Different Cloth Diaper Styles Explained
I remember all too well beginning my research on cloth diapers. My 4th baby was 3 months old and I had no idea what I was looking for. All I
knew was that I needed a diapering option to 1) make his rash go away and 2) save money!
It took all of about 30 seconds of searching Google before I was completely overwhelmed.
Who would of thought there were SO many options?
Ultimately, we decided to use gDiaper & SoftBums diapers. But, that was after doing a lot of comparison shopping and reading a ton of reviews. Plus, they were the style that my husband seemed to like the best. You can read the whole story…
In the world of cloth diapers you have quite a few “countries”…
Pre Fold/Flat Cloth Diapers are basically what our mother and/or grandmother used. If you are on a budget, prefolds are the most economical cloth diapering system available. They are comfortably soft and absorbent and they are also great for stuffing pocket diapers or as a stand alone cloth diaper with any wrap style diaper cover. The advantages are that they dry quickly and fit a large range of size. The disadvantages are the folding and pinning that are required.
Prefolds are available bleached and unbleached and are made from 100% heavyweight cotton twill, as well as super absorbent hemp fleece prefolds. Both styles stand up to vigorous washing and drying – these diapers will last you through more than one child.
Fitted Cloth Diapers do not require folding and generally fasten in the front or on the side with velcro or snap closures. They’re gathered or elasticized at the legs and waists and require an additional cloth diaper cover as they do not have a waterproof outer material needs a diaper cover (see below) to keep moisture from leaking through. Fitted cloth diapers have a more trim fit on your baby, are great for everyday use and fit under baby clothing easily. They are available in organic cotton, fleece knits, hemp, bamboo and 100% custom milled cotton.
Contour Cloth Diapers are hourglass in shape and do not require any folding. They’re not fitted at the legs or waist and need to be secured with diaper pins, snappi fasteners, or with a wrap styled diaper cover. They have a trimmer fit in the crotch compared to prefolds but still provide adequate absorbancy where you need it most. Need a diaper cover (see below).
Contour diapers are simple in design allowing for adjustability in the rise and dry quickly. These are an economical alternative to fitted diapers and are fairly easy to use.
Cloth Diaper Covers As mentioned above, all prefold, contour and fitted cloth diapers require a waterproof cover. Diaper covers come in different styles and are made from various waterproof materials. PUL, Windpro fleece, and wool are popular diaper cover materials. Diaper covers are used over contours, flats, prefolds, and fitted cloth diapers to provide a waterproof outer layer. Generally diaper covers consist of an hourglass shape with elastic in the legs and waist to keep messes inside. Some diaper covers fasten with snaps or a hook and loop system similar to Velcro, called aplix or touchtape while others simply pull on. Diaper covers come in sizes to fit from birth to potty learning, and when paired with prefolds or flats are a low-cost cloth diapering system.
Wool & Fleece Covers If you prefer a natural alternative, wool covers are fabulous. As mentioned above, all prefold, contour and fitted cloth diapers require a waterproof cover. Wool diaper covers are not as trim as waterproof covers, but what they lose in trimness they make up for in absorbency and protection as untreated wool can absorb more than one third its weight in moisture before it even begins to feel wet. You can get them in covers, shorts or pants.
Yet another option in diaper covers is fleece. Fleece diaper covers are soft, durable and functional but like their wool counterparts, are not as trim in fit.
Pocket Style Cloth Diapers have been coined to be the “modern cloth diaper”. They are extremely versatile and easy to use. They are a two part diaper system consisting of a diaper cover and an absorbent insert. There is an inner stay dry material that rests against baby’s skin that is sewn to a waterproof outer material.
The two sides come together to make a pocket that runs the width and length of the diaper cover. The insert is tucked into the pocket to absorb moisture that passes through the pocket diaper’s inner material, keeping baby’s skin dry. A great choice for heavy wetters and night time as pocket diapers allow you to tailor the absorption needs of your baby by adding additional inserts. These are also great for when you are out and about as they function like a disposable or for use at daycares.
