Quizzes included in Cloth Diapers 101 · 6. CAN cloth diapers work for my family. for YES X for NO We/I can afford the initial cost of cloth diapers $200-$800 I have easy and affordable

Quizzes included in Cloth Diapers 101 workbook. For Money Saving Tips & Tricks and videos visit:

To fill in your answers, complete checklists & quizzes download and open in AdobeReader (free). Be honest with your answers, take your time and you will reach yourright decision and move forward with confidence. Good luck!

1. Write down your initial feelings, thoughts and reaction to the idea of cloth diapering.When _____ first suggested cloth diapers I felt... thought...

2. On a scale of 1-5 rate your current level of curiosity regarding cloth diapers.1. Not at all 2. Slightly interested 3. I think about it somewhat often 4. I have a lot of questions (how to's) 5. I NEED to know more, SUPER curios

How many cloth diaper websites have you been to?How many people have you talked with about it? How much time have you spent doing research?How long have you been thinking about cloth diapering?

3. I think cloth diapers are a GOOD idea because...

I think cloth diapers are a BAD idea because...

4. Does taking on a challenge and learning new skills frighten or excite you? for YESmark X for NO I like to try new and difficult recipesI engage in diy/Pinterest projects I exercise regularly and push myself I take on difficult projects at work If you answered NO/X to most or all of the above give yourself a check mark if you wouldlike to answer YES to the above questions in the future

5. Does it fit with your personality and is it congruent with your values?

Look at your life overall and rate 1-10 how important convenience is for you and arethere any areas of your life where you have deliberately chosen a more difficult or lessconvenient option?

Is it important to you to breastfeed your baby?

If possible do you want to have a natural childbirth?

for YES and X for NO

I don't mind using diapers that are different from what most other people useI am not really grossed out by changing my babies diaper and cleaning poopI love saving money and am strongly motivated to do soIf a diaper leaks every now and again I'm ok with that I like the idea of washing and reusing diapers I really want to potty train early (before 2)Using something more natural with less chemicals is important to me I am really bothered by the thought that disposables take hundreds of years todecompose

6. CAN cloth diapers work for my family. for YES X for NO

We/I can afford the initial cost of cloth diapers $200-$800 I have easy and affordable access to a washing machine and dryer My partner is or will be on board and supportive of cloth diapering

Adding it all up, should you or shouldn't you? for YES X for NO

1. My initial reactions were more positive and open than negative2. I rated my curiosity 3 or higher I have done some research, talked and thought about cloth diapering3. I wrote more pros than cons about cloth pros were easier to think of4-5. I had way more check marks than X's 6. I had all three checks on these questions7. I think cloth diapers are right for me I just need more info

After all of this you have your answer :) if your reaction was positive, you'reexcited and curious about cloth, you can afford the initial investment and yourpages are full of 's then continue on to part 2 because you have decided!

Types Learning the different types of cloth diapers and choosing the best one for

your baby

Flats - These are the most affordable but least user friendlyCost - Under $150

27"x27" squareof cotton.Requires manyfolds

You will needa fastener tokeep it on

waterproofcoverrequired

Pros Conscheap - under $150 for 36 diaper systemEasy to washCan dry on high heat, short drying times100% cotton, babies feel wet whichhelps with early potty training easy to check if baby is wet Durable

Pain to fold Require a separate coverSomewhat bulky Not user friendly especially for peoplewho don't use them all the time(babysittters, family, daycare etc) Require snappis or pins to fasten =slower to put on especially on moreactive babiesMore leaks than other types 1 color, no special prints

Prefolds - These are also very affordable and more user friendlyCost - $150-$250 (depends on which method you use)

Rectangle ofcotton, fold inthirds

Place it inside ofa waterproofwrap style cover

Pros of Prefolds Cons of Prefolds

Cheap - $150-$250 for 1 size in wrapcover system Easy to wash can use hot waterCan dry on high heat, short drying timesBabies feel wet which makes pottytraining easier Easy for you to check if baby is wetDurable

