“We cloth diaper.” This is a phrase that can splash terror and judgment across the faces of friends, family, and care providers. I have only been cloth diapering a short time, but have already learned some helpful tips below to aide you on your journey:
1. Consider using pocket diapers or all in ones. I now have at least six pocket diapers or all in ones on hand at any given moment. This allows my husband (who will only cloth diaper with minimum effort and will NEVER clean a pooped-in cloth diaper) and caregivers to easily cloth diaper with minimal leaks. They function almost as a disposable and you can separate the insert at home.
2. Never pause after saying you cloth diaper. Continue into the explanation while showing them the new way that cloth is designed. There is a stigma of pins and frustration. Help avoid this by demonstration.
3. Keep the explanation simple. I show them the diaper, the wet bag, hook and loop closure, and laundry tabs (they may otherwise roll them and put the hook onto the cover causing snags). These are the basics. I also tell them when to change him again to prevent undo worry.
4. Change your child right before handing him over. I normally only have childcare for a few hours. If it is 2-3 hours, I tell them he will not need changed if it is not poopie. Although, every time, people change him. I think that they see how easy it is and are curious to try it out.
5. Honor their requests. If they are really uncomfortable, do not force cloth diapering. There is always the option to use hybrid diapers with disposable inserts. However, I have never met one person not willing to try.
These simple steps have allowed me to quickly and easilyy hand my little one to others and run errands without compromising cloth diapering. I hope that it will go as smoothly for you as it has for us. Good luck and enjoy it!
Ashley Williams is a 24 year old first-time mom to an amazing little boy and wife to a great husband. She is taking a year off school to be a stay at home mom. Before going back to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Ashley considers herself a “cloth diapering, baby food making, sling carrying, warrior momma” and loving every minute.
In her free time Ashley cooks, scrapbooks, goes to a mother’s bible study, watches TV, and sleeps (if she’s lucky).
Bryana is the owner of 
Becca is a part-time Spanish Teacher and part-time Stay-At-Home-Mom. She's a cloth diaper expert who enjoys spending time with her family, crafting and selling her wares in her very own
Julie is a mom to three kids including a set of identical twins. Through cloth diapering her twins she developed a passion for the industry and is an avid cloth diaper advocate. You can also find her on her blog
Great post! I always get nervous the first time I tell a nursery worker about our cloth diapers, but by responding in a way similar to your suggestions, I have found that most people respond very favorably.
I’ve also found it helpful to say “Isabelle uses re-usable diapers. Here’s how they work.” And then I show them how simple they are to use. If I say “cloth diapers,” they immediately picture prefolds, pins, and plastic pants, so changing the terminology helps them be more open to the idea.
I prefer snap closures on my diapers, but I have two diapers with velcro (BumGenius)that I try to reserve for the church and gym nurseries, since they’re so similar to sposies.
I often find myself having to remind people that we use cloth diapers.
Recently a coworker brought me some disposable diapers her daughter had outgrown to use with my next child (due in September) and I thanked her nicely and that we would probably use a few but we were going to use cloth with my second one just like we did my first. We used cloth with my first because she was allergic to disposable and my coworker asked well what if baby #2 isn’t allergic to disposable you will use them then right?
I guess until you try them you just don’t know how easy they are. I would not go back to disposable!
Found ur cool article through yah00 fantastic writting