Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re new to cloth diapering or baby-wearing, or you’d just like a refresher course, here are a few questions & answers to get you started!

To submit a question, please email Mandi@KeenBambino.com, or ask your question through our Contact Form.

Why Cloth?

When I first began cloth diapering, my oldest son was 16 months, and I was 5 months pregnant with #2. That’s right, I am a “cloth convert”! I had never considered cloth up to that point because, quite frankly, I had never even seen a cloth diaper in real life! The idea of cloth conjured up images of dunking, swishing, safety pins and poo stains. When poking around on an online baby store, I came across pocket diapers, and was instantly convinced. Until that moment, I had never considered the benefits of cloth.
So, why cloth?
Where do I begin?!?! There are two ways to look at it... reasons to use cloth, and reasons to avoid disposables. Depending on how you look at it, any point below could fall into either category!

* The Icky Truth About Disposables! A baby will use thousands of diapers by the time they potty train¹. You wouldn’t want thousands of used diapers in your backyard, so why would you want them piling up anywhere on the planet?

* This Ain’t Your Grandma’s Cloth! “Pocket” & “All-In-One” style cloth diapers of today are easy! Daddies, Grandparents, Babysitters... just about anyone will be able to easily change a cloth diaper!

* Cha-Ching! Cloth requires an initial investment, which is a bit daunting at first glance. But when you consider that disposables could cost you at least $1500 per child², the initial investment of cloth seems pretty minor! Not even the biggest cloth-addict will be able to spend that much. I know... I’ve tried! Now, factor in the savings that come from using those same cloth diapers with a second child, and you’ve just saved yourself a nice chunk of change, sister! That’s right... with proper care, cloth diapers can easily last through two or more children.
Check out our Package Deals for even bigger savings!

* Comfort for Your Baby’s Booty! My opinion: Would you rather be in a paper butt-prison, or a nice, soft, fluffy cloth diaper? I thought so. Your baby feels the same way!

* The Cute Factor! Last, but certainly not least… cloth diapers are way too cute!!! Pocket Diapers, All-In-Ones, and Covers used for Prefolds, Fitteds & Contours come in a variety of adorable colors and patterns. They’re darn-near irresistible!

* Start a Revolution! If you’re convinced cloth is the best for your baby, your planet & your pocketbook, you can help in one more huge way! By cloth diapering your child, you can inspire others to do the same. Every time a stranger catches a glimpse of cloth hanging out from under the saggy shorts of one of my boys, they can’t help but ask questions. They are amazed at how modern and fun cloth diapering has become. I wish someone had shown me a cloth diaper before I became a parent! I could have saved a ton of resources, landfill space, butt-rashes & money!

Check out our Cloth Diapers!

What do I need to get started?

Here are a few basics that will get you started...

* Cloth Diapers
How many you need will depend on the frequency of changes, and how long you want to go between washes. Here's an example: 24 diapers will usually be enough for a newborn if you want to wash every other day, because (as we all know) newborns poop a lot!!! If you have an older child, 24 diapers will probably be enough for you to wash every third day, because diaper changes are needed less frequently.

If you plan on using Prefolds, remember to get a couple of Fasteners, & 6-8 Covers as well. You will also need Covers for Fitteds & Contours.

All-In-Ones are great because you don't need to buy a separate insert... it comes sewn into the diaper!

If you're going the Pocket Diaper route, be sure to add Inserts to your order.

* Cloth Wipes Keep 'em in a wipes warmer, or wet 'em as you go! After you use them, Cloth Wipes go right into the pail with your diapers to await wash day.

* Daiper Pail
Quite frankly, the cheapest and most effective pail I've found is actually a 13 gallon trash can with a snapping flip-up lid! You can find these at any Target or similar store.

* Pail Liners
You'll want two Pail Liners, so you have one to use while the other is in the wash with your dirty diapers.

