Types of cloth diapers
There are many types of cloth diapers, each family has different needs and different reasons for their decision to cloth diaper their baby. Every type of option has its own pros and cons.
AIO / All-in-One
As the name indicates All-in-one diaper is a diaper that has everything attached and therefore all in one piece. No waterproof cover is needed with the AIO diaper and no stuffing or assembly is needed before or after use.
Pros: The biggest pro about the All-in-One diapers is that they are put on baby just like a disposable and therefore makes it probably the easiest diaper to put on for people new to cloth diapering or people that only change them occasionally, like babysitters or grandparents. There is no need for assembly before use or disassembly after use either.
Cons: The All-in-one is often the most expensive option available. As the AIO diaper is made all in one piece often made of many layers sewn together they can be prone to detergent build-up, and be trickier to get clean and they can take longer time to dry. So you might need more diapers to compensate for the time it takes to wash and dry the diapers. Some AIO diapers have the absorbency sewn attached only to one side and that does help with cleaning and drying time. After each use, the entire diaper needs to be washed. Absorbency of the AIO often needs to be boosted with an extra insert, for some children as they age.
AI2 / All-in-Two
These diapers as the name indicates are constructed of two parts. Usually a wipeable waterproof PUL covers that have snapped in inserts. Sometimes AI2’s are not wipeable and have fleece/bamboo/awj lining on the inside, but then they often go by the name Snap-in-one/SIO.
Pros: Wipeable covers can be used up to 3 times with just a new insert, before needing to be washed. As long as they don’t get soiled. Since they come apart easily they are often easy to clean and dry quickly. This means you often need fewer diapers than say if using only AIO diapers. AI2 that are not wipeable should not be reused before washing.
Once they have been assembled they go on just like a disposable diaper, so they can be convenient for babysitters, grandparents and others that change diapers occasionally.
Cons: Need to be assembled before use. They can be an expensive diapering option, depending on brand and types of inserts used. Inserts often need to be adjusted with additional absorbency as baby ages.
SIO /Snap-in-One
Similar to AI2, this is a system that needs two parts to work. The difference between a true AI2 and a SIO is that the Cover/shell is not wipeable and should therefore not be reused with a new insert between washes. The cover is often lined with a synthetic material on the inside, like awj or micro fleece but can also be lined with an absorbent fabric, to aid in absorbency. When the shell is lined with an absorbent lining you could call this system a hybrid between an AIO and a AI2.
Pros: A beginner friendly system, that after assembly is fastened on baby just like a disposable or an AIO.
Cons: Just like the AI2 they need to be assembled before use. They can be an expensive diapering option, depending on brand and types of inserts used. Inserts often need to be adjusted with additional absorbency as baby ages
Pocket diaper
As the name indicates a pocket diaper is a waterproof diaper with a pocket opening where the absorbency is stuffed inside. There are a few variations of pocket diapers, some have the pocket opening in the back, others in front. Or even pocket diapers with a double opening, to make it easier for the insert to agitate itself out in the wash.
The inner lining if often made of synthetic material, like athletic wicking jersey (awj), micro fleece or suede cloth, to give baby a stay-dry feel. But they can also often be bought with a natural fiber lining like cotton, hemp and bamboo. Other types of inserts can be used either in the pocket or on top of the lining, if you don’t feel like stuffing the diaper. Pocket diapers are often sold with an insert, most often a microfiber insert, that should be stuffed into the pocket and never by used on top of the lining against baby’s skin.
Pros: Pockets often seem to be a fan favorite amongst many, likely since they often come with many various print and solid color options and are often very affordable, depending on brand. Absorbency is very customizable, and when they have been stuffed they go on just like a disposable diaper, which makes them beginner friendly and a good choice for the occasional caregiver like babysitters or grandparents.
They come a part very easily so they wash up well and dry quickly, depending on inserts used. The pocket diaper itself dries very quickly even when line dried.
