Esembly diapers are a two-part system that makes cloth diapering easy, effective, and adorable:

•  Inner – a soft, 100% organic cotton fitted diaper that provides absorbency, also known as a “fitted diaper”

•  Outer – a waterproof diaper cover that goes over the Inner to keep messes contained (Bonus: Outers double as reusable swim diapers!)

Together, they create a simple, blowout-proof setup that’s thoughtfully designed with two sizes to fit your baby from those early snuggly newborn days all the way through rough and tumble toddlerhood. Size 1 fits most little ones from about 7-17 lbs, and Size 2 takes you from roughly 18 lbs through potty training (around 35-37 lbs).

With Esembly you’ll have everything you need to keep your baby comfy, dry, and leak-free from day one to done. (And the best part? You’ll save a ton on diapers along the way – more on that here if you’re curious!)

Now that we’ve got the basics for the system, it’s time to put the diaper on your baby.

First, fasten the Inner (the cotton fitted diaper) high up on your baby’s tummy, near the belly button. Secure it about as tight as you’d want a well-worn pair of leggings or a sports bra. (snug, but not squeezing and leaving deep red marks on the skin**) Hiking the diapers up on the waist in this way helps pull those leg openings snuggly into the groin (not so much around the thighs) for a more secure fit.

**We've heard of the "two-finger test" (which basically states that you should be able to slip 2 fingers in your baby's diaper at the waist), but it's not our favorite because we all have different-sized fingers! Two mama-sized fingers might mean a perfect fit, whereas two daddy-sized fingers might leave the diaper far too loose. So we suggest sticking with “about as tight as you’d want socks or leggings”. Just keep in mind that imprints on the skin are generally okay (baby skin is soft and juicy and imprints easily!), but anything deep red and rash-like indicates the diapers are too tight.

Pro Tip: For newborns or babies who have tinier legs (or perhaps when you’re sizing up from Size 1s to Size 2s!) – if you’re noticing some gapping at the leg holes, use one of our favorite tips: the “Ruffle Tuck”:

After you’ve got the Inner fastened high up on your baby’s waist, take your finger and push the cotton ruffle around the legs inside the diaper so it plugs up the opening. That little “ruffle tuck” should help keep any mess inside the diaper until your baby fills it out more.

While it’s good for the Inner to be snug, you’re really creating the “seal” for a blowout-proof diaper with the Outer. You’ll want to fasten the Outer over the Inner on your baby, similar to how you fastened the Inner: high up on your baby’s waist, and ensuring the leg holes sit right in the crease of the groin, not down on the thighs. And again, about as tight as you’d want a well-fitted sports bra or leggings. The goal is a secure fit with no sagging or gaping, as well as ensuring that the entire cotton Inner is fully covered and contained by the Outer. (More on this next!)

This is a very important step! Before you finish, take a peek around the legs and waist to make sure no sneaky cotton from the Inner is peeking out past the Outer. This is the number one cause for leaks, as exposed cotton will wick moisture onto clothing. Tuck back in any exposed cotton and you’re good to go!

A few signs that your baby may be ready to move up to Size 2 are:

• Your baby is nearing (or just passed) the upper end of the Size 1 range (~17 lbs)

• The waist snaps are consistently on the loosest setting

• The leg elastics leave deep, lingering marks

• The diaper is sitting too low on your baby (unable to be hiked up)

👉 You can explore more on this topic in this blog post!

Cloth diapering can feel a little mysterious at first, but once you understand how our two-part system works, it all clicks. With just two sizes and a few easy tricks, you’ll have your baby feeling comfy, dry, and ready for anything from sleepy newborn changes to the potty-training finish line. You’ve got this – and we’re always here if you need support along the way 💚 Feel free to reach out to our support team at hi@esemblybaby.com for a fit check!