A great cloth diaper fit will keep the baby comfortable and help prevent leaks. But you may experience fully saturated diapers if you have a heavy wetter, or if you are using your cloth diaper for extended periods of time such as overnight and for a long car ride. Saturated diapers can lead to leaks if you do not provide additional absorption.
Extra cloth diaper inserts are the best way to add extra absorbency and tackle leaks! Building your cloth diaper and cloth diaper insert stash is a necessary first step. Let’s review when and how to use extra cloth diaper inserts to tackle some of the most common cloth diapering challenges!
How Many Cloth Diapers Do I Need?
Those that are new to cloth diapering may be wondering where to start with their cloth diaper stash. You may be asking, how many cloth diapers do I need? How many cloth diaper inserts do I need?
Our general rule of thumb is, start small and build.
Especially if you are transitioning from disposables, it can be a bit of an adjustment. Dipping your toe in the cloth diapering pool can be much less intimidating if you have a small stash to work with. Cloth diapering does not have to be all or nothing – many families choose to use a combination of cloth and disposables. It is common to find cloth diapering families that still use disposables with newborns, or for overnight periods, for daycare and for traveling. But when families start to see the benefits of cloth diapering not only to their baby but to their pocket-books, most don’t look back!
When just getting started, we suggest 24 to 36 cloth diapers and inserts for newborns. For older infants, 14 to 24 diapers and inserts should be enough. This is based on the need to change a diaper approximately every 2 hours, and with washing every 2 to 3 days. Washing regularly is strongly recommended to avoid unpleasant odours and residue build-up. If you launder your diapers more frequently, or if you use a combination of disposables and cloth, you can make do with less.
How Many Cloth Diaper Inserts Do I need?
You may be curious how many inserts per cloth diaper you should use. Most pocket and hybrid cloth diapers come with one insert per diaper. Some manufacturers will provide additional inserts when you purchase a set. Building up a stash of extra inserts is strongly recommended to make cloth diapering easier. Adding extra inserts can help you tackle some of the most common cloth diaper challenges, like leaks!
Extra Layers for Extra Absorbency
One of the first and biggest reasons for building your extra cloth diaper insert supply is absorbency. Cloth diapers do not typically leak unless they become fully saturated. If you are struggling with leaks, first make sure that you have the proper fit and that your diapers are repelling due to residue build-up. If you have ruled out these potential causes for cloth diaper leaking, adding extra absorbency is your best bet!
You can add extra absorbency to your cloth diapers by either using a more absorbent insert, or doubling up!
Types of Inserts
There are a few types of cloth diaper liners available, each with its own benefits. Here are the inserts and pre-folds that we offer, and the differences between each:
Bamboo InsertsThe OG, Our Original Bamboo Inserts are made up of 4 layers. The two exterior layers of the insert are made of Bamboo. The two interior layers of the insert are made of microfibre. (This does not come into contact with your baby’s skin.) Bamboo is not only soft to touch, and will be comfortable against your baby’s skin, but is also absorbent, and will help prevent leaks in your baby’s cloth diaper. These diapers come in packs, with a snap and without a snap feature to use with cover diapers, or pocket diapers.
Pros: Designed to fit babies from 10 to 35 pounds, these diapers can grow with your child, providing a customizable fit with multiple snap settings.
Recommended Use: Perfect for daily use, thanks to the adjustable fit and reliable materials. Ideal for parents looking for a diaper that will last from infancy through potty training.
Bamboo Prefolds
Pros: These preolds offer excellent protection against leaks, making them ideal for heavy wetters, travel, and overnight use.
Charcoal and Microfiber Inserts
Pros: Charcoal bamboo liners are highly absorbent, moisture-wicking, and help neutralize odors. They are also known for their antibacterial properties. This insert features a snap to be compatible with both our pocket, and cover diapers.
Recommended Use: Nighttime, heavy wetters, or for outings when you might not be able to change the diaper as frequently. Great on their own or as a booster!
Hemp Prefolds
Our Hemp Prefold is made from a Natural blend of Hemp and Cotton. Our Hemp prefold features two layers of this blend. When folded into thirds, this Hemp Prefold offers 6 Layers of protection against leaks! Hemp cotton is a very absorbent blend of fabric.
Pros: Extremely absorbent and durable. Hemp can hold a lot of moisture, making it a great choice for overnight use or for heavy wetters. This insert features a snap to be compatible with both our pocket, and cover diapers.
Recommended Use: Travel, overnight stretches or long naps, when you need extra absorbency.
