The Simple System

Of all the many systems of cloth diapering, here is what I believe is the simplest, most effective, and most inexpensive system of cloth diapering.  The method involves using simple prefolds and diaper covers...with a twist.  Let me explain.

the cast of characters: prefold, t-shirt liner, snappi, and cover

1.  Buy prefold diapers only. By using 100% cotton prefold diapers (see the Cloth diapers & diaper covers at Diaper Junction for these great Diaper Rite prefolds I have pictured) instead of expensive fitted diapers, you save a ton of money.  Each prefold costs around $2, compared to fitteds which cost around $10-$15 each or more.  But aren't fitteds better for containing explosive poops?  NO!  After trying lots of different styles of fitteds, I can assure you that my method of fastening on a prefold will be even more effective at keeping "everything in."

2.  Use a "t-shirt diaper liner" with every diaper after your baby is out of the newborn (exclusively breastfed) stage.  Here is what makes this system different than the usual "prefolds and covers" systems out there. By using a t-shirt diaper liner with your diapers, when baby poops the poop will not get on your diapers.  That means no swooshing, dunking, or spraying your diapers, and no poop in the washing machine.  But can't you just buy disposable or flushable diaper liners?  Yes, you can and I have used them.  But these are expensive.  They are also ineffective because they are slippery so they don't stay in place well, but instead tend to bunch up and move around, thus negating their purpose.  Not to mention, they are not cotton and usually not as soft as 100% cotton.  Isn't that why we are cloth diapering in the first place?  We like cotton next to our babies' bottoms, right? 

3. Fasten every diaper on your baby using a snappi.  There are diaper systems out there that tell you to simply lay a prefold (or other absorbent insert) into a diaper cover and fasten it on your baby.  Easy, right?  Yes, it is so incredibly easy and quick to get a diaper on your baby this way.  The problem is when baby does her business (especially the messy kind), and it gets all over the cover.  Then, you have a diaper to spray off or swoosh out, plus a cover with poo all over it to clean up.  I have gotten so quick at fastening diapers on my baby that I can get the diaper fastened and the cover on in about 45 seconds.

4.  Use one-size or "two sizes only" diaper covers so you don't need to keep buying covers as your baby grows.  This just makes sense.  Instead of buying size newborn, small, medium, and large covers, you can get by with just one or two sizes from newborn to potty-training.  And because of my "t-shirt liners," your diaper covers will last a long time too, since they won't need to be washed as often (poo will stay off of them almost all the time).