Choosing a Type of Cloth Diaper

Cloth diapers can be kind of overwhelming when you start out. They essentially have a whole vocabulary of their own. The types I’ll cover here are flats, prefolds, fitted diapers, pocket diapers, and all-in-one diapers, and then some accessories like covers, inserts and snappis.  This list is in order from least expensive to most expensive.

It should be noted that I use prefolds and pockets, so those are the kinds I know best.

Ramona in a thirsties cover and green mountain prefold

Flats

Flats are the simplest possible choice, and also the cheapest. All it is is one big flat piece of absorbent cloth. To use it you fold it up and attach it with pins or a snappi (see accessories at the bottom of this post) and then put a waterproof cover over it. The cover is where most of your money will go, and it’s the same cover that will work over a prefold or a fitted diaper.

Pros:

-Cheapest option

-Dries quickly because there’s no extra bulk

-One size fits all

Cons:

-Slightly more work to fold and cover

-Requires two pieces (flat and cover) plus pins or a snappi

-Not quite as absorbent as some of the other options

-Hard to get on a baby that moves a lot

Prefolds

green mountain prefolds

Prefolds are the majority of my stash. In simplest terms they are prefolded flats. They are bulkier but barely need to be folded. They also need a waterproof cover over them.

Pros:

-Still pretty cheap

-Dries quicker than the later options, but not as quick as flats

-Doesn’t necessarily require pins or a snappi (depends on the cover and the fold)

Cons

-Requires two pieces (prefold and cover)

-Has to be changed more often than pockets or all-in-ones because it doesn’t pull the wetness away from Baby’s skin

-Hard to get on a baby that moves a lot

As a subsection of this post I want to quickly cover the three main folds for prefold diapers:

            The Trifold:

            This is just what it wounds like, the diaper is folded into three equal parts, just like a letter, and then the cover is put on top.

            The Bikini Twist:

            This is where the diaper is flat at the back of the cover and then flat at the front, but twists in the middle, making it the bulkiest where absorbency is needed the most. I initially rejected this fold because I thought it sounded like the diaper would be not as wide right in the middle, but that turned out to be incorrect, now it’s my go-to fold.

            Angel Wings:

            This is kind of a combo of the other two; the diaper is flat at the back and then folds into the three panels at the front.

I made this in Paint, I hope it makes sense

Fitted Diapers

duo fab fitted diapers

Fitteds are a kind of shaped version of a prefold. They attach to themselves, but still need a cover because they aren’t waterproof.  They can technically be worn without a cover, since they stay on by themselves, but be warned that pee will soak through them onto the floor/Baby’s clothes/the couch/the car seat etc.

Pros:

-Easier to get a on a squirmy baby

-Has elastic at the thighs to add extra prevention from leakage

-Easy to attach, doesn’t ever require pins or a snappi

Cons:

-Requires two pieces (fitted and cover)

-More expensive than flats or prefolds

Pocket Diapers

Pocket diapers are like the cover you would use with any of the previous options but with another layer of cloth on the inside. This layer is open at one end or both ends and can be stuffed with a prefold, a flat, or an insert (see below).

Pros:

-Can be stuffed ahead of time for easy on, easy off

-Can have a soft material like fleece against Baby’s skin instead of the sometimes-stiff cotton of prefolds and flats

Cons:

- Requires two pieces (pocket diaper and insert of some kind, although sometimes they are sold with an insert included)

-Need a new cover every time (covers for flats, prefolds, and fitteds don’t necessarily need to be washed when Baby only pees)

-More expensive than previous options

All-In-One Diapers

bum genius all-in-one diaper

The most convenient and the most expensive diaper option. The all-in-one is like a bulky disposable diaper. There is no extra work, the diaper comes off, goes in the laundry, and goes right back on the baby, no folding or stuffing.

Pros:

-Most convenient option

-Only one piece needed

Cons:

-Most expensive option

-More diapers needed because the whole thing needs to be changed every time (no covers that can go through a few pee diapers)

-Takes a long time to dry because of the bulk

Snappi

The snappi is a three pronged attachment piece that can be used instead of pointy pins of flats or prefolds. It simply attaches to either side and the between-the-legs bit and you’re ready to go.

Diaper covers

There are a couple of different kinds of diaper covers. There are kinds that attach with Velcro or snaps and there are kinds you just pull up. In my opinion, the only things to make sure your cover has are gussets. There provide extra protection around the legs to prevent leakage. Another thing to keep in mind is that while snaps are slightly harder to attach, babies can sometimes kick out of Velcro and older babies can sometimes just undo it themselves.

Inserts

Pocket diapers can be stuffed with prefolds, flats, or inserts. Inserts sometimes come with the diaper and are just little absorbent pieces of cloth that can go inside a pocket diaper to soak up everything. They can be made out of pretty much any absorbent cloth, and if you’re really handy you can probably just make them yourself.

That’s all I can think of, but if you have any questions I’d be happy to answer them in the comments.