FAQ on Cloth Diapers

To use or not to use?

I've compiled here a series of FAQs which you might have with regards to the usage of cloth diapers.

If there is any other queries with regard to this, which are not listed, please feel free to drop me a line and I will try my very best to provide you with a rational answer.

• Do I still need to use nappy cream once I switch to cloth diaper?
• How often should I change my baby's diaper?
• How should I clean them?
• Won't putting them in the washing machine shorten their length of use?
• Will it be troublesome to take baby on an outing?
• B$28 is quite steep for a diaper....
• Will my baby be completely free of nappy rash once I switch to cloth diapers?
• Can my newborn wear them?

Do I still need to use nappy cream once I switch to cloth diaper? TOP
Its entirely up to you. Using cloth diapers meaning, that wettings will be completely absorbed. As mentioned previously, the microfiber inserts does a spectacular job in ensuring that your baby feels dry and comfortable at all times. Alternatively, you can use the nappy cream as a protective barrier, BUT please make sure that the cream is absorbed entirely by the skin, and that there is no residue. Else this will cause it to build up a sticky like residue and thus creating a most unpleasant feeling for your baby, which subsequently defeats the purpose of the airy clean feeling of the cloth diaper.

How often should I change my baby's diaper? TOP
Bumwear cloth diapers are designed to absorb wettings at the same time keeping your little one fresh and dry. The microfiber inserts has an amazing absorbency capacity. However, it depends on your child. If he/she is having a lot of liquid intake, then a regular change of every 3 hours is ideal. Of course, if your child has cleared his/her bowels, needless to say, do change it at once.

How should I clean them? TOP
Here's a good one. It is recommended that you use a nappy liner (which you can get from the departmental stores) in addition to the microfiber insert. This is to catch any runny poo (from your breastfed baby) or any solids. All you need to do is to flush away the solids, and as for the runny poo, just throw away the liner. Use the water spray to wash off any remains. As for washing the diapers and inserts, any baby detergent will be suffice. A friend of mine swears by using a few drops of vinegar (you can use any vinegar, as the main composition is the same) into the pail. Leave them to soak and then simply put them in the washing machine for a good spin. Hang to dry and you can use them all over again :)

Won't putting them in the washing machine shorten their length of use? TOP
Actually it helps to lengthen their use! Here's why : Washing by hand may not seem so gentle after as we the method of cleaning may distort the diaper of its original shape. Also, some of us would use the laundry brush, which bristles will get tangled in the delicate material of the diaper. Hence causing strands of the material to fray. Washing machine on the other hand, does the opposite. Its spinning mechanism actually helps the diaper to stay in its original shape at the same time cleaning it thoroughly!

Will it be troublesome to take baby on an outing? TOP
Not at all! You just need to bring along, lets say 3 extra inserts, depending on the duration of the outing, and 1 plastic bag for your to put the wet insert in. You just need to pack them like how you would normally pack your disposable diapers, only that this time you bring along an additional plastic bag. Once home, simply toss the wet inserts into a pail of water with your preferred baby detergent and soak for a couple of hours, or perhaps over night. Then wash them as how you always wash your baby's laundry.

B$28 is quite steep for a diaper.... TOP
It may seem so initially. However, as you do the math for your disposable diaper expenses for 1 year, the difference is very significant. Please refer to our guide -> "Why Use Cloth Diapers?" for more in depth explanation. Also, it is environmentally friendlier as cloth diapers are made out of comfortable cotton, compared to disposable ones which are basically made out of paper. Yep, papers which has been chemically treated to feel soft and nice to the touch. And we all know that paper comes from trees. Bumwear Cloth Diapers come in attractive eye catching designs. Their one size cloth diapers are suited from newborns right up to toddlers (about 4 years old). In addition to that, with good care, the diapers can be passed down from one child to another! Its the perfect package to stand out from the crowd, plus economical AND gentle to your baby's bottom :)

Will my baby be completely free of nappy rash once I switch to cloth diapers? TOP
It would be total fabrication if I tell you that your child will be nappy rash free once you switch to cloth diapers. No doubt that babies are prone to all sorts of skin conditions and allergies, and nappy rash is just one of them. However, babies who are cloth diapered, has fewer incidents compared to disposable diaper users. Thus, making fewer trips to the clinic and ultimately, help mom & dad keep a healthy budget. My personal experience with my baby girl on diaper rash was utmost unpleasant. The delay in changing her wet/soiled nappy resulted a most horrific encounter. She ended up with very sore and tender skin, and to the extend of developing boils around her private area. This of course developed into an infection which gave her a fever. She was hospitalized for about 3 days with antibiotics being given intravenously (IV). Throughout our stay, we were told only to use cloth diapers, which helped the healing process very well. The whole episode was quite traumatic for us, especially our baby girl. If cloth diapers were our first choice, the nanny would have been able to detect her soiled nappy and changed her immediately, thus this episode would not have happened.

Can my newborn wear them? TOP
Absolutely! Staying true to its name, the One Size Cloth Diaper can be worn from newborn, ranging about 3kg odd right up to toddlerhood,just about the right time for potty training. The diapers has adjustable buttons which you can adjust to fit your baby comfortably. A newborn baby uses up to 13 - 15 disposable diapers in a day on average. It is recommended that you allocate at least 2-3 inserts for every diaper. For example, if you have 3 diapers, your microfiber inserts should ideally be 9 odd pieces. Alternatively, you can just have 2 diapers with 8 odd pieces each, its enturely up to you.