less frequently, it may get over saturated and it can not be contained. Try changing your baby every 2-3 hours. This can depend on your baby. The Chumbas Fleece Sandwich with 2 Hempin inserts should last your baby the whole night.

 

·        Diapers getting wet too quick?

If your diapers are becoming wet in a short amount of time that is most likely not enough absorbency of the diaper. This could be the absorbency of the diaper and your baby may need a thicker diaper. Department store brands have very little absorbency like gauze or Birdseye and sometimes they put polyester in the prefold pad and this does not absorb wetness. You will need 4 or 5 diapers to equal the absorbency of one of our diapers.

 

·        Get the right kind of diaper cover that suits you. Some people choose fleece because it is very breathable, but some feel it can be too thick or bulky. PUL is very thin and although not breathable it is an excellent choice for a thin, waterproof diaper cover.