The basic premise behind all cloth diapers - you need an absorbent inner material and a waterproof outer material. The differences between types of cloth diapers exist in what form these two parts take.
All-In-Ones (AIO)
All-In-One diapers are an easy and convenient diaper solution. AIOs are their own entity - the absorbent inner is connected to the waterproof outer - and are the easiest cloth diaper option on the market. At each diaper change you change the entire diaper.
All-In-One diapers are an easy and convenient diaper solution. AIOs are their own entity - the absorbent inner is connected to the waterproof outer - and are the easiest cloth diaper option on the market. At each diaper change you change the entire diaper.
Pros: easy to put on, easy to pack in diaper bag, trim (aka close-fitting), no learning curve
Cons: can take longer to dry, more expensive
Shop All-in-Ones
Shop All-in-Ones
All-In-Twos (AI2)
All-In-Twos are a two part diaper system. When your baby requires a diaper change, simply change the absorbent insert out of the waterproof cover, add in a new insert, and put back on your baby. These truly are the best of both worlds - easy to use yet also economic.
All-In-Twos are a two part diaper system. When your baby requires a diaper change, simply change the absorbent insert out of the waterproof cover, add in a new insert, and put back on your baby. These truly are the best of both worlds - easy to use yet also economic.
Pros: easy to put on, easy to pack in diaper bag, only change the insert when dirty, trim
Cons: some hands-on work required to switch the inserts out
Shop All-in-Twos
Shop All-in-Twos
Pockets
Pocket diapers have an outer waterproof shell with a 'pocket' that allows you to add as many absorbent inserts as necessary to suit your little one's needs. You change the entire diaper at each diaper change. Most one-size diaper systems are pocket diapers.
Pocket diapers have an outer waterproof shell with a 'pocket' that allows you to add as many absorbent inserts as necessary to suit your little one's needs. You change the entire diaper at each diaper change. Most one-size diaper systems are pocket diapers.
Pros: easy to put on, easy to pack in diaper bag, easy to stuff with customizable absorbency, wicking material to keep little one feeling dry, most will grow with your baby from birth to potty training
Cons: generally made of entirely synthetic fabrics, bulkier than AIOs or AI2s, must be stuffed before use, more upfront expense
Shop Pockets
Shop Pockets
Fitteds
Fitted diapers are just the 'inside,' or absorbent part of the diaper. They are cut to the shape of your baby and have elastic at the back waist and legs, thus allowing you to get a good fit with minimal amount of work. You only change the fitted, and not necessarily the cover, at each diaper change.
Fitted diapers are just the 'inside,' or absorbent part of the diaper. They are cut to the shape of your baby and have elastic at the back waist and legs, thus allowing you to get a good fit with minimal amount of work. You only change the fitted, and not necessarily the cover, at each diaper change.
Pros: more economic, trim, natural fibers, great nighttime diaper if your baby is primarily a side or front sleeper.
Cons: requires separate cover, may require fasteners to hold in place
Shop Fitteds
Contours
Contour diapers are like Fitteds in that they are just the absorbent part of the diaper and are already cut to the shape of your baby. They are different in that they do not have elastic anywhere in the diaper.
Pros: cheaper than fitteds, easy to use, natural fibers
Cons: requires separate cover, requires cover or fasteners to hold in place, because they do not have elastic there may be more poo which gets onto the cover
Shop Contours
Shop Fitteds
Contours
Contour diapers are like Fitteds in that they are just the absorbent part of the diaper and are already cut to the shape of your baby. They are different in that they do not have elastic anywhere in the diaper.
Pros: cheaper than fitteds, easy to use, natural fibers
Cons: requires separate cover, requires cover or fasteners to hold in place, because they do not have elastic there may be more poo which gets onto the cover
Shop Contours
Prefolds
Prefolds are the 'fancy' diapers of your grandmother's generations (basically a Prefold is a 'prefolded' Flat diaper). Prefolds are a piece of cotton sewn so there is additional absorbency at the center. You then fold the Prefold into whatever shape you require, and use a cover.
Prefolds are the 'fancy' diapers of your grandmother's generations (basically a Prefold is a 'prefolded' Flat diaper). Prefolds are a piece of cotton sewn so there is additional absorbency at the center. You then fold the Prefold into whatever shape you require, and use a cover.
Pros: very easy to wash, incredibly economic, natural fibers
Cons: requires separate cover, multiple sizes recommended, higher learning curve, requires cover or fasteners to hold in place
Shop Prefolds
Shop Prefolds
Flats
Flats are the cloth diapers of your grandmother's time. A large sheet of absorbent cotton, a Flat can be folded to whatever size you need. They require a waterproof cover, and, depending on how you fold the diaper, a fastener to secure.
Flats are the cloth diapers of your grandmother's time. A large sheet of absorbent cotton, a Flat can be folded to whatever size you need. They require a waterproof cover, and, depending on how you fold the diaper, a fastener to secure.
Pros: total economy, no need to buy multiple sizes, natural fibers
Cons: requires separate cover, highest learning curve, requires cover or fasteners to hold in place
Shop Flats
Shop Flats
For more information please see What Diaper is Right for Me?
Specialty Shops
Newborn Diapers
Most One-Size diapers do not fit until babies are somewhere between 8 and 11lbs (depending on both the diaper's design and your baby's body type). Cover those first few months with diapers designed just for your littlest one.
Shop Newborn Diapers
Swim Diapers
Cloth swim diapers allow moisture to flow through the diaper (be it lake or pool water or urine). This ensures your baby isn't weighed down by a super-soaked diaper (which poses a safety risk), and any poopy messes are contained. Unless your baby has multiple bowel movements a day, or you live at the pool or beach, most families just need one or two swim diapers in their stash.
Shop Swim Diapers
Training Pants
Cloth training pants are a great tool for any family, regardless of whether you've used cloth or disposable diapers. In addition to the cost savings and environmental impact, fabric trainers offer your toddler immediate feedback, versus disposable trainers that wick moisture away.
Shop Training Pants
Specialty Shops
Newborn Diapers
Most One-Size diapers do not fit until babies are somewhere between 8 and 11lbs (depending on both the diaper's design and your baby's body type). Cover those first few months with diapers designed just for your littlest one.
Shop Newborn Diapers
Swim Diapers
Cloth swim diapers allow moisture to flow through the diaper (be it lake or pool water or urine). This ensures your baby isn't weighed down by a super-soaked diaper (which poses a safety risk), and any poopy messes are contained. Unless your baby has multiple bowel movements a day, or you live at the pool or beach, most families just need one or two swim diapers in their stash.
Shop Swim Diapers
Training Pants
Cloth training pants are a great tool for any family, regardless of whether you've used cloth or disposable diapers. In addition to the cost savings and environmental impact, fabric trainers offer your toddler immediate feedback, versus disposable trainers that wick moisture away.
Shop Training Pants