(NEW) Cotton Inserts
Our new Cotton Inserts are made from 100% Cotton. Each Insert features 5 layers of this cotton. Cotton is a very absorbent blend of fabric. Can be used on its own as an insert with Covers or Pockets or added as a booster.
Pros: This insert option is great for parents looking for a soft, natural absorbent inserts. This insert features a snap to be compatible with both our pocket, and cover diapers.
Recommended Use: Perfect for daily use, overnight, or as a booster! Ideal for parents looking for a natural, reliable option!
(NEW) Hemp Cotton Inserts
Our new Hemp Cotton Inserts are made from a Natural Blend of Hemp and Cotton. These inserts feature 4 layers of this material blend. Cotton is a very absorbent blend of fabric. Can be used on its own as an insert with Covers or Pockets or added as a booster.
Pros: This insert option is great for parents looking for a soft, natural absorbent inserts. This insert features a snap to be compatible with both our pocket, and cover diapers.
Number of Inserts
When it comes to the number of cloth diaper inserts for your baby it's generally recommended to have a good supply on hand to keep up with frequent changes. Here's a breakdown to guide you:
For a newborn, you'll typically need 24-36 inserts. This amount allows you to change your baby every 2-3 hours and wash every 2-3 days. Having a larger supply can also help ensure you always have clean liners ready to go. As your baby grows into an infant, you might need 20-30 inserts as diaper changes may become less frequent. For a toddler, 14-24 inserts should suffice, especially as they begin transitioning to potty training, and the frequency of diaper changes decreases. For a good balance, you might consider having a mix of Inserts. Below are estimates of numbers to consider when building your insert stash!
- Bamboo 2-4- 2 Prefolds: Each pack of these pre-folds come in a pack of 7. one to two packs is Ideal for everyday use. Soft, breathable, and gentle on your newborn’s delicate skin.
- Hemp Preolds: Each pack of Hemp pre-folds come in a pack of 2. one to two packs is good for overnight or extended wear. Highly absorbent, providing extra protection during longer sleep periods.
- Charcoal and Microfiber Inserts: Each pack of our new and improved Charcoal, and Microfiber inserts from in a pack of 10. one to three packs is a great number to have on hand as you build your stash; For outings or situations where you need extra odor control and absorbency. These are also beneficial for heavy wetters.
- Original Bamboo Inserts: Each Pocket Diaper will come with its own Bamboo insert, however it is always good to have some extras on hand for the times you may need some extra absorbency – whether it be overnight or on a long car ride, etc. For newborns, and babies we recommend an extra two or three packs of inserts. For toddlers, we recommend an extra pack or two of bamboo inserts.
- Original Bamboo Inserts with Snap: Because our Cover Diapers are not sold with inserts, we recommend purchasing a pack or two of inserts with snaps to go with your cover diapers. Each pack of Cover Diapers come in a pack of seven cover diapers. Purchasing a pack or two of inserts would give you seven to fourteen inserts. Having extra inserts is great for doubling up if extra absorbency is needed.
- Cotton Inserts: Each pack of our new 5 Layer Cotton Inserts comes in a pack of 10, and feature a snap system to be compatible with our pocket and cover diapers. Because cotton is a very absorbent fabric, one to two packs is a great number to have on hand as you build your stash; For outings or situations where you need extra odor control and absorbency. These are also beneficial for heavy wetters!
- Hemp Cotton Inserts: Each pack of our new 4 Layer Hemp Cotton Inserts comes in a pack of 5, and feature a snap system to be compatible with our pocket and cover diapers. Because Hemp Cotton is a very absorbent fabric blend, one to two packs is a great number to have on hand as you build your stash; For outings or situations where you need extra odor control and absorbency. These are also beneficial for heavy wetters!
- Cotton Prefolds: Each pack of our new 3 Layer Cotton Prefolds come in a pack of 2, and feature a snap system to be compatible with our pocket and cover diapers. When folded into thirds, this prefold gives you 9 total layers of protection against leaks, meaning one to two packs is a great number to have on hand as you build your stash; For outings or situations where you need extra odor control and absorbency. These are also beneficial for longer periods of time, and heavy wetters!
