Cloth Diaper Options

As a cloth diaper family you have options - a lot of options! You can choose standard prefolds fastened every which-away, you can choose fitted diapers, or you can choose pocket diapers.

You also have a wide variety of covers to choose from - and fabric choices are endless!

Prefold Diapers

The standard prefold diaper has been serving babies and families for quite awhile! It's a versatile option that doesn't take long to master. Prefolds can be tailored to meet your baby's needs fairly easily and have the added advantage of being low-cost.

When you shop for your prefolds, be sure to choose Diaper Service Quality diapers (DSQ). DSQ diapers are thick, quilted, and very fluffy. They are hardworking and absorbent diapers and will last you through several children. And after you kids' diaper days are done, they will serve you well as cleaning rags around the house.

To fasten your diapers you can choose pins, just as mothers have been using for decades. Today you can get super safe pins with locking heads. When you pin your baby's cloth diaper put your hand between the diaper and baby's skin and you'll have no chance of poking her.

You can also use an original little gadget called a Snappi to fasten your diapers. The T-shaped fastener grips the diaper in the three areas and holds it closed. Snappis are flexible and strong - many mothers swear by them!

You can also use a diaper cover to hold your prefold in place. Some diaper covers are designed just for this purpose.

Diaper Covers

Speaking of diaper covers - there are a lot of different types! Modern day covers are a far cry from the "plastic pants" your grandmother used. Most covers today are made with soft waterproof laminates that breathe to keep baby's skin safe.

You can choose covers that have a hook and loop closure (Velcro or Aplix) or a traditional pull-on cover made of a waterproof nylon that breathes. Some parents prefer covers that snap (these have always been my personal favorite).

Another option not to be forgotten, especially if you want to be a natural as possible with diapering is the wool cover. Wool covers can absorb up to 40% of their weight in wetness and your baby never feels wet!

Felted wool provides maximum absorption. Wool that has not been stripped of its natural lanolin properties is actually self-cleaning and removes urine odor so that your baby stays clean and fresh between washings. Many parents swear by wool covers for nighttime diapering.

If you want to avoid doing diaper changes at night (if your baby only wets at night) you may find that a diaper cover made especially for nighttime works well.

Fitted Diapers

Many parents find that fitted diapers fit their lifestyle very well ;) There are several types of fitted diapers. There are simple fitted diapers, pocket diapers, one-size diapers, and all-in-ones.

• Fitted Diapers are diapers that are contoured to fit your baby's shape. They have snaps or hook and loop closures. They are a great choice for parents who don't want to use pins and prefolds. Simple fitted diapers need a cover.
• Pocket Diapers are becoming very popular. These cloth diapers have a waterproof outer layer and a soft inner layer that wicks moisture away from your baby's skin. You "stuff" the inside of the diaper with whatever absorbent material you'd like to - most come with an absorbent micro-terry insert.

  This is also great for outings - stuff your cloth diaper at home and go! Pocket diapers are fitted and close with either snaps or hook and loop closures.

• One-Size-Diapers are a great invention. These fitted diapers have a variety of snaps to help you customize the diaper to whatever size your baby is. Thus you do not need multiple sets of diapers. The front folds down and snaps neatly for a small baby, and unfolds and snaps neatly for your walking tall cutie! You can also find one-size pocket diapers. BumGenius diapers are my favorite from this category!

All-in-Ones

A similar diaper to the fitted and pocket diapers are All in One Diapers (AIO). These are a favorite for using when going out. All-in-ones have a fitted cloth diaper inside and an attached cover. They usually close with a hook and loop closure.

They're as convenient as disposables; you just wrap them around baby and fasten them quickly. Many parents like to keep several all-in-ones around for going out, or in other situations where they don't want to use a diaper with a separate cover.

Diaper Services

You can also choose to use a cloth diaper service. Your service will deliver diapers to you on a regular schedule and you just leave the dirty diapers out for them to pick up. It's very convenient. You'll be able to use whatever diapers the service provides. Some services provide covers and others require that you use your own.

Diaper services pride themselves on their service. They wash their diapers according to set protocols to ensure that the diapers are all clean and sanitized. In fact, the diapers usually go through many cycles in hot water before they are pronounced "clean."

A diaper service can be a good option for many families. Whether you choose to purchase diapers to use at home, make your own diapers, or use a diaper service, cloth diapering a great choice for you and for your baby!

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