All In One Cloth Diapers have the absorbent layer integrated into the waterproof outer layer. It goes on in one step. These cloth diapers are the easiest and most leak proof diapers to use. They fasten with snaps or Velcro and work like the ease of a disposable. NO diaper cover required. The advantage of AIO’s are their ease of use. However, the biggest disadvantage is how long they take to dry.
All In Two AI2 cloth diapers are similar to AIOs except that the soaker in an AI2 is separate from the diaper body. Usually AI2 soaker is snapped to the diaper body, but it may be laid or sewn in also. AI2s do not need a cover because the diaper body has a waterproof outer layer. One advantage to AI2 cloth diapers is that the body and soaker separate for thorough cleaning and quick drying. Another advantage is that the soaker can be replaced if it wears out before the diaper body and the cover can be reused throughout the day.
One Size Cloth Diapers One size cloth diapers are the easiest and simplest cloth diapers to use on the market. The one size concept makes cloth diaper purchasing super easy. All you need is one size from birth to potty training.
Sized Cloth Diapers are available in Preemie 1,2 & 3, Extra Small, Small, Medium, Large & Extra Large. Available in pockets, All In Ones, All In Twos, Snaps, Velcro & Hybrid. You get a precise fit but you have to buy new diapers as your baby grows. If you start cloth diapering with an older baby, this may be the way to
go!
Hybrid Cloth Diapers a reusable, outer waterproof cloth diaper cover wraps a disposable diaper soaker pad in the same way cloth diaper covers wrap around cloth diapers, except, the internal soaker pad is not reusable. They are compostable, throwable or flushable. You can use also use cloth inserts in these diapers. Handy when out and about because you can just throw the insert once wet or soiled.
Cloth Pull-Ups are for bigger or older children, you can get them with or wthout pockets and with or without snaps. I LOVE these for my 5 year old bedwetting daughter! Available in sizes 2T to 14!!!
If you have any questions about using cloth diapers please contact Cloth Diapers To Go. Happy shopping!
Ultimately, we decided to use gDiaper & SoftBums diapers. But, that was after doing a lot of comparison shopping and reading a ton of reviews. Plus, they were the style that my husband seemed to like the best. You can read the whole story…
In the world of cloth diapers you have quite a few “countries”…
- Pre Folds
- Fitted
- Contour
- Covers
- Wool and Fleece Covers
- Pocket style
- All in Ones
- All in Twos
- One Size
- Sized
- Hybrids
- Cloth Pull Ups
Pre Fold/Flat Cloth Diapers are basically what our mother and/or grandmother used. If you are on a budget, prefolds are the most economical cloth diapering system available. They are comfortably soft and absorbent and they are also great for stuffing pocket diapers or as a stand alone cloth diaper with any wrap style diaper cover. The advantages are that they dry quickly and fit a large range of size. The disadvantages are the folding and pinning that are required.
Prefolds are available bleached and unbleached and are made from 100% heavyweight cotton twill, as well as super absorbent hemp fleece prefolds. Both styles stand up to vigorous washing and drying – these diapers will last you through more than one child.
Fitted Cloth Diapers do not require folding and generally fasten in the front or on the side with velcro or snap closures. They’re gathered or elasticized at the legs and waists and require an additional cloth diaper cover as they do not have a waterproof outer material needs a diaper cover (see below) to keep moisture from leaking through. Fitted cloth diapers have a more trim fit on your baby, are great for everyday use and fit under baby clothing easily. They are available in organic cotton, fleece knits, hemp, bamboo and 100% custom milled cotton.
Contour Cloth Diapers are hourglass in shape and do not require any folding. They’re not fitted at the legs or waist and need to be secured with diaper pins, snappi fasteners, or with a wrap styled diaper cover. They have a trimmer fit in the crotch compared to prefolds but still provide adequate absorbancy where you need it most. Need a diaper cover (see below).