Cons: It is a system that needs to be assembled, stuffing pocket diapers is not everyone’s favorite task. They also need to be unstuffed before washing, unless the pocket has a large double opening, which often helps the insert agitate out of the pocket in the washer. The diaper should be washed after each use, and not reused with a new insert, like covers. Pocket diapers are often sold with a microfiber insert, which often don’t work well for people. It is rare, but some babies are sensitive to the synthetic lining. One of the bulkiest cloth diaper options.
Cover / Shell
A waterproof cover that is usually made of PUL and needs to be paired with an absorbency to work as a diaper. It can be used to cover a flat, prefold, fitted, preflat and any other absorbency that can be used against baby’s skin (Microfiber should never be used against baby’s skin).
Pros: Can be wiped and reused up to three times between washes as long as it is just a wet diaper. This can be a very affordable way to diaper your baby, since each cover can be reused between washes, with a new absorbency, so fewer diaper covers are needed than when using Pocket or AIO diapers. Covers wash very easily and are quick dry on the line. Diaper covers often have a double gusset which can help keep your baby leak-free. Covers with flats or preflats are usually the trimmest option you find for cloth diapers.
Cons: Two-step system that can be tricky for some extra squirmy babies or toddlers. Some babies are sensitive to the exposed PUL and can cause them rashes. Should ideally be line-dried since drying them in the dryer can wear them out more quickly.
Fitted diaper / Hybrid fitted
A fitted diaper is a system where the entire diaper is the absorbent part. They are usually made with natural fibers, like cotton, hemp, or bamboo. They are not waterproof and need to be paired with a PUL, wool, or fleece cover to prevent leaks. A hybrid fitted is a cross between a fitted and an AIO diaper. It is usually just fitted, but with a hidden waterproof layer. They tend to be very absorbent like fitted diapers and a nighttime favorite for many. They still need a waterproof cover to prevent leaks.
Pros: They are usually really absorbent and can prove to be a bulletproof diaper for overnight diapering, especially when paired with a wool soaker.
Cons: Depending on the brand, fitted diapers can be quite expensive. They need to be paired with a cover, a PUL cover or wool does the job. Like the AIO, Fitteds are often made of many layers sewn together and can be prone to detergent build-up or not getting thoroughly clean in the wash. Fitted diapers usually take a long time to dry.
Flats
One large square piece of absorbent fabric, that can be folded to customize according to the baby’s size and absorbency needs. These are the original cloth diapers when we imagine how our grandma used to diaper her babies. These are made of natural fibers, cotton, hemp, or bamboo, sometimes you can even find them with a wool blend. Should be used with a Pul, Wool, or a fleece cover. Flats can also be pad folded to use as inserts in pocket diapers.
Pros: Flats are very versatile. Since they are a one-layer fabric they wash very well, and dry quickly, even when line dried. If you don’t have a washer, flats are a great option and can easily be washed by hand. Depending on the brand used, flats are a great affordable option. They can be super trim when folded around the baby and used with a cover.
Cons: Flats need a cover to be waterproof. There can be a steep learning curve learning the different folds and figuring out what fold works best for your baby. They need to be folded again every time before use and it can be tricky to put a flat on a squirmy baby or a toddler.
Prefolds
Prefold is a big piece of fabric that has been pre-folded and sewn together to make it easier to diaper your baby. They are often trifold, that is thicker in the center with more layers. Usually made of cotton, but depending on the brand you can also get them from other natural fibers like bamboo/cotton blend or hemp/cotton blend. To be waterproof, prefolds need tó be covered up with a PUL, wool, or a fleece cover.
Pros: Prefolds are a very affordable and an excellent way to diaper your baby. Prefolds usually last very well and are really absorbent. They wash well and dry quickly, even when line-dried. They usually quilt up in the drier, and get extra super soft and fluffy, depending on the chosen fiber content of course. Prefolds are very versatile, they can be pinned on the baby but work just as well pad-folded in a cover or in a pocket diaper.
