Types of Cloth Diapers
Here are the types of cloth diapers. When trying to decide what you will use, do not feel like you have to choose only one system. You may use as many different types/brands of cloth diapers as you wish, or just stick with one if you prefer.
*Scroll down to see a video made by one of our members!
PREFOLDS
When you think of CD's, this is most likey what comes to mind. They are made up of multiple layers of fabric, with the middle layer most absorbant. They can be tri-folded and just laid in the cover, or you can use a Snappi or diaper pins to make it more fitted on baby (which contains EBF poo muh better). You need to use a Cover over these to make them waterproof.
FLATS
Flats are a large square of a single layer of fabric that you fold, then pin or snappi on baby. You need a waterproof cover over a Flat. These are easy to wash, and dry quickly, which make them a great option for handwashing while camping or traveling. They are also very trim! These are the most affordable cloth diaper. You can use old receiving blankets, flour sack towels, or even old t-shirts as a flat diaper.
FITTED
Fitted diapers are not waterproof and require a cover. Some have snaps or velcro added to them, but others require either a Snappi or diaper pins to fasten them. They may or may not have a lay in or snap in soaker.
CONTOUR
A contour is similar to a prefold, only it is pre-formed to fit around baby. You will need either pins or Snappi to close. It is not waterproof and requires a cover.
COVERS
There are different types of covers to make prefolds, contours, and fitteds waterproof. They are made of PUL (polyurethane laminate), fleece, or wool. You do not need to change the cover at each diaper change, unless it has poo on it. Typically, 2 covers should last for a typical day (newborns may need more since they tend to have more messy diapers). Wool covers only need to be (hand) washed once every few weeks (unless it gets poo on it), and also need to be lanolized.
AIO's (All in Ones)
These are the closest to a disposable as you can get! The absorbant layers are sewn into the diaper so it is all one piece. They have either velcro or snap closures. Some are OS, but most are sized (S,M,L). AIO's take longer to dry than other CD's. AIO's are very daycare/caregiver friendly.
POCKETS
Pocket diapers consist of 2 pieces, the soaker/insert and the waterproof shell that has a pocket. You simply stuff the pocket of the shell with the insert and you're good to go! They have either velcro or snap closures. Many are OS, but you also can find sized. Before washing, the insert needs to be removed in order to be cleaned properly. There are some pockets that have an opening in the front and back of the dipe (referred to as a "sleeve" diaper). This allows the insert to be washed out, so you do not need to remove it before washing.
HYBRID
Hybrids are a cross between cloth and disposables. Hybrid diapers consist of a cover and an insert (either cloth or disposable). The cover does not need to be changed at each diaper change, but the soaker does. You simply lay or snap in the soaker. When used with a cloth soaker, these are similar to a prefold and cover, without the folding. Hybrids are sometimes referred to as AI2's since they consist of 2 pieces.
AI2 (All in 2)
These consist of 2 pieces, the waterproof outer shell and a snap in or lay in soaker. Unlike the hybrids, the outer shell may only be used once before it needs to be washed again. These are sometimes referred to as AIO's since they are used only one time before being washed again.
OS (One Size)
These are one-size fits most. Typically OS diapers fit babies about 10-35 lbs, depending on the brand of diaper. These are very common since you do not need to buy a new stash as your LO grows. But OS diapers aren't typically as trim as their sized counterpart. If you prefer a trimmer diaper, sized is the way to go. This is a good option if you have more than one in diapers, and do not want to purchase 2 seperate cloth diaper stashes.
NATURAL vs SYNTHETIC
Which diaper materials you choose is up to you. Some prefer to use only all natural or organic materials, others do not mind synthetic materials. It is completely up to you! Please note that Microfiber should NEVER touch baby's skin. It will cause a major rash becuase it pulls all moisture away from skin. It is good to use in pockets. Some soakers have a stay dry liner that prevents the MF from touching baby's skin.
*Scroll down to see a video made by one of our members!
