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Choosing Cloth Diapers

Using cloth diapers is easier than ever thanks to better materials, better washing machines, and great products like pocket diapers. Cloth diapers are easier on your baby's tender skin and they are easier on your pocketbook! Investing in quality cloth diapers will save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars over the price of disposables. Because quality diapers will last longer than your baby fits into them, you can use them for a second child. Many parents are able to sell their child's outgrown cloth diapers--making this an even more economical choice.

Pocket Diapers

Pocket diapers are some of the easiest cloth diapers to use. A pocket diaper has a waterproof outer layer and a moisture wicking inside lining. You can choose the absorbency by adding a prefold diaper or pocket diaper insert. You can even use two inserts at night for better protection. Popular pocket diaper brands include Happy Heiny's, Fuzzi Bunz, Drybees, and BumGenius. You can also find unique pocket diapers made by licensed pocket diaper makers who work from home, such as my brand Little for Now. Pocket diapers are patented, so be sure you are buying from someone who states that they are a Licensed Pocket Diaper manufacturer. This ensures you are getting a well made pocket diaper. Also, you will not be sending your money to someone who is willing to break the law.

Fitted Diapers

Fitted diapers are convenient and economical. Fitted diapers close with hook and loop tape or snaps. They are have elastic at the legs and are cut to fit your baby without folding. These diapers do not have a waterproof covering so they need to be worn with a cover. Thirsties makes a wonderful fitted diaper in several cute colors and 4 sizes. Little for Now offers organic cotton/bamboo fitted diapers as well as cotton sherpa lined cute print fitted diapers. Happy Heiny makes a sherpa diaper as well as a hybrid hemp diaper that fits like a fitted but has an opening like a pocket diaper. Bum Genius also offers a bamboo fitted diaper.

Diaper Covers

Diaper covers span the gamut from simple waterproof vinyl pull ons to fancy printed covers that snap or close with hook and loop tape. Pull on covers are simple, but they are not the best at containing leaks. In addition, once you have to deal with a really messy diaper you'll wish for the ability to open the cover before taking it off. Snap or velcro covers offer a tighter fit and better adjustability as baby grows.

Polyester/PUL Covers

PUL (polyurethane laminate) diaper covers are soft, easy to clean and can be reused several times unless they are messy. These are often the most economical choice for diaper covers. Thirsties makes an excellent PUL cover. You can see these in my store or read the review here. They come in 14 colors and 4 sizes. They are light weight and easy to use.

Fleece Covers

High-quality polar fleece makes breathable and comfortable diaper covers. You can find covers like these from Little for Now or Stacinator. They are easy to use, wash and dry quickly, and are great for overnights or for heavy wetters. Many parents find that a fleece cover is the only way to keep a heavy wetter dry all night.

Wool Diaper Covers

Wool is a surprisingly breathable and very comfortable diaper cover. Wool naturally absorbs up to 30% of its own weight in moisture and lanolin (a naturally occurring moisturizer found on untreated wool) is all you need to keep your covers waterproof. Wool does require special care, such as hand-washing in Sheepish Grins Lanolin Rich Wool Bars, but it only needs to be washed every 2 weeks or so unless it gets messy. Lanolin not only makes the wool water resistant, it also interacts with urine to neutralize odors naturally. When the lanolin starts to wear off, simply hand wash your covers and then use Sheepish Grins Creamy Lanolin Spray or Sheepish Grins Pure Liquid Lanolin to lanolize your wool diaper covers.

Prefolds and Flat Diapers

These are the diapers most people associate with cloth diapering. Our moms most likely used prefolds and our grandmothers most likely used the flat diapers.

Prefold Cloth Diapers

Prefold diapers are the most economical diapering choice. They fit for a long time, they cost about $24 a dozen or less and they are easy to use. These simple absorbent rectangle diapers can be used with pins and a pull on cover. They can be used without fasteners inside a snug-fitting hook and loop or snap close diaper cover. You can also choose to use them with Snappi diaper fasteners for a more secure fit without pins. They also make great inserts for pocket diapers, allowing you to add an extra layer of absorbency by doubling up the inserts for night time use.

Be sure to choose Diaper Service Quality (DSQ) diapers. You can find these in bleached (white) or natural unbleached cotton fabric. Most come from either China (Chinese Prefolds) or India (Indian Prefolds). While some people prefer one kind over the other, the differences are small. A few companies, such as Little for Now, make bamboo or hemp prefolds. Sheepish Grins offers colored prefolds in 10 colors and 3 sizes.

Prefolds also make great burp cloths, lap pads and changing pads. You can even embroider on them.

Need help folding? Read about how to fold prefolds here.

Flat Cloth Diapers

Flat cloth diapers are made from a single layer of cloth, most often birdseye weave cotton. Flat diapers are the original one size diaper. They will fit from birth to potty training with a little creative folding. They wash and dry very quickly. They are the perfect diaper choice for those who do not have access to a clothes dryer or who prefer not to use electricity to dry clothes. Flat diapers will dry in just a few hours in most climates. After baby no longer needs diapers, flat diapers are perfect for cleaning. They also make great burp clothes, bibs and lap pads.