Prefolds and pockets and AIO's...Oh my! (Part I)

I was talking to a friend on FB and asked her if she would consider using cloth for her baby and baby to be.  She said that she wouldn't know where to start!  I thought that myself at first and have seen it posted on every CD blog, group and message board I've ever read.  I told her that I would help her navigate the confusion, so it makes sense for me to write it out and post it for all to see.

First, the information is out there!  If you have trouble figuring it all out, there are CD 101 videos on YouTube that many have found to be super helpful.  The FAQs on any CD message board lay it all out for you in print.  You could also opt to go to a high end baby store and ask them for help if you're one who needs to see it in person.  No choice is right for everyone and every baby.

Here's an overview of the different types of diapers, from the simple to the more complicated:

Flats are the diapers that everyone thinks of when you say that you're going to use cloth.  The eyebrows go up and you can see, "She's going to use a big piece of cloth with pins and plastic pants?  She must be nuts!" written all across their faces.  Well, that's what it is, but no, flats lovers aren't nuts.  This is one of the least expensive ways to diaper and one of the most customizable to fit your baby.  The pins aren't necessary anymore either.  Many people use a Snappi instead.  Those are T-shaped fasteners that hold the two waist ends and crotch part together.  They won't poke your baby and I've only heard of one person stabbing herself with them.  You will need some sort of cover to hold everything in as well because the flats are only the absorbant part of the diaper, but they don't have to be plastic pants.  There are many ways to fold flats.  I would look it up on YouTube and see how it's done.

Prefolds are with reference to flats, pre-folded for you, but instead of being one flat piece of cloth, they are thicker in the center where you need the absorption.  You will also need a cover and Snappi/pins for these.  Many prefolds come in different sizes to fit different weights and sizes.  (These are Green Mountain Prefolds.)

Fitteds are the simplest type of diaper that looks more like a disposable diaper.  They are cut to a similar shape with a defined waist and crotch area.  They come in so many different styles and sizes!  Some have to be held closed with a Snappi or pins, but others have snaps or Velcro/Aplix/hook and loop tape to hold them closed.  Some have gussets (elastic around the legs) to be the first line of defense in the battle against poopsplosions.  Fitteds are also not waterproof.  (This one is a Kissaluvs fitted diaper.)

Covers are necessary for each of these types of diapers and there are different kinds.  Some fasten on with snaps or velcro while others get pulled on like underwear.  This is the part of the diaper that shows, so it's where you get the cuteness factor from!  The most important thing about them is that they need to keep the moisture in.  There are two types of covers.

* Plastic/nylon/laminated fabric covers are the most common type that depend on the layer of plastic or other similar material to hold the moisture in.  Like the fitteds, they can be sized or one-size where there are snaps that determine how high the rise is and how tight the leg elastics are.  (Cover by Thirsties.)

* Wool diaper covers are a little bit less common and more expensive, but they are usually of a much higher quality than the other types.  I once made a snarky comment about there being no way that wool could hold the pee in the diaper.  I mean, wouldn't it drip out of the holes in the knit?  That was before I did a bunch of research and found out how they work.  The wool itself is absorbant and can hold up to 40% of its weight in fluids, so that's the first line of defense against wetness by wicking the urine away from the baby.  Also, the natural wool has lanolin in it that is a natural oil and helps it hold the water in and wool is naturally antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antimicrobial.  (Recycled wool covers)

Okay, I know that this is a lot to absorb, so I'm going to stop here and get to the other types of diapers in the next post.