Cons: Prefolds need to be paired with a cover or a pocket diaper to be waterproof. There is a learning curve to figure out the best way to securely pin the prefold on the baby. Prefolds are usually sized, so If you want to pin them around the baby, you will possibly need to size up a few times as your baby grows.
Preflats / Winged prefolds / Contours
A simple hybrid between flats and prefolds. These are usually made of two layers of absorbent natural fabric, like cotton, bamboo, and hemp blends. Preflats are sized similarly to a prefold, with wings added. These don’t need as much folding as flats and have wings for easier pinning on the baby. These are usually not as affordable as flats. They are not waterproof and will need to be paired with a PUL, wool, or a fleece cover.
Pros: This is usually a simple, trim, and absorbent way to diaper your baby. Like flats and prefolds they wash very easily and dry quickly. Can be very convenient since there isn’t as steep of a learning curve to learn how to fold these around the baby.
Cons: Does need to be paired with a cover. Can be more expensive than prefolds or flats. If you decide to start with smaller/newborn preflats you will need to size up to an OS/toddler size as your baby grows.
Wool
There are a few types of wool diaper covers that can be used to diaper a baby. It usually comes in two main styles, a wrap and a soaker. A wrap is in the shape of a traditional diaper cover, that can be pinned, snapped, velcroed or buttoned to cover the absorbency. Soakers are pull-on shorts or long pants. Wool should be lanolized before it’s used for diapering. Lanolized wool can be reused many times between washes, as long as it doesn’t get soiled, only wet. (Read more about wool diapering here, link.)
Pros: Wool can absorb up to 30% of its weight, paired with a flat or a fitted diaper it can be a bulletproof night time solution for many babies. Wool is really breathable and self regulates so the baby shouldn’t get too warm and is a perfect overnight solution to rest those baby thighs from the elastics overnight.
Cons: There can be a slight learning curve on how to wash and lanolize the wool covers to make it waterproof. Wool can be relatively expensive, compared to other diapering options like Fleece or PUL covers. Another animal fiber that is gaining traction is alpaca wool diaper cover, alpaca fibers don’t need lanolizing and can be used like wool covers.
Fleece
Fleece soakers can be used similarly to wool soakers. They do not need to be prepped or lanolized to make them water-repellent. Fleece is plastic and not breathable, and unlike wool can not be reused between washes.
Pros: Affordable option if wool is not an option, usually without elastics.
Cons: Unlike wool covers, fleece needs to be washed after every wash.
Diaper fasteners
When attaching prefolds, flats and preflats around baby it can be really convenient to use a diaper fastener, to hold the absorbency in place before putting the cover on. There are a few different types of fasteners available. The most common ones are pins, snappi and boingo.
Pins are often called the old fashioned and the original diaper fasteners. These are the diaper pins we imagine when we think how our mothers and grandmothers diapered their babies. Safety pins are metal pins that lock in place. They are very affordable and work very well. To lubricate the pin before use you can store it in a bar of soap or run it through your hair before pinning the diaper on the baby. When pinning on baby stick your hand between baby and the diaper to guide your pin without poking baby.
Snappi is another great way to fasten a diaper around baby, and can prove really convenient to use on a squirmy baby. It attaches to the diaper in three places to hold it in place. Just hook on the left side of the diaper, then hook it on the right side, pull down to hook it in the center, so it looks like a Y when fastened. Make sure there is enough fabric under the little combs so the snappi doesn’t prick baby on the other side. Snappi comes in two sizes, but the smaller size often works up until baby toilet trains.
Boingo works similar to the snappi. Boingo is a pair of fasteners that attach to the fabric in two places. They can be convenient to use when the Snappi doesn’t reach the prefold on both hips anymore, or when the baby is tiny and both wings can be pinned with one fastener.
