Should I Buy Newborn Size Cloth Diapers?

This is a question we get a lot here at Cloth Diaper Kids. Should you buy newborn cloth diapers, or go straight to one size cloth diapers. Those itty bitty newborn diapers look so sweet and adorable it is hard to resist them, but to invest in a whole bunch of tiny newborn diapers that get outgrown so quickly can be a major deterrent to considering them at all. So what should you do if you really want to cloth diaper from birth with the most success possible. Is the newborn cloth diaper really worth it or not?

Well, you have a few options when starting cloth with a newborn. You can:

Go for a one size diaper that can fit smaller babies and just recognize that they will be bulky, but mostly functional for that first 2 months or so until baby grows into them better (assuming you have an average size newborn (7-8lbs) and that you can get a correct fit with no gaps around the legs). For this option, consider Rumparooz, AMP One Size, Kinder, Lighthouse Kids, or Thirsties pockets or AIOs.
Plan to use disposables for the first few weeks. (This will probably cost you around $200 or so for newborn disposables in about an 8 week span). Or use up any newborn diapers that were gifted to you in baby showers etc. and then move into one size diapers.
Build your cloth diaper stash with sized diapers instead of one size. If you choose a sized diaper system like Esembly, Thirsties Duo Wraps, or Lighthouse Kids where there are 2 different sizes: size 1 (7-20lbs), size 2 (18-40lbs) then you will get a better fit on your newborn while still having a diaper that will last the first few months before you have to size up. Yes they may still be a little bulky on a fresh newborn, but they will fit faster, function well and have less total bulk than a one size diaper.
If this isn’t your first baby or you know you’re likely going to have a bigger newborn, like in the 9lbs range, then you can probably get by very nicely going straight to one size or sized diapers without the need for newborn diapers anyway.
Pro Tips: Keep in mind that for one sized or sized options, the diaper will cover the umbilical cord stump. This is ok, but if it's going to bother you, you'll want a newborn diaper...for those keep reading below ⬇️. Also the extra bulk of a one size diaper on a newborn might mean you need to size up in clothing to accommodate.

If one of the above situations doesn’t really fit for you and the tiny diapers are calling your name, here’s a few situations when investing in newborn specific diapers really IS worth it:

You’re passionate about cloth diapering right from day 1. If you know you want cloth on the bum right from birth, no matter baby's size, you'll definitely want to consider newborn sizes. Since you won’t know baby’s size until they are born, a newborn specific diaper is the only way to ensure a beautiful fit for sure, even if they come out in the 5lbs range. Newborn diapers will fit no matter what size they arrive at so there's no guessing game. Newborns can be notoriously hard to fit as they come in such a variety of body shapes and proportions with sometimes very skinny legs, so a diaper designed with the newborn shape in mind is your friend here.
Another thing to keep in mind if you’re wanting to cloth diaper right from the beginning is the umbilical cord. It’s going to stay with baby for at least a week or so and you want to make sure it’s not irritated. The newborn diaper brands we carry are specifically designed to either sit below the belly button or have a snap down or cut out in front to avoid rubbing in this sensitive area. *NOTE: Yes you can cover the umbilical cord with a one size diaper, but you'll have to fasten it loosely to accommodate and sometimes this causes fit issues.
If you don’t like the idea of bulkiness with your baby’s diapers, then newborn size will be what you want. In addition to the fitting points mentioned above, newborn diapers are trimmer, will fit much better under clothing and look proportionate to baby’s small size. The aesthetics of a well fitting newborn diaper are often especially appreciated if you want to do any newborn photography with your bundle of joy. Whereas sized or one size diapers will sit up high at about mid chest on your new baby, a newborn size diaper will fit like a real diaper ought to.
If you’re planning on having more than one baby, then this is where the dollars and cents start to kick in. Sure, your baby may only wear newborn diapers for the first few weeks, but this means they see very little wear and tear so you can easily use them on more than one baby or they will be in great condition to re-sell on the used market enabling you to re-coup some of your investment while still enjoying the benefits of newborn cloth.
Do it cost effectively. There’s no denying that newborn diapers CAN be expensive if you choose an All In One (AIO) variety for example, but little cotton prefolds and newborn covers are an excellent and cost effective choice too. In fact, we recommend newborn prefolds quite often as a cost effective way of bridging the gap till one size diapers. Why? Well, they’re inexpensive, organic, easy to wash, fast to dry, relatively trim and the natural fabric absorbs pee quickly and easily without the need for compression making them less prone to leaks up the back (compared to synthetic fabrics) since newborns spend lots of time laying down. Yes, there’s a small learning curve to using prefolds and you’ll want to use a Snappi to avoid using pins, but once you get the hang of it, lots of mamas love them and newborn prefolds make great absorbent burp cloths, cleaning cloths or diaper doublers later on for your bigger diapers.
And last but not least, newborn diapers are especially good for preemies, multiples and small babies. We carry brands that fit from as small as 4lbs and at a weight like that you’ll easily get many months of use out of newborn cloth. Our first baby for example was born at 36 weeks at just 4lbs and he didn’t top 15lbs until around 6months old. That’s a lot of use for a newborn diaper. Well worth the cost.

Hopefully that helps you decide whether newborn size cloth diapers are right for your baby. Personally, my favorites for newborns are the Thirsties Natural Newborn AIO and good 'ol cotton prefolds or flats with covers (after the umbilical cord comes off). As always, I love questions, so ask away if there’s anything else you’d like to know!
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