Our standard size inserts are 5” wide x 13” long and fit inside all our diapers and most other standard cloth diapers from other brands. Our standard sized inserts are our Original Bamboo Insert, Original Bamboo with Snap, Charcoal Microfiber, Hemp Cotton Pre-folds, and Bamboo 2-4-2 Pre-folds. Did you know all of these inserts feature a snap to attach to diaper covers as well? We wanted our inserts to be universal, and able to be used with both our Pocket, and Cover Diapers, which is why we designed them all with a snap feature so you can snap them into a cover diaper, or stuff them into the back of a pocket diaper! Larger Bamboo Insert With Snap: Designed to be larger for Toddler Size Pocket Diapers for baby's 35-55lbs. Because our Toddler Size Pocket Diapers are not sold with inserts, we recommend purchasing a pack or two of inserts with to go with your Toddler Diapers. Each pack of Toddler Pocket Diapers come in a pack of seven. Purchasing a pack or two of packs of inserts would give you seven to fourteen inserts. Having extra inserts is great for doubling up if extra absorbency is needed. This variety will give you the flexibility to handle different situations and your baby’s changing needs.
The extra layers will add the extra absorbency you need to tackle leaks. We suggest using extra layers for overnight periods, for heavy wetters, or for times you just need a little extra protection. This is all explained below.
doubling up on layers for overnight periods can be an easy way to increase absorbency of the diaper. Using our Bamboo Prefolds or folding our Bamboo Microfibre insert and placing it at the front of the diaper can help increase absorbency for belly sleepers, while laying it flat towards the middle and back of the diaper can help with side and back sleepers.
doubling up on your layers is great for newborns if they aren’t quite filling out the diaper yet. Our Charcoal inserts not only offer 5 layers of protection, but are great for doubling up as well. The extra layers will provide additional bulk and will help get the perfect fit.
if you have a heavy wetter, extra cloth diaper inserts can help boost your absorbency on a day-to-day basis. The best cloth diaper inserts for heavy wetters are ones that are made of a highly absorbent natural material, but that also dries quickly and helps keep baby comfortable. Our Cotton Prefolds offer three layers of absorbency and our Hemp Prefolds offer two layers of absorbent Hemp Material, both great for options for heavy wetters.
- Ensure you have the right fit: If you add extra inserts, check your fit. You want to ensure that your cloth diaper fits snuggly against baby’s thighs and waist. You should be able to fit no more than 1 finger between your diaper and baby’s thigh, and no more than 2 fingers between your diaper and baby’s tummy. If the elastic around the thighs is pulled away due to the added bulk of an extra insert, you will get leaks. Consider ‘sizing up’ to ensure you get the right fit. For a detailed guide on getting the prefect fit, check out Get the Perfect Cloth Diaper Fit to Avoid Cloth Diaper Leaks.
- Ensure your cloth diapers are not repelling. If you struggle with leaks even after adding extra cloth diaper inserts, do an absorbency test. Residue build-up on your cloth diapers will cause them to repel and leak. An absorbency test is easy. Simply lay your clean diapers flat and pour a small amount of water on them. Apply a bit of pressure. This water should be absorbed by the insert. If the water does not absorb but rather ‘wicks’ away, you likely have a residue build-up problem. To tackle build-up and repelling, you may want to strip your cloth diapers and start over. Tips for preventing build-up and repelling, and stripping your cloth diapers are found in Washing 101 and Stripping and Restoring your Cloth Diapers.
- Check where your absorbency is needed most. After using your cloth diaper for around 2 hours, or for your overnight stretches, check to see if the diaper absorbency is maxed out. If your cloth diaper insert is fully saturated, adding an extra insert or a more absorbent insert may help tackle leaks. If there are areas that remain dry, then you know where to adjust your fit and focus any extra absorbency needs specifically where baby pees.
- Get a good washing routine. Get your cloth diaper washing routine sorted! You will run into challenges if you are not getting your diapers thoroughly clean. Using too much detergent can lead to build up and repelling. Using too little detergent can also lead to build-up, odours and staining. If you aren’t getting good agitation in your washing machine, or you struggle with hard water, you may also run into challenges. To tackle these issues and get the perfect wash routine, check out Washing 101, The Best Detergent for Cloth Diapers, and Hard Water and Cloth Diapers.
- Tackle build-up and repelling. One benefit to having a supply of extra cloth diaper inserts is that you have extra inserts on hand when your diapers need a good reset. Sometimes build-up and repelling can happen, and most often its your cloth diaper inserts that need a really thorough washing or stripping – the shells don’t necessarily have the same issues unless you have hard water problems or build-up of stains or diaper rash creams. Having extra inserts on hand will let you focus on stripping your inserts while having an extra supply for your diapering needs.
- Use the right insert. There are a variety of cloth diaper inserts and booster available on the market. We offer both Cloth Diaper Inserts as well as Cloth Diaper Prefolds. All of our inserts and prefolds can be used with both our Pocket Diapers and our Diaper Covers.
Want to learn more about our inserts, what they are best for, and their absorbency levels? Check out our Insert Absorbency Chart!
