Learn all about our minimalist diapering essentials we use in our home. I am sharing all of our simple and budget friendly ways we diaper so you can start your minimalist diapering journey today!
We like to keep diapering simple around our home! This includes cloth diapering, very few creams and lotions, and DIY baby wipes! Our minimalist diapering essentials are just that, VERY minimal!
We did not start out cloth diapering our first son. It was definitely a thought that crossed my mind when I was expecting, but I was intimidated by all of the options, how to care for them, and how to get rid of the poop! I think every new cloth diapering parent’s biggest concern is the poop!
I will walk you through what we use so maybe the process will seem less intimidating if you are considering a simple, natural diapering approach with your child!
Natural motherhood, saving money, and living a simple, non-toxic lifestyle are a few of my passions! Naturally, keeping our diapering routine as minimalist as possible fits right into that lifestyle!
Benefits of cloth diapering
- Budget-Friendly: This is the #1 reason we switched to cloth diapering when my first son was around 7 months old. According to multiple financial reports, disposable diapers will cost approximately $800-$900 during the first year… and most babies aren’t potty trained at age 1! If you choose natural, less toxic diapers, then that yearly cost is most likely going to shoot up. However, you can start a cloth diaper collection, which costs a few hundred dollars, that will serve your family many years and can even be passed down from child to child.
- Eco-friendly: Cloth diapers are much better for the environment since less trash is going into landfills. The average baby goes through 6-10 diapers a day! It is estimated that over 27 billion diapers end up in landfills each year! Wow!
- Less Chance of Diaper Rash: Cloth diapers contain few chemicals that can irritate a young baby’s delicate skin. Cloth diapers are also changed more often than disposable, decreasing the amount of time a soiled diapers sits on baby’s bottom.
- Easier to Potty Train: The feeling of wetness a baby notices when wearing a cloth diaper is slightly more than with a disposable diaper. This makes them more aware of the discomfort as they mature and they are more likely to potty train quicker.
- More Natural & Less Toxic: Most disposable diapers contain a lot of chemicals, fragrances, and other things you may not want to be putting on your baby. Cloth diapers, especially the organic cotton Grovia ones we love, are a much more natural option for baby to wear all day everyday!
Our Cloth Diapers choices
We have really only used two different brands of cloth diapers; Grovia and Rumparooz.
Grovia: These are an organic cotton/hemp all-in-one diaper and are a little bit on the pricier side (about $18-20 per diaper depending on the quantity you purchase). Since these diapers are organic cotton, they are very soft and no cover is needed if you choose the “all-in-one” method. Many dad’s prefer the all-in-one because it is the most similar to disposable diapering. They fasten like a regular diaper and then are washed as one piece.
However, we line our Grovia diapers with a folded flat diaper so we can reuse the Grovia diaper through several changes. We simple remove the flat liner and add a new one to the Grovia diaper, unless it is soiled.
Rumparooz: These are a great budget friendly option for cloth diapering! They come in at around $12-14 dollars per diaper. This is simple a cover that can be used through multiple diaper changes before washing, unless of course it becomes soiled. We pair these with a folded flat liner the same way as our Grovia diapers.
OsoCozy Flat Unbleached Diapers: These are the flat diaper liners we use inside of our Grovia and Rumparooz diapers. You can fold them into the “Boy” fold or “Girl” fold depending on where you need more absorbency. This is not difficult at all! Find how to do each of these folds here.
OUr minimalist diaper creams and lotions
Whipped Bentonite Clay Diaper Cream: This DIY cream contains only 2 ingredients: coconut oil and bentonite clay!
Coconut oil helps to reduce skin inflammation, itch, and irritation, all common ailments on a baby’s bottom. It also helps provide a skin barrier to protect the skin from rash.
Bentonite clay has amazing healing and detoxifying benefits. It absorbs moisture and removes toxins and impurities. It also fights bacteria. With all of these properties, it is the perfect addition to a diaper cream!
In a bowl with a hand or stand mixer, whip coconut oil and Bentonite Clay until combined. Add essential oils if desired.
Waxelene Organic Botanical Jelly: We first started using waxelene when my son had an ammonia burn from the cloth diapers. We quickly found out we had a hard water issue which was causing build up on our cloth diapers. After fixing the issue, the burns healed up quickly, but this jelly was a life saver for helping aid in the healing process.
We chose this jelly since it is petroleum free and made from all organic ingredients.
Essentail Oil Roller Bottles: I keep a few roller bottles in our diaper cabinet for keeping delicate baby skin healthy. Lavender and tea tree are our go-to skin oils. I have a roller bottle of each.
Simply add 2-3 drops of oil in a 2 oz roller bottle and top with fractionated coconut oil.
OUr minimalist Baby Wipes
I have an entire blog post on how and why we make our own baby wipes here!
There is also a YouTube video if you prefer to watch me make them!
Recipes mentioned
- Non-Toxic, DIY Baby Wipes
- Whipped Bentonite Clay Diaper Cream- In a bowl with a hand or stand mixer, whip coconut oil and Bentonite Clay until combined. Add essential oils if desired.
- Lavender & Tea Tree Roller Bottles- In a 2 oz roller bottle, add 2-3 drops of essential oil and top with fractionated coconut oil.
Shop our minimalist diapering essentials
Grovia Cloth Diapers- All in One
OsoCozy Flat Unbleached Diapers
Honest Co Diapers- (Our Nighttime diapers)
Waxelene Organic Botanical Jelly (Diaper Cream)
Branch Basics- $10 off all products! (Our laundering products)
Naturepedic Organic Cotton Changing Pad
Quilted Waterproof Changing Pad Liners
More of our Natural Baby Items
pin for later
