Motherhood: Cloth Diapering
When I was pregnant with Marin, I did an astounding amount of research on baby gear. Car seats, strollers, bouncers, swaddles, bottles, breast pumps… You name it, I probably spent hours (days?) researching the best solution for our family. I love doing research and educating myself, regardless of the topic, so it was actually a lot more fun for me than it probably sounds. Ha!
The one item I spent countless time researching and STILL couldn’t wrap my mind around, however, were cloth diapers. I could recite the types, benefits, brands, and savings to you like a book, but I just couldn’t understand HOW it all actually worked. After countless late night rabbit hole research endeavors, I finally purchased a set of six diapers a few weeks before Marin was born and decided I’d give it a shot some day. If nothing else, I just had to see and feel them for myself to understand.
Fast forward to when Marin was about six months old. We had solely been using disposables, but I decided to try a cloth diaper one morning, just to see. She was eating table and baby food regularly, so we were no longer in the runny baby poop stage. It all seemed more manageable and something I was willing to tackle. And you know what? Cloth diapering isn’t complicated at all! Everything I read just confused the heck out of me for whatever reason, so I’m writing this post in hopes it will shed some light on the basics and encourage anyone to give it a shot.
We have tried two brands/types of diapers to-date, Charlie Banana (pocket/hybrid) and Esembly Baby (fitted). While both brands offer cloth diapering solutions, the “types” of diaper are different and this is NOT meant to be a comparison. Instead, I’m providing my thoughts (pros, cons, etc.) on each. Should we try any additional brands/types in the future, I will add them to this review as well.
e s e m b l y
b a b y
Esembly Baby came to market in 2019 and was born from the Brooklyn, NY diaper laundering service called Diaperkind which started in 2009. Diaperkind was created for urban families who wanted to use cloth diapers but didn’t have access to a washer and dryer at home. They took everything they learned about laundry science, diaper design, and the wants and needs of modern parents over 10 years and crafted a complete reusable cloth diapering system. Esembly gives you the tools to diaper simply and sustainably, regardless of where you live.
USE THIS LINK OR CODE “SIMPLY15” TO RECEIVE 15% OFF YOUR ESEMBLY BABY PURCHASE!
WHAT WE’VE TRIED: The entire Esembly Diapering System (Diapering, Laundering, Skincare, & Storage)
TYPE: Fitted (For more info on “Types”, check out the Appendix at the end of this post)
SIZE: Two (18 - 35 lbs)
WHEN: May 2020 - present
PROS
“Fitted” cloth diapers are well known for their ability to reduce blow-outs. We haven’t had a single leak or blow-out while using these. Not one!
Although these are a two-part diaper system (inner + outer), the design is quite slim and sleek. The fit closely resembles that of a disposable diaper - aka, when baby is dressed, you can’t even tell what kind of diaper is being worn. Six Esembly inners held up to six all-in-one’s or pocket diapers of another brand show that Esembly are a fraction of the total size.
Cute! Seriously, the designs and branding rival the best on the market. It may not be important to some, but I’ll gladly pay more for a product that works well AND looks great.
The system approach to cloth diapering takes the guess work out and makes it SUPER easy for anyone new to cloth diapering. Esembly has thought of everything - diapering, laundering, skincare, AND storage.
A single waterproof cover can be used all day meaning less laundry.
Inners are made of certified organic cotton.
Outers are made from 100% post-consumer plastic bottles.
CONS
The fitted design has proven to be excellent at concealing leaks and blowouts, but something I wasn’t expecting out of the gate was that the ENTIRE inner gets completely soaked when used. Like the WHOLE thing. Marin doesn’t seem to mind and we haven’t had any skin issues as a result, but when I’m changing her, I find it can be tricky to know where to put the dirty diaper while I’m putting on a fresh one without getting everything soaked. I know most people use a diaper pail/bag, which you could definitely do, but I change Marin in her room and often wait to dump poop in the toilet until after she’s in the new diaper which means I need SOMEWHERE to put the dirty diaper in the meantime. I’ve started leaving the inner in the outer and using a new outer with the new change, rotating between two outers throughout the day.
We didn’t start using these diapers until Marin was nine months old, so we went ahead and got the Size 2 and didn’t have to worry about purchasing multiple sizes. Some brands offer an adjustable one-size diaper so you can use them for the entire time your child is in diapers.
