by Jennifer Woodruff

Created on: December 22, 2009   Last Updated: December 24, 2009

A Brief Introduction to Cloth Diapering

With dozens of styles and brands of cloth diapers available today, it is easy to get overwhelmed. Don’t give up on cloth before you even get started! A simple overview of what’s available can help you decide if you do want to give cloth a try, and if so, how you’d like to begin.

Though there are subsets of each group, the main types of cloth diapers include flats and prefolds, fitted diapers, pocket diapers, and all in one diapers. Each has its own benefits. Some of these diapers need to be used in conjunction with a diaper cover, which is often made from a polyurethane laminated fabric, fleece, or wool.

Flat diapers are large squares of fabric, usually around 36 inches square, that are folded and secured on the baby using pins or other fasteners. They can be made of flannel, birdseye, velour, hemp fleece, or other absorbent fabrics and require the use of a diaper cover.

Flats are inexpensive, versatile, and can be air-dried or dried quickly in the dryer. Prefold diapers are simply rectangles of fabric, thicker in the middle, that can be folded and placed in a cover, or pinned and covered.

They are also economical and easy to care for, though the drying time is a bit longer. Both flats and prefolds have a bit of a learning curve, but within a few weeks, most people use them successfully.

Fitted cloth diapers are more expensive, often around $10 to $15 per diaper, but are easier to use than fitteds or prefolds because they do not need to be folded. Most close with snaps or hook and loop tape and go on the baby very much like disposable diapers.

Sherpa, velour, and hemp fleece are popular fabric choices for fitted diapers, and even though fitteds are usually hidden by a diaper cover, many come in beautiful colors, patterns, and fabrics. Some are lined with microfleece to keep moisture away from the baby’s skin.

Pocket diapers are extremely popular because they are easy to use, dry quickly, and you can adjust the level of absorbency. Pocket diapers start around $14 each and can cost more than $40 each, especially if you are looking at embroidered pocket diapers.

Generally, the price includes the inserts you’ll need to use with the diapers, but if not, you can use prefolds, microfiber towels or inserts, flats, or other absorbent materials. If your pocket diaper has a polyurethane laminate outer, often called a PUL outer, you don’t need a separate diaper cover.

Just insert an absorbent pad

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