When it comes to cloth diapering with all-in-two (AI2) diapers, the number of shells and inserts you’ll need will depend on a few factors. Most manufacturers recommend having 4-6 shells and 20-24 inserts to diaper a baby full time using AI2s.
However, if you plan to start cloth diapering from the newborn stage, it’s a good idea to increase these recommendations to around 8 shells and 30+ inserts. This is because newborns tend to go through diapers more quickly due to their smaller sizes and more frequent diaper changes.
Having a larger number of shells and inserts ensures that you always have enough clean ones on hand while the others are being washed. It also allows for any potential delays in laundry or unexpected messes that may require additional diaper changes.
It’s worth noting that the number of shells and inserts needed can also depend on how often you plan to do laundry. If you prefer to do laundry every day or every other day, you may be able to get by with fewer shells and inserts. However, if you prefer to do laundry less frequently, having a larger stash will be helpful.
Additionally, consider the type of inserts you’ll be using with your AI2 diapers. Some inserts, like prefolds or flats, can be folded and reused for multiple changes before washing, while others, like microfiber or bamboo inserts, are typically used once before washing. If you’re using reusable inserts, having more of them will be beneficial.
In my personal experience, having a larger stash of AI2 diapers was helpful, especially during the newborn stage when diaper changes were more frequent. I started with around 8 shells and 30 inserts, and it allowed me to comfortably diaper my baby without running out of clean diapers between laundry days.
It’s always better to have a few extra shells and inserts than to run out and be stuck without clean diapers. As your baby grows and their diapering needs change, you can always adjust your stash accordingly.