Contour diapers are simple in design allowing for adjustability in the rise and dry quickly. These are an economical alternative to fitted diapers and are fairly easy to use.
Cloth Diaper Covers As mentioned above, all prefold, contour and fitted cloth diapers require a waterproof cover. Diaper covers come in different styles and are made from various waterproof materials. PUL, Windpro fleece, and wool are popular diaper cover materials. Diaper covers are used over contours, flats, prefolds, and fitted cloth diapers to provide a waterproof outer layer. Generally diaper covers consist of an hourglass shape with elastic in the legs and waist to keep messes inside. Some diaper covers fasten with snaps or a hook and loop system similar to Velcro, called aplix or touchtape while others simply pull on. Diaper covers come in sizes to fit from birth to potty learning, and when paired with prefolds or flats are a low-cost cloth diapering system.
Wool & Fleece Covers If you prefer a natural alternative, wool covers are fabulous. As mentioned above, all prefold, contour and fitted cloth diapers require a waterproof cover. Wool diaper covers are not as trim as waterproof covers, but what they lose in trimness they make up for in absorbency and protection as untreated wool can absorb more than one third its weight in moisture before it even begins to feel wet. You can get them in covers, shorts or pants.
Yet another option in diaper covers is fleece. Fleece diaper covers are soft, durable and functional but like their wool counterparts, are not as trim in fit.
Pocket Style Cloth Diapers have been coined to be the “modern cloth diaper”. They are extremely versatile and easy to use. They are a two part diaper system consisting of a diaper cover and an absorbent insert. There is an inner stay dry material that rests against baby’s skin that is sewn to a waterproof outer material.
The two sides come together to make a pocket that runs the width and length of the diaper cover. The insert is tucked into the pocket to absorb moisture that passes through the pocket diaper’s inner material, keeping baby’s skin dry. A great choice for heavy wetters and night time as pocket diapers allow you to tailor the absorption needs of your baby by adding additional inserts. These are also great for when you are out and about as they function like a disposable or for use at daycares.
All In One Cloth Diapers have the absorbent layer integrated into the waterproof outer layer. It goes on in one step. These cloth diapers are the easiest and most leak proof diapers to use. They fasten with snaps or Velcro and work like the ease of a disposable. NO diaper cover required. The advantage of AIO’s are their ease of use. However, the biggest disadvantage is how long they take to dry.
All In Two AI2 cloth diapers are similar to AIOs except that the soaker in an AI2 is separate from the diaper body. Usually AI2 soaker is snapped to the diaper body, but it may be laid or sewn in also. AI2s do not need a cover because the diaper body has a waterproof outer layer. One advantage to AI2 cloth diapers is that the body and soaker separate for thorough cleaning and quick drying. Another advantage is that the soaker can be replaced if it wears out before the diaper body and the cover can be reused throughout the day.
One Size Cloth Diapers One size cloth diapers are the easiest and simplest cloth diapers to use on the market. The one size concept makes cloth diaper purchasing super easy. All you need is one size from birth to potty training.
Sized Cloth Diapers are available in Preemie 1,2 & 3, Extra Small, Small, Medium, Large & Extra Large. Available in pockets, All In Ones, All In Twos, Snaps, Velcro & Hybrid. You get a precise fit but you have to buy new diapers as your baby grows. If you start cloth diapering with an older baby, this may be the way to
go!
Hybrid Cloth Diapers a reusable, outer waterproof cloth diaper cover wraps a disposable diaper soaker pad in the same way cloth diaper covers wrap around cloth diapers, except, the internal soaker pad is not reusable. They are compostable, throwable or flushable. You can use also use cloth inserts in these diapers. Handy when out and about because you can just throw the insert once wet or soiled.
Cloth Pull-Ups are for bigger or older children, you can get them with or wthout pockets and with or without snaps. I LOVE these for my 5 year old bedwetting daughter! Available in sizes 2T to 14!!!
If you have any questions about using cloth diapers please contact Cloth Diapers To Go. Happy shopping!
