Q:  I have a 17 month old girl that is starting to show signs of being ready for potty training.  I am thinking of changing her to cloth diapers to aid in the process. She is very smart and also a little stubborn so this could be a very short or very long venture in potty training.  I know from previous experience with using cloth training underwear that children seem to potty train easier from cloth than from disposable.

I have never used cloth diapers and since this is my last child (she is the 3rd) I will not be using them after this. What do you recommend as far as cloth diapers in my situation?

A:  I’d love to help!  I started thinking about potty training my girlie around that age too.  Although she daytime potty trained quite well, she needed a diaper at night for years.  But, you know about that with your other kids!  So, I suggest a diaper that fits her now and later – a onesize diaper.  That way your investment lasts until she’s done with diapers, and you don’t have to fret about her growing out of them before she’s totally trained.

BumGenius 3.0 or 4.0 are my go-to diaper.  Everyone I sell them to is happy, and they fit my kids until we didn’t need diapers anymore.  BumGenius 3.0 are on sale (especially in pink), so you could save there.  They are one-size with easy velcro closure.  The only thing about these is that they would have a stay-dry feel against her skin.  The urine passes through the microsuede lining to absorb into an inner removable core (the pocket insert).  Do you want the diaper to feel wet to her?

I assume you do.  In that case, you want cotton against her skin.  The Econobum or Flip Organic both fit the bill.  But, both of these diapers have snap closure, which can be annoying to an older baby who wants/expects a fast change.  I’m not sure how important that is to you.  With the Flip organic day pack for $60 you get 6 changes.  The organic cotton inner is removable.  So, when she wets it, she’ll feel wet and you’d put a new organic cotton inner into the same diaper outer.  These diapers are onesize and are high quality.  The Econobum works like a Flip, but is not as well made.  I would personally stick with the Flip.

Another option is Bummis – velcro diaper covers and cotton prefold inners.  This has velcro closure, would feel wet against her skin and is a high-quality, respected brand.  You could buy just a few covers and prefolds to try the concept with a small investment.  Or you could get the Baby Complete Diaper kit for $99, which really would be everything you need to diaper her through 30 lbs.  Depending on your history with your other children, you’d have to think if she will finish potty training before exceeding 30 lbs.

I hope this helps.  I know it is a lot!  I expect you’ll have questions and would love to help.  Just let me know what you’re thinking!