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Cloth Diaper Glossary

Back in our grandmothers' time, diapers were simply large squares of cotton or gauze that required some fancy folding to fit the baby. Today's diaper comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. There are different diapering "systems" that maximize various benefits including financial savings, ease of use, skin care, the "cute" factor, and/or ease of cleaning.

Cloth diapering products are becoming more widely available in children's specialty stores, in department stores, by mail order, and via the Internet. They vary in price from $1 to $20 each. Most families find themselves trying and using a combination of systems depending on circumstance. Below you will find a summary of a few of the different products available as well as the benefits and disadvantages of each system.

Prefolds (or Chinese Prefolds) - These are "old school" diapers. Made of soft and absorbent cottons or hemp, they are simply a rectangle of fabric that is folded and pinned on the baby. They are not waterproof and a cover ("plastic pant") is worn over the prefold to keep wetness in. This is the most cost effective form of cloth diapering. High quality prefolds cost about $2 each. Covers and pins must be purchased as well. The disadvantage of using prefolds is in the folding which takes a little practice and is not as "user friendly" for grandparents and/or care providers who are not used to diapering the baby. Prefolds are very absorbent, durable, wash thoroughly, and dry quickly. Prefolds are ideal for the family for whom economy is a must and who don't mind a little trial and error when learning to diaper. Although prefolds can be found in department stores, the best quality prefolds are available through your local diaper service, by mail order, or online for a similar price. Look for prefolds labeled DSQ or Diaper Service Quality.

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Diaper Covers - Used in several cloth diapering systems, covers serve as the barrier between a wet diaper and dry clothing. Commonly referred to as "plastic pants", many covers no longer contain any plastic at all. Covers are made from a variety of materials including PUL (polyurethane laminate), nylon, wool, water resistant fleece, and plastic.

Covers do not need to be replaced with each diaper change. If the baby has wet the diaper but not soiled the cover, the diaper is changed and the cover is put back on. You will not need as many covers as diapers. Most families find they use between 3 and 5 covers per day. They range in price from about a dollar a piece to over ten, largely depending on materials used and decoration. More expensive covers are made of breathable materials and fasten with snaps and Velcro. Less expensive covers can be just as effective but may be "pull on" only, may wear out more quickly, and are often made of less breathable plastic. Covers are also made to contain bowel movements as well. The difference between a "blow out" and a neat diaper often lies in the quality of the cover. Elastics and gussets (additional protection in the leg opening) in the cover are the barriers that keep messes in. Inexpensive covers can be purchased in department stores, but the better quality are only available in children's specialty stores, by mail order, or online.

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Contours - These diapers a cross between prefolds and fitted diapers. They are shaped in an hourglass figure and sometimes have elastic in the leg openings. They require no folding, but still require pinning for closure. They are not waterproof and are used with a cover. Contours range in price from $3 to $12 each and are a good option for families that are looking for a compromise between economy and ease of use.

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Fitted Diapers - Made primarily of cottons or hemp, fitteds made cloth diapering easy! Fitted diapers require no folding. They are sewn like disposable diapers with elastic in the legs and fasteners made of Velcro or snaps. Ranging in price from $5 to $15 each, this is a slightly more expensive cloth diapering system. Fitted diapers are not waterproof and required the use of a cover.

The body of the diaper can be made of a variety of materials including cotton interlocks, hemp, cotton knits, jersey, flannel, terry, cotton sherpa, or woven cottons. Fitteds often come with a "soaker" either hidden within the body of the diaper or built to lay or snap in the "wet zone". The soaker is additional fabric used to increase the absorbency of the diaper.

From adorable prints to plain white, fitteds are popular for their ease of use and "fun" factor. Well crafted fitteds are very effective at containing messes, fit well, are soft and comfortable, and durable. Sizes range from newborn to extra large toddler, and every manufacturer has a different weight range for each size. It's important when shopping to know how much your baby weighs and check for fit in the waist, the "rise" (how high the diaper fits through the crotch), and through the thighs. A few brands of fitted diapers are made to be "one size" and convert from newborn to toddler by a series of simple folds and snaps. While the "one size" fitted system does reduce the overall cost, some families find they prefer various sized diapers for the best possible fit at every growth stage.

