How many diapers will I need?

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It all depends on how often you will be doing laundry. With that in mind, here are some reasonable estimates of how many diapers you will need:

Newborn to 4 months - 20 - 24 diapers

Infant (4 to 10 months) - 16 - 20 diapers

Toddler (10 months to potty training) - 12 - 16 diapers

Please note quantities are based on an average sized baby and if you wash every other day. More diapers will be needed if you go longer between washings.

Washing Cloth Diapers as simple as 1, 2, 3

In India, most of us use cloth nappies and we maintain it so well. It is same with cloth diaper too. Cloth diaper needs to be absorbent, so we need to take little extra care, that’s it!

Before using diaper, Wash it!  :) You must wash ALL diapers & covers prior to first use 1-5 times: 

This must be done so your diaper can be at their full absorbency. Washing will remove the natural oils and waxes that will hinder your diaper absorbency.  Ideally it must be washed 5 times for efficient absorbency.  Just for getting that  10 -15 ml of extra absorbency why should we waste 100 L of water. As we use and wash absorbency will increase.

* Use your health facet to spray the poop in the toilet. Use a lidded bin to store all the soiled diaper until next wash
* “Sunning” would actually work on stains. Simply place stained diaper in the sun for drying them and you twill be amazed at how the stains will virtually disappear within hours.

Hand wash routine:  
Step 1- No detergent cold rinse  once or twice
Step 2-Use a tiny bit of cloth diaper safe laundry detergent in warm water (30 C ) and soak it  for 15 – 20 mins and wash it.
Caution : Don’t use Brush that’s used for washing clothes, Don’t beat the clothes to the floor or the washing stone (in case you have it in your house ;) )  Don’t use washing soap bars on the diaper.
Step 3-Extra rinse to ensure no soap residue

Machine wash routine:
Step 1- No detergent cold rinse 
Step 2-Use a ¼  amount of   cloth diaper safe laundry detergent in warm water in delicate/gentle mode. (1/4 for front-loading machines and ½ for top loading machine)
In case washing machine doesn’t have hot water option, add one-bucket hot water while washing
Step 3-Extra rinse cycles to ensure no soap residue

*In case if you use Dryers tumble-dry Low. 

*ONLY use cloth diaper safe detergents. Detergent can affect many aspects of your diaper: absorbency, odour, and how long your diaper will last.

Amway SA8 delicate, Surf Excel Gentle, Soap nut , Pigeon baby detergent are the best bet. Surf / Ariel / Tide has enzymes in it. Use 1/5 of the recommended detergent in case of Surf , Ariel ,tide etc  ( Not ideal to use, in case you still want to use

*Wash cloth diaper regularly. I suggest daily or  every 2-3 days. This will keep stains from setting in and will discourage mold growth.

*No fabric softeners, no optical whiteners or brighteners, & no enzymes. These will reduce the absorbency of the diaper

*Never use chlorine bleach on cloth diaper.

Sources:
http://www.surfexcel.in/how-to-do-laundry/the-right-detergent-formula/
http://www.scribd.com/doc/11523933/Enzymes-in-Detergents

In India, a few premium detergent brands presently available in the market like Ariel,Surf Ultra, Rin, Biolites, Revel Plus , Zymo contain enzymes in their formulations.
http://www.amway.in/Shopping/Products.aspx?pid=116513ID&ctg=SA8

All you need to know on Inserts and How to use it ?

Inserts are the absorbent material. Diapers alone are not absorbent. You need these soakers (inserts) for absorbency. These are applicable to the diaper range available with us in our online shop. Currently, We have Pocket diapers and two types of insert.

                      

Micro fiber Insert (MF) :

Micro Fiber Insert are known for quicker absorbency. They wick the moisture quickly.  This is very good in terms of absorbency. On the other hand , if it placed next to baby’s skin, it would wick away moisture from babys skin and cause dryness in the skin. NEVER use microfiber insert next to baby’s skin. Always use MF insert stuffed INSIDE the pocket.

Bamboo Insert: 

Bamboo is a natural fabric. Their absorption is good. It can be placed safely next to baby’s skin.  Bamboo diapers can be used both inside and outside the pocket.

Bamboo inserts can hold more wetness.

Lets take the scenario with one pocket diaper, MF insert and bamboo insert. 

When fresh diaper is chosen the change, bamboo insert can be laid on top of the pocket . After 2 -3 hours, I put Bamboo insert for wash. This time, I stuff MF insert inside the pocket and use. So now we can use the same shell 2 times up to 4  - 6 hours (provided baby hasn’t pooped ;) ) 

Alternatively, you can stuff 2 MF inserts , 2 bamboo or any 2 inserts in the pocket . They become your good night time diapers! 

Double Gussets is good option for  night diapering. It has a wide pocket opening both in the front and back, stuffing 2 inserts inside the pocket is super easy. They come with  colorful buttons so its  easy to remember the setting  that fit the best. Especially, it’s easy to tell  your hubby, MIL  or the maid on which colour setting you get the correct

fit, when they are changing the diaper. 

After some trail runs, You'll pick up the method which suits your  baby better!

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How much you save on Cloth Diaper?

Do you know that a full diapering baby consumes about Rs.43800 in disposable diaper for 2 years time? With the cloth diaper solution, you will be able to save as much as Rs,31800

Instead of spending these money into the disposable diaper, should you save the money for your baby and use it for other purpose like nutrition, education, talent development etc?

CozyBaby prepared a projected calculation on the disposable diaper expenses for you. In the calculation, we assume that you are using a middle range disposable diaper, which is about Rs.10 per piece. (The calculated figure subjected to different ways of usage for each individual)

For a full time disposable diapering baby, he/she will probably utilised

6 diapers a day:

Day time usage,  6:00AM - 8:00PM = 14 Hours.

Changing of diaper for every 3 hours: 14 Hours/ 3 = 4.6 , round up to 5 diapers.

Night time usage, 8:00PM - 6:00AM = 10 Hours

Assume your baby only use 1 diaper in night time.

Total: 5 Diapers + 1 Diaper = 6 Diapers per day.

You spend:   6 Diapers x 10 rs = Rs 60 per day

In 2 years time you spend: 2 years x 365 days x Rs.60 =Rs 43800

If you go for cloth diaper solution, and assuming you purchase 10 cloth diaper in 1st year, and each one is about Rs.800, you will spend Rs.8000.00 on you baby diapering.

In the second year, you purchase 5 more new cloth diapers for Rs4000.00.

Totally in 2 years time, you spend Rs. 8000 + Rs. 4000.00   = Rs.12000

Comparing to Disposable Diaper, your will save  43800- 12000= Rs 31800

If you take good care of the cloth diapers, you will have 20 cloth diapers for your next baby, and this will get the money saving in double. 

Water  cost :

In case you are hand washing, water consumption is very less may be 2 buckets , if you are washing daily. 

Electricity cost :

If you are using washing machine, it would be wise to was 2 -3 days once and it would consume  3 units of power per load. (Depending on the washing machine). Assuming, 10 loads ,10*3 = 30 unit power. 

Bill would be 30*5 Rs = 150Rs  per month. 

In any case, I find cloth diapers to be cheaper than disposable.