Cloth Diapering From Day 1 Series: Prepping Newborn Diapers

Some expectant moms like to have everything ready for their baby months before they arrive. Others are running around making sure clothes and diapers are ready for baby just days before their arrival! No matter what type of "preparerer" you are, having your newborn's cloth diapers prepped and ready to go is a piece of cake!


Just like any cloth diaper, there are different prepping techniques for different types of newborn diapers. If you are using a diaper with a synthetic material like microfiber, fleece or PUL, it will need just one wash and dry before use. You may also want to wash any wetbags or cloth wipes with your load of diapers. 


We suggest prepping your synthetic materials like this:

1. Warm or hot (not sanitize) wash with CD safe detergent
2. Extra rinse (any temperature)
3. Hang dry covers and pockets, tumble dry medium inserts

If you are using a natural fiber diaper like cotton, hemp, or bamboo, you will need to do a little more prep. These fibers have a natural oil on them that needs to be washed off and the fibers need to be broken up to reach maximum absorbency. You will want to wash and dry them 4-5 times before use. They will continue to become more absorbent even after these initial washes, though! If you're due tomorrow and you're trying to figure out how you're going to wash your diapers 5 times, along with 2 loads of baby clothes, your bath towels, and your sheets, no worries! Your cloth diaper friendly detergent is also clothes friendly! I would do your first wash with the diapers on their own, but after that you can mix the diapers with your regular laundry. You do want to avoid using any fabric softeners with your diapers, though. 

We suggest prepping natural materials like this:

1. Warm or hot (not sanitize) wash with CD safe detergent
2. Extra rinse (any temperature)
3. Tumble dry medium- your diapers do not have to be 100% dry before your next wash, slightly damp is ok!
4. Repeat 3-4 more times till your diapers are nice and fluffy!

It's that easy! Once your diapers are ready to go, decide which you'd like to take to the hospital (if you decide to go that route) or get them stacked and ready for baby! Now comes the hard part... waiting for him or her to arrive! :)