Types of Cloth Diapers

When I decided to start cloth diapering, I was overwhelmed with how complicated it was. I sought out message boards to help, but their lingo was as overwhelming as the different types of cloth themselves. So, for easy reference, here are the types of cloth diapers, in a nutshell.

Prefolds are what people think of when they hear about cloth diapers. Many people use old fashioned (Gerber) prefolds as burp rags. Prefolds require a Snappi or pins and a waterproof cover (more about covers below). The Gerber prefolds that you can buy from Walmart and the like are not generally good for cloth diapering. They are too thin and not absorbant enough. The two most popular brands of prefolds are Cloth-Eez and Little-Lions.

Fitteds Fitted diapers are similar to prefolds in that they require a cover, but they are already preshaped into a diaper shape to be easier to use. They usually close with snaps or aplix (a type of velcro). There are many, many types of fitted diapers and they are a favorite of many moms. You can see some of the types of fitted diapers here.

All-In-One (AIO) You can probably guess what an AIO is by it's name...it's all in one. That means the soaker, waterproof cover, snaps/aplix, etc. are all in one piece. You can see some examples of AIOs here.

All-In-Two (AI2) AI2s are similar to AIOs, except that the soaker is usually a seperate piece that snaps, velcros, or lays inside. AI2s are not too common, but you do find some out there.

Pockets are diapers that have the PUL and inner material sewed together and then you stuff the absorbent part (insert) inside which is usually made of microfiber or hemp, but there are other varieties. See some examples of pockets here.

Contours are a cross between a fitted and prefold. They are made to fit a baby, instead of being rectangular, but don't have snaps or aplix like fitteds do, they close with pins or a Snappi. One popular brand of contours can be seen here.

Covers are the PUL (waterproof) thing that goes over prefold, fitted, or contour diapers. There are many brands and variations of covers including front snap, side snap, aplix, and pull on. Universally, most people like Thirsties or Bummi, but you can find more options and examples here.

There is more to be said, but that's the "in a nutshell" version. Feel free to ask questions, if you have them. :)

Welcome to Green Living!

Welcome to the Green Living blog! I hope to keep this stocked with information on going Green, staying Green, and being more Green. You would be amazed at how even the smallest changes can make a huge impact on our planet. Remember, we were loaned this planet and it's ours to take care of while we are here. We are borrowing it from our children, grandchildren, and (if you believe in this sort of thing) a higher power (God). We should all be doing our part to keep our space Earth-friendly.

I am, by no means, a professional at this. I just want a way to share my tips, tricks, and tools for living green with others. I would be happy to answer questions that you may have, but keep in mind I do not have all the answers.