How do you know that a cloth diaper is well-fitted and adjusted correctly?
How do you know that a cloth diaper is well-fitted and adjusted correctly?
The question written down in the title: "How do you know that a cloth diaper is well-fitted and adjusted correctly?", is one of the most common question appearing on cloth diapering support groups. Especially at the beginning, doubts appear with almost every diaper change. After all, a small child will not say that she feels uncomfortable.
So how do you know that a cloth diaper is well-fitted and adjusted correctly?
For this post, I assume that your diaper is well-matched for the child: for a newborn you chose a new-born diaper, and for a child weighing 8,82 Ib or more - a one-size diaper. For the oldest children I recommend XL covers. If you need more information, feel free to check my previous post on that topic here.
Ok, so you change a baby and a thought comes to your mind: did I put on the diaper correctly. In order to make sure you have to check 2 things.
1. Size adjustment: length and width
A cloth diaper grows with your child. What this means, more or less is that the diaper can be adapted to the current size of your baby. I would even say - it should be! You should always adjust the diaper both in length and width at the waist.
Shorten the diaper length so that nothing hangs between the legs of the child. Try to make it as small as possible by using available snaps.
The diaper should be fastened at the waist so that the diaper closely adheres to the child's body. It can be compared to fastening a belt in your own trousers. Sometimes parents are afraid that this will make the diaper too tight at the waist. However, when you imagine your own belt fastening, there is no discomfort despite its close fitting. It's the same with diapers and babies. The diaper should be fastened so that only two fingers can be inserted into the diaper by tilting its upper part.
When you have properly fastened the diaper on the child, the gussets will stick tightly on her legs: not too loose nor too tight.
If we put on a diaper and your baby does not appear to be in pain, does not cry and seems satisfied - then possible slight pressure marks are nothing disturbing.
2. Child's comfort
When you're changing the diaper, you should think about child's comfort. Place the gussets deep into child's groins and make sure that the diaper is placed just above the sacral bone and does not go too high on the back.
Also ensure that the child does not have a large abdomen by having too thick layer of inserts between the legs. Choose the right inserts.
How do you know that a reusable diaper is well-fitted and adjusted correctly?
In a properly fastened diaper, the microfleece and absorbent inserts are hidden and you cannot see them.
In a properly fastened diaper the child is comfortable and the possibility of leaks is minimized.
In a properly fastened diaper the child is happy and does not feel any discomfort.
