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Cloth diapering continues to gain popularity due to its eco-friendly nature, cost-effectiveness, and skin health benefits. However, many parents wonder about the ideal age to begin cloth diapering. Here are a few thoughts. Newborn Stage: While cloth diapering can be done from birth, it’s important to note that newborns have specific needs that may influence your decision. Newborns require frequent diaper changes, as they tend to have more frequent bowel movements and sensitive skin. However, using cloth from the start often helps families stick with it (it just becomes a thing you do as a parent). Plus, starting early helps develop routines that enable parents to become confident cloth diaper experts. If you wish to use cloth diapers from day one, there are newborn-specific cloth diapering options available that cater to their unique needs. And utilizing a local diaper service, like Do Good Diapers, will help you manage the extra laundry.  Infancy to Toddlerhood: Some parents find that cloth diapering becomes more convenient and efficient as their child grows older. Around 2-3 months of age, babies generally start having fewer bowel movements and a more predictable schedule. This can make cloth diapering more manageable as you can establish a routine and adjust to your baby’s patterns. Between 6 months and 1 year, when babies start solid foods, their bowel movements become more solid and predictable.. At this stage, you can also introduce additional cloth diapering accessories like inserts and boosters to enhance absorbency. Potty Training Phase: As your child approaches the potty training phase, cloth diapers can provide an advantage. Cloth diapers tend to give children a better sense of wetness compared to their disposable counterparts, which can aid in the potty training process. Cloth diapers with adjustable sizing and pull-up options can be particularly useful during this transition period, allowing your child to become more independent. Personal Preferences and Circumstances: Ultimately, the best age to start cloth diapering depends on your personal preferences and circumstances. Some parents choose to start from birth, while others wait until their child reaches a certain age or developmental stage. Factors such as your commitment level, availability of support (e.g., laundry facilities), utilizing a diaper service (e.g. Do Good Diapers) and your child’s comfort can also influence your decision. While there isn’t a definitive “best age” to start cloth diapering, it’s clear that cloth diapering can be successfully implemented at any stage of your child’s development. Consider your child’s needs, your own preferences, and the support available to you when deciding the right time to begin cloth diapering. Regardless of when you start, embracing cloth diapers can be a rewarding choice for your baby’s health, the environment, and your wallet.

Cloth diapers have been used for centuries as an eco-friendly, cost-effective, safe and comfortable way to keep babies dry and clean. Here are some of the benefits of using cloth diapers: Environmentally friendly: Disposable diapers are a significant source of waste in landfills, taking up to 500 years to decompose. Every year over 18,000,000,000 diapers are thrown into landfills. That is over 3.4 million tons of plastic, paper and tape filling up our landfills. Single-use diapers represent between 2% to 4% of solid waste in our nation’s landfills and the emissions of carbon dioxide and methane from landfills are major contributors to Global Warming. In contrast, cloth diapers can be reused and are a more sustainable option for the environment. In addition to reducing waste in landfills, cloth diapers also have a smaller carbon footprint than disposable diapers, as they require less energy and resources to manufacture. Cost-effective: Although the upfront cost of cloth diapers can be higher than disposable diapers, in the long run, they are more cost-effective. With proper care, cloth diapers can last through multiple children, saving families thousands of dollars in diaper expenses. Healthier for baby’s skin: In 1955, before modern disposable diapers it was estimated that 7% of babies and toddlers had diaper rash. In 1991, long after plastic disposable diapers dominated the market, the number jumped to 78%. Disposable diapers contain chemicals and plastics that can irritate a baby’s skin and cause diaper rash. Cloth diapers are made of natural fibers such as bamboo and cotton that allow the skin to breathe, reducing the risk of irritation. Can be used as a potty training aid: Cloth diapers can be used as a potty training aid by allowing toddlers to feel when they are wet and need to use the potty. Disposable diapers pull moisture away from the skin to keep babies comfortable after they have used their diapers, so they don’t feel the wetness against their skin. Variety of types & styles: Cloth diapers come in a variety of styles, colors, and patterns, allowing parents to choose a diaper that fits their lifestyle, budget and preferences best. Disposable Diaper Shortage & Price Increases: As supply chain issues started to create havoc in the early stages of the pandemic, diapers were one of the items difficult to find on the shelves. And then once they returned to the shelves it was with an increased price tag! Still today, there is uncertainty of what diapers you will find in the store when you need them. This has left many parents searching for a reliable and affordable source of diapers for their babies. A great benefit of cloth diapers is they are reusable – once you have them you will continue to have a steady supply. Cloth diapers are a great option for families who are looking for a more eco-friendly, cost-effective, and safe way to keep their babies dry and clean. And the cloth diapers of today are so EASY to use – the learning curve is not as steep as you may think!

Reusable cloth diapers have many well-known perks, like saving money while protecting your infant’s sensitive skin and the environment. But did you know that reusables can even help you get your child potty trained faster? Do Good Diaper Service You can bid the diaper phase farewell sooner by using Do Good Diapers’ reusables instead of store-bought disposables. And the best part about this decision, aside from being a good steward of the Earth, is that Do Good Diapers does all of the cleaning work for you! By signing up for our services, all you have to do is put the dirty diapers in a bag, and we pick them up and replace them with a load of clean ones. We make the swap even if you aren’t home, so there is no interruption to your busy schedule. How Do Reusable Diapers Help Speed Up the Potty Training Process? When your child urinates in a disposable diaper, they still feel dry because of the super-absorbant polymers that immediately draw the moisture away from their bottom, meaning there is no incentive to use the potty. However, cloth diapers do not have that lining, so your child will feel some wetness on their skin. Your little angel begins to understand the cause of their discomfort when they can feel the wetness after they pee. Then, they will catch on quicker about how going to the potty means staying dry. This “potty-awareness” connection is half of the battle. Note: We do offer pocket diapers that feature suede or fleece-type liners that wick away moisture, allowing it to be absorbed by the insert in the pocket. Your baby will feel as dry as they would with a disposable diaper. Babies of the Past Completed Potty Training Faster The average age to complete a child’s potty training during the 1950s was 18 months. This was right before disposable diapers took the world by storm. Fast-forward to today, and the average age is 36 months. Babies of the past likely ditched their nappies faster because they wore reusable cloth diapers. Give Reusable Diapers a Chance We cannot guarantee that a cloth-diapered baby will always transition to the potty faster than a disposable-diapered baby. But if you search the internet, you will find countless parent testimonials hailing their child’s early potty-using ability thanks to reusable diapers. So, give Do Good Diapers a chance and sign up for services!