Here are step-by-step instructions on how to put a cloth diaper and diaper cover on a baby.
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Signing UpStep 1: Prepare diaper and materials
For this instructable, you will need a cloth diaper, a diaper cover and a "snappi" clip.
It is important to assemble your materials so that everything is in arms reach from the start, because the faster you're able to perform the diaper change, the less likely you are to get peed on.
Cloth diapers come in different weaves, weights and sizes. If you are buying your own set of cloth diapers to wash and wear (more power to you!), it might be good to know that the flat rectangular diapers that are shown in the following instructable are called "prefolds" (not to be confused with the diapers that actually look prefolded like a disposable--those are called "all-in-ones"--or flatfolds, which are not yet folded). Prefolds are folded and stitched so that there is a triple thickness of cloth down the center of the diaper. If you use a diaper service (I use Tiny Tots in the Bay Area), your diapers are probably made of heavyweight twill. Try to make sure the diapers you are using are for the approximate age/weight range of the baby, or you will face frustration.
Diaper covers come in lots of varieties as well, but most of them have a waterproof lining on the inside that keeps the cloth diaper (which is very effective at wicking liquid!) from wetting the baby's clothes. These, too, come in different sizes for different size babies--check to make sure you're in the ball-park on size.
Finally, there are lots of ways to secure cloth diapers so that they stay on the baby. In this Instructable we use Snappi fasteners. Snappis are a stretchy "Y" band of plastic with little teeth that dig into the diaper fabric and hold everything in place. These are really convenient to use--you can put them on with one hand while the other holds the diaper in place. You can buy these from Amazon, if you can't find them anywhere else.
It is important to assemble your materials so that everything is in arms reach from the start, because the faster you're able to perform the diaper change, the less likely you are to get peed on.
Cloth diapers come in different weaves, weights and sizes. If you are buying your own set of cloth diapers to wash and wear (more power to you!), it might be good to know that the flat rectangular diapers that are shown in the following instructable are called "prefolds" (not to be confused with the diapers that actually look prefolded like a disposable--those are called "all-in-ones"--or flatfolds, which are not yet folded). Prefolds are folded and stitched so that there is a triple thickness of cloth down the center of the diaper. If you use a diaper service (I use Tiny Tots in the Bay Area), your diapers are probably made of heavyweight twill. Try to make sure the diapers you are using are for the approximate age/weight range of the baby, or you will face frustration.
Diaper covers come in lots of varieties as well, but most of them have a waterproof lining on the inside that keeps the cloth diaper (which is very effective at wicking liquid!) from wetting the baby's clothes. These, too, come in different sizes for different size babies--check to make sure you're in the ball-park on size.
Finally, there are lots of ways to secure cloth diapers so that they stay on the baby. In this Instructable we use Snappi fasteners. Snappis are a stretchy "Y" band of plastic with little teeth that dig into the diaper fabric and hold everything in place. These are really convenient to use--you can put them on with one hand while the other holds the diaper in place. You can buy these from Amazon, if you can't find them anywhere else.
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Delo1t47 says:
May 19, 2011. 11:55 PMReply
It's pretty educational in laying steps in preparing cloth diapers and clothing it to our babies. Just be aware moms that diapering is a mix of creativity and responsibility.
1
leahbuechley says:
Nov 16, 2008. 7:55 AMReply
useful! I'd never seen those snappi connectors before. They look handy...
lioncour says:
Mar 23, 2011. 11:01 AMReply
They are real handy, i got some extras. Do you want some?
sry says:
Nov 21, 2008. 8:48 AMReply
iam that is so cute
1
Babyshoes says:
Nov 7, 2008. 8:46 AMReply
Different folding technique to the ones I have seen before - looks efficient! Good instructable too.
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