So, You’re Cloth Diapering a Toddler + A GIVEAWAY!

Darling grey diaper c/o Buttons Diapers

Four years. That’s how long I’ve been in the throws of cloth diapering. I would say the end is in sight. But that would be a big ol’ fib.

I’m 18 months in with my Max, my second CD baby, and I’m here to say that toddler diapering is so different than the roly poly newborn phase. Sometimes, it’s a darn near wrestling match!

Now that I have had experience diapering a toddler girl and toddler boy I thought I’d round up a few tips for managing the transition from tiny fluffy bum to a wild, running one.
DOUBLERS
Get them, just do. Obviously you don’t need these right off the bat so after you find how much money you’re saving each month (a lot) from your cloth diaper commitment, boost your stash with some doublers in time for your little one’s first birthday. As they begin gaining more awareness and control of their pee I’ve found that kiddos empty their bladder more fully and sometimes overflow a regular insert. A doubler fixes that, and is a great help with nighttime diapering as well. 
SNAPS
I’ve used both hook and look (Velcro) and snaps and although hook and loop is easier when trying to get a snug fit on a newborn, snaps are crucial to keeping a toddler diapered. Because, that’s right, even the most docile 18 month old can un-Velcro their diaper. And that ain’t fun for anyone! With enough effort they can un-snap a diaper too, but it’s less likely.
DIAPER SPRAYER
Can you manage without one? Yes. Do you want to? Not really. As your little one starts eating more table food you’ll notice a transition in their poo. Whether you cloth diaper or not, solids are meant to be flushed (not put in the garbage or washed) and a diaper sprayer helps make that an easier process.
PROTECT YOUR PUL
From the very beginning it is ideal to always line dry your diapers, especially covers. Line drying gives the waterproof PUL a much longer life. But, if after a few years find your PUL lacking, never fear, you can give your diapers new life with a layer or two of Atsko Permanent Water Guard. It’s a waterproofing spray and has worked miracles on some second hand diapers I acquired awhile back.
CLOTH PULL UPS
As endless as diapering seems, potty learning comes eventually. Cloth diapering saves a bundle of money and considering cloth pull ups saves quite a bit too. Between year one and two, tuck away some funds and begin researching cloth pull up options.

There you have it — my thoughts on toddlers and cloth diapers. What would you add from your experience?

As my children have gotten larger I find myself gravitating to covers and inserts because I can mix and match the exact absorbency I need. We’ve loved adding Buttons Diapers to our stash and I’m happy to be hosting a giveaway for one of you to experience Buttons Diapers too! My favorite features of Buttons are the double gusset, this is a MUST with covers and the sweet button/snap on the inside for keeping inserts in place. Genius! At 33 pounds, you can see that Buttons are still fitting Max quite well! Excited to try Buttons yourself? Enter below …
This post was sponsored by Buttons Diapers. All opinions are my own.

/// Follow That Mama Gretchen on Facebook and take a peek at this month’s featured sponsor ///
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Comments

  1. says

    Love the apple! What are some doublers you loved. My son is leaking at night. We use the thirstiest hemp doublers – the worked great for my daughter but my son is a massive wetter at night.

  2. Jennifer of Hawksand says

    We also cloth diaper, I'm all about the all-in-ones! sadly our energy effienct washing machine is a little too agressive with the aggitation and has been rough on my organic cotton diapers, I could use a few more diapers for my stash.

  3. Jennifer of Hawksand says

    p.s. my favorite is the pebble color! all about the gray!

  4. mara88 says

    We have a baby due in June and am going to be cloth diapering. It's so much cheaper and way better for the environment. I would assume nicer on the bums too, I know I like my cloth pads way better than disposables!

  5. Scott and Jamie Durh says

    i like the snow & tangerine colors. love that they are food colors! and thanks for the tip about the waterproof spray. might need to get some of that to shore up some leaky diapers.

  6. Donna Harmon says

    I'm new to cloth diapering and so far I'm loving it . I love the the lavender color

  7. Becky LaMunyon says

    I love the lavender, it would be a sweet color for my baby girl!

