Cloth Diaper Types

So ever since we got pregnant I just had this idea that I would do my best to use cloth diapers on my child. I'm not really sure where this thought came from, or why I decided to pursue it, but with only 5 weeks left until the baby arrives I now own 8 cloth diapers of various kinds!  It has been a very intimidating learning experience and one that I have read about over and over (and over!) again.  I will attempt to give some very basic info here for those of you who are not familiar with cloth diapers today.  All of this information I am getting from various websites, but see the bottom of this post for a few good websites.

Cloth diapers are not just the folded fabric and "plastic pants" that they once were when I was a baby.  Though these are still a very popular form of cloth diapers every part of those have been improved.  I am going to introduce these from the ground up.

Diapers that Need Covers

Flats and Pre-folds
These are what "old-fashioned" cloth diapers began with mainly.  They are usually made of cotton and need to be folded to some extent.  They also need to be pinned or snappied (more on that later) before a cover is placed over them to make them waterproof.

Flat Fold Diaper

Pre-fold Diaper

Contoured and Fitted
These are also usually made of cotton, but the contoured are already shaped and thicker so there is no need to fold them, but they still need a cover and a pin or snappi.  The fitted kind have elastic around the legs and waist, snaps or velcro to hold them shut and are the least amount of "work" to put on baby.  Both of these still need a cover though to make them waterproof.

Contour Diaper

Fitted Diaper

Diapers that Don't Need Covers

All-In-One's (AIO's)

These are the "fancy" cloth diapers of today.  They are a bit more expensive, but they work just like a disposable diaper.  Take it out of the drawer, but it on baby and go.  Then when it is time to change, take it off, put it in the diaper pail and wash when necessary.  The consist of a waterproof outer layer, and all the inner soaking layers combined.  Depending on the type they fasten with either snaps or velcro and some of them are made to fit baby all the way from birth to potty-training!

All-In-One's

Pocket Diapers

These are almost the same as the AIO's, but like the name says they have a pocket.  These are best to use so that you can modify how much moisture the diaper holds.  Some babies don't need much during the day, but are heavy wetters at night.  Usually along the back seam is the opening for the pocket and all that is needed is to stuff it with a soaker to make it work.  They have a waterproof outer layer and use either velcro or snaps to close.  Use the same as an AIO, but when dirty the soaker may need to be pulled out of the pocket before washing. 

Pocket Diaper

Covers and Accessories

Covers

These are what go over all of the diapers in the first category listed.  They are usually made of a waterproof layer called PUL (polyurethane laminate), but can also be made of fleece, wool, or other treated fabrics.  They are fastened with either velcro or laminate.  Using the soaker layer and these covers is the most inexpensive way to start out with cloth diapering.  

Covers

Fasteners

As mentioned before the folded diapers need either pins or snappis to keep them closed.  Standard diaper pins are made to be safer for baby and have ways to prevent them from popping open. The newest way to secure diapers are with a snappi.  These are made of pliable/stretchy plastic in a "Y" shape and each end has teeth to secure it to the fabric.  When used the left side is hooked, then stretch to hook on the right side, then stretch the third arm to hook down the middle.  Here is a picture of what they look like:

Snappi

If you have ever used an ace bandage with the silver fasteners those come with, a snappi secures in somewhat the same way. 

Now of course, I am presenting all of this information without having used or washed cloth diapers yet and I realize that some of you may not feel that I should do that.  I wanted to do this to show all of the information that is out there to read, and I will soon discuss what I plan to do with my baby next month.  Then after he arrives I plan to review my choices and discuss them again.  If this was new information to you I hope I didn't overwhelm you and if you are an experienced CD (cloth diaper) user I hope I did a fair job of explaining all of them!