Getting Started
Print our DIAPER CHECKLIST™ to keep track of what you have and what you need!

The Cloth Diaper Choices today are endless and that is why we here at Diaper Safari offer only products that have proven themselves for at least 5 years and/or from companies that will stand 100% behind their product!
To find the right cloth diapers for you is a very personal choice and I advise strongly to do some research so that you can make an informed decision! This is vital to find the system that works for you.

Your initial investment for cloth diapers is going to be between $170 and $450 (depending on the type of diapers you choose), however, after that you'll have no monthly diaper expenses. If this sounds high, remember that the money you spend on disposable diapers during the first year will nearly equal what cloth diapers will cost on average for one child. Any second or third children usually don't need much more than a few covers and maybe a few AIO if you so choose. (The chart below is based on average amounts for a family choosing mostly prefolds with a few All-In-Ones/ Pocket Diapers. This also includes the diaper accessories and laundry agents)

How may Diapers do I need?:
For Newborns you'll need about 10 - 12 diaper changes per 24 hr period - so you will need about 24 - 30 diapers and about 7 to 8 diaper covers. If you want to use the All-In-One Diapers or Fuzzi Bunz, you'll need close to the same amount. As you can see tthe amount of diapers depends on how often you want to wash.
For older babies (about 5 months plus or when their BM slow down) 6 - 8 diaper changes per 24 hrs period is usually a good amount - 15 to 20 diapers will usually do. At this age most babies don't need to be changed at night, which cuts down the amount of diapers.
For toddlers I usually don't recommed more that 5 or 6 diapers per day.

What else do I need to complete my Cloth Diaper System:

1) Diaper Doublers (or Diaper Inserts) are the most effective way to increase the absorbency of your diapers as your baby gets older - I believe that at night and when you go out they are essential! I suggest owning between 6 and 12 inserts, especially if you have a heavy wetter.

2) Using the Flushable/Disposable Liners allows you to flush the solids down the toilet! 2 to 4 rolls of Flushable Liners are a good amount to start with, although these are not necessary for a breastfed Newborns, as their stool will rinse out very easily in the Pre-wash Cycle of your washer (their stool only consists of breast milk and is thus very clean). You can also use the Mini Shower (spray solids off into the toilet) instead or in addition. I love the Mini Shower - it works extremely well and is also fantastic for post-partum care.

3) I also recommend a wet washcloth, instead of using regular diaper wipes. (Wet the washcloth with warm water, before you start changing your baby's diaper! In the beginning of my cloth diapering years, I often ended up having to put my baby's dirty diaper back on in order to go and wet the washcloth!) Two to Three dozen washcloths are plenty. Wash those with your diapers.

4) A bottle of Bi-O-Kleen BAC-OUT™ to sprinkle on the poopy diaper is also must in my opinion, as the Bac-Out keeps your diapers from becoming smelly, especially if you only wash every 3 to 4 days.

5) A tube of Weleda Diaper-Care Cream should also be part of everyone's diaper layette' as this is the best protection against diaper rash. Use it as a preventative on your Newborns sensitive skin.

6) A Diaper Pail is very necessary too!!! We offer 3 different sizes to accomodate every families needs. I like to use the washable Diaper Pail Liners, but kitchen trash bags also work.

Suitable Diaper Cover and Diaper combinations:

NEW: bumGenius! and Mommy's Touch One Size Pocket Diapers. Many parents find it overwhelming to figure out which diaper covers go best with which diapers. I hope this will make it easier for you. Please remember, the incorrect size of a cover could result in a leak! If you have a Newborn we strongly suggest to get NB covers - size small is usually too big around the legs. We've divided the covers into day and nighttime covers:


Daytime Diaper Covers:
Bumkins - best with Prefolds; also work well with a Fuzzi Bunz Insert (just lay insert inside the cover and close)
Bummis – work well with any diaper! Use with either Prefolds, Contour Diaper or Fitted Diapers
Polar Bummis - work well with any diaper! Use with either Prefolds, Contour Diaper or Fitted Diapers
Prorap Cover – great with any cloth diaper! Use with either Prefolds, Contour Diaper or Fitted Diapers
Polar Babies - best with Prefolds; also work well with a Fuzzi Bunz Insert (just lay insert inside the cover and close)
Fuzzi Bunz - use with Prefolds and Fuzzi Bunz Inserts; functions like an "All-In-One"
Happy Pants – good with a Fitted Diaper, Contour Diaper or a Prefold that is fastened with a Snappi

Nighttime Diaper Covers/Nighttime Diapers:
Fuzzi Bunz - my no 1. choice for nights! - use with Prefolds or two Fuzzi Bunz Inserts; closes with Snaps and functions like an "All-In-One"
Happy Pants – a great solution for HEAVY wetters! use with a Kushies Classic and add a diaper insert; also works well with Prefolds, but the Prefold or a Imse Vimse Terry Diaper needs to be fastened with a Snappi Fastener or pins.
Aristocrats - great over a Fitted Diaper, Contour Diaper or Preolds (if you use these with Prefolds or Contour Diapers they need to be fastened/pinned.) A wonderful cover for heavy wetters if you are willing to do the extra effort of taking care of the wool.
Polar Babies - great when you're using Prefolds... helps stop nighttime leaks
Prorap Cover – good over any diaper!

• 18 – 20 All-In-One Diapers
• 8 Diaper Doublers
  

• 3 Fuzzi Bunz plus Inserts OR
• 3 Fitted Diapers and 2 Happy Pants or Aristocrats (or one of each)
• 3 Diaper Doublers
  

• 22 – 24 Fitted Diapers, 10 – 12 Diaper Doublers and 4 - 5 Covers.
  

• 4 - 6 All-In-Ones/ Pocket Diapers - these are great when you go out
• 3 Fitted Diapers - these are a must for at night together with
• 2 Covers for nights(Polar Bummis or Happy Pants)
• 5 Covers - use with any cloth diapers
• 18 Prefolds
• 12 Diaper Inserts
  

I use both diaper systems and this works great for our lifestyle.
Using Prefolds gives you the advantage of being able to use the same size diaper for a long time and definitely for one or two more children. Most parents will only need two sizes of this style of diaper during the entire diapering age of their child, as the same size diaper can be worn for a long time. The covers will need to be exchanged for a larger size as your child grows.

Before you invest in a diaper system you might want get singles of the different diapers, try different diapers on your baby or talk to mothers - or me - who have experience with different diaper styles.