Here are some Tips for Daily Use & Care Directly from BumGenius
Adjusting the Rise of your Diaper
Choose the right snap setting on the front of the diaper. Your diaper arrives snapped down to the "small" setting, the bottom row of snaps. To use the "medium" setting, unsnap the diaper and resnap on the second row of snaps. To use the diaper on the "large" setting, fully unsnap the front of the diaper. HELPFUL HINT: For overnight use, consider stuffing with two inserts and setting the diaper to be one size larger than you would for daytime use.
Adjusting the Insert
Choose the right snap setting on the insert. To use the insert as a "small", snap the insert down to the bottom snap socket. Little boys tend to do well with the folded part towards the front of the diaper while little girls may do better with it towards the back. To use the insert as a "medium", snap the insert down to the middle snap socket. To use the insert as a "large", just leave it completely unsnapped.
Stuffing Your Diaper
Put the insert in your diaper. Hold the insert in one hand and place inside the slot (located under the protective flap). Align the front edge of the insert with the top edge of the velcro strip. Using one hand to hold the front of the insert in place, stretch the diaper and smooth the insert flat as you pull your other hand out of the diaper. HELPFUL HINT: Many parents prefer to pre-stuff their diapers at the end of their washing routine.
Check for a Good Fit
To observe fit, pick up your baby's legs after putting the diaper on and observe how it fits around the legs and bottom. Is it snug? If so, good. However, if you can see "air" between the diaper and their skin, then you need to refine the fit. Trying a smaller snap setting and fasten the tabs snugly. When you child stands up, notice how the insert or soaker is positioned relative to the back elastic. If the insert or soaker is higher than the back elastic, lay your child down, release the tabs, pull the diaper slightly towards the front and refasten the tabs.
Don't Resist the Change
With disposables parents tend to delay changing baby until they feel that the diaper has absorbed its fair share. With cloth diapers, the expense is in the purchase of the diaper itself. The cost of washing a cloth diaper is negligable. When using cloth you will learn to change more often and with no guilt. Expect to change baby every 2 1/2 to 3 hours. If you really must go longer between changes, plan on stuffing the diaper with more than one insert.
Double-Stuffing
At nighttime you will need to use two inserts to provide enough absorbency to last the night through. Some good options are: BumGenius Diaper Doublers (the newborn insert), Hemp Bigger Diaper Doublers, and a second BumGenius One-Size Insert. Slide both inserts of your choice into the pocket. Double-stuffing will give you the ulitmate protection against leaks. This techinique is also handy for long car rides, lengthy naps, and any other occasion when bulkiness is worth that extra protection!
Powder & Creams
It is not a good idea to continue using popular diaper creams with any cloth diaper. This is because barrier creams create a water-tight barrier to treat diaper rash. These creams will leave a water-repelling residue on your diapers. This is not a good thing! Your diapers will be unable to absorb properly if urine is made to run off the microsuede lining. Many creams can also stain your diapers or make them stink (think fish oil creams).
Unfortunately, BumGenius does not recommend the use of ANY diaper creams with their diapers. Instead, you can treat diaper rash effectively (which should be rare with pocket style cloth diapers) with a baking soda soak, breast milk (apply with cotton balls), or olive oil. If you prefer to treat diaper rash with a cream that's not good for cloth diapers, you can use a diaper liner to keep the cream from adhering to your diapers. This method is not fail-safe, as liners do not stay put consistently. Baby powders have not been reported to cause problems with cloth diapers.
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