newbie- how often should I change a cloth diaper?

lwk429

Hello,

  I just started cloth diapering my 3.5 month daughter this week.  How often should I be changing her diaper?  As soon as it is wet?  Once per hour?  Her bottom seemed a little red yesterday, and I was changing it on average about every 2 hours. 

Also, she seemed to not like the cloth diaper- do you think she is annoyed that it is more bulky?

bethybjj2

I am no expert but I would say as soon as it's wet. Our LO hates having a wet bottom and cries right away. A suggestion...which apparently you don't really have to do this with disposables is to make sure you dry her bottom before you put the cloth diaper on. I say that about the disposables because I have told quite a few people about drying my LO's bottom after the cloth wipe and their response is " we never did that." I never considered this ( I am a new mom) so we weren't doing that and because of the constant wetting/soiling of the diaper we were the victims of a diaper rash. Which was also partially due to an extended car trip picking up my parents from the train station. Needless to say we use the California Baby diaper cream at most diaper changes now and I also think our LO has ultra sensitive skin.

 What kind of CD are you using? How did you prep them beforehand? 

CeltiCutie

First, what diapers are you using?

second, cloth since it doesn't have all the chemicals to "pull away" wetness keeps wetness closer to baby's skin. Some are irritated by this at first till they are use to it and/or need to be protected with a little diaper cream or a fleece liner. You could try changing her more frequently or cut up an old sweatshirt and make some liners for her diapers to see if that helps!

VABride2008

I don't think she would be bothered by the bulk at this age.

We usually change her every 2 hours, unless she poops.  We use fleece liners as a stay dry barrier.  What kind of diapers are you using?  Some LOs have sensitivities to the inside liner or the diapers (specifically the BG4.0 microsuede material). If the redness persists, it could be a detergent build up or sensitivity.

lwk429

Thanks!  I have Flip diapers- both the organic and the stay dry inserts.  Where do I get fleece?  Do I just put it next to her bottom, on top of the flip insert?  Does the fleece need to be prepped too? 

deskok

You can go to any fabric store, buy plain old fleece, cut it up and yes it goes next to her bottom. no need to prep (I would wash once before wear), and new need to sew since it does not fray.

edit: spelling

bgf1

My LO doesn't fuss about a wet bum, so I just change him as a routine every 2.5-3 hours.