If you found your way to this page you may be thinking “I love my kids, I love the environment, but cloth diapers?  I’m not so sure.”  Well, I have good news for you, my friends!  These aren’t your grandmother’s cloth diapers!  Modern cloth diapers have made leaps and bounds since the days of tricky folding and diaper pins.  Today there are a variety of styles and brands in various colors and price ranges, all of which are convenient and easy to use.  Still slightly intimidated?  Check out the breakdown of the Four Types of Cloth Diapers below:

All in One's

AIO's are constructed to look just like a disposible, with the hourglass shape and elastic in the waist and around the legs.  There is a waterproof cover on the outside, absorbabt material stuffed in the inside, and an insert that is attached as an extra layer of absorption between the child and the diaper.  A variation of this is the All in Two, where the insert snaps into place between the diaper and the baby.  Most AIO's have the option of either snaps or aplix (Velcro type material) that fasten the diaper.

example below: Softbums Echo

Pocket Diapers

Pocket diapers have the same shape and elastic properties as AIO’s.  In fact, they would look exactly the same when being worn on a child.  Pocket diapers differ because they have an opening the back that allows you to stuff the diaper with additional inserts for extra absorption.  Pocket diapers also come in both aplix or snaps.

example below: Knickernappies 2G

Fitted Diapers

Fitted diapers (aka “Fitteds”) are cloth diapers that fasten via aplix or snaps but do not come attached to a cover.  The Fitteds tend to conform to the body a little better than the AIO’s and Pocket diapers (hence the name), but do require the separate purchase of a cover to make them waterproof. 

example below: Happy Heinys Hempy

Prefolds

Prefolds are the old school rectangular pieces of fabric you probably first imagined when you thought of cloth diapers.  They are stitched into multiple layers to give the diaper a thick, absorbent feel and must be folded to fit your child and fastened with either Snappis or pins.  They also require a waterproof cover, but can easily be worn without one around the house.

example below: Organic Prefolds

One Size Vs. Sized

One Size diapers are diapers that grow with your baby as they get bigger, meaning one diaper can be used from birth until they are out of diapers.  These diapers have obvious economic advantages since you only need to buy one set.  The possible drawback with one size diapers is that they may not always fit perfectly if you child is in between sizes & leaking is possible at these times.  One size diapers also tend to be a little bulky when they baby is smaller, since there is enough material on them to fit a much larger child.

Sized diapers (such as fitteds, some pocket diapers, and some AIO's) come in sizes from newborn to extra large and are designed to fit your child perfectly in that size.  These diapers tend to be more trim and form fitting, but require the purchase of different sizes as your child grows.  Sized diapers are more of an investment but some people prefer them for the above reason.

Cloth Diaper Lingo

These are some of the words you may start to hear once you enter the world of cloth diapering, so we made you a little cheat sheet!

Inserts: the rectangular piece you stuff in a pocket diaper to absorb the waste.  They are generally 3 layers of material (microfiber, hemp, or others) and can also be stuffed in a fitted, prefold, or all in one for extra absorbancy.

Doublers: this thinner piece (2 layers of material) is used in addition to an insert to boost the maximum absorbancy.  They are not thick enough to absorb the waste on their own and must be used with an insert. 

Liners: a single layer of fabric placed in between the diaper and the bottom.  They are generally used to protect the diaper from cream or ointment, or you can buy the biodegradeable liners to catch the mess and flush it down the toilet.

Wet Bag: a bag that can be used when traveling or at home to store your soiled diapers before they are washed.

Pail Liner: a garbage can liner where you can store your diapers before they are washed. 

Snappi: a stretchy, three pronged closure that fastens cloth diapers together.