Bulky Require a cover Might require pins or snappisIf using the wrap cover/no fastenersystem you will need quite a few coversbecause they will get soiled easily More leaks than fitted, pocket & AIO1 color no print and pattern selection(covers do come in colors)

BB/Boobles Bottoms - Affordable, User Friendly and True One Size Fit Cost - Under $400 CAD $309 USD (complete kit)

Pros of BB's/Boobles Bottoms Cons of BB's

Shaped 3 layer cotton diaper withvelcro closures and detachedabsorbency pads. The back is foldedover twice for smaller sizes and not atall 12 months +

Require awaterproofcover, anystyle works

Affordable Come in kits including: 36 one sizediapers, pads, wipes and covers. Easyto buy, eliminates guesswork. Easy to wash, can use hot waterShort drying times, can use high heatEasy to size and put on a babyDurable, have the longest warrantyOne size really fits 6-45lbs Trimmest fitting one size diapersBabies feel moisture making pottytraining easierCan use any diaper rash cream Easy to tell if baby is wet

Not super absorbent, require morefrequent changes than pockets & AIORequire a coverMore leaks than pocket, fitted and AIOAll unisex white & yellow, no choice ofpattern and color

Fitted - Can be very expensive, Easy to use, Good Leak Prevention Cost - Really varies $500-$900

Shaped cotton, bamboo orhemp diapers with velcro orsnap closures, often come in3-5 different sizes

Require awaterproof cover,any style works

Pros of Fitted Cons of Fitted Easy to wash, can use hot waterCan dry on high heat Available in different colors and pattersGood leak protection Cotton fabrics, babies feel moisturemaking early potty training easier

Require a coverCan be very expensive when buyingmultiple sizes Often available in 1 color Not as absorbent as pocket & AIOOne size styles are very bulky One size styles usually don't fitnewborns properly

Pocket Diapers - Often expensive, Very popular, Good Leak Prevention Cost - Average $700 - $900 for 36 One Size & Inserts

Shaped, no folding usuallyhave snaps to adjust the riseand velcro or snaps toadjust the waist. Microfiberinsert has to be stuffed intothe diaper

The outer layer iswaterproof so nocover is required

Pros of Pockets Cons of Pockets Very absorbent Good leak protection Moisture wicking fabrics keep babiesfeeling dry Less frequent changes requiredCute, huge variety of colors and patterns Easy for babysitters to useBetter for daycare because they are moreabsorbent and babies feel dry

Expensive Waterproof coating can wear offBulkyDon't fit well on newborns Difficult to check if baby is wet Not as easy to wash/ cleanability High drying temps not recommendedParents often get sick of stuffing andunstuffing inserts

Difficult to check if baby is wet

All In One AKA AIO - The most expensive cloth diapers Average cost for 36 - $800-$950

Just like the name these have everything all in onepiece, the outer layer is waterproof and absorbentlayers are sewn in or to the diaper.

Pros of AIO's Cons of AIO's

No need for a coverGood Absorbency Cute, come in a large variety of colorsand patterns Good leak protection No folding, pinning or stuffing

Expensive Bulky especially a one size design onsmaller babies Worst for washability Longest drying times Waterproof coating can wear off Most difficult to rinse poop out of

Consider your Lifestyle & Personality

Will you be travelling a lot while your baby is still in diapers? If travellingyou might actually want to use disposables. Will you be staying home or will your baby be in daycare at a youngerage? Speak with the daycare to find out if they will use cloth and if they dowhich types, pockets are more absorbent and keep the baby feeling dry soprobably better in a situation where changes are less frequent.Will your outings with your baby be to visit friends and family orrestaurants and shopping malls? If it's restaurants and malls you mightwant to use pockets because they are more absorbent and baby can golonger between changes. Which type does your partner like? What features are important tothem? Do the checklist below with your partner to find out if you are on thesame page with diapering priorities.

