This is a beginner’s cloth diapers 101 tutorial to give you the tools you need to choose and use cloth diapers successfully, from birth to potty, if that’s what you want to do.
Please note, if you are not really a beginner but are looking for some information on a specific topic such as washing, troubleshooting leaks, or diaper rash, you’ll probably find the FAQ page here more helpful, or you can always search your specific topic here.
Table of Contents
Why Choose Cloth Diapers over Disposables
Choosing cloth diapers is becoming more common, but it’s still a difficult choice. Most of us can’t call on our “village” for advice because our mothers didn’t use cloth diapers, and even if our grandmothers used cloth diapers they weren’t enthusiastic about it because they used olden-day cloth diapers that were loose, had to be covered in rubber pants, and soaked in weird blue liquid before washing (so gross).
So, on one hand, our moms and our consumer culture tell us that disposables are a convenient way to diaper, but on the other, we have a growing movement of new moms who are choosing cloth diapers anyway.
Why Cloth Diapers Are a Great Choice for Some
Here’s what the people choosing cloth diapers have figured out:
- They save you money! With water, energy and soap factored in cloth diapers still save a ton of money, even if only used on one child (though they often can be used on multiple kids). Click here for more info about how much babies cost and how much cloth diapers can save you.
- They respect your children’s future. There are many things you want to leave your children with; but a pile of dirty diapers that won’t break down in that child’s lifetime probably isn’t on that list. Not only are cloth diapers responsible when it comes to the environment, but they are also financially responsible in that they lengthen the life of your local landfill, saving you tax dollars as well.
- They reduce your child’s exposure to harmful chemicals.
- They completely eliminate the dreaded “blow-out.” Yes, cloth diapers can actually prevent the poop messes that come with the territory of disposables.
- They save money.
- They make your baby more comfortable (would you like wearing plastic and paper underwear?)
- They can make potty training easier. Without all that “dry-core, stay-dry, pee-disappearing layer technology” of disposables, your toddler can feel when they wet, which can make it easier for them to figure out their body’s bathroom signals.
- They can make you friends; because cloth diaper people love talking about using cloth diapers. Just drop by the Cloth Diapers for Beginners Facebook group to see for yourself.
- Oh, and did I mention you’ll save money!
So if you’re still reading, and all of that sounds good to you, let’s just jump right into how to find the right cloth diapers for you and your family.
Where to Start: Do Your Research BEFORE You Purchase Cloth Diapers! (Read the Whole Cloth Diapers 101!)
Most often, the first question I get from newbies is actually a three-part question, which sounds a lot like, “I really don’t know where to start, can you please tell me what type to get, how to clean them properly, and how to use them?”
Phew! Ok, let’s pause a second and go one step at a time.
While the question is completely reasonable (I had the same one when I started out), and I can get to those answers for you, the problem is that it’s like asking me what kind of shoes are best.
It depends.
Are you using the shoes for running? For playing soccer? For dancing ballet? All of these shoes have completely different uses, and while I might be able to recommend a good brand of ballet slippers and tell you how to keep the ribbons untangled, I first need to figure out you’re a ballerina.
So, let’s start by figuring out if you want to run a marathon or perform Swan Lake. Are you with me?
What Type of Cloth Diaper Will Work for You?
Just like all shoes have a sole and some way to bind that sole to your foot, every diaper is made up of two parts:
- An outer shell (or cover). This outer shell is the waterproof part that keeps your couch, bed, hands and everything else from getting wet, and keeps the mess contained. This is also the layer with all the cute prints and colored snaps (though it may not have snaps and have a Velcro/hook and loop closure or no closure at all). It is most often made of waterproof PUL material, but you can also find covers made from wool and other water-resistant materials.
- The inner padding. This is the part that absorbs the wetness, it’s the “guts” of the diaper. It may be made up of a million different combinations of microfiber, hemp, bamboo, cotton, fleece, etc. (every fabric type has some unique properties you can use for certain purposes, but don’t worry about that yet), but the point is that it’s the part that absorbs and holds the mess until you change baby. Inserts, prefolds, flats, fitted diapers, old t-shirts, flour sack towels, and really any other non-waterproof piece of cloth used as a diaper is used as this absorbent part of the diaper, which needs to be paired with an outer shell/cover.
That’s it.
It doesn’t matter what type, or style, or band it is, every cloth diaper you will ever put on your baby (With the exception of a swim diaper, but that’s a whole separate topic) will be made up of those two parts. The only thing that changes is how the diaper is constructed, meaning how much those two pieces are stitched or snapped together (or not), and the types of fabric used (don’t worry about that right now).
While there aren’t as many different kinds of diapers as there are shoes, there are about six different kinds of diapers that mix up how they put those two parts together, and trust me, that’s plenty. All of the six types have different pluses and minuses, and it’s these pluses and minuses that will help us pin down which kind(s) of diapers are best for you, so learning a bit about them is a good place to start.
