Narrowing down what type to use, though, can be overwhelming! There are so many types, and within each type is a brand that some moms love and/or hate. And don't even get me started on abbreviations -- it's seriously its own language after a while.
But I'm here to make it easy! Here are the most common types of cloth diapers and their abbreviations. Tomorrow, I'll share some tips on how to care for your cloth diapers, then later, I'll share lists of retailers who carry them (including some brick-and-mortar stores for y'all in Maryland and Virginia).
Sizes and Closures
First, the sizes!
Even for each type of diaper, there are size variations! Some are one-size (that typically fit from 6-8lbs through 35-45lbs, depending) while some are sized (newborn, Size 1, Size 2) according to height and/or weight.
Which one you go with depends on personal preference. If you go sized (NB, 1, 2), you run the risk of "outgrowing" a certain size earlier or later than expected, but you often get the advantage of slimmer diapers that likely fit your child more snugly. One-size allows you to adjust based on the height and weight of your child, but may be bulkier, especially when they're smaller, as that extra material has to go somewhere!
Personally, our stash will include a 15-pack of AIO newborn diapers with hook-and-loop closures, then 24 or so OS pockets with snaps and bamboo soakers for heavy night wetting.
... y'all have no idea what I'm talking about, do you? ;) Allow me to explain...
Types of Cloth Diapers
(click each type to learn)
All-In-Ones (AIOs)
These diapers have a waterproof cover and an absorbent liner all in one piece, making it one of the easiest options out there. They often fasten with a hook/loop (basically a fancy term for Velcro) or snaps. These are one of the best kinds for daycares or babysitters as they tend to be the most similar to disposables.
There are two types of AIOs: Those with sewn-in soakers ("true" AIOs), and those with removable ones ("QD" - Quick Dry). If you have the chance, check out bumGenius' newborn and one-size AIOs to see the difference. True AIOs do take longer to dry and some report the diapers having a bit of a smell left over (makes sense, as everything is sewn in and I'm sure the wash doesn't take care of ALL of it), but they have the easiest learning curve; QDs are faster drying, but may be a bit bulkier than trues. Still, this is all personal preference.
Either way, laundering is a breeze. Just stick the whole thing in the washing machine. Yup... the whole thing! I'll have another section on caring for your cloth diapers later, but the very basics for AIOs is to rinse (if needed, for non-exclusively breastfed [EBF] babies), chuck it in (for EBF babies), and wash! Super easy. Stripping can remove a lot of the smell -- more on that when we discuss cloth diaper care.
All-In-Twos (AI2s)/Hybrids
I thought these were really complicated before I finally got to experiment with one. They're not as popular as AIOs or pockets (next up!), but they ARE cheaper and arguably just as easy. These, with the interchangeable names (AI2s, Hybrids), consist of a waterproof outer barrier with a removable inner soaker, the part that absorbs the yuckies. That makes these diapers much more efficient to clean than AIOs and make for a versatile diaper.
No separate covers are required and the drying times are shorter, and there are disposable options for traveling (see GroVia for an example). New soakers or doublers can be purchased if they need to be replaced; you'd have to replace a whole diaper for AIOs and pockets! There are even disposable soakers or doublers available.
The only hard part to these is keeping soakers or doublers with the rest of the diaper, especially if they're not snap-ins. But otherwise, they're very easy!
Pockets
The main components of pocket diapers are a waterproof outer barrier, an inner moisture-wicking fabric that keeps baby's skin feeling dry, and a third component that gets stuffed in the middle, the absorbent pocket insert. These inserts can be made of microfiber, bamboo, hemp, and cotton, among other materials. They were invented specifically to target the elimination and treatment of diaper rash by wicking away the moisture to a removable pocket, leaving baby's bottom free to breathe.
The great thing about pockets is that the amount of absorbency can be custom-fitted, especially handy for heavy wetters. Layering a cotton or microfiber insert and bamboo or hemp insert, for example, with the cotton or microfiber closer to baby's skin, allows the first material to draw moisture away quickly and for the second to absorb even more. Both bamboo and hemp retain more moisture but take longer to absorb, hence the layering for maximum effect.
These are also great for babysitters and daycares, as they're of the "take it off, store it away, slap another on" mindset as AIOs. Just be sure to make it as easy as possible: Pre-stuff them before getting them into the hands of others!
Inserts do need to be removed from most brands of pocket diapers before laundering, but once removed, they can all be thrown in the wash together. Buildup can also occur in the inner layer of the diaper, but I imagine that flipping the diaper inside-out occasionally and allowing the inside to be laundered more thoroughly, along with the tips in my later care-for post, should help.
