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How Many Do I need?

Soft Bums are an AI2 diaper meaning All-in-Two. They have 2 parts, an outer waterproof shell, and an inner absorbent soaker. You need both parts to make your diaper work. AI2’s are unique in that you can reuse the shell 2-4 times, and just change the soaker when baby is wet. That means you only need to buy extra soakers to get a full diapering package, once you have enough shells. To cloth diaper a newborn who you change 15 times a day you’ll need;

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12 Soft Bums shells
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36 Contoured hemp or micro-fiber Soakers
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12 Doublers for more absorbency

Or, If using Fitted Diaper system, you’ll need:

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36 Fitted diapers
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2-3 Wool covers
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12 Doublers


How do I change a Baby in a cloth diaper?

Cloth diapers are so easy! Seriously, once you get used to using them, its just like anything else. You learn quickly how to do it, and after a full day of cloth diapering with a good quality diaper it's as easy as pie! Makes sure all the items you will need for changing are in a central convenient location. That means that if your changing table is all the way upstairs, but you spend most hours down in the living room, somthing needs to be adjusted. Many parents keep a big bag with lots of pockets, or a basket in the living room with everything they will need to change a cloth diaper; changing pad, waterproof wetbag to store the dirty diapers, wipes or washcloths, toy for distraction, etc. Change the diaper every 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Many parents with a cloth diapered baby stick a finger in the front to check for wetness, and change right away. You will learn your babies cycles quickly after a week or so of this constant checking, and if you miss it and they end up sitting in it for a while, it's no big deal, just teaches you to get it quicker the next time. Many babies will fuss as soon as they get wet, this may help you to learn their cycle. Some babies are just more sensitive to wetness than others, but they will get more used to that wet feeling as time goes on. Also, you can always use a diaper with a fleece lining, or add your own fleece linings. The fleece or micro-fleece, or suedecloth, all the same things, will let the wetness pass thru to be absorbed by the diaper, but will keep baby feeling a little bit dryer on their skin. This may make them feel more comfortable with the wetness until you can change them. The fleece topping is also good for longer outings where you may be unable to change them right away.

Once you get a clean diaper on the baby check all around to make sure all the cottony bits are tucked in nicely. Also you can't have any other their clothes tucked in or touching any of the inner parts of their diaper. This will result in wicking. Wicking is when the wetness transfers over to the next absorbent material it can find, just like oil in a lamp creeps up the cotton wick to be ignited. Wicking means leaks! If you are having leaks, check to see if anything was sticking out, and also make sure you have the right sized diaper for your baby. If there are large gaps around the legs they may leak. If you have a tall baby, and cloth diapers just don't fit all that well, you'll have the best luck with a fitted diaper and seperate pull on cover. A nice fitted diaper with snaps is practically as easy as an all in one! Absorbency may be an issue with leaks as well. You need a quality diaper to start with. Cloth diapers from department stores do NOT WORK! They are cheaply made and leak terribly. Once you have a good diaper, make sure you have prewashed it at least 5-10 times with a bit of detergent to get the diapers to their full absorbency. If you still do not have enough absorbency, and the diaper every time you change it is completely soaking wet, you need to change more often, or you may have a very heavy wetter. Some babies wet very frequently, and some babies wet average, and SOME babies hold it in forever and then when they go, watch out, they open the floodgates!