First is a prefold/flat with a cover. This is a square, flat piece of cloth that you have to fold, pin on, and then attach a waterproof cover over the top. This is generally considered the most economical method, since flats are cheap and you can reuse the covers for a couple of diaper changes before they need to be washed. It also has the biggest learning curve as you have to learn how to fold it and attach it to fit your baby.
Second is a fitted diaper. This is a diaper that snaps on, no folding required, but is not waterproof, so needs a cover on top. These can be very absorbent and good for nighttime use, but they are quite bulky.
Third is a pocket diaper. This is a diaper cover that has a fleece or stay dry pocket sewn in. An insert is tucked into the pocket, which holds it in place. The insert absorbs the liquid, and the stay dry fabric goes against baby's skin and wicks the moisture away so they don't feel as wet. These are very simple to use, but the downside is you have to stuff the inserts into the pockets.
Fourth is an All-In-One diaper. This is exactly how it sounds: one whole diaper ready to go, no stuffing or folding required. The absorbent part is sewn in. It's the easiest diaper to use, but you can't adjust the absorbency very well, so if you have a heavy wetter, you can't just slip another insert in. They also take longer to dry.
The last one is a hybrid diaper or All-In-Two which is kind of a cross between a cover and an All-In-One. These usually have an insert that snaps or lays into the cover, and the cover can be reused for several diaper changes.
I have tried all of these diapers except the prefold or flat, and they all have pros and cons. I currently have pockets, all-in-ones, and hybrids in my stash. I like pockets because you can customize the absorbency by changing the type of insert or adding an extra insert. All-In-Ones are super easy, no stuffing required. They both go on just like a disposable diaper, so anybody can do it. I also prefer the inside of the diaper to be made out of a stay-dry fabric like micro-fleece or suede cloth instead of cotton because it wicks the moisture away from baby's skin and helps them not to feel like they are sitting in wetness all the time. Xander doesn't seem to mind either way, but I just don't like the idea of wet fabric constantly against his skin.
My three favorite brands are Sunbaby, BumGenius, and Charlie Banana.
Sunbaby is cheap, has adorable prints, and fits Xander the best. They aren't as good quality as the more expensive diapers, but for a cheapie brand, I like them a lot. They have held up very well so far. They have soft fleece on the inside too, which I like.
BumGenius is a very popular brand with gorgeous colors and lots of options. These have been my go-to diapers for naps or outings because they rarely ever leak. My only complaint is they are very wide in the crotch, so when Xander was little and had skinny legs, they were very bulky and didn't fit very well. Now that he is bigger they fit great.
Charlie Banana is skinny in the crotch and very stretchy, so they fit him very well when he was smaller. They are also super soft and trim underneath clothes. Instead of snaps in the front to make the diaper bigger or smaller, they have adjustable elastics, which eliminates the bulk that usually comes from the diaper being snapped up to make it smaller. My complaint with them is that they are so skinny that it is hard to find an insert that fits in it other than the Charlie Banana brand, which is microfiber. I much prefer bamboo inserts.
Speaking of inserts, there are many different kinds. Diapers usually come standard with microfiber inserts. Microfiber absorbs quickly and holds a lot of liquid. However, when under pressure (like baby sitting in a car seat), it leaks, and has a tendency to hold stink. On top of that, you cannot put microfiber directly against baby's skin because it is SO absorbent that it will dry out your baby's skin. Because of this, it is my least favorite kind of insert.
Hemp and bamboo both hold a LOT of liquid, but typically absorb it slower than microfiber, meaning if your baby pees a lot all at once, it might not be fast enough to keep up, resulting in leaks. Cotton can hold a lot as well, but it doesn't wick the moisture away from the baby's skin, so the baby will feel wet when he has a wet diaper if the insert isn't underneath a layer of stay-dry fabric like fleece. Some babies are sensitive to the wet feeling and some aren't.
My favorite is a bamboo/microfiber blend like the charcoal bamboo pictured above. A layer of bamboo on the outside, and several layers of microfiber on the inside. They are very absorbent and not prone to compression leaks. Plus, if you are so inclined you can put them directly against the baby's skin.
There are SO many options out there, and every baby is different. If your baby is small, you'll want a skinnier diaper like Charlie Banana. If he is a heavy wetter, you'll want to add a second insert or go with bamboo. If your baby is allergic to synthetic fabrics (yes, I've heard of that happening), you'll want something that is cotton or bamboo against baby's skin. Some people like Velcro while others like snaps (snaps for me!). And different combos will probably work best for your baby at different times; as they grow and develop, different brands or inserts may stop working or work better than they used to. That's why I recommend having several different brands or styles in your stash, so you can switch out as needed. And don't buy two dozen of one kind of diaper before your baby is born because you may end up hating it!
It has taken a lot of trial and error to find what works the best for us. I used to be overwhelmed and frustrated as I tried to figure out what I liked, but now that I have, we hardly ever have leaks or problems, and I love cloth diapering. Snap on a stay-dry pocket or all in one with a bamboo blend insert, and we're good to go!
My last post about diapers will be on washing, storing, and other details, and then I'm done, I promise! :-)
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