Cloth diapers seem to be making a come back in a big way! They can be more affordable, more environmentally friendly, and in some ways even more convenient than using disposable diapers. (No more last-minute Target runs because you didn’t realize that you didn’t have a back-up box!) We made the switch with our second baby, and have had a great experience so far. The most daunting part of cloth diapering is just getting started! It can seem like there are a lot of things to buy and a lot of options to chose from. If you are going to be creating a baby registry, you can add a lot of diapering essentials to that list to get you started. Check out this post for a how-to on creating a cloth diaper baby registry. It will walk you through all of the essentials that you should include to be ready to go when baby arrives. 

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What should you include in your cloth diaper baby registry?

Diapers

This probably seems like the most logical place to start. If you want to cloth diaper, you will need diapers. 

At first glance, it can seem a bit overwhelming. There are so many brands with a huge range in price! Even just figuring out what type of diapers you want can make your head spin. 

According to The Humbled Homemaker, there are 9 types of cloth diapers. If you still need to decide what type of diaper you are going to use, I suggest checking out her post here to explore the options.

Pocket Diapers 

We use pocket diapers, and I’ve been happy with that choice. 

As far as daily use goes, they work similarly to a disposable – you pull out a diaper, use it, take it off, throw the whole thing in the bin.  A pocket diaper is made up of two pieces – an outer piece (the pocket) and the inner stuffing (insert). You take the diapers apart to wash them, which takes a few minutes more time because you have to stuff and un-stuff them. The benefit is that they dry faster than all in ones and you can see how clean the insides are getting. You can also change out the inserts for different levels of absorbency. For example, we “double stuff” overnight. 

We’re big fans of AlvaBaby Pocket Diapers. They’re very affordable, fit great, and have lots of fun print options. We also sprung for a pack of charcoal bamboo inserts because they seem to leak less for us. They’re also available on Amazon, which makes them super easy to add to your baby registry for cloth diapers. 

Need more advice on creating your baby registry as a whole? Head to this post for a new baby checklist. 

A Place to Store Clean Diapers

Once you have your diapers, you will need a place to put your clean diapers. This can be as simple or cute and overly organized as you want. 

We stash our pocket diapers in the top drawer of our changing table. 

Some people prefer to buy a fun caddy or shelf to have their diapers a little more on display. 

A Place to Store Dirty Diapers

There are two main options when it comes to storing your dirty diapers – wet storage or dry storage. 

Dry Storage 

We dry store our diapers. That means that we simply throw our dirties into a bin and leave them until it’s time to wash. (I use a garbage can with the lid open and a diaper pail liner) Since we wash our diapers every 2 to 3 days, they don’t end up sitting long enough to stink. Airflow is key – an open container will trap less smell than a closed container. 

Wet Storage

Wet storage can be in a bin as well that is lined by a bag that seals. It’s recommended for keeping diapers free of stains. On the other hand, it can be messy and heavy when you go to wash. Also, sealing your diapers in may hold in the smell. If you plan to wet store your diapers, keep water safety in mind! 

A Place to Store Dirty Diapers on the Go 

This one can be super simple as well. A couple of wet dry bags will do just fine. Just zip the dirties in and throw it in the diaper bag. 

Laundry Detergent 

Fluff Love University has a whole index of which detergents are and are not recommended for cloth diapering. We use All Free and Clear powder. It’s super affordable from Amazon Subscribe and Save and does a good job on both our diapers and our clothes. I didn’t want to have to use two separate types of detergent when doing diapers versus regular laundry. Some people feel funny adding household staples to their baby registry, but laundry detergent is a must for baby care. Don’t be afraid to add it to your baby registry for cloth diapers. 

Not 100% sold on cloth diapering? You can save money on disposable diapers by creating a diaper stockpile before baby is born. 

Diaper Rash Cream

You don’t want to use any products that will affect the absorbency of your diapers. Petroleum based diaper rash creams can create a build up that repels liquid. Look for a natural product without petroleum. Bordeaux’s natural butt paste has always been our favorite. (It’s the one in the green tube. Red and yellow tubes are not recommended.)
     

Diaper Sprayer

Breastfed baby poop is water-soluble and easy to handle. You can just throw it in the washer or rinse in a laundry sink. Once baby has formula, solids, or other liquids in their system, you will need to be more careful with pre-rinsing your diapers. I found that a diaper sprayer and splatter shield became necessities for our family once baby started solids.  

Wipes

Will you be using cloth wipes to go along with your cloth diapers? If so, many people also carry a small spray bottle with water or a bottom spray to wet their wipes on the go. Another option is to wet your wipes in advance and then carry in a sealed bag or container. 

We just use disposable wipes to be honest. We already had a stock of them, and it just seemed easier. 

Looking for more ways to decrease your family’s environmental impact? Checkout these 14 ways to reduce your disposable plastic use.

A Cloth-Friendly Diaper Bag

Cloth diapers take up more room than disposables. You will want to keep that in mind when you are choosing a diaper bag. Look for something with a large main pocket. Backpack style diaper bags have become really popular because of the convenience of carrying them around. We use a backpack style bag, and only regret not making the switch sooner.

There you have it! Those are the things that you will want to keep in mind while creating a cloth diaper baby registry. Just like with all things parenting, there are a lot of options to create the best plans for your family. 

Have questions or need any other cloth diapering advice? Comment below, and I’ll get back to you!

Here is your cloth diaper baby registry checklist: