Cloth Diapers, also commonly known as modern Cloth Diapers, are reusable diapers that can be used again after being washed, cleaned, and dried. Unlike disposable diapers thrown away, cloth diapers can be used again and again. Modern cloth diapers come with a waterproof outer layer and the inserts are a combination of different materials like microfiber, hemp, organic cotton, and bamboo charcoal to give maximum absorbency. Once soiled they are washed and can be used again.
Before disposable diapers came into the market people were using only the traditional cloth diapers or nappies only. The traditional diapers which our mother had used lacked absorbency, were ineffective and would be required to change after 2-3 pees. But with time cloth diapers have evolved and modern cloth diapers are more absorbent, leak-proof, come in attractive prints, are eco-friendly, are a safer option for babies and are light in your pocket too in the long run.
Disposable Diapers Vs Cloth Diapers
Disposable diapers are convenient to use as they are thrown away after use. As they don’t require any washing, they are convenient to use and make life easier. But they are not at all safe for the environment and nor for the baby. As disposable diapers have chemicals to increase absorbency they are harmful to the environment and can cause rashes in babies. On the other hand, cloth diapers have the following benefits:
- doesn’t contain harmful chemicals thus making it safe for the baby and the environment
- makes toilet training easy
- economical in the long run
- never have to worry about buying diapers monthly or when you run out of stock
- one free-size diaper suits infants as well as toddlers thus saving money
What are the different cloth diapers?
Flats:
Flats are the oldest and have been in use for ages. They can be folded as per convince and secured onto the baby with a diaper cover, or cotton nappy, pin with a snappy or can be used as inserts with pocket diapers.
Nappy or Langots:
It is a single piece of cloth that is tied to the baby. They don’t have any absorbency capacity and need to be changed each time a baby pees. They can be used as diaper-free time or can be used with flats.
Prefolds:
Prefolds are rectangular diapers with multiple layers of lightweight, woven fabric with extra layers in the centre panel for absorbency. They are easy to use with diaper covers or pockets.
Pockets: Best Cloth Diapers in India
They are easy to use and they dry up quickly. They have a waterproof material outside and soft microfleece stay dry material inside. Any type of inserts can be put inside and together they form a pocket. They are especially suitable when the baby starts moving.
Diaper Covers: Best Cloth Diapers in India
As the name suggests diaper covers are waterproof covers and can be used with flats, inserts or prefolds. They can be used again with any inserts without washing. They are very helpful during travelling with your baby.
AIOs:
In Aios the inserts are sewed to the stay-dry lining and the waterproof outer layer. Some also have pockets where you can put inserts to increase the absorbency. After use, the whole diaper goes for washing.
Fitted Diapers:
They come with or without snaps and are highly absorbent and also come with inserts to boost absorbency. They have elastic at the legs and with or without snaps for closure. They need a diaper cover to become waterproof from the outside.
Hybrid Diapers:
It is very hard to point out what type and brand of diapers would be best for your baby. One will need to try out different types of diapers according to the baby`s build and pee pattern, before building a stash. Here are lists of the Best Cloth Diapers in India (not in particular order) that I have used personally and would highly recommend to parents who are looking to buy for their little ones.
Best Cloth Diapers in India:
1)Superbottoms Cloth Diapers: Best Cloth Diapers in India
Diapers from Superbottoms are popularly known UNO is one of the best baby cloth diaper brands from India. From newborns to toddlers, they cater to all specific age groups. The Superbottoms Newborn UNO is suitable for newborn babies to 3 months. They are made of all cloth and no harmful chemicals have been used. It has a super dry feel layer to keep the baby`s bum dry and a waterproof outer layer.
It consists of:
- A dry fill pad with a super dry feel layer on top.
- Waterproof outer
The Superbottoms Free Size Uno is suitable for babies from 10 months to 3 years. They come with an adjustable snap and one just needs to change the pattern set according to the age. One can use one insert during the day and for night time the booster pad can be added for more absorbency. They are perfect for travelling and heavy wetters. One can use fleece liner on top of the insert (touching the baby`s skin) to make poo cleaning easy.
It consists of:
- 2 pads; 1 booster pad and 1 dry feel pad
- 1 Waterproof outer shell
To buy Supperbottoms Diapers click here
2) Snugkins Cloth Diapers: Best Cloth Diapers in India
What I liked the best part about Snugkins diapers is that they fit perfectly without any chance of leakages (which is the main concern while buying any diapers) and they are not at all bulky. Each of their diapers is CPSIA and GOTS Certified, which means the cloth used in each diaper is certified safe for your child.
They have 3 types of diapers: Newborn Cloth Diapers, Regular Diapers and New Age Cloth Diapers.
Snugkins Cloth Diapers for newborns don’t contain Phthalates and are very soft on the skin. This pocket diaper has an opening at the top and bottom making it easier to place the soaker. It consists of 12 layers of organic cotton along with a highly absorbent sheet to keep the baby`s bum dry. It has an additional 9 layers of an organic cotton booster.
These diapers will last for around 5 to 6 hours and for the nighttime, one can add a booster pad along with wet free prefold pad for a comfortable sleep. It fits babies from 2.5 kgs to 7 kgs.
Snugkins Newborn Cloth Diaper consists of:
- One outer shell
- One wet-free prefold pad
- One booster pad made of organic cotton
Regular Cloth Diapers from Snugkins are leak-proof, sleek, slim and ultra-breathable and last up to 4-5 hours. It fits babies from 0-36 months weight 5-17 kgs.
It consists of:
- One waterproof outer shell
- One Soaker pad.