* Wet Bags
The small size wet bags are great for bringing pre-moistened cloth wipes with you in your diaper bag. Use a Regular or All Day size wet bag to put the dirty diapers in until you get home. Check out all of our Wet Bags!

* Butt Creams
Many popular diaper rash creams contain harsh chemicals. Not only that... they can sometimes also contain ingredients that coat your diapers & make them repel moisture, instead of absorbing it! Luckily, there are Creams & Balms made especially for cloth diapers! And they're all natural!!!

How do I clean them?

Check out our Cloth Diaper Care page!

What’s “Mama Cloth?”

“Mama Cloth” refers to Cloth Menstrual Pads. It can also refer to cloth nursing pads. You’re already familiar with the environmental, physical and monetary benefits of cloth for your baby... well, why not apply the same benefits to yourself?

If you're going to be using Cloth Menstrual Pads, an All-Day size Wet Bag works great as a storage place until wash day, and a Small size Wet Bag is perfect for changes on the go!

What are the benefits of “Baby-Wearing”?

* Your Sanity! When you have a very "lovey" baby (like I did) you’re going to be holding that baby a lot! Being next to mama is the only sure-fire way to soothe my cranky little guy.

* Hands Free! Well, kind of. You obviously want to be able to support and adjust your baby if needed, and it goes without saying that you shouldn’t perform any dangerous tasks while wearing your baby... say, ice skating. That being said, you will be amazed at how much you can accomplish with a newborn, if you have the right carrier. Like building a baby-wearing, cloth diapering retail website, for instance.

* Better for Baby! Studies have suggested that babies who are worn feel more secure, and therefore grow up to be more independent individuals.

* The Cute Factor… Again! Baby carriers come in a variety of beautiful colors and patterns.

* Versatility! Babies can be worn facing in, facing out, on the hip, nursing, and older babies and toddlers can even be worn on the back!

Check out our Baby Carriers!

What is “E.C.”?

E.C. = “Elimination Communication”
(From www.wikipedia.org) "Elimination communication (EC) is a form of nurturing in which a caregiver uses timing, signals, cues, and intuition to help an infant address his or her elimination needs, partially or completely avoiding the use of diapers. EC is also known as Natural Infant Hygiene, Elimination Timing, and Infant Potty Training. Inspired by traditional practices of diaper-less baby care in less industrialized countries and nature-based cultures, EC bears little resemblance to conventional Western methods of early toilet training. EC can begin at birth and is usually started before six months of age. If started after this time, babies are more likely to be "diaper trained" and less aware of and able to communicate their elimination needs. The term "late starter" refers to a baby who starts EC after this time.
“The terms "Elimination Communication" and "Natural Infant Hygiene" were coined by Ingrid Bauer and are used interchangeably in her book, Diaper Free! The Gentle Wisdom of Natural Infant Hygiene (2001). Bauer had traveled to India and Africa where she noticed that most mothers would carry their diaperless babies constantly, yet she saw no elimination "accidents" as would be expected in industrialized countries where babies wear diapers almost continuously from birth. Subsequently, she raised her own babies with minimal use of diapers and eventually began to share her successful approach with other mothers and caregivers — initially through Internet-based parenting support groups and eventually through her book and website (www.natural-wisdom.com)”

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Notes & Sources:

¹ Number of diapers used was calculated by a very conservative estimate of 6 diapers per child per day, and assuming potty training (no diapers or disposable training pants) at 2 years.
6 x 365 x 2 = 4,380 diapers!
This does number not factor in situations which would require even more diapers to be used, such as the newborn phase where babies require more than 6 changes per day, children who take longer to potty learn, and those who use disposable training pants or overnight pants for an extended period.

² Cost of disposables was calculated using an assumption of 6 diapers per day for 2 years, at a cost of $0.35 per diaper.
6 x 365 x 2 x .35 = $1,533!
This does number not factor in situations which would require even more diapers to be used, such as the newborn phase where babies require more than 6 changes per day, children who take longer to potty learn, and those who use disposable training pants or overnight pants for an extended period.