Diapers Q&A

If you use cloth diapers, does your baby wear a bigger size because of bulk?

I guess it might depend somewhat on what type of cloth diapers you're using? Anyway, I'm about to buy some prefolds + covers, and also some pocket type diapers, and was curious about how much bulk there is going to be, like in a onesie. Will my baby need to wear a bigger size, since I'm guessing clothes aren't usually cut to allow room for cloth diapers anymore?

Public Comments

1. If you're using prefolds and covers, it is most likely that your baby will need a slightly bigger size. My son is 11 months and about 23 lbs, but we have pants in 18 months to 2T for him. I don't bother too often with jeans or anything like that but prefer stretchy cotton for his pants, which is so much easier to handle in regards to changing a baby. Even when my son is in pockets (OS BG) we need a slightly bigger size. I think babies look so much cuter with all that fluff on their bottom!
2. if your using cloth diapers have you heard of these? http://www.gdiapers.com/ I use these and think they are fabulous and it takes half the damn time out of soaking and washing cloth nappies, plus its easier to manage with a child who squirms and doesn't want to sit still and there are no pins. Check it out you may find it more suitable to your needs.
3. Yes, I am using AIOs and pocket diapers along with gdiapers occassionally. All of them usually have a little bit sticking out the top of my son's pants unless he is in really stretchy pants or a pair that is a size bigger. I have heard this is normal. Also, you can think about just letting the baby be without pants in the summer every once and a while to show off the cloth diapers or get a wool shortie for cheap off of ebay or from a WAHM. They cover the diaper, are lightweight, and work as shorts.
4. Baby clothing sizes are so variable that it really depends on the brand. My son is 11 months and in prefolds and some of his clothes are 12-18m and some are 6-9m. The Gerber onesies you can buy in 5-packs tend to run pretty small (and babies grow so fast that it's usually a good idea to buy at least 1 size up anyway). Also, there will be more extra bulk on a newborn than on an older baby because the diaper will require more folding & there will be more layers to fit under the clothes. By the time he's fitting into the premium-sized prefolds, the diapers will look much trimmer.