New Age Diapers have 21 layers of soft organic cotton cloth (13 layers of wet-free prefold pad when folded and 8 layers of booster pad). With an easy snap system, one can adjust the size and length accordingly. It fits babies from 3 months to 2 years/5-14 kg.
It has the following features:
2. Slim, sleek, and lightweight than other bulky cloth diapers.
4.74% savings on diapers, CPSIA certified, No lead phthalates
5. Paediatricians certified, trusted by moms with the goodness and comfort of traditional diapers
6. 21 layers of GOTS certified 100% Organic cotton and stay dry feel layer
7. Snug Snap Technology
8. Keeps the baby dry for up to 12 hours along with booster pads.
9. Free 15-Day Trial on cloth diapers
10. Dedicated Mom Support Team for any queries.
It consists of:
- One waterproof outer layer
- One wet-free prefold pad (booster pad not included)
You can also check their New age Langot and Potty training pants.
3)Apple Blossom Cloth Diapers: Best Cloth Diapers in India
Apple Blossom Cloth Diapers: Best Cloth Diapers in India
For my second child, I have exclusively used Appleblossom Cloth Diapers for the first 4 months. One of the best baby cloth diapers that I have used is perfectly sized to fit your little one from 3-7 Kg. The Apple Blossoms Cloth Diapers are made with Soft Microfleece- Stay-Dry Inner, 8 Layers of Bamboo Cotton Inserts and a waterproof outer cover. The inserts are made with supersoft, natural and GOTS-certified Bamboo Cotton Fabric.
The Apple Blossoms Newborn Cloth Diapers consist of:
- One waterproof outer
- Two inserts
Apple Blossoms OneSize All-In-One Style Diapers fit babies from 5-17+ Kgs.
It consists of:
- One waterproof outer
- Two inserts
Apple Blossoms OneSize Pocket Style fit babies from 5-17 Kgs. They are made with Soft Microfleece- Stay-Dry Inner, 12 Layers of Organic Cotton Inserts.
It consists of:
- One waterproof outer
- 2 Natural Organic-cotton Inserts
To buy Apple Blossoms Cloth Diapers Click here
4)Charlie Banana Cloth Diapers: Best Cloth Diapers in India
Charlie Banana is an international cloth diaper brand India available in India. I just fell in love with the prints the moment I saw their diapers. They come with 2 inserts. One small size insert for the day will last for 4 hours and 2 large inserts with last for the night and heavy wetters also. once the baby is a little older or when the pee count has reduced then one can go for only 1 large insert at night. The newborn cloth diapers are suitable for newborn babies up to 6 months.
Charlie Banana Newborn Cloth Diaper consists of:
- One waterproof outer
- One insert
Free Size Cloth Diaper Suitable for babies from 6 months up to 2.5 years.
Free Size Cloth Diaper Consists of:
- 1 Free Size Outer Cloth Diaper &
- 2 Inserts
For people outside India, you can buy their diapers here
5)Bumpadum Baby Cloth Diapers: Best Cloth Diapers in India
Bumpadum Cloth Diaper
Bumpadum is another Indian brand with some great cloth diapers for kids and the best part is that the diapers are not bulky. They have Cloth nappies, Neo organic newborn diapers, and Organic free-size diapers in their diaper categories.
Neo Organic Newborn Diapers Fit newborn babies from 2 – 8 kgs approximately. The trifold insert is made of organic cotton with a total of 10 layers of absorbency – 3 layers of organic cotton in 3 panels with an additional layer of hemp in the centre panel. One panel is topped with microfleece to keep the baby’s bottom dry.
Neo Organic Newborn Diapers consists of:
- One waterproof outer
- One tri-fold insert
Organic Free Size Diapers for babies from 3 months to 3 years. Duet Diaper is suitable for both infants and toddlers that lasts up to 12 hours at night.
Organic Free Size Diapers consists of:
- One waterproof outer
- One prefold-style insert
Other Accessories required with Cloth Diapers are: Best Cloth Diapers in India
Fleece Liners:
Fleece liners are stay-dry liners that are placed over the inserts touching the baby`s bum to give them a dry feel and they also make poo cleaning easy. One can also buy Disposable Stay Dry Liner. The Biodegradable Bamboo Liners come in super handy while travelling or when u don’t or can’t use fleece liners. It makes mess cleaning easy while travelling, all you need to do is empty the liner in the flush and discard the liner in the trash.
Wet Bags:
Wet Bags are waterproof bags that are used to store used diapers both at home and while travelling before giving them for a wash. They come with two pockets – a larger and one smaller dry pocket. 8-10 diapers fit in the larger pocket, while the smaller pocket can be used to store a change of clothes for the baby, wipes, wipes solution etc.
Cloth Wipes:
Like disposable diapers, disposable wipes are also not good for the environment as well as for the baby`s skin. I have made my cloth wipes using old soft cotton cloth cut into small sizes. You can also buy them online.
Check my video on how I make my solution.
How to wash baby cloth diapers:
Generally, the following steps are followed while washing cloth diapers but do check what is mentioned in the wash care routine of the respective brands.
Steps in washing cloth diapers:
- knock off any solids in the toilet
- rinse off the pee using a little detergent
- rub it well and rinse it well
- then put it in other regular clothes to wash and dry out in the sun.
Hope you liked the list of the 5 Best Cloth Diapers. Living with cloth diapers is not at all difficult. All you need is little patience and determination. Your child and mother earth will thank you for not using harmful chemicals on them. To know how we travelled with cloth diapers click the link here Traveling with Cloth Diapers: My Experience
For any questions or suggestions do contact me or drop a comment below.
Follow me on Instagram to get regular updates on Parenting and Travel.