Cloth diaper guide – PUL covers and pocket diapers

If you still have concerns that there will be too much trouble with reusable diapers, please read our guide. It will certainly be helpful and will dispel many doubts and myths about using reusable diapers.

Table of Contents:

1. Choosing the right size
2. Choosing a diaper system
   • Pocket dipers – easy and convenient diaper system
   • Covers – economical diaper system
3. Version selection
4. How to put Doodush reusable nappy on a baby
   1. Size adjustment
   2. Putting in the absorbent inserts
   3. Putting a diaper on the baby
5. How many diapers will you need and how often should you change them?
6. How to wash PUL nappies and inserts?
7. What accessories do you need to use reusable diapers?

Choosing the right size

To ensure a perfect fit, we offer three sizes of PUL covers to choose from:

• newborn size (NB) – for newborns and small babies in the weight range of approx. 3.5 – 6.5 kg,
• One Size (OS) – it is perfect for almost the entire diaper period, it is designed for children from approx. 5 to 14-15 kg,
• XL size – it is created for older children for whom the OS size (sufficient for most children until the end of the diaper period) is too small. XL size is suitable for children from approx. 9-10 kg to approx. 18-20 kg.

Our pockets have two options to choose from:

• One Size (OS) – designed for children from approx. 3 to approx. 14 kg,
• XL size – dedicated for children from approx. 9 to approx. 18 kg.

Choosing a diaper system

Pocket diapers – easy and convenient diapering system

Pocket diapers are the most convenient solution – we can complete them with inserts in advance. After preparing them, putting them on a baby is just as convenient as using disposable diapers. After removing the diaper, take the absorbent insert out of the pocket and throw both parts into the bag / basket in which you store dirty diapers.

Covers – economical diaper system

If you choose covers, a big advantage is that you can use them several times, replacing only the insert with a clean one. Of course, only if the cover is not dirty and not soaked. This means that our cloth diaper stash can be smaller than when we choose pocket diapers.

Both pocket diapers and covers have their fans. Sometimes parents use them alternately – e.g. when they are out of home they choose pocket diapers that are convenient to put on a baby, and at home they use economical covers.

Version selection

If you are interested in PUL covers, you can choose between the following versions:

• Standard – then the cover is sewn from one layer of PUL material, thanks to which it provides a high level of vapor permeability, so the diaper is more “breathable”,
• 2PUL – this type of covers are made of two layers of PUL, this causes that we have greater protection against leaks.

In the case of pocket diapers, it is possible to choose the material that is located directly next to the child’s bottom:

• coolmax – it gives a feeling of moderate moisture and freshness,
• microfleece – giving a feeling of dryness.

How to put Doodush reusable nappy on a baby?

1) Size adjustment

Both the shape of the diaper and the system of durable, densely spaced snaps allow you to adjust the size and adapt the diaper to the age and weight of your child. Thanks to the regulation, one diaper serves our baby for a long time. In addition, the elastics around the legs prevent leakage and the elastic waistband makes it easy to adjust.

We can adjust the length of the diaper thanks to the vertical snaps (double vertical row of snaps in the pocket diaper and triple row in the cover) adjusting it to the size of the child. Additional size adjustment will be made while fastening the snaps around babys hips.

Remember always to hold the fabric with your finger as close as possible to the snaps during unfastening to prevent damage of the material.

2) Putting in the absorbent insert

If you use a pocket diaper, the insert should be placed between two layers of material. If you use a cover, it will be helpful to insert the insert under the fleece flaps to help keep it in the right place.

3) Putting a diaper on the baby

When you already have prepared diaper you can finally put it on a baby. Place it under the bottom and fasten it at the waist with snaps that allow you to regulate the size (a well-fitted diaper adheres closely to the child’s skin). The method of putting the diaper on a baby is similar to putting a disposable diaper on a baby, with the difference that the fastening is done with snaps. They are densely arranged and safe, thanks to which the diaper will fit well and the fastening will be easy and durable.

How many diapers will you need and how often sholud you change them?

We change diapers as often as necessary. The frequency of changes depends on several things:

• poop frequency – newborns and small babies poop very often
• how much does our baby pee
• what absorbent insert you use (microfiber inserts are less absorbent than natural inserts)
• whether the baby is sensitive to the feeling of wet or not
• whether you as a parent want to change the nappy after each pee or less frequently.

A newborn baby is changed usually about 15 times a day, and an older baby 6-8 times, but remember that this is a very individual matter. The number of nappies needed also depends on how often you want to wash them, and whether you have a tumble dryer or dry them in a traditional way.

How we wash PUL nappies and inserts

Please remember to always wash new diapers before wearing them for the first time. Washing diapers is as follows:

1. Throw away the dirt from used diapers to the toilet, rinsing any residues with running water. Only in the case of babies who are exclusively milk-fed, it is not necessary to rinse the poop as it is water-soluble.
2. Take the absorbent inserts out. Throw the diapers into the washing machine and start rinsing with spinning programme. Remember that the washing machine must not be overloaded (max. 75% of its volume).
3. If necessary, after the initial rinse with spinning programme, you can add additional items to the laundry, e.g. bedding, clothes.
4. Then wash at 60 C degrees with a washing powder dedicated to white cloths, containing 15-30% of surfactants and min. 5-15% oxygen based bleaching agents. It is also possible to wash at 40 C degrees with the addition of a disinfectant (eg Nappy Fresh).
5. Do not use fabric softeners, soaps and washing nuts.
6. Spin pockets and covers at 800 revolutions. Spinning over 1000 revolutions may damage diapers. Hang up the nappies immediately after washing. Do not dry PUL nappies in tumble dryers or on a radiator. This may cause irreversible damage to the fabric – it may crack or the laminate layer will melt, which will cause the fabric to lose its structure and the material will leak. Never iron PUL nappies.

What accessories do you need to use reusable diapers?

The basic elements are a washing machine and washing powder. This accessories will also be very helpful:

• a plastic bucket with a lid for storing dirty nappies,
• PUL bags, e.g. for walks,
• paper fleece liners to make removal of a poop from the diaper easier,
• disinfectant,
• reusable changing mat for walks.