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All-In-One (AIO's) - The "All In One" system comes the closest to replicating the ease of disposables. These diapers are the diaper AND the cover, All In One. The outer material of the diaper is waterproof (nylon, PUL, or plastic) or water resistant (wool, fleece). The inner material is an absorbent cotton or hemp. This is usually considered the most expensive diapering system with each diaper usually priced at ten dollars or more. However, many families are willing to accept the higher cost for the simplicity of the system. Well designed all-in-ones stand up well to repeated washings, rarely or never leak, can be used through multiple children, are attractive and fun, and have a high resale value.

A recent development in the cloth diapering world is the "All-In-Two" (AI2) system. A cross between an AIO and the fitted/cover system, AI2's consist of the waterproof outer and a specially designed absorbent inner that fits perfectly into the waterproof "shell". Often AI2's come with several absorbent inner layers that can be changed as the baby wets. The advantage to the AI2 system is more value for price (since by swapping the inner layer it can be used for multiple diaper changes) and easier washing. All-in-ones typically take longer to dry (due to their many layers) while the two piece system dry more quickly. Some people also feel that it's difficult to get All-in-ones thoroughly cleaned and are more comfortable with the break apart AI2 system. AI2's are similarly priced to AIO's. All-in-one's and All-in-two's are usually only found through mail order or online.

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Pocket Diapers - Pocket style diapers are a two piece system consisting of a shell and an insert. The shell is typically waterproof or water resistant (often PUL or fleece) and has a hole in the back where the insert is "stuffed". The insert is an absorbent pad of cotton or hemp. These diapers are similarly priced to AIOs with an average price of about $15 each. Advantages include relative ease of use, ability to thoroughly wash and quickly dry, and the unique feature of the ability to add as much "stuffing" as necessary to fine tune absorbency. Pocket style diapers are also among the most trim fitting. A common disadvantage noted is that the absorbent pad must be removed from the shell after it has been soiled.. Sometimes a messy proposition.

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Doublers - Parents often find that regardless of the diapering system they choose, extra absorbency is sometimes needed. Babies wet more overnight and during naps, and some babies just wet more in general. Doublers are a simple and inexpensive way to increase the absorbency of a diaper. Made of cotton or hemp, doublers are a rectangular or contoured pad that lays or snaps in the diaper. Priced from $1 - $5 each, they can be made long, short, thick, thin, or topped with fleece. A free doubler is sometimes included with diaper purchases.

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Fleece Liners - Fleece has a very unique property. It is water resistant and "wicks" moisture through the fabric. Fleece liners are thin, single layers of fleece that are lain between the baby and her diaper. When she wets, the moisture is wicked through the fleece into the body of the diaper. This serves to pull the moisture away from her skin and then lock it within the diaper. Baby's skin stays relatively dry and protected from exposure to urine. This is great rash prevention! Because of the wicking properties of fleece, many diapers (particularly pocket style) have a built-in layer of fleece next to baby's skin. Doublers are also often built with a layer of fleece. Another great benefit of fleece is that solid matter doesn't stick! It washes extremely well and protects the body of the diaper from stains.

It's important to note that some children are allergic to fleece and quickly develop a rash when fleece is worn next to the skin. Discontinue use if any irritation is noted. Fleece liners are very inexpensive starting at about fifty cents each.

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Cloth Wipes - You can recognize substantial savings by ditching disposable wipes and switching to cloth! Cloth wipes are generally made of flannel or terry. You can make your own wipes solutions (many recipes are available on the Internet) or you can simply wet the wipes prior to use with plain water. When soiled, toss into the pail and wash with the diapers. Cloth wipes are also great for use on dirty faces, runny noses, and even as washcloths during a bath.

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Wet Bags - Carried in your diaper bag, a wet bag acts as a waterproof tote for soiled cloth diapers. Usually made of PUL or nylon, bags are made in a variety of sizes holding from one to ten diapers. Choose from drawstring or zipper closure and wash with your diapers after use.

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