Is it too late to start cloth diapering?

Even if your baby is now a new toddler, it’s not too late to start cloth diapering. You’ll still save money because most kids don’t potty train until around 2-3 years old. And you’ll save during that time too!

I didn’t learn about cloth diapering until my first was 9 months old. After I learned about what is in disposable diapers. I bought some prefolds and covers and started to cloth diaper her. Right away, I liked that she was in soft cloth, instead of plastic all day long. I liked how natural it felt, how affordable it was, and how, surprisingly, much fun I was having cloth diapering her. And I loved that I wasn’t covering her with dioxin, a highly-toxic carcinogen that is in disposable diapers. I switched from using disposable diapers full time to using prefolds and covers. We even lived in an apartment complex that had a shared coin operated laundry machine. And the machine was in the dungeon (aka the basement of our vintage apartment building). But, we managed and we did it and it was the best decision ever.

So, if you’ve been considering cloth diapers, let’s talk about you and your toddler and what you’d need to switch over.

Toddlers don’t need diaper changes as often as new babies do. That means you only need 6-8 diapers a day for your toddler. If you want to wash every 2 days (that’s usually what you aim for) then you’d need 12-16 diapers. In my experience with cloth diapering toddlers, the quicker the diaper gets changed, the better. So, pockets, all in ones or hybrid diapers work best if you have a wiggly baby that doesn’t like diaper changes. Doing a mix of cloth diapers to see what you like best is always a good idea.

In addition to your diapers, you’ll need something to put them in after a diaper change. That’s when a wetbag (used when out and about) and your diaper pail come in. Go for reusable diaper pail liners and wetbags so you can then wash them with your diapers and continue using them again once washed and dried.

And then finally, you’ll need a good cloth diapering detergent, like Rockin Green, and cloth wipes (optional, but do clean much much better than disposable wipes).

Poopy – what do about the not so cute toddler poopy? Toddler poopy can get messy. That’s why I like using cloth wipes because they clean much better than disposable. And I will sometimes also use flushable liners for easier poopy clean up. Do you need a diaper sprayer? Well, you’ll appreciate having one when your toddler poops, but you can also simply swish the poopy part of the diaper in your toilet bowl and then put it in your diaper pail. And for pee pee diapers, you just put it in your diaper pail.

Don’t save cloth diapering for the “next baby”. I know I would’ve missed so much had I don’t that with my 9 mos old. I’m so glad I took the plunge and I encourage you to do the same. Lots of cloth diapering time is ahead – enjoy!