I Almost Didn't Pass Calculus - This Is Way Too Confusing!

Disclaimer: As I am just beginning my green journey, I have never actually used any of these cloth diapers - all of my information is from online research and the opinions and suggestions of people who HAVE used them. So take what I write with a grain of salt!

A few weeks ago, I utilized Facebook in order to gather some information about cloth diapers. Once people saw the phrase "cloth diaper" in my status, I was inundated (in a good way!) by comments about brands and types and other suggestions.

One person (my husband's cousin, who actually MAKES her own cloth diaper covers - how crazy-awesome-slightly-intimidating is that?!) recommended Thirsties and gDiapers, another suggested Chinese prefolds, another the Flip by Cotton Babies and BumGenius...and the list goes on and on. I was, of course, completely overwhelmed by all of the types and brands and unfamiliar lingo, so I spent several days attempting to make an "Idiot's Guide to Cloth Diapering." Here's what I've come up with:

• The most basic (and cheapest!) option is the cotton or hemp flat diaper - it's pinned or Snappied into place. Very similar to this is the cotton, hemp, or bamboo prefold - which is exactly what is sounds like - you don't have to fold it like the flat diaper, you just make sure it's around your baby's bottom properly, then fasten it (again, with either pins or a Snappi). Both these options MUST be used in conjunction with a diaper cover, or you might as well just let your child go around with her cute little bum hanging out - and my child has a VERY adorable little behind, so I must admit, it's tempting! But, seriously, there are a ton of choices for diaper covers (ranging from inexpensive to "my-first-car-didn't-cost-this-much"), so you really have a lot of wiggle room. I'll go into more detail about diaper covers later in this post.
  

• The next option: fitted diapers. These are more expensive than the flats or prefolds, but they are VERY simple to use - they go on exactly like a disposable diaper, and fasten with either velcro or snaps (depending on the brand). These also require a diaper cover to contain leaks, which, obviously, adds to the cost. You can find these diapers for as little as $9 (on average), but as you head toward the more organic fabric end of the spectrum, the price increases - of course!

• Next comes the pocket diaper - judging from what I've read and from what people have told me, these tend to be the favorite cloth diapers. They are really just like a disposable (and attach with snaps or velcro), and you have the option of placing material with different levels of absorbency (called inserts or doublers) into the pocket in the diaper. Having the option to put more material in for overnight (or for heavy daytime wetters) makes this an excellent option - I have often been frustrated with how many times Abby has wet through her disposable diapers at night! Many pocket diapers have an inner wicking layer to keep moisture away from your baby's bum! Another great perk with these diapers is that you don't need a diaper cover. The downside to this kind of cloth diaper? While you CAN get inserts/doublers that are made of organic material, it's difficult (perhaps impossible) to get an actual pocket diaper made of that type of material - so think carefully about that when weighing your options.
  

• All-in-one diapers are next on the list. They are exactly what they sound like, and are probably the easiest cloth diaper to use - there is nothing to insert, no diaper cover to put on, no pins to poke yourself with. It's a disposable diaper without the disposable part! But this diaper is not without its downfalls! Because there is no separate "dirty/wet" layer that can be separated from the outer layer, you can't reuse these diapers until they've been washed - once an AIO (as they are often called) has been peed or pooped in, it is out of commission until laundry day! They also can take a while to dry - thus, you need to invest in a fairly large supply of these fairly expensive diapers. You'll need to take these things into account when making a decision! Also, keep in mind that AIOs are usually made of non-organic materials.

• This next one is not a separate diaper option, but merely a variation. One size cloth diapers are really referring to diapers that have a special series of fasteners on them so they can grow with your child - when your baby is little, you use the set of fasteners closest together to make the diaper as small as you need; then, as your child grows, you just choose the sets of fasteners slightly farther apart. Realistically, unless you have a very large potty training-aged child, or your child doesn't get potty trained until she is several years old, and assuming the fabric doesn't wear out (a very real possibility), your child could wear this diaper from birth until the day she no longer needs diapers! That's a very neat idea to consider, but these tend to be tricky on children under 12 pounds (it can be hard to get them small enough to fit properly) and can be quite an expensive upfront investment. Also, remember that unless you get a one size pocket diaper or AIO, you will still need a diaper cover.

• Diaper covers are a whole category by themselves! They run the gambit from synthetic to natural materials, and are available with velcro or snaps. They either pull on (these tend to be the wool ones) or are fastened over the diaper of your choice very much like a disposable diaper. They can be made of wool, fleece, or PUL, and can be very budget-friendly or put a huge dent in your wallet! There are some absolutely adorable covers out there (I will admit that, since I have a girl, I tend to only look at the girlie covers - but I'm sure there are tons of great boy ones out there!) that I'm sure many mamas have a hard time resisting!
  

Things To Watch Out For

1. If you are a very green mama, make sure you check the prefolds to see what they're made of - if you're not careful, you could end up with polyester prefolds that are, obviously, NOT organic, and also not very absorbent! Many people fall victim to these at big box stores because of the "great deal" they get on them, but, as I'm sure you've already figured out, it's actually a terrible deal!
2. If you use flats or prefolds, make sure anyone who will be watching (and therefore changing) your child gets a lesson in how to properly put on and attach the diaper - many of us (me included!) have never changed this kind of diaper before and would really appreciate a quick how-to before Mom or Dad whisks out of the house!
3. Test before you commit: almost everyone I talked to recommended just buying one or two of whichever diaper you want to try before rushing out and buying 20 expensive AIOs - you might find out that you actually LOVE using the simple flats with a cover, or you might end up thinking that the pocket diapers are your one true love. Cloth diapering CAN be expensive (at least at first - but if you stick with the system you choose, it won't be long before it has paid for itself), and if it doesn't work out, you don't want to be out a ton of money.
   

So, to sum it up: flats and prefolds (with a cover) are the cheapest but take some getting used to, and pocket diapers seem to be the best way to go (even though they cost a little more). Fitted diapers, AIOs, one size diapers, and diaper covers all fall somewhere in the middle, and, depending on your lifestyle, your budget, and your personal preferences, can all work nicely into your child's diaper wardrobe!

-Jen