Fitteds
Imagine you have an AIO diaper, but instead of being sewn together, the cloth and the waterproof material were two different pieces. This is the essential workings of a fitted diaper. The diaper itself is typically cloth, with elastic gatherings around the legs and Velcro or snaps to keep the diaper together. Over that is typically a diaper cover, the waterproof barrier between the diaper and any other surface (including your hands or lap!). More about those below, as they can be used for this and the next two types of diapers.
They are often much cheaper than the alternatives because of the way in which they're constructed, and many moms even find they're able to make these diapers themselves! The covers are cheap, too, and if there are no blowouts or other yuckies, they can often be reused.
Fitteds can be chucked into the washer just like other kinds can, but they do require more drying time as they tend to be pretty thick -- something has to catch everything! -- and require thorough washing and rinsing to prevent buildup. The covers can be wiped down with a wet cloth.
Contours
These fall in between fitteds and prefolds -- no elastic in the leg or waist areas, but no folding. Contours are hourglass-shaped, allowing for a snug fit around baby's bottom and legs. Since there are no snaps or Velcro, they need to be held together with a snappi (discussed later) or diaper pins, and there's no waterproof barrier, so they'll need a diaper cover.
Soakers or inserts that are made to fit contours can be laid, sewn, or snapped in for extra absorbency, and some are QD (see AIOs above) to allow for faster drying.
Prefolds
The cheapest and arguably most versatile type of diaper is a prefold, a major improvement over the flats that were once most commonly available. These require the biggest learning curve of all cloth diapers, but once they're mastered, they can be a very effective way to diaper your baby! They also most closely resemble the "old-school" diapers of your parents' or your parents' parents' generation.
These diapers are a square piece of material that have a center strip of extra absorbency. You may see indicators such as "4-8-4" or "2-6-2", which refers to the layers in each "section" -- for instance, four layers of absorbent material on the outside, eight layers in the middle for maximum absorbency. They come in different sizes, too: Preemie for babies 4-10lbs, Infant for newborn through 15lbs, and Premium for babies 15-30lbs. Just like fitteds, they need diaper covers to form that waterproof barrier. Instead of closing with snaps or Velco, they need snappis or diaper pins.If you own pocket or other diapers, you can also use prefolds as stuffers! I know a few parents who will have a hemp AND prefold insert in their pocket diapers for nighttime, preventing them from ever having leaks. As the material is safe for baby's skin, too (unlike microfiber), they can be laid into AIOs as well for extra absorbency.Surprisingly, there are several types of prefolds:
- DSQ: Diaper Service Quality. They are more absorbent than those you'd find at a discount store or through Gerber. They're often of high quality and are a bit more expensive as a result.
- CPF: Chinese Prefolds. Don't let the name fool you! They're actually the most popular out there, and there's good reason why. Made with heavy-duty stitching and twill, these diapers wash up very well and withstand the test of time.
- IPF: Indian Prefolds. These are softer than CPFs as they are made from gauze instead of twill, but they don't last as long as a result. They ARE more absorbent compared to CPFs.
Diaper Covers
These will go over your fitteds, contours, and prefolds. While not required (and several parents tend to let children go without for a more breathable diaper), they do offer some level of security when it comes to leaks. Far from the plastic pants from your parents' and parents' parents' days, these are made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyurethane (PU) rather than latex rubber, though in some admittedly rare cases, latex is still used. If you plan to use latex rubber, please be sure your baby does not have an allergy to the material!
So here's something cool: If you're looking for a breathable cover that works great for winter, check out wool soakers. They're made entirely of wool and have high lanolin content, making them pretty waterproof and a good alternative to your regular diaper cover. They can hold up to 40% of its weight in moisture, and you can use them for fitteds, contours, and prefolds. These can be "longies" or "shorties"... bet you can guess what each of those means. :)
Snappis and Diaper Pins
Diaper pins are pretty self-explanatory: They're pins! Some pins have safety locks, which I'd recommend if you go the pinning route.
A relatively new invention is the Snappi, a three-legged plastic device that fastens cloth diapers by grabbing the fabric with tiny teeth. Think those metal fasteners for Ace bandages -- same concept. Two legs fasten the diaper horizontally, while the third keeps the fabric from drooping in the front. They can be applied easily and with no risk of poking a baby, but they DO wear out faster than pins, so they need to be replaced every so often.
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