How long do cloth diapers last?

This is one of the most common questions I get from potential customers, and it's a good one. Before anyone makes an investment in anything this is definitely the right question to ask, but it's a tough question to answer with cloth diapering because there are several factors that contribute to the longevity of a diaper.  My daughter turned 2 years old a few weeks ago, and I'm expecting my second next summer so I'm starting to look at will my diapers last for baby #2.  Here are a few things to consider and a few of my observations:

Worn Hemp Doubler

1. Quality of construction: Just like buying any other piece of clothing one should always check out how it's made. Does the construction look professional, or does the diaper or cover look flimsy?  Do you like the material used?  Check out the stitching and seams.  Many times this can be really difficult to ascertain, and to be honest, I haven't come across many diapers that have been so poorly constructed that it falls apart on you after a couple washes. I did have a problem a couple years ago with the older style Bum Genius AIO - the BG3.0 which has since been discontinued. The velcro tab on the body of the diaper came apart on a couple of the diapers.  But since then, I really can't say I have seen very much quality issues.
2. Fasteners: This is where I've seen the biggest problem with the life of a diaper.  If you've read my blog post about Velcro vs. Snap Fasteners you know I'm a big proponent of velcro in the beginning and snaps for the long haul (4 months to potty training).  I've had a few covers where the velcro has failed a few months after first use (Happy Heinys OS Cover which I no longer carry, and Kushies Diaper Wrap which are currently on clearance at my website).  The Kushies, though the quality of the fabric used for their covers feels VERY cheap.... like a shower curtain, I've had NO problems with leakage.  The velcro though I think is good for a short haul so the size one's are great, but I wouldn't recommend them to go for the long-haul.  Their price point though may make it worth it.  Not all velcro is made equal though and I have come across a few good diapers where the velcro lasts - the Kushies AIO , I haven't had the velcro fail me; the velcro on the Bummis covers are pretty good, but by far the best velcro I've seen so far is on the Tots Bots Bamboozles (distributed by Bummis).  The other fastener to consider also is the Snappi.  If your baby is in a bigger size prefold (regular size) and they are in a fan fold for a year or so, and you're constantly putting the Snappi in virtually the same spot, don't be surprised if by year 2 or so that same spot gets worn.  
3. Frequency of use: Like anything else, the more you use a product the more wear and tear you're going to have on that product.  Remember, diapers aren't like our clothes.  Yes, you may have the same old faithful t-shirt for 10 years and it's still going strong, but chances are you're not wearing and washing that t-shirt every 2-3 days right?  So don't expect miracles from your diapers.  The first set of diapers you get for your newborn may last forever because new baby is only in it for 4-6 months.  But that second set you buy - the size 2s and/or one-size-fits-all are going to be going for a while.  So ensure you choose good quality diapers with good fasteners, and if you have to replace one or two along the way don't be too upset.  
4. Fabric: Do some fabrics wear better than others? I have had a particular brand of cotton fitteds that are not standing the test of time too well, and some of my cotton prefolds are starting to wear as well.  I haven't seen this in my other cotton products so I don't want to cast blame on the fabric here.  I haven't had any issues with the fleece liners on my pocket diapers.  What I have heard can be problems sometimes is the PUL de-laminating from covers.  I haven't personally had this problem with covers, and as of this week I just started to see my PUL de-laminating from the inside of my diaper pail... but it has been 2 years for the bag so I'm thinking I've gotten my money's worth there.
5. Maintenance:  As I mentioned before the repetitive washing of the diapers can cause wear and tear, this is to be expected.  I have had problems with a few of my hemp doublers that have really taken a beating in the 2 years I have been using them (see pic above).  Since the doublers are stitched on in layers I have seen the top layer being shredded by my washing machine.  I simply cut away that top layer and kept on going.  Yes, I'm sure I've lost a bit of absorption there, but, I wasn't ready to give up on the doubler quite yet.  So how can one increase the life span of the diaper with all this washing? I'd say two things:
1. Getting all the detergent out of the diapers is just as important to its absorbency as it is to its service life.  Soap stuck in the fabric will aid in its deterioration.
2. To prevent PUL from de-laminating from covers and bags and such, avoid placing them in the direct heat of your dryer and line-dry them inside your home.

I'm praying that I can get my 2 year old potty trained in the next 6 months.  I've been using fitteds, prefolds, pocket diapers and AIOs with her for about a year and a half.  I think I may need to replace about 4 of the maybe 20 diapers I currently have in her rotation for baby #2.  I may get rid of a few more that aren't my favorites, but, they're still going strong for now.  The covers I'm using now are awesome (I have gone through several to find the ones I like) and I'm going to stick with my Gen-Y Universal and my Rumparooz One Size cover.  I have also been using my GroVia covers with their inserts, as well as with prefolds (tri-folded), and those work really well.  

