Where to Start With Cloth Diaper Inserts, Liners & Boosters (So You Don't Overbuy)

Quick answer: Every Lil Helper cloth diaper already includes a cover plus a Tank Insert Set (one charcoal insert, one bamboo insert). That's a complete, ready-to-use system; you don't need to buy anything else to get started. Everything else (extra inserts, liners, boosters) is for building your stash or fine-tuning fit as your baby grows.

If you just opened your first pack of cloth diapers and thought "wait, do I need more stuff?", you're not alone. It's the #1 question new cloth diapering parents ask us. Short version: no, you're already set. Long version, including what each product actually does and what order to buy in, is below.

What Comes With Your Lil Helper Diaper?

Every diaper ships with a cover and a Tank Insert Set; one small charcoal insert and one large bamboo insert, snapped in and ready to go. There's no "starter pack upsell" here. What's in the box is what you need.

*Small insert (charcoal): use alone for babies under 3–4 months

*Large insert (bamboo): snap in alongside the small one as your baby grows

*Combined capacity: holds up to 270 mL

So the honest answer to "what else do I need to start cloth diapering?" is: nothing, yet. Below is what each add-on does, and when it's actually worth buying.

Cloth Diaper Inserts, Explained

Inserts are the absorbent core of your diaper, the part doing the actual work. Lil Helper offers four types, and they're all interchangeable across any cover, including older or discontinued print generations.

Here's how they stack up:

*Tank Insert Set (included with every diaper): best for everyday, all-purpose use. Stay-dry plus absorbent combo. Holds up to 270 mL.

*Charcoal Insert: best for everyday use and rash-prone skin. Stay-dry, doesn't stain. Holds about 180 mL.

*Bamboo Insert: best for heavy wetters and potty training wetness cues. Baby feels wet. Holds up to 260 mL.

*Overnight Insert Set: best for 10–12 hour stretches. Bulkier. Holds about 300 mL.

Charcoal vs. bamboo inserts? This is the question we get constantly, and it comes down to feel. Charcoal wicks moisture away for a stay-dry finish and won't stain; a solid pick for everyday use or sensitive, rash-prone skin. Bamboo holds up to 260 mL and resists compression leaks better, but baby will feel the wetness. That's actually a feature once you get to potty training: feeling wet is what teaches the "I need the toilet" cue.

Overnight inserts are a different animal entirely; 8 layers with a waterproof PUL backing and extra leg gussets to lock in containment, built for 10–12 hour stretches, not daytime wear. If you're cloth diapering overnight full-time, plan on 5 sets so you've always got a dry one on hand during your 3-day wash rotation.

Cloth Diaper Boosters, Explained

A booster isn't a standalone insert, it's an add-on layer that boosts absorbency without adding much bulk (about 120 mL). Think of it as backup, not a starting piece.

How to use a booster:

*Stay-dry-side up: for heavy wetters or babies with sensitive skin

*Flipped over: for toddlers in potty training, so they can feel when they're wet

*Tucked into a disposable diaper: genuinely useful for travel days or daycare drop-off

Do you need one to start? Usually not. Boosters earn their spot in your stash once you notice leaks or realize you've got a particularly heavy wetter on your hands, not before.

Cloth Diaper Liners, Explained

"Liner" covers two very different products, and mixing them up is the most common mistake we see new cloth diapering parents make.

*Reusable Bamboo Stay Dry Liner: A thin liner that sits on top of your insert, dark side facing baby. It disperses pee evenly and makes poop cleanup dramatically easier, solids lift right off into the toilet instead of soaking into the insert. It washes and reuses with the rest of your diaper laundry; it never gets thrown away. Using diaper cream? No problem, just rinse residue off before washing.

*Disposable Liners: 100% bamboo viscose, biodegradable, sold in packs of 100. Drop solids into the toilet, then toss the liner, trash or green bin, not flushable. These are the easiest possible entry point for cloth diapering: no scrubbing, no extra laundry step, just drop and toss. Best suited to the newborn stage, when poop is frequent and unpredictable, and for on-the-go changes.

So, Where Should You Actually Start?

Beyond the Tank Insert Set already in your diaper, here's the buying order we recommend, priced, low-commitment options first:

1.Disposable liners: the easiest add-on for the newborn stage. Zero scrubbing required.

2.Reusable Bamboo Stay Dry Liner: add once you're settled into a routine. More cost-effective long term than buying disposables on repeat.

3.One extra charcoal or bamboo insert set: backup absorbency, and buys you flexibility on wash day.

4.Boosters: hold off until you notice a specific need, like leaks or a heavy wetter.

Rule of thumb: Tank inserts are your daily go-to. Charcoal and bamboo let you fine-tune stay-dry feel versus absorbency. Liners and boosters are add-ons layered on top for convenience or extra protection. Overnight inserts are reserved for long stretches only.

Beyond Newborns: Other Times This System Comes In Handy

Cloth diapering isn't just a newborn phase, and neither is this insert-liner-booster system:

Heavy wetters at any age: stack a bamboo insert with a booster for extra capacity without bulk.

Potty training: switch to bamboo inserts (or flip a booster) so your toddler feels wet and connects the dots.

Travel and daycare: disposable liners and a booster tucked into a disposable diaper cover you when you can't do a full wash routine.

Rash flare-ups: charcoal's stay-dry, non-staining fabric is gentler on already-irritated skin.

Caregivers managing incontinence: the same layering logic; absorbent core, stay-dry liner, boost as needed, applies across our incontinence and special needs line, not just baby diapers. If you're supporting an older child, teen, or adult with medical or sensory needs, our team can help you translate this same system to the right product.