Cloth with Kiana — Types of Diapers

If anything is confusing for a lot of people about cloth diapering, it's how many different types there are.

When the topic of cloth diapering comes up, older generations typically think of what they might have used in their baby-rearing years: pins, flats — squares or rectangles usually made of cotton — and rubber pants. The industry has come a long way since then and now there are so many different types, prints, and materials to choose from. It gets overwhelming fast, and it can be a little expensive if someone has to keep buying different kinds because they're unsure how to gauge what works for their kiddo(s) best.

Let's talk about a few of the most common types you'll come across.

Pockets are probably the most popular choice of diapers. They allow you to customize absorbency and can double as covers, making them an excellent mix-and-match option. Most brands have a standard "one size" fit that grows with a baby from the newborn stage to toddlerhood, though you can find newborn and XL/extended size ones, too. 

As you may have guessed, these diapers have a "pocket" that you stuff with your choice of absorbency and once you do that, they're as easy to put on as disposables! Many people prefer to use these over other types of diapers because they're pretty straightforward. There's really no room to reinvent the wheel here concerning pocket diapers but different brands have a lot of neat little features to make the most use and comfort out of them. 

Let's take a look at Cloth Joy's version of a one size, the Midsize™ Wonder Fit™ pocket and see what key details make it an excellent diaper design:

• Double pocket opening for easy, mess-free insert removal.
• PUL tummy panel to cut out leaks from the top, especially for tummy sleepers.
• Reinforced and sewn PUL wings for a sturdy hold AND keeping pesky lint outside of the wings.
• Double sets of Wrap Snaps™ for a truly customized, perfect fit AND securing dirty diapers closed when on the go.
• Big Back™ elastic to keep blowouts in and to reduce pressure lines on baby's back.
• ...and so much more! 

Meet the OGs of OGs: the flat.

Flats are what many of our grandparents and great-grandparents are familiar with. They are single-layer pieces of absorbent material that can be folded in various ways to fit on a baby. Cheap, easy to care for, and simple to use — plus, the great thing is that almost anything can serve as a makeshift flat! Old t-shirts, receiving blankets, dish towels... whatever you can wrap around a baby's behind in a time of need! 

These do need to be secured with pins or a snappi and they do need a waterproof cover or pocket over top to keep all wetness in. 

When I first started cloth diapering, the concept of a preflat intimidated me. They always looked so beautiful and comfortable, but they tend to cost a little more than pockets and they can have a bit of a learning curve. Preflats also need a waterproof cover for extended wear, though some people use them solo during shorter time periods to give their kiddos "elastic-free" time.

A preflat ("pre-folded flat") is simply a modern take on the previously-mentioned traditional flat with the addition of wings. They're often multi-layered and there's no denying they're a popular choice for overnight diapers. Getting a good, secure fit with a preflat can take some time and practice, which can discourage people from trying them. The benefit of preflats over a pocket with an insert, however, is that they offers 360° absorption and that, in turn, is what makes them a popular overnight choice. 

• Cloth Joy has some exciting samples being made for upcoming preflats, so stay tuned to hear about those!

Speaking of 360° absorption, here enters the fitted!

With the shape and size customizability of a pocket diaper minus the fuss of folding a preflat, the fitted presents as another popular sleepy time diaper choice and alternative option for heavy wetters. They often come with some sort of "booster" or "snake" insert that helps bulk up absorption even more and they snap around a kiddo just like a pocket diaper would. Just like preflats, they need a waterproof cover for longer time periods.

You'll see a lot of one size fitteds but some brands do run newborn size. Cloth Joy's SUS newborn fitteds were one of my favorites to use on my youngest son while he was a newborn, plus they lasted all the way until he was just about four months old. I personally think fitteds are a great go-to if preflats don't seem like they'd be your vibe.

I like to think of Ai2s (all-in-twos) as the love child between pockets and fitteds. These bad boys are equipped to be fully customizable; they come with built-in base layers of absorbency, often with the addition of one or even two boosters/snakes that snap to the inside of the pocket. You can remove/add one or all of the boosters depending on what your kiddo needs.

They're called Ai2s because "all" you need comes "in 2 pieces," i.e. the shell/pocket and the snap-in boosters. Make sure not to get these confused with AIOs (all-in-ones), which are essentially the same thing but all the layers/boosters are non-removable.

AIOs are often great for the newborn stage when you don't need a ton of absorption; the downsides are that they usually take a long time to dry and they don't go quite as far when it comes to fitting a child for as long.

If you're looking for another of the more economical options for cloth diapers, meet the prefold! A typical example of a prefold is a square of cotton that has an added rectangle of absorbency sewn into the middle.

Popular for their affordability and simplicity to use and care for, prefolds can be secured onto your kiddo using a pin/snappi or they can also just be folded over and laid inside a cover or stuffed into a pocket. They can be a little bulky, especially on younger kids, but they are an amazing option for parents on a budget! 

Confused on the difference between a flat, preflat, and a prefold? Fear not, for you are not alone!

Flat: single-layer, usually rectangular but can be made out of t-shirts, receiving blankets, dish towels, etc.
Preflat: upgraded version of a flat, stretchy, usually multi-layered, has wings added!
Prefold: basically a flat but multi-layered in the middle, no stretch, no included wings.

Covers are pretty straightforward: think of them as pockets without the lining on the inside that would contain an insert.

The great thing about covers is their reusability; you can simply wipe down the inside between diaper changes as long as your kiddo didn't poop. This means you don't have to buy quite as many covers as you would pockets, for example, because pockets need to be changed every diaper change.

Covers can go over anything! Preflats, flats, prefolds, regular inserts, fitteds... You can even throw a cover over a disposable diaper to help contain blowouts! 

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And there we go! I hope this post helped clear up any confusion you might have had about the types of cloth diapers. Though it feels like a lot at first, you can get the hang of knowing them all pretty fast. If you're still feeling unsure about something, our Facebook group has many Cloth Joy guides that would be happy to answer any of your questions and provide clarification!

Thanks for letting me yap about cloth diapers to you! :)