Know Your Diapers:
There are many styles of diapers in the cloth diapering world. There are various sizes, closures, and materials to choose from. Choose from the following list to get a description of each kind of diaper.
Prefolds
Prefolds are a simple diapering system. It doesn't get any easier than this. As a tried and true diaper, prefolds are durable and can withstand a heavy wash/drying routine. Prefolds are a system of cotton weave in several layers. Most come in 4x6x4 or 4x8x4. When laid flat, you see three sections: two wings with a thicker middle. The wings will have 4 layers of cotton while the center will with either 6 or 8. These diapers can be folded in various ways and fastened to your baby with either pins or a snappi. Prefolds do require some type of waterproof cover: pull on pants, wraps with snaps or Velcro, fleece or wool soakers. Prefold diapers come in two styles of Chinese or Indian as well as bleached or unbleached cotton weaves. These double great as burp rags or cleaning rags. Most prefolds are not one size though some can be depending on how you fold them. Generally there are four sizes: preemie, infant, regular, and toddler.
Flats
It is exactly what it sounds like. A flat cloth diaper is a single layer of cotton weave (bleached or unbleached). This is probably the most versatile diaper out there. There are multiple folds to be used and they can be used in any type of waterproof cover. Fold it and pin, snappi, or pad fold in a cover or pocket diaper, or wrap with fleece or wool. Generally these are one size so depending on how you fold it; it will fit your baby from birth to potty training. These are the most economical diaper. They wash easily and dry quickly. When all is said and done, they convert nicely into cleaning rags.
Pockets
Pocket diapers are a very common and popular diaper. These diapers eliminate the need for separate items such as covers, diaper, and fasteners. A pocket diaper is a layer of stretchy fabric lined with PUL (Polyurethane Laminated fabric) or TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethanes) which is what makes the diaper waterproof. Inside of this cover will be a pocket made out of either microfleece or microsuede. Both fabrics are soft and act as a “stay dry” lining. This lining is what will pull the moisture away from baby’s skin and into the insert which has been “stuffed” inside the pocket. Inside the pocket you can choose any kind of liner you want based on your baby’s needs in absorbency or sensitivity. The types of fabrics for absorbency you can choose from are cotton, hemp, bamboo, or microfiber (synthetic material, all others are natural). Pocket diapers come in sized or one size options with either Velcro or snap closures.
Hybrid (All-in-Two)
A convenient waterproof cover with either a snap in liner or a disposable insert for a quick on-the-go clean up. Hybrid diapers also have a variety of inserts. The cover will be reusable unless soiled. Inside, you can choose from reusable inserts which you simply lay in or can be snapped in. There are also disposable inserts for some hybrid diapers. These you lay or adhere to the cover with a “sticky” strip on the insert and then throw away when wet or soiled.
Fitteds
A coverless diaper made to fit your baby's bottom perfectly. Fitteds are a great absorbent option while allowing your baby's delicate skin to breathe. When paired with your choice of cover, this is a perfect no-leak solution. Fitteds are the answer to a prefold lover who doesn’t like to mess with pins or snappis. Usually a fitted diaper will already be made with snaps or velcro to secure the diaper, but some are made to be used with pins or snappi. Fitted diapers are also made of a variety of fabrics which you can choose from depending on your baby’s absorbency needs. Fitteds come in sized or one size and they do require a cover, but your baby can go coverless to let their bottoms breathe.
Covers
Diaper covers allows for flexibility in your diapering choices. You have a variety of diaper cover choices to meet your baby's wetness protection needs by pairing your cover with your choice of prefold, flat, or fitted diaper. Covers come in a variety of sizes, closures, and materials. There are pull-up plastic pants which are simple, but a little tricky with wiggly babies and crawlers. The most common cover is the wrap style cover which fastens with either velcro or snaps. Another cover option is wool or fleece. Covers come in sized or one size options.
All-in-One
All-In-One diapers eliminate any need for fasteners, prefolding, or stuffing of inserts. Great for daycare, babysitters, or Grandparents, all-in-One diapers are the easiest diapers to use. They are as simple as a disposable. These diapers look just like a pocket diaper (they even have a pocket for extra stuffing) but will have one insert sewn into the lining of the pocket. Like the pocket, they are lined with microfleece or microsuede. The main drawback to the all-in-one system is that they are a little more difficult to clean and take longer to dry since everything is all sewn together.
Accessories
The final touch for the perfect diapering system is the accessories. Aside from the diaper, you can have other items to make your cloth diapering experience successful. There are reusable diaper pail wet bags, cloth wipes, cloth wipe solutions, and diaper sprayers.
