Anyone who’s keying “how to cloth diaper” into Google will quickly find that the internet has A LOT to say on the subject. There are debates about what style of cloth diaper is best… a lot of back-and-forth about the best way to wash them… and voices from all over the world chiming in on what it takes to cloth diaper a baby successfully. And depending on which rabbit hole you go down, it can feel like you need a phd in textile and laundry science just to get started. 😵‍💫

If you’ve found your way here, consider this your shortcut through the noise!

At Esembly, we’ve been in the cloth diaper game for a long time. Between running a busy cloth diaper laundering service in NYC for over a decade, and cloth diapering our own babies – we LIVE to make sure that anyone who wants to cloth diaper can find simple, practical, real-life products and instructions that don’t require a degree to decipher.

In this blog post, we’re breaking down the basics of what you need to cloth diaper your baby. Spoiler: you might find it’s a whole lot easier than you thought.

Every cloth diapering setup works a little differently, and if you choose Esembly, we’ve designed our system so that you have everything you need (plus straightforward guidance!) to make cloth diapering simple and stress-free. To start, here’s a quick little “Esembly glossary” so the terms make sense as we go:

INNER

This is our fitted diaper made from 100% organic cotton. It’s the part that sits against your baby’s skin and does all the absorbing. Soft, breathable, and gentle for even the most delicate baby skin.

OUTER

This is the waterproof diaper cover. It snaps on over the Inner and keeps pee, poop, and blowouts fully contained 🙌 It is 100% PFAS-free, buttery soft, and can double as a reusable swim diaper, too!

SIZE 1

Esembly diapers come in two sizes to keep the fit nice and trim while staying leak- and blowout-proof from the newborn days through potty training. Size 1 Inners and Outers generally fit from about 7 - 17 lbs.

SIZE 2

Once your little one is nearing the end of the weight range for Size 1, it’s time to size up. Size 2 fits most babies from around 18 lbs up through potty training (approximately 35 lbs).

Curious why we didn’t go with a “one-size” approach? We break down our reasoning in this post.

Good news: you don’t need a mountain of gear to cloth diaper. A small stash of Inners and Outers plus a few storage and washing accessories is all it takes. How many of each depends on how much your baby weighs and whether you’re going part-time or full-time with cloth. To take the guesswork of how many diapers you’ll need, our How Many Cloth Diapers Do I Need to Get Started blog has suggested stash sizes, or you can check out our handy quiz, which will customize a list for your family based on your specific diapering needs. 

We also know that budgeting for baby gear is real, and cost can feel like a big factor when considering cloth. To help families make informed decisions, we created a post that walks through how much money cloth diapering can save over the diapering years… but there’s a bit of a spoiler in the title 😉 – How to Save $2000 – A Cost Comparison of Esembly Cloth Diapers VS. Disposables 

And if you’d rather break up the upfront cost, our interest-free monthly payment option lets you pay over time – spending less per month than the disposable diapers and wipes you’d otherwise be buying. You can learn more about that here. 

Step 1: Wrap your baby in an Inner for absorption

Step 2: Cover Inner with Outer for Containment

Step 3: Change your baby every 2-3 hours (or immediately if poop is detected)

Step 4: Remove Outer and set aside for reuse

Step 5: Remove Inner

Step 6: Clean and dry baby with Wipe Ups and Wipe Up Wash. Use Everyday Balm and Rash Relief cream as needed

Step 7: Toss Inners and Wipe Ups in Pail Pouch for laundering

Step 8: Run your diaper laundry twice a week

Explore this area of our website for more visuals, videos, and answers to all the most frequently asked questions.

If you prefer a comprehensive overview, our co-founders teach a live class every month that walks through everything start to finish! You can sign up for the next session here.

If you’re a “show me exactly how it goes on the baby” kind of learner, our fit guide breaks it down with clear visuals so you can get a snug, leak-free fit every time.

And finally, despite what you may have heard, washing cloth diapers can be as simple as two extra loads a week once you know which settings and products to use. Our laundering guide covers the whole process in a simple, hassle-free way: https://esemblybaby.com/blogs/trash-talk/cloth-diaper-laundry-at-home

At the end of the day, cloth diapering doesn’t have to be complicated, intimidating, or all-consuming. With the right system and a little bit of guidance, most families find that it quickly becomes second nature – and surprisingly satisfying 💚 If you decide to give it a try, we’ll be right here with products, resources, and real-life support to make the transition smooth and doable!