| In today's marketplace there are many different | | | | the popular fibres are: flannelette, cotton, terry towelling |
| choices when buying reusable diapers. In this article we | | | | and hemp. |
| will look at the main types and individual traits of the: | | | | Some common accessories for diapers are covers, |
| flat fold, pre folded, contoured, fitted and all in one | | | | liners, inserts and fasteners. Covers are used for all |
| diapers. One of the most essential facets of infant boy | | | | diapers except the water resistant AIOs. The most |
| clothing is the diaper. | | | | popular cover is plastic but their life is the shortest. Also |
| The flat fold diaper is the cheapest option and is what | | | | the plastic does not allow the diaper to breathe. Heavy |
| would have been used traditionally. It is a single layer of | | | | materials are used for the diaper covers and they are |
| material, square in shape. Fasteners such as diaper | | | | either water resistant or water proof. Some other |
| pins or Snappis (T shaped fastening) are required. An | | | | common materials for these are: polyurethane laminate |
| additional cover is needed to help prevent leakage. | | | | (PUL), nylon, wool and fleece. There are two types of |
| Prefolded diapers are very similar to flat folded | | | | covers. Those are the pull ups and the side snap |
| diapers, the only difference is they are usually | | | | covers. The side snap covers are less popular as they |
| rectangle in shape and have multi layers of material. | | | | have a larger problem with leakage. |
| They still require fastenings and the waterproof cover | | | | Liners are placed inside the diaper for extra |
| to go over the nappy. | | | | absorbency and they can be disposable or reusable. |
| The contoured diaper also requires pins and an | | | | Inserts are similar to liners but they are bulkier. Inserts |
| additional covering, but has an hour shape which helps | | | | are better for night time sleeping. |
| fit to infant's shape. | | | | Diaper pins and Snappis are the two most common |
| Fitted diapers are slightly more expensive but have | | | | ways to fasten diapers. Diaper pins can have metal or |
| more features. They have elastic around the leg holes | | | | plastic heads to them and have pointy ends. The |
| and the waist to gather the material. Velcro or snaps | | | | pointy ends make them easier to move through the |
| are commonly used, meaning no pins or fasteners are | | | | material diaper but this can also make safety an issue. |
| needed. The diaper is already shaped so folding is not | | | | Snappis do not have any sharp points to them so they |
| necessary. There is still a need for a water proof | | | | are safer but less durable. They are also better for the |
| covering. | | | | younger children who are less mobile. This is because |
| The last type of diaper which I looked at is the All in | | | | they have a higher rate of falling off, or being pulled off, |
| Ones (AIOs). These have a built in water resistant | | | | when on an active child. |
| covering unlike the diapers above. They are adjustable | | | | Today's society holds many options in regards to |
| in size and have elastic at the leg and waist openings. | | | | diapers. Your personal situation should be considered |
| Velcro or snaps are used to bring the diaper together. | | | | to choose what suits you and your infant best. There |
| This type of diaper is manufactured in many varied | | | | is no one option that is better than another. Using a |
| colors, styles and sizes to suit the individual infant. | | | | variety of the above mentioned options assists the |
| All of the above diapers come in various materials but | | | | many varied scenarios in everyday life. |