  8. Asha says

    Apple is my favorite Buttons Diaper Cover.

  9. Hali Bagzis says

    The Apple cover is an awesome color!

  10. Jamie Conrad says

    Great tip about the spray! I'm cloth diapering my second child and did my first. Huge fan and try to convert every new Momma that I can by showing them how easy it is.

  11. Anonymous says

    I love these and now im sold even mire on them

  12. Claire Bujeaud says

    I've been adding some snaps to my stash for toddler #2!

  13. Laurie P says

    Definitely Lavender!

  14. Mary Schuh says

    Sweet Pea is a really cute color!

  15. Lindsey Doepker says

    Apple or Tangerine

  16. Addison K.A.T. says

    I like the apple color

  17. katie s says

    Tangerine is my favorite

  18. voncorvus says

    I love all things grey so the pebble colour is my choice!

  19. Jessica O says

    I love the Pebble color!

  20. Laura says

    I like the pebble color the most!

  21. Shelly says

    I like the blueberry

  22. Jennifer says

    The lavender is really pretty!!

  23. Talia says

    I like Pebble, which it looks like your model has on!

  24. AmberH says

    Lavender:)

  25. Kate O'Brien says

    My favorite color is banana cream.

  26. Jessica Perkins Caud says

    I think the lavender is so pretty!

  27. Joelle says

    Pebble! It's a perfect gender neutral color.

  28. chelsea preston says

    I am due in August so I will go with pebble as its a great gender neutral color

  29. Sarah Hayes says

    i love apple

  30. Michelle Holmstrom says

    Pebble is my favorite color, but they are all adorable!

  31. Kadie says

    I love the pebble and apple!

  32. Kassi Peerman says

    I love the sweet pea!

  33. Jeannette says

    I love the Pebble colored cover! Such a great color and would go with so many outfits!

  34. Jessica Ponder says

    I like the pebble cover!

  35. says

    Blueberry is my favorite.Rafflecopter name: Jay Dee

  36. Amy says

    The Pebble is super pretty

  37. Spheni says

    Apple is my favorite

  38. nscaddie says

    Apple is so bright and fun!

  39. Jessica Hughes says

    I like Pebble!

  40. Amy Hall says

    Apple!

  41. Jamie Johnson says

    banana cream :-)

  42. Bekah Kuczenski says

    I love the banana cream!

  43. mckmnm says

    I like pebble

  44. Heather Douglass says

    I like Apple or banana cream, both are cute!

  45. Amanda W says

    Tangerine!! But I like Pebble too!

  46. Rachel says

    Pebble is my favorite!

  47. Beki Lozano says

    i like sweet pea or apple

  48. bonnie says

    pebble or apple

  49. Catherine Wilke says

    I really like tangerine

  50. Melanie M. says

    Loving tangerine right now.

  51. Christie says

    I love the apple colour.

  52. Courtney says

    I like banana cream

  53. Amanda D says

    I like the blueberry or banana cream.

  54. Karen Hempel says

    The Lavendar color is my favorite. Purple is such a cute color.

  55. Carissa Joslyn says

    I have always loved the pebble! :D so cute.

  56. Lyndsey Lancaster says

    Pebble!

  57. says

    My favorite color is pebble! Apple is a close second though!

  58. says

    I have a boy but I love the lavender buttons diaper! always have <3 purple is my favorite color! also thanks for the toddler tips, it's funny what you say about doublers my son is only 5.5mo and he needs doublers!! all the time. not because I don't change him enough. because he has been a super soaker since before we left the hospital! he has always been a slim baby and woulda have "fit" into newborn disposables for a month or more I'm sure, but he was soaking through them from week one! he does like his milkies :p

  59. Casey K says

    Lavender. So sweet

  60. Vicki Hall says

    I love the banana cream color cover.

  61. Kristen Fraser says

    Love that apple color!

  62. BreanneT says

    I like Pebble

  63. Katherine Dixon says

    I love pebble and sweet pea!