While the overall design is quite slim and sleek, the layered design of the inner has proven to be a little tricky to lie flat. I’ve found the layers to be a bit bulky and create weird folds when worn which can often lead to poop getting in ALL the nooks and crannies.
With both an inner and an outer to snap into place, it’s a lot of snaps for a single diaper change. I’ve also found the snap placement to be a little odd. The tightest settings are a little too snug but one step down seems a little big.
Price is definitely a factor. If you want to cloth diaper full-time, you’re going to need upwards of 20 inners and 6 outers (double that if you need to purchase Size 1 and Size 2). The cost definitely evens out, though, when compared to the life of disposables - especially if you plan to re-use with another child(ren) down the road.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
This is a wonderful solution for anyone brand new to cloth diapering. Esembly has created a simple, all-inclusive system that takes the guess work and research out of the equation. They’ve handled it all - diapering, laundering, skincare, and storage. Even better, the branding and options are SO dang cute. It’s not the cheapest solution on the market, but the quality is top notch and we’ve really liked the diapers - not a single leak or blowout since we’ve used them. My only negatives are that all of the layers/folds on the Inner mean poop has more nooks and crannies to get stuck in, and I’ve found the inners stain more easily than other brands. Esembly recommends their Washing Powder & step-by-step laundering guide which I’ll fully admit I haven’t stuck to religiously. Overall, I’d highly recommend Esembly Baby.
USE THIS LINK OR CODE “SIMPLY15” TO RECEIVE 15% OFF YOUR ESEMBLY BABY PURCHASE!
Partnership Disclosure: This post contains items that were kindly gifted by Esembly Baby in exchange for coverage here on My Simply Simple. As always, all opinions are my own.
c h a r l i e b a n a n a
Charlie Banana was founded by Gaëlle Wizenberg. They are an eco-conscious brand that designs and manufactures with zero waste in mind. Their mission is to convince at least 50% of the parents out there to choose reusable diapers and other products for their children and themselves.
WHAT WE’VE TRIED: One Size Hybrid AIO
TYPE: Pocket (It’s considered a hybrid because you can technically use a disposable insert, but we’ve only used them as a pocket diaper.)
SIZE: One Size (adjustable straps allow for fit from 0-30+ months.)
WHEN: January 2020 - present
PROS
I’ve come to really like the pocket diaper design. It keeps things simple, contained, and not messy at all.
The diaper is lined with super soft fleece which has no folds, creases, or layers in which to contend.
Easy to clean! The poop just washes right out without any extra effort. After five months of use, not a single one has a stain.
Although others may not agree, I’ve found that these diapers don’t require a diaper pail or any storage mechanism. Since they are all contained and you replace the entire thing at each diaper change, I simply lay the dirty diaper to the side until Marin is changed and ready to go. Then we head straight to the bathroom to dump any poop (if needed), and then to the laundry room in which I pile the diapers on top of the washing machine until I’m ready to wash. They don’t smell, they don’t get anything wet, and I like that I’m not also dirtying a pail/bag.
Adjustable leg strap design allows for wear from 0-30+ months of age. They do sell newborn options for small infants, but the one size should fit most.
CONS
My biggest complaint with these diapers is that Marin regularly leaks through them. Never a blow out, just pee. I think it’s because the fleece lining is sewed into the elastic legs and as soon as that gets wet and in contact with clothing, the clothes inevitably gets damp as well. It is recommended to either tighten the elastic in the leg and/or add an additional insert. We’ve tried tightening the leg, but haven’t noticed a difference. I haven’t added an additional insert due to the bullet below…
Whenever Marin is wearing these diapers, you know it. We call her “big booty” in these guys. Ha! It’s not a big deal and I’ve honestly gotten used to it with time, but she has certain pants/bloomers that don’t work well with these diapers. Some babies may even need to size up to fit over them! Per the bullet above, adding yet ANOTHER insert would mean even more bulk which isn’t ideal.
The entire thing must be removed and replaced at each diaper change resulting in the need for a lot of diapers and a lot of laundry.
Some people may be really annoyed by the need to stuff and remove the insert from the pocket. We’ve gotten used to it but it is an extra step.
The elastic in the legs is a pain in the butt to adjust. I think they will loosen up a bit over time, but the first few times is a real chore.
