
Wool diaper covers are a natural, cosy, and soft option for newborns. They are also easy to buy organic and do not contain any plastic. However, they are one of the most expensive choices for diaper covers. The number of wool diaper covers you will need depends on your budget, how often you plan to wash them, and how old your baby is. Most parents find that 6-8 covers are best for a newborn if you are washing every 2-3 days. If you are washing more frequently, 4-6 covers should be enough. If you are using wool diaper covers full-time, 2 covers are enough if you are only using them at night, and 4 covers are enough if you are using them during the day as well.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Number of wool covers for a newborn | 4-8 |
Number of wool covers for full-time use | 2-4 |
Number of wool covers for night-time use only | 2 |
Number of wool covers for day and night use | 4 |
Number of wool covers needed for OS diapers | Fewer |
Ideal number of wool covers for a small to moderate budget | 2 daytime wool covers and 1-2 nighttime soakers |
What You'll Learn
Wool covers are reusable and don't need frequent washing
Wool covers are a great option for newborn babies. They are natural, breathable, and water-resistant, and they can absorb up to 30-40% of their weight in liquid. Not only do they suppress odours, but they also require less washing than other materials. This is because wool is naturally stain-resistant, odour-resistant, and crease-resistant.
When it comes to washing wool covers, it is recommended to do so by hand, as machine washing can cause the wool to shrink. The process is simple: first, rinse the cover with lukewarm water to remove any urine residue. Next, spot-treat any stains with a gentle soap. Then, fill a basin with lukewarm water, add wool wash or a mild detergent, and gently handwash the cover. Allow it to soak for 10-15 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water again. Finally, lay the cover flat to dry. You only need to wash wool covers once a month or whenever they get dirty or start to smell.
Since wool covers don't need to be washed frequently, you can get by with just a few covers for your newborn. For a small to moderate budget, it is recommended to have two daytime wool covers and one or two nighttime soakers. If you have a larger budget, investing in a few extra covers can be convenient but is not necessary.
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Lanolising wool covers makes them waterproof
The number of wool covers you need for your newborn depends on your budget and how often you plan to do laundry. Wool covers are a natural, breathable, and waterproof option for cloth diapering. They are also more expensive than other types of covers. While wool does not need to be washed frequently (at most, once a month), you will still need to rotate your covers to allow them to air out between uses.
Most parents recommend having 6-8 wool covers for a newborn if you plan on washing every 2-3 days. If you plan on washing every other day, you can get by with 6 covers. For older infants, you will need fewer covers, and by the time your baby becomes a toddler, you will only need 2-3 covers.
Lanolising wool covers will make them waterproof. Lanolin is a naturally occurring oily secretion from a sheep's skin that protects the animal from moisture. When applied to wool, lanolin coats the fibres and prevents moisture from escaping while still allowing the fabric to breathe. To lanolise a wool cover, you will need to:
- Dissolve lanolin in hot water. You can use pure lanolin or a lanolin-rich wool wash.
- Fill a sink with lukewarm water and add the lanolin mixture.
- Turn the wool cover inside out and submerge it in the sink. Gently swish the cover in the water and let it soak for at least 15 minutes to 2 hours.
- Remove the cover from the water and let it drip dry. Do not wring or twist the fabric.
- Place the cover flat on a towel and roll it up to remove excess moisture.
- Unroll the towel and lay the cover flat to air dry. This will take 2-3 days.
Your wool cover is now waterproof and ready to use! The lanolin will make the cover feel sticky at first, but this will go away after a few uses. Lanolising wool covers will also help neutralise odours and increase their water resistance. You only need to lanolise your covers once a month or if they start to become less absorbent.
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Wool covers are a natural, cosy and soft option for newborns
The number of wool covers you need depends on your budget, how often you plan to do laundry, and how old your baby is. For newborns, most parents find that 6-8 covers is best. If you're using wool full-time, you'll need two daytime wool covers and one or two nighttime soakers. If you're using wool part-time, you can get by with fewer covers. Wool covers don't need to be washed frequently (at most, once a month), and as long as you let them air out between uses, you can use the same cover multiple times, rotating two covers throughout the day and night.
If you're using wool covers, it's important to lanolise them to add more lanolin and make them waterproof. This will need to be done once or twice a month, or when the cover starts to feel damp after use. Washing wool covers is easy and only needs to be done every 2-3 weeks. To wash wool covers, fill a basin with lukewarm water no more than 30°C, add a gentle soap, and gently swirl the covers in the water. Then, gently squeeze out the water, rinse, and lay the covers flat to dry.
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Wool covers are more likely to get soiled by newborn poop
Wool diaper covers are a natural, breathable option for parents who want to use cloth diapers. They are also antibacterial and can suppress odours. However, wool covers are more likely to get soiled by newborn poop, especially in the early weeks and months of a baby's life.
Newborns tend to poop a lot, and their poop can be runny, which can leak out and get onto the wool cover. This can be a messy and challenging experience for new parents. While wool covers are absorbent, they are not waterproof, and poop can soak through the cover and onto the baby's clothing or bedding. Additionally, wool covers can be difficult to get on and off, especially with a wiggly baby, increasing the chances of poop getting on the cover.
To prevent poop from getting on the wool cover, it is essential to ensure a good leg seal on the diaper underneath. There are various folding techniques, such as the Pickman fold or jelly rolling, that can help create a better seal and contain messes. Using a Snappi or similar product can also help keep the diaper in place and reduce the risk of leaks.
If poop does get on the wool cover, it is important to rinse it off as soon as possible. Hand washing the soiled area with bar soap or baby shampoo and then hanging it to dry is often sufficient. For more stubborn stains, stain sticks or ox bile soap can be used. It is also important to relanolize the cover periodically to maintain its performance and extend its lifespan.
While wool covers have their challenges, many parents find them to be a worthwhile investment, especially for overnight diapering. The key to success is having enough covers to rotate through and being prepared for the possibility of poop stains and messes.
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Wool covers are easy to wash and care for
Wool covers can be washed by hand in lukewarm water. Simply fill a basin with lukewarm water, add some wool wash, and gently handwash the cover. Let the cover soak for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with more lukewarm water until the water runs clear. It is important to avoid using very hot or cold water, as this can cause the wool to felt (shrink). To remove any urine residue, be sure to rinse the wool cover before washing it.
When it comes to drying wool covers, it is best to avoid ringing, pulling or stretching the fabric. Instead, gently squeeze out the excess water and lay the cover flat to dry.
Wool covers only need to be washed every few weeks, or whenever they become soiled or start to smell. This is because wool is breathable and has antibacterial properties, which help to suppress odours. In addition, wool can absorb up to 30-40% of its weight in liquid, so it can go longer between washes.
To further extend the time between washes, you can air out your wool covers between uses. This way, you can use the same cover multiple times before washing, rotating two covers throughout the day and night.
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Frequently asked questions
Wool covers are an expensive choice, but they are natural, gentle, and soft, especially for newborns. If you're on a tight budget, you can get by with two daytime wool covers and one nighttime soaker.
With a moderate budget, you can aim for two daytime wool covers and one or two nighttime soakers. Having two nighttime soakers is ideal so that you can rotate them while one is being washed and dried.
Wool covers are great because they don't need to be washed frequently (at most, once a month). You can get away with using the same cover multiple times by letting it air out between uses. For full-time use, you'll need 3-4 wool covers, and 2 covers will suffice if you only plan to use them at night.
Most parents find that 6-8 wool covers are best for newborns if you plan to wash them every 2-3 days.