Do Bulk Cloth Diapers Impact Baby Growth?
My daughter rolled over at 3 months, crawled at 7 months, and started walking around 10–11 months. She has been in cloth from birth—first in traditional Indian langots followed by modern cloth diapers for the initial month. Since then, she has been cloth diapered exclusively. Night diapers were bulky! And honestly, it bothered me too—the BULK! Family members would often comment on her slightly awkward walk after switching to night diapers, which only added to my FTM anxiety.
Even though I had researched and knew bulky cloth diapers wouldn’t affect my daughter’s development, I still felt concerned. So, if the bulk bothers you too, you’re not alone! The good news? Research shows that cloth diapers do not delay your child’s ability to roll, crawl, or walk.
However, when a baby is learning to roll, they may find it easier without a diaper. Offering some diaper-free time and plenty of tummy time can really help them master these milestones.Studies have found that once the skill is mastered a baby will crawl/walk in the same way whether they wear a disposable or a bulky cloth diaper. There is some evidence to say that the extra bulk (like an extra challenge) could speed up a baby’s ability to walk. It does introduce some gait (wider step) but babies overcome it as they master the skill to walk. It does not impair hip development . There are some studies which even suggest that the Cloth Diapers help in Hip Development by supporting the hips in the M position.
Not to forget that the bulk of cloth diapers provides cushion to babies’ bums when they fall!
So, don’t let the bulk of a diaper stop you from switching to cloth! These days, there are plenty of trim options available from brands like Bibe Baby, SuperBottoms, and others. I was constantly on the hunt for trimmer diapering solutions. My daughter has always been very lean, so every cloth diaper looked (and still looks!) bulky on her.
That said, there’s only so much you can do with trim options. When you want the diaper to last longer—so you can actually sleep through the night without waking up to wet sheets—extra absorbency becomes non-negotiable, and that naturally adds some bulk. As babies grow, so does their pee output, and adding absorbency is the only way to keep leaks at bay. I tried many trim All-in-One diapers, but none lasted through the night. So take it from me: don’t waste too much energy chasing the perfectly trim diaper just to avoid a little bulk.
There’s always a trade-off between trimness and absorbency. As your baby grows, you may not have room to to add extra layers to ultra-trim diapers. That’s where EcoSnug Fitted Diapers with Diaper Covers strike a good balance between trimness and flexibility to adjust absorbency in the long run.
At the end of the day, a little extra bulk is a small price to pay for the comfort, sustainability, and safety that cloth diapers offer. It’s easy to get caught up in the hunt for the perfect trim diaper (I’ve been there!), but what matters most is what works for you and your baby. Every baby is different, and finding that sweet spot between absorbency and fit may take a bit of trial and error.
So don’t stress about the bulk—embrace the journey of cloth diapering. Your baby’s milestones won’t suffer, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’ve made a thoughtful, eco-friendly choice.
👉 Curious to try cloth diapers that balance absorbency and fit?
Check out EcoSnug Fitted Diapers with Diaper Covers and make your cloth diapering journey a little easier (and a lot cuter)! Shop Now
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Here is New Parents Guide to Cloth Diapers that might come handy in your Cloth Diapering Journey.
My friend’s and my baby in EcoSnug‘s (Bulky) Cloth Diapers!
