Cloth Diapering 101

Look!  Here is where to start.  That's whats this and thats of cloth...

The "Basics" of Cloth diapering.

 

    The main types are: prefolds, fitteds, pockets and AIO's (all in ones). You can of course try a selection of these, but these are the pieces you will need to make your diapers work--

For prefolds and fitteds, you need the diapers themselves, and covers or wraps. For pockets, you need the pockets and inserts. For AIO's, you only need the AIO diapers.

There are advantages and disadvantages to each system. That's why most people have a combination of different types.

 

Prefolds:

Advantages -- Cheap and multifunctional without dealing with a ton of sizes. Disadvantages -- Can be a bit unweildy to fold and a bit scary for non-cders like daycare and your in-laws.

Chinese Prefold

Chinese Prefolds: Just flat "old timey" diapers. Good for newborns thru toddler (you can get all sizes). They require covers. Extremely durable and withstand washing well. You can get them bleached (white) or unbleached (brown/tan). Can be used with or without a snappi. I would definitely recommend at least a dozen of these in the newborn size because that will be the only thing that is a guaranteed fit as newborns are hard to fit. 

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Fitted:
Advantages -- Easy to put on and wash. Disadvantages -- Most don't come with a stay dry liner. They do take much longer to dry than pockets.

They need covers when leaving the house or if you have a heavy wetter, so however cute they are, they still have to be covered up! BUT for newborns, fitteds don't HAVE to be covered if your baby doesn't wet them faster than she needs to be changed. It is possible to use newborn fitteds without covers for a little while, but probably just at home. 




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Covers:
There are so many different kinds!! The favs that I know people really like are Proraps, Bummis Super Whisper Wraps, and Thirsties are super cute. You just have to find what works well.
Another great thing to use as a cover is wool or fleece. They are both wicking fabrics, so you can cover up a prefold or fitted diaper with pants or shorts or even skirts made of wool or fleece and you don't need a regular cover. They are called longies or shorties. They are super breathable and very good for babies with rash issues. They are kind of pricey, but you get the function of a diaper cover and pants to boot. Plus they really don't have to be washed very often at all. They do require some special care, but, I think they are totally worth it!!! 

Longies, Shorties and Skirties can all be found on WAHM websites like Hyenacart and Etsy.


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Pockets:
Advantages -- Easy to change absorbancy and easy to put on. Disadvantages -- Can be harder to wash and need stripping and a bit more expensive than other options.

Pockets are the easiest and most preferred diaper of everyone by far, especially passed infancy. They are a waterproof exterior with a fleece or other non wicking interior (like suedecloth, or minky) that makes a pocket. You stuff the pocket with an absorbant insert. The most popular "big" brands are Fuzzi Bunz, Happy Heinys, and Swaddlebees (side snapping or velcro), Blueberries (snaps or velcro). 

 
For inserts you can use microfiber inserts or towels (can be bought at walmart in the automotive section) or hemp inserts. Prefolds (GOOD absorbant prefolds) can also be used for inserts....either doubled with another insert for added absorbancy or alone for a trimmer fit.

Inserts go inside the 'pocket' of pocket diapers and are the absorbant part. 'Insert' is a term for anything you stick in a pocket. Doublers add extra absorbancy. For instance, for overnights you can use pockets stuffed with an insert and doubler. You can also lay a doubler in your fitted diaper or cpf for overnights or naps.

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AIO's:
Advantages -- Wash and wear. Anyone can use these; they're as easy as disposable!!
Disadvantages -- They're the most expensive and take FOREVER to dry.

This is just like it sounds. It is a cover and the absorbant material and the stay dry liner all together in one diaper. Just like a disposable, except cloth. Just take of baby and into the wash.

 






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Liners:
Liners can be used with any diapers--prefolds, fitteds, pockets or AIO's. They come in disposable or washable forms and are used for two reasons: they help with solid waste clean-up and/or provide a stay-dry barrier against baby. Disposable liners only help with waste clean up; reusable liners made of microfleece or suedecloth do both.
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Pins or Snappi...and what the heck is a Snappi?

Pins and Snappi are used with prefolds and fittedes that don't have another way of securing the diaper.  They are best for a custom fit.  I child that is hard to fit might be best with pins or snappis.  Pins are not your grandmothers pins, they are secure and hold great. Snappis equally effective but have a life span of about 6 months if using daily as they will stretch out.

Both pins and Snappi will eventually cause holes in your fittedes or prefolds, know as "pin holes"


Not all diapers require a pin or a Snappi for securing it.  Most commercially made diapers will have other ways of securing. APLIX (a type of hook and loop closure) or plastic snaps.  Snaps can be on the front or the side.
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One Size Diapering
Real popular is OS or one size diapers.  Diapers that will fit you child from 8lbs to 40lbs (in most cases).  This is achieved by many different methods depending on who makes the diaper.

• Rise -- The rise of a OS diaper can be a fold down rise or a snap down rise.  Both effective, and again depends on the manufacture of the diaper as to what rise is on there.  Most WAHM will customize the rise to the type you like.

This Goodmama ONE has a "fold down" rise to it.  The red snaps at the bottom of the picture would get folded down to where the wings of the diaper can snap on one row of them.  When the child is older the other row of snaps would be used.

     This particular diaper is from a WAHM.  It has a snap in doubler that you see folded UP.  This is a diaper I reach for every time it is clean.  It is one of our favorites.

• FuzziBunz OS diapers are achieved by adjustable elastic in the hip.  FuzziBunz goes by weight of the child and you adjust the 4 adjustments of the elastic depending on the weight.  Very easy.  FuzziBunz comes with replacement elastic and buttons.  And, there is a slit cut to tuck the elastic away.