When baby #2 gets here, I'll have his/her diapers prepped and ready from Becca's old stash.  This consists of infant-sized prefolds, Happy Hempies & Bummis covers.  I also have some BG3.0s in medium and regular prefolds which I used before deciding to go to one-size-fit all diapers.  The infant sized stuff are in mint condition - remember, I had an almost 8lb baby, so I didn't use those past about 4 months.  Hopefully I'll be able to give my big girl diapers a break before #2 is ready for them.  

So back to the question at hand, how long do these diapers last? Is 2 kids for 2-1/2 years each good enough for you?  If I have a third, I'll let you know just how much further I can stretch my savings ;) 

Just tell me already what cloth diapers should I buy for my new baby?

10/30/12 Update: Lilly's Diaper Pad has created some starter packs for this exact reason.  There are so many types of diapers out there that it can be overwhelming for a new mommy to choose.  So I've chosen for you.  Lilly's has created the "Convenience" Starter Pack, consisting of 16 pocket and 4 all-in-one one size fits all diapers.  No prefolds makes this the easiest set of diapers to work with, all for $465.  Lilly's has also created the "Natural Fibers Only" Starter Pack for the discerning mom who wants only naturally absorbent fibers to touch their baby's skin.  For $535 you'll get a mix of prefolds, fitteds, pockets and all-in-ones totaling 24 diapers.  Both starter packs will fit babies from infant to potty training.  Visit http://www.lillysdiaperpad.com/starter-packs.html to see all the starter packs available at Lilly's Diaper Pad.

I do, on average, two cloth diapering workshops per month in and around the Washington, DC Metropolitan area in an attempt to be more accessible to potential new clients who are interested in learning more about cloth diapers and are confused with the information overload online.  Sometimes after I'm finished explaining about the different types of cloth diapers, and demonstrating how to fold a prefold, and displaying the different types of diapers I carry in my online store, I get this: "Ok Lee-Ann, just tell me what to get!"  Alrighty, that's kinda hard because cloth diapering can be such a subjective thing.  There are so many variables involved.  Every baby is different, every parent has their separate likes and dislikes, every washing machine washes a little differently, so how can I really tell my clients "Get THIS"?

Well, here's what I've come up with.  Besides the fact that there are literally dozens of cloth diaper manufacturers out there, and cloth diapering moms can be so fanatical about the brand that THEY like, which is usually what their friend recommended, or based on aggressive online marketing.  This is what I think a new mommy needs to be officially ready to cloth diaper their baby:

1. Prefolds: you know, as a business person I may appear foolish for recommending this because it is the cheapest diaper out there, so how can I be successful recommending this? The truth is, I'm more of a cloth diapering advocate than a business-woman.  I want to make sure that my clients are satisfied, and reap the financial benefits of cloth diapering.  So, prefolds are great for newborns because prefolds are more customizable, which is great for their skinny little legs.  Prefolds are a cloth diapering staple that can be used as burp cloths or doublers once your baby outgrows the infant size by about months 4-6.
2. Covers: if you're going with prefolds, you'll need some covers.  1 cover to every 4-6 prefolds or fitteds.  There are a myriad of covers out there.  How do you choose? For the first 4 to 6 months, velcro covers will suffice. Velcro does wear out faster than snaps, but, you won't be using the small sized covers for very long.  And, you can get some cheap covers for the same reason - just as effective for less.
3. Pockets: Pocket diapers are great for daytime, but especially for night-time, or if you have a heavy wetter, so, from 6 months onwards, add a few pocket diapers to your stash for night-time.  One-Size pockets will work fine because by about 9 months or so they won't look as bulky on your baby as when they were newborns. 
4. AIOs: These are great for a day out, or if your baby is in daycare.  So, depending on your situation, you may need just a few for the weekend outing with baby, or a ton if your baby is in a daycare facility that allows cloth diapers.
5. Fitteds:  If you're a stay-at-home mom, using fitteds with covers is a great alternative to the AIOs.  Fitted diapers also cut down on your drying time.

Basically, I recommend having a mix.  Don't go out there buying 20 of any one type of diaper, just in case you don't like them.

Stay-At-Home Moms: If you're just starting out get about 16-20 infant-sized prefolds, 4 fitted diapers (try getting 4 different types to get an idea of what you may like) 4 small velcro covers, 3-4 small AIOs for a day out. As your baby gets older you can add about 4 one-size pocket diapers for night-time, and by then you would have figured out if you have a preference for AIOs, fitteds, or prefolds, and you can augment your stash accordingly for your growing child.

