**I first made the decision to cloth diaper when Cookie Monster was 13 months old. It was a long process to make the decision to cloth diaper him. My husband was totally against it, he said he didn't want to handle poo. I can't blame him, it can get gross sometimes. It wasn't until I really dug in to the research and found that, actually, disposable diapers are supposed to be emptied of their waste into the toilet as well, most people just don't realize that.
Cookie Monsters first cloth diaper
So then I began my research on cloth diapers. Turns out it wasn't my grandmas pin and needle with covers diapers anymore (although they do sell those still). Cloth diapers have gotten much easier to use, in fact some of them are just like disposables, except you don't throw them away.
Prefold Cloth Diaper
As I began researching I got incredibly confused by all the different types, and the information out there. I thought I would try to break it down in simple terms so, if you are just starting out, it will be a bit easier to understand and figure out what will work for your family.
When I started I first tried All-in-ones's (AI1's). AI1's are just like a disposable. They are all contained, no stuffing or adding anything to them. They are waterproof (because they are lined with PUL which makes some diapers waterproof). AI1's generally take longer to dry, since they can't seperate to air out. I wasn't a fan of our AI1's, for us, they just didn't work well for us (I can't stress this enough, every baby is different, every diaper will fit each baby differently). I used them for Milk Monster as a newborn and they leaked, although that could have just been the brand. We sold our Ai1's. For your family they may be a great solution. I like AI1's for beginers. For me they were a good place to start, because they made the transition easier, since you just grab one, snap/velcro it on like you would a disposable and you are good to go. Pros: easy use, waterproof, no extra peices to stuff/snap in, dads like them :) Cons: Long drying, bulky
All-in-1 diaper (notice how the inner part is one peice of fabric)
Next we tried All-in-2's. We used AI2's for over a year alone. I loved them, and they worked fabulously for Cookie Monster. AI2's consist of a waterproof PUL "shell" (cover) and a snap in liner. The best part of AI2's is that you can continue to reuse the "shell" over and over. Each time you change a diaper snap out the wet liner, and snap in a new dry one, and you are good to go. I absolutely loved these diapers. The first picture, of Cookie Monster, he is wearing a AI2. These diapers are the ones that convinced my hubby that we should cloth diaper, because of their ease. Since you just snap in/out you really only need around 6 shells, and 20 liners, if you do laundry ever 2-3 days, making these a pretty good deal, and very affordable. Pros: Ease of use, faster drying then AI1's, resusable shell, shell is waterproof. Cons: Snap in peices may be be more cumbersome
AI2 diaper (notice the snap in feature)
When Milk Monster came along I decided to delve into the world of prefolds/flats and covers. They are a good choice, and the cheapiest choice, when it comes to cloth diapering. They are the traditional "fold and pin" diapers. Life has gotten easier since the "good old days" and now we have a cool gadget to use in place of pins. You can still use pins if you like, or you can use
Snappi's. They hold the diaper in place, and do the job of snaps. They are easy to use, and convenient. Prefolds are "prefolded" hence the name. They have stitching that shows you where to fold, and padding in the middle. Flats are just that, a flat, rectangle peice of cloth that you fold up. Prefolds/flats are not waterproof. You must buy PUL/Wool/Fleece covers to go over them if you want them to be waterproof. The pro's to prefolds/flats: Cheap, dry quickly, wash easily, "custom" fit. For some people they work fabulously. Cons: somewhat bulky, must buy specific sizes, needs to be folded.
Prefolds
We quickly left the prefolds behind and moved onto pockets. I love pockets. Pockets are stuffable. They are waterproof, and have a stay dry layer. The stay dry layer and PUL layer are sewn together, except in the very back, where you stuff in the absorbant insert. You can stuff in as many or as little as inserts (at least 1!) as you want for custom absorbancy for your baby. Some babies wet more, add another insert, some babies wet less, only use one! Pockets are great for dads, or daycares, because you simply put it on and take it off, just like a disposable. You do need to pull the insert out before washing, but this can be done as you throw the diaper into the washing machine. These make up the bulk of my stash of diapers. For us they are a great fit. Pro's: custom absorbancy, easy to use for anyone, not as bulky as some cloth diapers, quick dry. Cons: Time consuming (to stuff them)
Pocket diaper (notice the pocket at the back, and the insert that you would stuff in)
Next we have Fitted diapers. Fitted diapers have a very absorbant liner, and are not waterproof. They are great for days that baby has a rash and needs air, but you don't really want to find pee puddled on your carpet. They let baby bum breathe, but they hold in the wet/dirty from baby. You can use a cover on them, to make them waterproof, but I have never needed one. You can feel a slight moistness on the outside when they are wet, and then you can change! Very simple. Some have liners that snap in, some don't. Unlike AI2's you can not snap in a new liner and keep going, because the liners are not waterproof as well, the whole diaper will be wet. Personally I love my Fitteds. They work fabulously, I have never had a leak with them, and even if baby wets them I don't get wet when I pick him up. Pro's: Easy to use, breathable, great for days around the house. Cons: moderate drying time, a bit bulky, not great for going out.
Fitted diapers
My new favorite diapers are Hybrid Fitteds. Hybrid Fitteds are not waterproof, but they are closer to waterproof then regular Fitteds. Hybrid Fitteds have a hidden body layer of poly fleece, sandwiched between the outer print and the inner velour. This layer of poly fleece helps the diaper to be more effective. Most have snap in liners. They are breathable, like regular Fitteds. You can use a cover with them, but you don't have to. If I had known about these when I was first buying diapers most of my stash would probably by Hybrid Fitteds. Pro's: Easy to use, closer to an AI1 but more breathable, great for around the house or going out (as long as you don't wait a prolonged amount of time to change). Cons: Moderate drying time, a bit bulky.
Hybrid Fitted
The last thing to know is some sizing things. Cloth diapers come in 3 sizes. Newborn (up to around 12 lbs), Sized (usually it goes by weight, sometimes by age), and one size (good from 12 lbs up) I personally use one sizes. They haven't failed me yet, and they started to fit Milk Monster when he was around 12 lbs. They still fit him now, at almost 18 months. He has a lot of room to grow in them. They are a bit bulky when he is smaller. Some people buy sized so they are not bulky through the ages.
The best way to decide which diaper you love the most is to do a trial package. You can try one of each diaper (or 2 or 3) for about $20, keep what you want, send back what you don't, and then you'll know what fits your baby best, and what you like best.
Jillians Drawer has a fabulous trial package deal. Check it out.
Lastly there are many many work at home moms that make fabulous diapers. Check etsy.com and hyenacart.com to find some super cute, very well made diapers. Don't get to addicted to buy all the cute prints you can find! It's hard not to want to buy lots of cute diapers!
I love my cloth diapers, I wouldn't go back to disposables for anything. They are so easy to use, and earth friendly, plus they are nice and soft for my babies bums! :)
Milk Monster (4 months) in his cute owl diaper
