Which Cloth Diapers?

Understanding the different cloth diapering terms and definitions gives you a strong start in choosing the cloth diapering system that is right for your family.

With so many cloth diapers on the market today, it can seem impossible to choose just one style. Fortunately, you probably shouldn’t choose just one style anyway. A single style of diaper in your home would be much like a single style of towel - great for some jobs, but impractical or silly for others. Much like you need bath towels, hand towels and dish towels, you also need diapers for around the house, on the go and over night. And those diapers certainly don’t have to be the same brand or even the same kind.

The Diapering System
Rather than thinking of what type of diapers you need, consider instead the type of cloth diapering system you need. You most likely will want a variety of diapers to fit all your routine situations. Is your child a heavy wetter, especially at night? Does your child spend time with someone, a childcare provider or grandparent, who is unfamiliar with cloth diapering techniques and needs something simple?

Consider all this and more when making a decision on which cloth diapers to buy. Remember, a system of cloth diapering contains an assortment of diapers to meet all of your needs - not necessarily a single style.

All-in-One Diapers (AIO) -All-in-Ones are much like disposables except they are washed rather than thrown away after use. They are literally all the diaper pieces necessary contained in a single element without pins or covers. These are extremely convenient – especially for day care or to be included in a diaper bag.

Fitted –Fitted diapers are more economical than some, and require no folding for use. They simply fit onto baby, fasten and then are usually covered by a diaper cover. The diaper and cover stop leaks, so these are very popular for day-to-day use.

Organics –If you feel strongly about natural fibers or baby has very sensitive skin, organics such as (organic)cotton, hemp and bamboo may be the best cloth diaper for you. The organic materials don’t contain any chemicals or artificial fibers so they are gentle on baby’s skin and on the environment.

Pockets –If you need varying absorption throughout the day – light for playtime, but heavy for naps and nights, pocket diapers have what you need, literally. The pocket these diapers are named after can house a variety of inserts designed for extra absorption. The inserts are removed for easy cleaning and fast drying. Pockets are convenient and versatile.

Prefolds –The most basic and economical of diapers are the prefolds. They require a bit of practice to get the folding down just right, but once you have the hang of it, they are simple to fold, fasten and go. Prefolds are very inexpensive and can be very easily washed. They are perfect for moms on a tight budget or who like to keep things simple.

One-Size –One size diapers adjust in sizes to offer room for a child to grow and are also an economical solution to more than one child in diapers in a household. Toddlers and infants alike can wear the same diaper which cuts down on confusion at wash and sort time and keeping things simple for an already frazzled mom.

With so many cloth diapers on the market today, it can seem impossible to choose just one style. Learning the different cloth diapering terms and definitions will help you select the cloth diapers, diaper covers and accessories to develop your own personalized cloth diapering system.