Let’s take a quick look at the different types of cloth diapers. If you have some time, check out this video where I show you and explain all the six types, or if you’re in a hurry, just scroll down for a quick comparison table.
How the Six Different Types of Cloth Diapers Look:
All-in-One
All-in-one diapers get their name from the fact that all the pieces of the diaper—the waterproof shell, and the absorbent center—are completely stitched together into one piece.
All-in-Two
This diaper comes in two pieces: the waterproof or water-resistant cover, and an absorbent insert that attaches to the cover.
The cover of this diaper is sewn to a soft “stay dry” layer of fabric. Together those two layers form a pocket to hold absorbent inserts.
Fitted
Though they may look the most like disposables, fitteds do not have a waterproof layer and are meant to be worn underneath a completely separate diaper cover.
Prefold
Sectioned into three parts lengthwise, these rectangular diapers contain several layers of absorbent material sewn together, with additional layers in the middle. These are also folded and paired with a diaper cover.
Flat
Large squares of single-layer material, typically cotton, that can be folded several ways to fit and protect and must be paired with a stand-alone diaper cover.
There are also hybrid diapers, which are disposable diapers that are used with cloth diaper covers, but for the purposes of this beginner’s intro, we’ll keep it to all-cloth options.
There are also tiny sub-types like stretchy flats, preflats, etc. but I really suggest investigating those after you learn the basics covered here, so let’s keep going.
What are the Features of Each of the Six Styles of Cloth Diapers?
Now that you know what the six different types of cloth diapers look like, let’s compare them to show some key differences to give you some ideas on which might be perfect for you.
I’m going to break them up into two groups: A) diaper styles that are most often sold with both parts together, and B) the cloth diaper styles most often sold separately, meaning they go under a reusable cloth diaper cover.
A) Cloth Diapers Sold Together as A Whole
All-in-One Diapers
| Price | -Highest price per diaper. -Completely soiled at every diaper change, therefore need many. |
| Adjustability | – Difficult to add more absorbency. -Because the diaper is one piece, can be difficult to adjust to fit all baby shapes and sizes correctly. |
| Ease of Use | -Diaper on, diaper off; just like a disposable during diaper changes. (making them caregiver friendly) -No stuffing, folding, or additional prep work before changing |
| Ease of Care | -Can’t separate different layers so more difficult to clean and care for -Take much longer to dry |
If you’re considering all-in-ones, you can click here to read all about all-in-one diapers to get the full picture.
All-in-Two Diapers
| Price | -High per-diaper cost. –Depending on the brand, covers might allow for wiping and reuse so you can purchase fewer covers. |
| Adjustability | -Can add more inserts as needed. -Usually can use the shell with other styles of diaper inserts as well. |
| Ease of Use | -Inserts must be snapped in before use. Otherwise, diaper changes are like using disposables. -Must unsnap inserts before washing, which can be unpleasant. |
| Ease of Care | -Must unsnap inserts to clean properly -Because cover can be separated from inserts, washing is easier, but inserts have plastic snaps which do require some care consideration when washing and drying |
If you’re considering all-in-two’s, you can click here to read all about all-in-two diapers to get the full picture.
Pocket Diapers
| Price | -Mid-range to low price per diaper. -Completely soiled every diaper change, so need many. |
| Adjustability | -Can add more absorbency, but only up to a point as once pocket is full, adding more will interfere with fit and may cause leaks. |
| Ease of Use | -Inserts must be stuffed inside the pocket before use, this is called “stuffing” your diapers. -Once, pre-stuffed, changes are as easy as disposables. |
| Ease of Care | -Some brands must be unstuffed before washing, which can be icky. |
If you’re considering pocket diapers, you can click here to learn more about pocket diapers.
B) Cloth Diapers Sold Without Waterproof Covers
Fitted Diapers
| Price | – Higher price per diaper.** –Must be used with a waterproof diaper cover, BUT that cover can most often be wiped and reused several times before being soiled and needing to be changed. |
| Adjustability | -Can add more absorbency, but often don’t need to. -Easy to adjust the fit using its snaps or Velcro. |
| Ease of Use | ** Best style of diapers for overnight, which justifies their cost. Many times, for heavy wetters a hemp fabric fitted diaper will be the diaper that works best overnight. -Easy to put on, but must be paired with a diaper cover, so diaper changes have two steps. |
| Ease of Care | -Easy to wash, but additional elastics and possibly snaps to care for. |
If you’re interested in fitted diapers, you can click here to read all about fitted diapers, or you can click here to learn more about using fitted diapers at night.
Prefold Diapers
| Price | -Low price per diaper. -Must be used with a waterproof diaper cover; BUT that cover can most often be wiped and reused several times before being soiled and needing to be changed. |
| Adjustability | – Easily folded to fit any baby and situation and can be paired with any other inserts and boosters as needed. |
| Ease of Use | -High initial learning curve as prefolds must be folded (and possibly pinned in place) under a diaper cover. |
| Ease of Care | – Extremely easy to wash, and can dry quickly when needed in a hurry. |
If you’re interested in prefold diapers, you can click here to read a full and in-depth post (with recommendations) all about prefolds to get the full picture.
