Types of Cloth Diapers: Updated Versions of an Old Classic

Prefolds--the Economical Option

These are the cloth diapers your mother may have used on you. They are simply layers of cotton twill (or hemp) sewn together. You then fold them to fit your baby. You can find them in bleached cotton, unbleached cotton, or hemp.

You must use some type of diaper cover with these--made of either wool, nylon, or PUL.

Please do not buy the prefolds that are sold in your local super store expecting them to work for diapers. Believe me, I have tried them! Gerber and Birdseye prefolds are extremely thin and do not hold up to repeated washings. I know they only cost about $12/dozen, but the diaper service quality (DSQ) prefolds found online are far superior.

Prefolds range in size from Preemie up to Toddler. Most babies will likely only need two sizes--infant and regular. Although, you may want to use the newborn size in the very beginning. The newborn size fits a newborn better than the infant size, but I didn't have a problem folding the infant size to make it smaller when my daughter was a newborn.

They will cost you between $1.75 to $3.00/diaper--depending on the size, plus the cost of diaper covers.

Fitted Diapers

Fitteds consist of a cloth diaper that is contoured to baby's shape that closes with snaps or hook and loops. These also must be used with a cover of some sort. They are made in cotton, hemp, bamboo, microfleece or a combination of these. You can find them in many different colors. Fitteds cost between $11-20/diaper plus the cost of diaper covers.

Pocket Diapers

These work the same way as disposables except you first have to stuff the pocket with a fleece, hemp, or cotton liner. They then secure with hook and loop or snaps--no cover needed. They come in all sorts of fun colors and patterns. These cost between $15-20/diaper.

All-in-ones--As Convenient as Disposables

AIOs are the true luxury cloth diaper option. Like the name implies, they are really "all in one" no cover or liner needed--very convenient. Most are made with a PUL outer and a microfiber inner. These also come in all sorts of colors and designs. Some of the AIOs, as well as pocket and fitted diapers, are sized S, M, L. So you will have to buy a new set for each size as baby grows. Others come one-sized. The one-size options are adjustable from newborn to toddler. These cost in the range of $18-20/diaper.

Types of Covers

Covers come in a few different styles.

Pull-On Covers

There are pull-on styles like the old "rubber pants" that used to be commonly used. However, most of those were made of vinyl. I do not recommend using vinyl because of the potential lead hazard and because vinyl does not breathe well.

Most of the pull-on covers you will find now are made of nylon. Nylon is more breathable and a safer choice.

Wool Soakers

Wrap Style Covers

Wrap style covers are very popular and secure with either snaps or hook and loops. Wraps are usually made of a polyurethane laminate covered with a polyester or sometimes cotton knit. They also are made in nylon and wool without the inner PUL layer.

Price of Covers

Covers can be air-dried in between uses and only need to be washed when they are soiled. If you're using wool, you might only need 2 covers, since wool rarely needs washing.

Are you a cloth diapering fanatic? Have you tried many different cloth options before finding what worked best for you? Share what you've learned with other cloth diapering mamas! Post about your favorites!

Your Favorite Cloth Diapers

What do you love/hate about a particular diaper? What worked for you? What didn't? What cloth diaper would you recommend to a first-time cloth
diaper user?

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