| Cloth diapers are not what they used to be. I found | | | | The pros are that you can stuff them with as little or |
| that they were really no more trouble than disposable. | | | | as much "stuffing" as your child needs (or as the |
| There were a few extra steps involved but it wasn't | | | | situation calls for, stuff it heavier for long car rides, |
| the tedious chore that some make it out to be. For | | | | lighter for around the house). They also, for some |
| those interested in trying them out, here is an | | | | reason, tend to be more trim and not as bulky as |
| overview. | | | | some of the others. |
| There are four basic types of cloth diapers. | | | | The cons are that you have to take the stuffing out |
| There are prefolds, which are just the flat, "old-time" | | | | before you put them into the hamper and then after |
| diapers (not to be confused with "flats" which you | | | | you wash them, you have to stuff all of the inserts |
| have to fold a few times in order to create the | | | | back in them. |
| thickness). You either pin them or use a plastic Snappi | | | | The Pocket Diapers were my favorite with my now |
| to hold it on. Or, some diaper covers are made so that | | | | four year old. But I got so that I literally dreaded getting |
| they will hold the diaper in place without having to use | | | | them out of the dryer and having to stuff them all. |
| a separate pinning mechanism. In the summer, my | | | | That's why I switched to the pre-folds....they were so |
| babies just wear a pre-fold without a cover. | | | | much easier. I am also concerned with using synthetic |
| The pros are that they are cheaper and a lot less | | | | fabrics...I much prefer natural fibers. With Zoe I use |
| trouble to maintain. You don't have to worry about | | | | unbleached prefolds with wool covers. |
| stuffing them (like with the pocket diapers). You can | | | | I also had times when I used the cloth at home and |
| just wash them, dry them and throw them in a pile until | | | | disposables at night and when we went out. Every little |
| you need them. | | | | bit helps with finances and with the environment. It |
| The cons are that they can be bulky (although if you | | | | doesn't have to be "all or none". |
| are having a girl it isn't as much of an issue because | | | | Within the four basic style of diapers you will find |
| she can wear dresses and you don't have to worry | | | | different features and different materials. It can get |
| about fitting pants over them). | | | | pretty overwhelming. You just have to break it down in |
| Then there are fitted diapers, which are like disposable | | | | your mind. Categorize it into one of the categories and |
| diapers in their shape and in the way you put them on. | | | | then go from there. |
| They have elastic around the legs and either close | | | | One of the variations is that some of the fitted diapers |
| with Velcro or snaps. You have to use a cover with | | | | and AIO diapers are what they call "one size". These |
| these as well. | | | | are made with tons of snaps so that you are |
| The Pros are that you don't have to worry about | | | | supposed to be able to fold them down and snap |
| pinning them and you just put them on like a disposable. | | | | them so that they will fit a newborn and then unsnap |
| The cons are that they are more expensive, you still | | | | them as the kid gets bigger and use them all the way |
| have to use a cover and they can take a long time to | | | | up to toddler years. I've never had much use for these |
| dry. They do come with inserts though. The inserts | | | | as I never could get a good fit with them. |
| looks like cloth maxi pads and you snap them to the | | | | With all types, you will find a few "store made" brands |
| inside. This is nice if you have a heavy wetter. Some | | | | and then tons of WAHM (work-at-home-mom) brands. |
| of the extra padding already sewn into them and that | | | | Then there are the covers. That opens a whole new |
| is what makes them take forever to dry. | | | | Pandora's Box. The basic two, though, are wool |
| Next are the all-in-one diapers(AIO's). These look like | | | | versus synthetic waterproof materials. |
| the fitted diapers and have elastic around the legs and | | | | I much prefer wool. Wool can store moisture up to 35 |
| also close with either Velcro or snaps. The only | | | | per cent of its own dry weight yet it remains dry to |
| difference is that you don't have to use a cover. They | | | | touch and speeds up the body's own cooling system. |
| have a layer of waterproof PUL already sewn over | | | | Wool is breathable, it doesn't hold in the heat like |
| them or as a layer inside of them. | | | | plastics would. It allows for the circulation of air. This |
| The pros are that these are probably the most | | | | helps to prevent diaper rash. Wool contains natural |
| convenient as you literally use them just like | | | | lanolin which creates a natural waterproof barrier. |
| disposables. You don't have to worry about stuffing | | | | Wool is also an anti-bacterial. It does not have to be |
| them (as with the pocket diapers), you don't have to | | | | washed between every diaper change. Once every |
| worry about a cover, you don't have to worry about | | | | few weeks should be sufficient. Just let dry between |
| pinning. | | | | uses. |
| The cons are that they can be bulky and that if you | | | | You could also use a cover made with PUL. Some |
| have a heavy wetter they can leak. They are also | | | | people find these to be less intimidating than |
| pretty expensive. Depending upon how many layers | | | | wool...although, once you get the hang of wool, it really |
| are sewn into the diaper, they can take a long time to | | | | is quite simple. |
| dry. | | | | There are many places online where you can buy and |
| Last are the Pocket Diapers. They are "All-in-ones" in | | | | or trade for new and used cloth diapers. Unfortunately, |
| that they have the waterproof cover already sewn | | | | ebay has prohibited the selling of used cloth diapers at |
| on. The difference is that you stuff these with 'inserts' | | | | this time. There is a petition circulating to try to get this |
| (which can be anything from a pre-made insert to a | | | | rule amended but in the meantime you will have to look |
| folded up flat diaper). | | | | elsewhere. |