Finding The Right Type Check all that apply to you

My budget for cloth diapers is less than $200

My budget for cloth diapers is less than $400

My budget for cloth diapers is $400-$800

My budget for cloth diapers is unlimited

1. I want my baby's diapers to be leakproof

2. I want the diapers to be super absorbent so I won't have to changethem as often 3. Early potty training is very important to me, I want my baby out ofdiapers before 2 4. I want cloth diapers with a a trim fit so my baby doesn't have a bigdiaper bulge 5. I'm ok with using a diaper cover

6. I'm not ok with using a diaper cover

7. I'm comfortable using snappis or pins to close the diaper

8. I want velcro or snap closures/easier to put on

9. I want the most babysitter/daycare friendly diapers

10.Easy washing and short drying times are very important to me

11.A variety of colors and cute patters is important to me

12. I want my baby to wear cuter cloth diapers than my friends baby's

13. I'm ok with a little folding (like 2 folds max)

14. I want my diapers to have a long warranty15. I want diapers with a strong money back guarantee

Making Sense of The Checklist Which color or colors worked with your budget? If your max budget is $200 then it's going to be flats or prefolds, unless youcan find used diapers in a type better suited to your needs.

Adding Up Your Colors Below the Line

I had ____ out of 4 - Flats I had ____ out of 5 - Prefold I had ____ out of 8 - BB/Boobles Bottoms I had ____ out of 7 - Fitted I had ____ out of 7 - Pocket I had ____ out of 7 - All In One

Did you have any that matched 100%?

Of those 100% matches (or highest score) did any match your budget?

You likely have your type figured out already, if not I want you to list thefollowing in order of importance to you, from most important to least important: Easy to put on (BB's, fitted, prefold, AIO)), Easiest to wash and fastest to dry (flats,prefolds, BB's & fitted), Absorbency and leak protection (pocket & AIO), Trim fittingone size (BB's), Easier early potty training (flats, prefolds, BB's & fitted), mostbabysitter and daycare friendly (pockets & AIO), cutest diapers (pocket & AIO), Strongwarranty and money back guarantee (BB's, some sites offer 30 day guarantee onpocket & AIO's)

Note: by adding microfiber inserts and using wrap style diaper covers, flats, prefolds andBB's can be made as absorbent as a pocket and the cover will provide the same leakprotection. These are rarely necessary with these types but if the problem arises thereare solutions.

Buying and Budgeting Now that you know YES you definitely want to use cloth diapers on your baby and youhave figured out the type of cloth diapers that will best meet your needs it is time todecide when and where to buy.

When - You want to have your diapers purchased, washed and ready in the change-table before your baby is born. A very safe bet is to buy them a month or two beforeyour baby arrives. However, if there is a 30 day money back guarantee or in the caseof BB's a 60 day money back guarantee you will want to maximize the amount of timeyou can use the diapers in that guarantee window, ordering a week or two before yourdue date might be a better way to go.

Write down the date you want to purchase your cloth diapers by

Where - It has been my experience that while it is awesome to support local shopsand diaper boutiques you will get a better deal and selection online. If you havedecided that pockets are the diaper for you, you can get the Chinese made ones muchcheaper than North American made, I think the North American made are betterquality, the people who make them work in MUCH better conditions and are paidminimum wage or higher. I think it's a shame that we don't manufacture much inCanada and The United States anymore because the majority of us want as much aswe can get for as little as possible; however cloth diaper users often don't fit in with themajority and see the importance in supporting the North American cloth diaperindustry. If you see pocket diapers for less than $13 each they are made in China.

Budgeting - A great way to save enough money for the initial investment in clothdiapers is by purchasing used items online or in second hand stores. Baby items areparticularly popular on sites like Craigslist and Kijiji, you can get amazing deals oneverything from toys and clothes to furniture, playpens and high chairs. Or anothergreat way is to simply set aside $60-$80 a month (a little more than you would spendon disposables) and in a few months you will have enough or close to enough. Youcan also ask for money for your baby shower to purchase cloth diapers with. It's notvery sentimental but a great money saving strategy would be to get money fromeveryone and use it to buy diapers and with any leftover money buy other baby itemssecond hand.

Good Luck and thank you for doing Cloth Diapers 101! Penny GibsonFounder of BB Cloth Diapers