Cloth Diaper Information for Beginners

Choosing a Cloth diaper

When choosing a diaper system you need to define a few things before you begin.

• What’s your budget
• Do you want high quality diapers, medium quality (this will affect  your budget)
• Do you want only natural fibers in your diapering system, Mix or it doesn’t really matter
• Can you sew, do you think you could make diapers
• Do you want a really easy system so that anyone could use, do you want a mix of different systems (I recommend a mix)

Choosing a diaper system is something you should go through with your husband (after all he is going to be doing diaper changes too).  In fact it’s something that the whole family can get involved with (you can choose one system for home, one for on the go, one for daddy/ grandparent ease). I have seen couples in stores with the grandparents going over the different diapers and choosing a system that works for the grandparents.
Here are some of the different systems to choose from:
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All In One diapers or AIO are diapers that are the simplest diapers for anyone to use. You don't have to stuff them and they are water proof. These diapers have to be washed after every use.   

All In 2 Diapers (AI2) are a lot like AIO diapers The only difference is that the insert snaps in. The difference between the two is that The all in 2 dries faster since the insert can be unsnapped and put in the dryer while the shell hang dries.  The AI2 can also have the insert removed and replaced with out having to wash the shell (as long as the shell is not soiled) You can do this a few times before you have to throw the shell in the wash.  

Pocket Diapers are like all in one and all in in 2 mixed together. the insert is on the inside of the diaper like the AIO but it comes out via a pocket so like the All In 2 the insert can go in the drier while the shell hang dries. Like the AIO the pocket diaper has to be washed after every use.

 Prefold Diapers are one of my favorite diapers they are your mothers cloth diaper but they are a classic. There are a few different folds. They are very versatile and I would say a must for every stash. Instead of using diaper pins they have snappies now which make changing time super easy especially if you have a wiggly baby! These diapers are not water proof  and do require a cover.  Next are  

Fitted Diapers these are just like AIO in the sense of ease to put on baby but they are not water proof and do require a cover. They are great for night-time because the whole diaper is absorbent not just the insert.These diapers must be washed after every use.  Last but not least are  

Flat Diapers. Flat diapers are a single large layer of cloth that must be folded into the correct size to fit a baby. Flats must be pinned or you must use a snappi to stay on the baby, They require a cover to be waterproof. Flat diapers must be washed after each diaper change.  

One Sized Diapers Can be an AIO, a pocket or a AI2 What makes it a one side is an adjustable rise to make the diaper very in size to fit baby as they grow.

All in One Diaper (AIO)

 

PicklenoseCreations

All In 2 (AI2)

 

Letjoy Cloth Diapers

Pocket Diaper

 

CatchersDiaperCo

Fitted Diaper

 

PetiteKrottCreations

 

Prefold Diaper

 

HappyYiayia

Flat Diaper

 

lefty33

One Sized Diapers 

 

honeybunsclothdiaper

Snappi

 

Covers
Wool Covers (Longies and shorties) Wool  fibers  exteriors are hydrophobic (repel water) and the interior of the wool fiber is hygroscopic (attracts water); this makes a wool garment able to cover a wet diaper while inhibiting wicking, so outer garments remain dry. Wool felted and treated with lanolin is water resistant, air permeable, and slightly antibacterial, so it resists the buildup of odor. Some modern cloth diapers use felted wool fabric for covers, and there are several modern commercial knitting patterns for wool diaper covers. Longies and shorties don't have to have pants put over them. The longies and shorties are breathable and keep baby warm. These covers don't have to be washed offten unless they get soiled or start to stink. You must Lanolin them after every wash and they must be washed by hand and are delicate when wet.

PUL Cover. PUL stands for polyurethane laminated, While looking up info on PUL I think Celtic cloth describe it best so I will just quote them. "PUL is a lot more technical than just a plastic backing on fabric.  The original application is the medical field, and it is still used for this purpose.  Like cloth diapers, it is used to replace disposable products with reusable.  It provides the waterproof barrier needed in the medical field that can survive multiple institutional washings.  The laminate can also be autoclaved, which is a very high heat steam sterilization process, to make it safe for reuse even after it comes into contact with blood or other bodily fluids. The polyurethane laminate can be customized by the manufacturer and comes in different thicknesses.  For cloth diapers, 1 mil or 2 mil is generally preferred.  This allows for a good stretch, complete waterproofing, and is still comfortable enough to wear next to the skin.  There are other options for waterproof fabric, but PUL is so durable and reliably waterproof it has become a favorite for cloth diapers.  It has been truly kid tested! " This cover can be worn a few times before washing unless soiled. Fleece Covers are breathable like wool but are much less delecate, The have to be washed after every use but can be washed with diapers and put in the dryer.

Fleece

 

winkydinks

Wool

 

marcyartsy

PUL

 

FruitoftheWombDipes

 

Different diaper systems are all good for different goals. If your baby has a rash and you want to air her out without fear of her peeing on the floor or pooping on the towel you might choose a fitted , flat or a prefold. With or without a cover (wool and fleece only for that example) If you are traveling a long distance you might choose an AIO with suede cloth inner to keep baby dry or a pocket with a zorb insert. It all depends on the day to day situation.

Inserts
Pocket diapers are diapers that you stuff with an insert. Some AIO's have a pocket so you can add an insert for more absorbency. There are a few different types of Inserts.
Hemp is an all natural fiber that is very absorbent, Hemp fibers are longer, stronger, more absorbent, and more mildew-resistant than cotton. Making it possible for a trim fitting diaper with out sacrificing absorbency.  
Microfiber is a synthetic material, you usually get this type of insert with your pockets and used for many AIOS in the internal soaker. They “quickly” absorb making them great for fast wetters and catching heavy wetters, overall on the absorbency scale not the most dense. Microfiber should not be placed directly against your baby’s skin. It is so absorbent that is can suck the moisture from babies skin, but underneath a flannel or fleece liner it is fine.
 Zorb contains only tangled cellulose fibers from bamboo/cotton/viscose and poly micro fiber, the same fibers found in virtually every AIO diaper on the market – nothing else. These non-allergenic fibers are non-allergenic, durable and easy to sanitize We manufacture Zorb in the USA and Canadian in modern facilities that are safe & friendly for workers and the environment.Zorb is extremely fast at moving moisture around. Assaults are quickly spread over a wide area to minimize saturation and leak off in the area that is peed on. To see this drop a swatch into water, you will see the moisture moves instantly through the fabric. Zorb is considerably more resilient than fleeces and terrys, and way, way more resilient than microfiber toweling. When you squish it using the typical pressure of a baby (around 5psi), moisture simply moves to another part of the Zorb web. Natural fiber knits are slow to move moisture around, so pressure creates a leak off channel, polyester fleeces (micro and polar) and microfiber terry towels have weak webs that collapse under any pressure, they have the most trouble with leak off.


Thanks so much for reading my post and I hope that this information has helped you on your Big Cloth Adventure.

Leticia From Letjoy Cloth Diapers