PREFOLDS
When you think of CD's, this is most likey what comes to mind. They are made up of multiple layers of fabric, with the middle layer most absorbant. They can be tri-folded and just laid in the cover, or you can use a Snappi or diaper pins to make it more fitted on baby (which contains EBF poo muh better). You need to use a Cover over these to make them waterproof.
FLATS
Flats are a large square of a single layer of fabric that you fold, then pin or snappi on baby. You need a waterproof cover over a Flat. These are easy to wash, and dry quickly, which make them a great option for handwashing while camping or traveling. They are also very trim! These are the most affordable cloth diaper. You can use old receiving blankets, flour sack towels, or even old t-shirts as a flat diaper.
FITTED
Fitted diapers are not waterproof and require a cover. Some have snaps or velcro added to them, but others require either a Snappi or diaper pins to fasten them. They may or may not have a lay in or snap in soaker.
CONTOUR
A contour is similar to a prefold, only it is pre-formed to fit around baby. You will need either pins or Snappi to close. It is not waterproof and requires a cover.
COVERS
There are different types of covers to make prefolds, contours, and fitteds waterproof. They are made of PUL (polyurethane laminate), fleece, or wool. You do not need to change the cover at each diaper change, unless it has poo on it. Typically, 2 covers should last for a typical day (newborns may need more since they tend to have more messy diapers). Wool covers only need to be (hand) washed once every few weeks (unless it gets poo on it), and also need to be lanolized.
AIO's (All in Ones)
These are the closest to a disposable as you can get! The absorbant layers are sewn into the diaper so it is all one piece. They have either velcro or snap closures. Some are OS, but most are sized (S,M,L). AIO's take longer to dry than other CD's. AIO's are very daycare/caregiver friendly.
POCKETS
Pocket diapers consist of 2 pieces, the soaker/insert and the waterproof shell that has a pocket. You simply stuff the pocket of the shell with the insert and you're good to go! They have either velcro or snap closures. Many are OS, but you also can find sized. Before washing, the insert needs to be removed in order to be cleaned properly. There are some pockets that have an opening in the front and back of the dipe (referred to as a "sleeve" diaper). This allows the insert to be washed out, so you do not need to remove it before washing.
HYBRID
Hybrids are a cross between cloth and disposables. Hybrid diapers consist of a cover and an insert (either cloth or disposable). The cover does not need to be changed at each diaper change, but the soaker does. You simply lay or snap in the soaker. When used with a cloth soaker, these are similar to a prefold and cover, without the folding. Hybrids are sometimes referred to as AI2's since they consist of 2 pieces.
AI2 (All in 2)
These consist of 2 pieces, the waterproof outer shell and a snap in or lay in soaker. Unlike the hybrids, the outer shell may only be used once before it needs to be washed again. These are sometimes referred to as AIO's since they are used only one time before being washed again.
OS (One Size)
These are one-size fits most. Typically OS diapers fit babies about 10-35 lbs, depending on the brand of diaper. These are very common since you do not need to buy a new stash as your LO grows. But OS diapers aren't typically as trim as their sized counterpart. If you prefer a trimmer diaper, sized is the way to go. This is a good option if you have more than one in diapers, and do not want to purchase 2 seperate cloth diaper stashes.
NATURAL vs SYNTHETIC
Which diaper materials you choose is up to you. Some prefer to use only all natural or organic materials, others do not mind synthetic materials. It is completely up to you! Please note that Microfiber should NEVER touch baby's skin. It will cause a major rash becuase it pulls all moisture away from skin. It is good to use in pockets. Some soakers have a stay dry liner that prevents the MF from touching baby's skin.
Below is a video that one of our group members made for a friend to show the types of cloth diapers. Thank you for sharing, Amanda!
Please note: Wool should be washed and lanolized in room temperature water. Melt the lanolin in a small amount of hot/boiling water then add that mixture to tepid water to soak the wool to lanolize. Please read our blog for information on how to care for wool.
Please note: Wool should be washed and lanolized in room temperature water. Melt the lanolin in a small amount of hot/boiling water then add that mixture to tepid water to soak the wool to lanolize. Please read our blog for information on how to care for wool.