Flat Diapers
| Price | -Very low price per diaper, especially is using Flour Sack Towels (FST’s). -Must be used with a waterproof diaper cover; BUT that cover can most often be wiped and reused several times before being soiled and needing to be changed. |
| Adjustability | – Easily folded to fit any baby and situation and can be paired with other inserts and boosters as needed. |
| Ease of Use | -Highest learning curve; must be folded (and possibly pinned in place) under a diaper cover. |
| Ease of Care | – Very easy to care for. “Washes like an old rag.” |
How to Choose The Diaper Style That’s Perfect for You
So, what style of diaper is best for you?
I have an in-depth post about finding the right cloth diaper types for you here, but if you’re just starting your research a good place to start is to ask yourself some basic questions:
- Who will be changing your baby?
Is everyone who might be changing diapers regularly on board with cloth?
If they are, any style of diaper might work, but if not, getting some diapers that are easy at change time (like All-in-ones, or pocket diapers) may be best. - Is budget your top concern?
If so, going with a cheaper diaper system overall may be the key. - How often do you plan to wash?
I recommend washing no more than every three days or so, because of mildew and bacteria growth on wet, dirty diapers waiting to be washed. With that said, life gets in the way of best practices all the time.
If you don’t think washing every three days or less is practical for you, getting a diaper system that can be separated into pieces and/ or unfolded to, therefore, get more air while waiting for wash day (i.e. prefolds or flats with covers) may cut down on the potential problem of mildew and bacteria growth. - Are you hand-washing?
Not all of us have access to a big washing machine. If you’re handwashing or using a portable, non-electric washer, a diaper system that’s easier to clean (prefolds and flats) may be best. - Do you want to cloth diaper as naturally as possible?
If so, diaper systems that use all-natural fibers in most products may be the most affordable. Prefolds, flats, and wool covers may be the ideal way to go here, ensuring a completely natural (no synthetic fibers) diaper. - Is your baby a heavy wetter?
If baby is already here, and you know they are a heavy wetter, All-in-ones, and pockets may not be a good option as they limit the amount of absorbency that can be added to a diaper.
Should I Only Use One Style of Diaper?
I usually recommend trying at least two different styles of diapers out if you’ve never used cloth diapers before, not only to help you figure out your preferences, but also because babies are changing their shape constantly, and having a few options at the ready can help get that fit on any given day.
If you’re leaning toward all-in-ones, getting a few pocket diapers, or even all-in-twos may be a good option, as they are still pretty easy at change time, but will give you some fit flexibility and some different wash experiences.
If you’re leaning toward pocket diapers or all-in-two’s, getting just one diaper cover and a pack of prefolds will not only give you some variety in your diaper stash, but those prefolds can also be used in your pockets and all-in-twos as boosters, so they will give you some options all the way around.
If you’re opting for prefolds, flats and/or fitteds, getting a few of each just makes sense, and they all work very well together. Grabbing one all-in-one to see what all the fuss is, and for when Grandma comes over is also not a bad idea.
Don’t fear the mix-and-match, it may just be what keeps you on track when baby doesn’t fit well with your favorite option now.
You should also note that cloth diaper inserts are usually interchangeable among brands and diaper styles, meaning you can use your inserts in all sorts of diapers.
What Are the Best Cloth Diapers?
Hopefully, all that info helped you choose a type or two of diapers to try, but if it left you even more confused, and you’re just looking for an experienced recommendation on the best cloth diapers for beginners, click here.
Where Do I Buy Cloth Diapers?
If on the other hand, you have a style and maybe even some brands picked out, it’s time for the fun part, shopping!
If you’re looking for a bargain, you can check out this post that I update regularly with cloth diaper coupons, specials and deals. If it’s close to Black Friday or Earth Day, definitely wait until the big day because those are the best days to save some serious cash on cloth diapers.
If you can’t find what you like on sale, you can find cloth diapers in a number of places. Target, Walmart and Amazon all sell cloth diapers, but you will have much more choice and variety at the local cloth diaper stores. You can find the cloth diaper retailers closest to you here (broken down by state/ province).
What About Used Cloth Diapers?
Aside from finding new cloth diapers at all the places I mentioned above, you can also save money (and your environmental impact, if that’s your thing) by buying used diapers.
And yes, they’re safe, because you sanitize them before using them.
For information on where to find used cloth diapers, what to look out for when buying them, and how to value them, check out this guide to used cloth diapers for beginners.
Getting Your Diapers Ready for Baby
Whether your cloth diapers are new or used, you will have to clean and prepare them a bit before using them for the first time. There are a few reasons why this is necessary, which vary according to the type of diaper you’re using, but prepping (preparing your cloth diapers for their first use) is not as difficult as some make it out to be.
Instructions on