Not the cheapest option on the market.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
Charlie Banana are the very first cloth diapers I ever tried and I liked them enough to keep up with it AND recommend cloth diapering to others. I figure that’s saying something! I love the soft fleece and ease of use, but my very favorite part is that they clean up without even trying. Simply throwing them in the washing machine and hanging them out in the sun to dry has lead to ZERO stains after five months. The biggest negative, however, is that I’ve found they need changed VERY regularly or they will inevitably get clothes damp around the legs - leaks are a common occurrence in our experience.
F A Q
But what about the poop? I’m pretty sure this is where I got hung up everytime I would research cloth diapers before Marin was born. I just couldn’t wrap my mind around what to do with the poop! Well I’m hear to tell you, it’s really not bad at all. Promise! Having waited to use cloth diapers until Marin was six months old, I’ve only dealt with “solid” poop (although I would definitely feel comfortable using them from Day 1 now that I know what the heck I’m doing). In our house, this is how it works: If it’s just pee, I put on a fresh diaper and I take the dirty straight to the laundry room where it sits on top of the washing machine until I do a load of laundry. If there is poop, I take the dirty diaper to the bathroom, shake the poop into the toilet (I don’t use a sprayer nor do I worry about getting every trace of poop off, just the big stuff). The diaper then goes straight to the laundry room where it, too, sits on top of the washing machine until I do a load of laundry.
When did you start using cloth diapers? We started using cloth at six months.
How many diapers? We have 6 inners and 3 outers from Esembly Baby and 7 AIOs from Charlie Banana. I would recommend having around 20 diapers on hand if you plan to cloth diaper full time. If I do laundry every day or every other day, we can squeeze by, but I’m definitely planning to purchase more to make things a little easier on myself.
Do you also use reusable wipes? We have reusable wipes from Esembly Baby. I use both reusable and disposable (Honest & Water Wipes).
Do you have to do anything special to wash cloth diapers? I’m not a cloth diapering expert by any means, so I’m sure I don’t do it right, but I wash our cloth diapers just like I do the rest of our laundry using plant-based detergent and a scoop of baking soda in every load. All diapers get hung on the clothesline to dry. Please Note: If using Esembly Baby diapers, they have a Washing Powder and a step-by-step washing guide!
Can you put cloth diapers in the dryer? This varies by brand, so be sure to check your labels. You can put both Esembly Baby and Charlie Banana diapers in the dryer, but I never have. All of our cloth diapers are dried on the clothesline.
How often do you clean your washing machine? Despite the fact that I’m frequently washing poopy diapers, I’m not at all worried about a dirty machine. There really isn’t THAT much poop left on the diapers when washing. I clean our washing machine once a month. To do so, I use 1 cup white vinegar + 20 drops tea tree oil which goes in the “bleach” receptacle of the machine, and I throw 1 cup of baking soda in the drum. I use the “Clean Machine” setting and that’s it!
APPENDIX
TYPE
There are several options on the market, but here is a breakdown by type.
Flats and prefolds: These are the the original cloth diapers and what most people mean when they refer to cloth diapering. Flats are big, rectangular pieces of fabric (think dish-towel size). Prefolds are smaller pieces of fabric that have been doubled over. Both need to be folded, clipped, and covered with a waterproof shell. They’re easy to wash, quick to dry, and super cheap. You can reuse the waterproof covering with a fresh diaper.
Fitted: These look like a disposable diaper, going around the legs, waist, and hips. It is made entirely from absorbent fabric and requires a waterproof cover. They have elastic leg openings and snaps or Velcro tab closures around the waist. Many claim they are blow-out proof. Similar to flats/prefolds, you can reuse the waterproof covering with a fresh diaper.
Pocket: These diapers have a waterproof exterior with a pocket built in where you place an absorbent insert. The inside of the waterproof liner is usually covered in a soft fleece or cotton and it lies against the baby’s bottom. The big difference here is that when dirty, the ENTIRE thing needs to be thrown in the wash (you cannot reuse the waterproof exterior).
All-in-ones: Most similar to disposable diapers, all-in-ones have a waterproof cover and an absorbent insert that is SEWN into the cover (no pocket to stuff an insert). The downside is that they can take longer to dry and if using a toilet sprayer, the insert has been known to flop down in to the toilet water and create an even bigger mess. These, too, require the ENTIRE thing to be thrown in the wash (you cannot reuse the waterproof exterior).
Hybrids: Very similar to all-in-ones, hybrids have a waterproof shell, too, but feature a removable inner cloth lining. At changing time, you just unsnap the dirty insert and snap a fresh one into the same shell. Some brands offer both a reusable and a disposable insert.
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