Working Mom: If your baby will be in a daycare that accepts cloth diapers get about 16-20 One-Size AIOs and about 4 one-size pocket diapers for night-time and your stash will be complete.

Don't be afraid you're not going to choose the right brand, they all work, and once you find a brand YOU like, you'll be the fanatical cloth diapering mom recommending your favorite brand to your friends :)

And let's not forget the accessories.  Must haves include: Snappis,  Rockin' Green detergent, hanging wet bag or diaper pail, wet bag for on-the-go & diaper ointment.  As your baby gets older you'll want to a diaper sprayer and/or biodegradable liners to manage the poop.

Is the upfront cost of cloth diapers prohibitive for most?

This question could be very difficult to answer as it really depends on ones personal financial situation, and the local economy.  But, I think it is a topic worth investigating.  We as cloth diapering advocates constantly tout the economic benefits of cloth diapering, which is all good and well, but, the truth of the matter is the cost savings benefits of cloth diapers are more long-term (over the course of about 1 yr) rather than an immediate one.  In today's world of credit, this isn't necessarily a problem for most, but it could be for some.

If you do the math, (or visit any random website that has already done the math), cloth diapers are truly the most economic choice.  Disposables will cost between $2,000 and $3,000 per child from infancy to potty-training toddlers.  A sufficient stash of cloth diapers numbers around 2 to 3 dozen.  This of course depends on your lifestyle and system preference.  But let's say, in general, one could get by with about 36 diapers.  On average, the more convenient the diaper the more expensive it cost, so an All-In-One (AIO) or One-Size diapers could run anywhere from $20 to $25 per diaper.  So for someone to fathom having to purchase 36 AIO diapers at $20 a pop, that's $720 right off the bat.  Not to mention accessories such as wet bags and detergent, could add another $50 to the deal.  Now when you do add the utility costs over time of washing the diapers yourself, it is far cheaper than disposables.  And the fact that you can extend these savings when you reuse the diapers on subsequent children is phenomenal.  But what about the folks that can't afford the $720 we just estimated?

Here are some solutions:
1) Go online or to a local workshop and figure out what cloth diapering systems you want to use, and put them on your registry!  This is the best option for moms carrying their first child because you know your family wants to help you out and would be more than happy to buy you the diapers of your dreams.
2) Buy used.  There are many diaper swapping websites and forums with people who want to "destash" and are willing to sell their used diapers at a deep discount.  There's nothing wrong with this, but, be cautious.  Cloth diapers are very sensitive and require a lot of care and maintenance.  If the owner didn't care for the diapers well, or the diapers have already done its duty with several children, the construction of the diapers may be compromised or the fabrics may no longer be as absorbent, i.e. as effective, as when they were new. So, be sure to scrutinize every diaper before you  make that purchase otherwise you may have to start over.  As my Trinidadian friends say, "good things don't cheap, cheap things don't good".
3) Don't feel pressured into buying all 36 diapers at one time.  If you are under financial constraints, start off with some inexpensive prefolds.  Prefolds are the least flashy diapers out there, but, they are a tried and true staple and they are super cheap. Prefolds are, in my opinion, a great way to begin your cloth diapering journey.  Newborns, though they pee frequently, don't pee in as high a volume as an older child and prefolds are very absorbent.  They get more absorbent the more you wash them too.  Another great thing about prefolds is that when your infant outgrows the infant size prefolds, they can be used as doublers for your future pocket diapers.  So, if you can deal with folding the prefolds and using Snappis, I'd buy anywhere from 12-16 prefolds (infants need to be changed 8-10 times/day) and 2 covers.  I say 2 covers because, when one is dirty you'll have another to use.  I recommend 1 cover to every 4-5 prefolds or fitted diapers, so, this 2 is just a starter for the budget conscious mom. So, 16 prefolds @ $2/prefold, plus 2 covers @ $12/cover (on average) = $56.  Add in a package of Rockin' Green @ $14 and we're at $70.  These are the BARE necessities for cloth diapering.  So if you're willing to go old school and use some prefolds you can theoretically begin your cloth diapering journey with $70 (+tax and shipping).

As the months wear on, you become more confident with your cloth diapers, washing routine, etc. you can use the money you may have budgeted on disposable diapers on adding to your stash, getting a couple more accessories, etc.  Let's say you budgeted $60/month for disposables.  You could over time use some of your diaper budget every month and add one or two covers, some different types of diapers to accommodate your growing child and busy lifestyle, maybe a wet bag or pail liner, some cloth wipes each month until you have everything you need.  If you have this type of budget, you'll have everything you need in far less than a year. And besides the occasional top-up of detergent every 3-4 months, you'll be done.

So, is a $70 initial cost prohibitive for most?  I sure hope not if you're planning on raising a child :)

Good luck!