Sweet Cheeks Cloth Diapers ~ Cloth Diapering 101

Cloth diapering has come a long way from the folding and pinning our mothers had to do.  The SWEET CHEEKS system is very easy.  The diapers go on just like disposables (they have velcro closures and elasticized legs).  The main difference is that you will need a pull on waterproof cover (we make a great fleece cover that not only waterproof but also soft and breathable).  The benefits of cloth are huge compared to disposables.  One big one is cost.  You can save SOOO much more by using cloth.  Disposables cost between $2000 to $3000 for the 2 1/2 years that an average baby is in diapers.  Cloth diapers come in at way under $1000 (and that includes the cost of the diaper supplies, laundry soap, hot water, hydro, etc.).

I won't even begin to get into how much better cloth is for the environment.  That's just a great big given!

With disposables you toss them into the garbage (the average baby goes through approximately 7000 diapers by the time they are finished with diapers).  With cloth you toss them into a diaper pail and do one extra load of laundry every 2-4 days.  Once the diapers have been laundered just take them out of the dryer, put them in a laundry basket and kick the basket under the crib.  No folding!  When you need a diaper you just reach down and grab one and however many liners you will need and VOILA....easy!

SWEET CHEEKS works on a removable liner system.  Instead of having the liners sewn between the two layer shell they are made separately so that they come apart in the wash, wash very thoroughly and dry really quickly (which makes them great for drying on the clothesline).  When diapering you just place the liners inside the shell and that's it.

Laundering is also very simple.  Just put the entire contents of the diaper pail into the washer, put through a spin cycle, put through a rinse cycle and then put through a regular hot wash cycle.  This gets rid of the dirty water before the full laundering cycle so there is no messing around with dumping water into toilets, etc...and everything (including the inside of the washing machine) is thoroughly clean at the end.

I will warn you, though...many moms (and dads) find cloth diapering addictive and swear they'll never go back to disposables.  They actually hate having to use disposables when they travel.  I was the same way.  I really liked it when all those soft fluffy diapers came out of the dryer and I would put a warm, clean, soft, fluffy, comfy one on the baby...whether or not he needed a change at that moment...see what I mean?...addictive! :o)

Welcome to the wonderful world of cloth diapering!

DEFINITIONS OF DIAPER STYLE TERMS

FITTED: Shaped to fit, elasticized legs, adjustable velcro or snap waist closure. These diapers are great for containing blowouts. Cover needed. When using this style, the diaper cover can be used over and over throughout the day as the diaper contains any mess.

PINNABLE: Shaped to fit, elasticized legs, no velcro or snap waist closure. Pins needed. These diapers are also great for containing blowouts. Cover needed. When using this style, the diaper cover can be used over and over throughout the day as the diaper contains any mess.

CONTOURED: Shaped with no elastic around the legs. Some come with adjustable waist closure, some without (for use with pins). These diapers tend toward a lot of blowouts as there is no elasticized leg gathering to contain the mess. Cover needed. Cover usually needs to be changed each time a messy diaper is changed.

FLAT: Diaper is one ply square fabric. Folding and pinning necessary. Cover needed. Cover usually needs to be changed each time a messy diaper is changed.

PREFOLD: Multiple ply diaper, usually sewn in thickness of 2x4x2. No folding but pins necessary. Cover needed. Cover usually needs to be changed each time a messy diaper is changed.

ALL-IN-ONE: Diaper and cover sewn together. No cover needed. Whole unit needs to be changed with each diaper change. Can be very expensive (see above).

FAQ (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS)

Q:  Do I need to change both the diaper and the waterproof cover each time I change the baby?

A:  No.  Only the diaper needs to be changed each time it is wet or soiled (diaper shell and liners).  The waterproof cover can be used over again, only needing to be changed if it becomes soiled or at the end of the day, whichever comes first.

Q:  What is flannel?

A:  (According to the Miriam Webster Dictionary)

Main Entry: flan·nel·ette

        Pronunciation: "fla-n&l-'et

        Function: noun

        Date: circa 1882

        : a lightweight cotton flannel

        Main Entry: flan·nel

        Pronunciation: 'fla-n&l

        Function: noun

        Etymology: Middle English flaunneol woolen cloth or garment

        Date: 1503

        1 a : a soft twilled wool or worsted fabric with a loose texture and a slightly napped surface

           b : a napped cotton fabric of soft yarns simulating the texture of wool flannel

           c : a stout cotton fabric usually napped on one side

Q:  How many diapers will I need?

A:  (click here)

Q:  How do I store soiled diapers before they are washed?

A:  Best to store soiled diapers in a diaper pail 1/2 to 3/4 full of water containing 1 cup of vinegar.  The vinegar works as a disinfectant without the harmful and corrosive effects of bleach.  Also, washing soda can be used in place of the vinegar.  Both are very economical and work well.

Q:  Should I use fabric softener when laundering diapers?

A:  No, fabric softener decreases the absorbency of diapers.  Also, diapers dried on the line are more absorbent than diapers dried in the dryer.

Q:  How do I launder the diapers?

A:  For best results, pour entire contents of the diaper pail into the washing machine...run through a spin cycle...run through a rinse cycle...wash in hot water through the normal cycle with biodegradable laundering agent. 

STATS

In 1955, 100% of American babies wore COTTON DIAPERS, 0% wore DISPOSABLES, and 7.1% experienced DIAPER RASH.  In 1991, 10% of American babies wore COTTON DIAPERS, 90% wore DISPOSABLES, and 78% experienced DIAPER RASH.

SOURCES:

JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS 1959, Vol 54 pp. 793-800 "Relationship of Peri-Anal Dermititis to Fecel pH" by Drs. Tamio, Steiner, Benjamin

CLINICAL PEDRIATRICS May 1991, Vol 30 Department of Internal Medicine & Pedriatrics, Loyola University Medical Ctr. "Newborn Chemical Exposure from over-the-counter Skin-Care Products" by Drs. Cetta, Lambert, & Ross

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