Wool Diaper Covers

Wool diaper covers are soft, warm, cool in summer, nice to the touch. These are made from a cream-colored wool felt, or for soakers -- which are basically a pair of pull-on wooden underpants -- a stretchy wool knit.

These really keep wetness in, because the lanolin in the wool maintains a kind of oily, water-resistant barrier. Wool also absorbs up to one third of its own weight in moisture without feeling wet. Because the fibers are kinky, they trap air and thus insulate. It is also ideal for diaper rash because wool is the most breathable fiber around -- it stays several degrees cooler than any disposable similarly wrapped around baby. Wool fibers also do not promote bacterial growth -- a plus for rashes.

Because of the use of animal fiber and the care involved in making them, wool covers are the most expensive diaper cover out there. All-in-ones, however, would average out to be higher in cost overall, but in both of these cases, you are getting what you pay for. And this has to be looked at the context of spending $2000 or more for disposables in your total diapering period to a few hundred dollars for all your cloth diapering products. Overall, you will spend hundreds and hundreds less than disposables, no matter which system or combination you end up using! And many of the better-made covers can be used for more than one baby. You may find you even like to use them with your diaper service,

Some mothers use wool at night (when they'd like something breathable for the long haul) and some other form of cover during the day. Others do just the opposite -- they use wool during the day and a poly cover at night, with a double diaper. This would be useful for heavy wetters who might eventually soak through the wool during a 10-hour sleep, although some claim they can go through the whole night in wool with no leaks! Some might use wool at night anyway and just change baby before a night nursing (when they are up anyway).

These covers really are not a big hassle; it is a matter of how much you like wool, need breathability, prefer natural fibers, whatever. Whichever system you ultimately decide upon, with whichever type cover and diaper, will become your routine and you will get used to it.

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