What Makes The Perfect Cloth Diaper?
In the past, as a cloth diaper maker, I wondered what people wanted in a diaper, so that I could create that “perfect” diaper. Today, I know there is no perfect diaper for everyone, but some do get pretty close.
In your opinion, what makes the perfect cloth diaper?
Update (2010/06/26): Since a couple of people have asked, here is what I consider to be the perfect diaper:
- Hidden snaps
- Not too few and not too many snaps
- Breathable
- Made of organic and/or OekoTex certified (natural) fabric
- Does not leave red marks on the baby
- Very absorbent, but not too bulky
- Not too wide or too narrow between the legs
- Does not create a “bubble” butt
- Does not create wing droop
- The fabric stays relatively soft
- Lasts more than a couple of years
Tagged as: cloth diapers · Survey
1) I’m a fan of a diaper with no velcro or aplix. Snaps all the way for the diaper portion. (I’m okay with the cover having velcro since that’s where you really need the fit tighter)
2) I prefer a two piece diaper to an all-in-one. I’ve had rough luck with leaks and blowouts with all-in-ones and never with a diaper/cover combo.
3) I also like great absorbency!
4) I really do like prefolds but some fitted diapers have winning styles for me. For me, a good fitted diaper needs to be simple and basic. The simpler the better too. Not too many snaps or folding down necessary.
5) I like a diaper with no gathering around the legs where elastic might be. Smooth cleans best!
hmm, guess I’m pretty particular! (my favourite diapers are Mother Ease One Size diapers. (www.mother-ease.com)
1) DH says a really cute baby
2) DH says Bamboo
3) I say breathable – fitted with wool cover or wool in two
I looked long and hard before I bought my diapers, and while that was 5 years ago, they went through 2 of mine and now are onto a friend. I still don’t think I could find a better one now. What I loved about them were the soft, organic cotton, snaps to fit, velcro to close, extra ‘flap’ for absorbancy, and yes, price (about $10 per). And (gasp!) I used lined plastic covers at times too. I only needed two, and these are also on the third kid with no signs of stopping.
Elsbeth – Not sure if you know, but the ME OS diaper does actually have leg elastics, but they’re short, loose and are covered by the binding.
i do realize that there is elastic but it’s not surrounded by bunched fabric just a protective layer. i find they clean sooooo well as compared to others with the gathered fabric.
It’s definitely easier to clean those. I wish I had a sewing machine that could do this type of binding.
Well, what I consider to be “perfect” changes as Cubby’s body shape changes too :) On my list:
1) Good absorbency – or option to customize absorbency (inserts or snap-in layer) without being too bulky – and by too bulky, I mean I have to buy the next size up in clothes to make him fit – that’s TOO bulky.
2) Good fit – sizing must be real close or easy to adjust the rise/sizing. I have trouble sometimes with one-size (OS) diapers because Cubby has a short rise and it’s difficult to fit him into some fitteds because he’s in between the rise settings. Eeesh!
3) Hidden snaps – I WISH more diapers (fitteds especially) have hidden snaps where they might touch the skin. Or provide an easy way to cover up those snaps!
A good variety of colors and prints wouldn’t hurt either (ha!) but that’s minor compared to the function of the diaper itself.
I agree with everything you said, except for two things.
One, I like having no snaps sometimes, as it allows for a very custom fit.
Two, I personally don’t care about organic fabric if it increases the price. I can’t afford to spend an extra $5 per diaper just because its organic. So maybe having an organic and a non organic option would be good?
I wrote about this very thing! http://allaboutclothdiapers.com/what-does-the-perfect-cloth-diaper-look-like/ Sweet Adrian from Cutiepoops tried and tried to make it but says those internal gussets are hard!
What a delightful site! My daughter is pregnant with her second little boy and wants to cloth diaper this one! Her DS will be 2 soon. He has been wearing sposies and she has mentioned how much she hates them and is thinking about using cloth on him also! I have made fitteds for the new arrival and LOVED LOVED LOVED making them! I bought some preemie-newborn covers for them. I have bought a few diapers for DS and found that mose are too short in the rise and when he leaks it is always over the top. He weighs 27lbs, so he is not extremely large! I would love a diaper with a higher rise and the snaps are ok, some turn in and rub on his thighs and that is not pleasant! Thanks for such great info. Absolutely love your diapers! Wish there was a gallery!!
MiMi, thank you for your kind words. I’m happy to hear that your daughter decided to cloth diaper. Cloth diapering is a little bit more work, but there’s so many great things about it that it’s really worth that little bit of extra effort.
I have also found that a lot of diapers which were supposed to go up to 35 lbs were too small in the rise for my tall 30-lb daughter (she’s 32 or 33 lbs now and mostly wearing underwear). You mentioned in your comment that some snaps “turn in and rub on his thighs”. I wonder if you’re talking about the snaps in the front of one-size diapers which also left marks on my daughter’s thighs when she was only a few months old and which drove me to sell most of my one-size diapers. Since you loved making the newborn fitteds, maybe you could make your 2-year-old grandson some well-fitting diapers? I found that none of the bought diapers fit my daughter as well as the ones that I made.
If you have any questions about cloth diapering or cloth diaper making, just let me know. I’ll be happy to help.
I should think about adding a gallery to my site :) I do have a few pictures of my diapers and other things posted on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/northernbaby