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Before I started my cloth diapering… I was skeptical.
Was much difference between disposable diapers and cloth diapers besides one sounding like WAY MORE work?
Besides, I even never even heard of cloth diapers until one of my friends recommended them while I was venting about how expensive diapers were getting.
At the time, I had a 6 month-old baby and I had just found out I was pregnant again.
So, once my second baby was here, we were buying diapers for TWO babies at the same time.
And let me tell you…
It started getting expensive — and real fast!
Constant trips to the store.
Running out at the worst times.
Buying different sizes every few months.
I was tired of it.
That’s when I finally pulled the plug and went all in with cloth diapers.
So… There was no turning back after that.
My Cloth Diaper Journey Was NOT Perfect
I honestly thought switching to cloth diapers was going to be smooth and magical from the beginning…
It wasn’t.
There was definitely trial and error.
Leaks.
Frustration.
Moments where I questioned if I made the right decision.
The hardest part for me was figuring out what brand to buy because the upfront cost was no joke. The price between each brand was the reason I was hesitant from switching to cloth diapers.
That’s when I found Mama Koala.
And let me tell you something….
They’ve saved me from the depths of diaper debt and made cloth diapering feel doable for our family.
Why Mama Koala Worked
Affiliate disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links.
Affordable for our budget. Saving money was my top priority when switching to cloth diapers. We were spending around $800–$1,000 a year on disposable diapers… so imagine that number doubled! So, when I saw that I could get a 6-pack of cloth diapers for around $30–$60, I made my decision right then and there. I never hit that purchase button so quickly.
You can check out the exact ones I use here: https://mamakoala.com/s52qay
They’ve lasted through multiple kids. I started my cloth diapering back in February 2025, and I still use the same diapers today! I have three under three, so once my first baby potty trained in February 2026, I passed those same diapers down to my newborn. That alone made them feel worth it to me.
The adjustable that grew with my babies. One of my favorite things (besides them being affordable) is how adjustable they are. They fit babies from around 8-35lbs, which means they can last from infancy all the way up to potty training. With three under three that flexibility saved us SO much money.
If you’re curious which size set I started with, I linked them here: https://mamakoala.com/s52qay
Cleanup was easier than I expected I’ll admit cloth diapers CAN be messy and sometimes a little gross. (My mom hates to see my cloth diapers). There were moments I wanted to just throw the whole diaper away and call it a day. But honestly, once you get into a routine, it will get easier.
Most brands offer disposable liners once a baby starts solids, but I personally never wanted too. I’d just rinse the diaper into the toilet, flush, and toss it into the diaper pail. Easy peasy!
This is also the diaper pail setup that made cloth diapering way less overwhelming for me: https://mamakoala.com/2cnqhn
Our simple wash routine. Did I add 1-2 more loads of laundry? Yes. But it’s a simple wash routine that looks like this: Quick rinse or pre-wash. Main wash with a strong detergent. Hang dry the shells; tumble dry the inserts. That’s it. No magic potions, no complicated cycles.
Cute prints made diapering more fun. Not necessary, but definitely a bonus…
I actually spent the most time trying to choose a pattern I liked.
More comfortable for my babies. One thing I immediately noticed was fewer rashes. The diapers are soft, breathable, and comfortable enough for overnight sleep, naps, and lon car rides without leaks.
The Overnight Leak Problem
Once insert was NOT enough for my babies overnight.
I genuinely didn’t know tiny humans could pee this much while sleeping.
For a while, we kept waking up the bed soaked, which meant we still used disposable diapers overnight.
I was upset because I wanted cloth diapers to fully work for us.
Eventually, I started doubling up inserts — and THAT changed everything.
These are the overnight inserts that finally stopped the leaks for us: https://amzn.to/4aHacIR
Now I use a combo of my Mama Koal diapers PLUS extra overnight inserts, and it’s been the best leak-proof setup for us both during naps and overnight.
Here’s the exact combo I use overnight: https://mamakoala.com/5fz24q & https://amzn.to/4aHacIR
My Honest Experience With Cloth Diapering
Cloth diapering isn’t perfect.
There are messy days.
Frustrating days.
Days where you question why you started.
But overall?
It’s been one of the smartest financial decisions I’ve made. And that’s saying something.
It’s helped my husband and I:
- Save money
- Stress less financially
- Keep our babies comfortable
- Stop constantly running to the store for diapers
And during that period of life where everything felt like it was falling apart…
That mattered more than anything.
If You’re Thinking About Switching
Don’t pressure yourself to do cloth diapers perfectly.
This isn’t about needing the fanciest setup or knowing everything before starting.
You just need to find something that works for YOUR family.
For us, that was Mama Koala.
If you want to see the diapers I personally started with, you can find them here: https://mamakoala.com/5ltt3c
And if you’re tired of feeling like money disappears every time you buy diapers…
It might be worth trying.
Little Bonus If You Do
If you decide to try Mama Koala, you can use my code:
MIREYAGONZALEZ for 10% off on their website.
They’re also available on Amazon if that’s easier for you.
I’ll also link my favorite cloth diaper essentials below in case you want to make the switch easier:
- Cloth diapers I use: https://mamakoala.com/5ltt3c
- Overnight inserts: https://amzn.to/49m9yhn
- Wet bags: https://mamakoala.com/l3gip1
- Diaper pail: https://mamakoala.com/2cnqhn
Before You Go
If you’re a mom trying to figure out budgeting, parenting, or just surviving the chaos of motherhood…
You’re not alone.
I’m right there with you.
I share the real parts of motherhood — what’s helping, what’s hard, and everything in between — without pretending life is perfect.
Sometimes we just need someone who gets it.