Adventurers into Cloth Diapering : Types of Diapers

Now that you have had sometime to learn the lingo lets dive into part one of choosing a cloth diaper.  You need to know what kinds of diapers there are.

Prefolds and covers: These are pieces of rectangular cloth that are prefolded into 3 sections.  You place them on baby and hold with Snappies.  The cloth is NOT water proof so you need to cover them with a water proof cover. You will also see numbers like 4x6x4 or 4x8x4. These numbers are describing the number of layers of fabric in each third of the fabric. The higher the number the more absorbency. These are popular because they are probably the cheapest way to start cloth diapering. You can get prefolds for a few dollars and Snappies are equally as cheap. The covers can be very cheap if you go with simple PUL or you can use wool covers treated with lanolin to make them water proof but that is another post.

Unfolder Prefold w/snappi

Prefold as if it were on a baby

How to fold a prefold

One of my JuneBug mommies LO. This is a Prefold with a PUL cover :D

 AI1's : All in One diapers are exactly what they sound like. They are functionally just like a disposable diaper. You put it on the baby and secure with either aplix (aka the genric name for Velcro, in hind sight I should have added this term to the list) or snaps. When you need to change you take off the whole diaper and toss it in the diaper pail.

This is a BumGenius Elemental AI1 (my favorite!)

AI2's: All in two diapers are diapers that can function as a all-in-one or as a diaper cover.  They have a layer of PUL fabric which makes it water proof . You can typically remove the inner soaker that is attached by snaps or is laid in the cover and reuse the cover until it becomes soiled.  Many people prefer these diapers because you have less laundry. 

This is a Swaddlebees Econappi allin2

Pocket Diapers : Pocket diapers are two material sewn together with a pocket in the middle. The outer material is made of water proof PUL (polyurethane laminated) or a hidden PUL layer and the inside is made of different materials to wick away moisture from the skin. The material typically tends to be micro fleece but I am seeing many WAHM diapers that ingeniously use sport wicking fabric! Genius!!! There is an inside pocket between the PUL and the inside material that you can stuff with different material to absorb the wetness. These are popular for the ability to stuff the pocket with nearly anything you want. They are great for night time diapers.

This is a Happy Heiny's Pocket diaper

I tried to use several brands of diapers but I have to admit I am very bias to BumGenius/Cotton Babies products. I am trying to branch out but I haven't done so just yet. Next, how to choose from all of the choices!