All in one Diapers

Also known as AIOs, all-in-one diapers are designed much like a fitted diaper, contouring to baby’s shape with the layers (ply) sewn in for maximum absorbency in the center.  The difference in an AIO and a regular fitted diaper is the additional layer sewn to the outside of the diaper that serves as a waterproof diaper cover.  AIOs come with either Velcro/aplix or snap closures, thereby not requiring diaper pins for closure.  AIOs put on and adjust just like a disposable, but are softer, thicker, more absorbent and washable.

Diaper Covers

In cloth diapering, an outer, waterproof (or at least water-resistant) covering is a must to keep your lip, hip and furniture dry!  Diaper Covers may be made from breathable nylon, or multiple decorative fabric layers that ‘sandwich’ a waterproof laminate layer.  Diaper Covers are also made from materials that naturally wick-away, repel or serve as a barrier to moisture like fleece and wool.  Just as with the materials used, diaper covers come in various styles.  Some diaper covers are highly adjustable with lightweight Velcro, aplix or snap tabbed ‘wings’ that wrap-around the baby’s diaper to secure close at the front or side.  Other diaper covers are made to pull-on over the cloth diaper like a training panty or underwear.  Cloth diaper covers should be selected for quality, durability and utility, along with ease of use and care.  When purchasing, consider the retailers’ recommendations for cloth diaper to diaper cover fit.  Because of the various sizes, diaper covers may fit better over specific types of cloth diapers, but not over others.

Diaper Service Quality

Also referred to as DSQ, the term ‘Diaper Service Quality’ is indicative of a particular quality and durability of Prefold Cloth Diapers.  Originally used and distributed by diaper services, these diapers are selected for their ability to withstand the rigorous washing and drying standards of a diaper service’s multiple washes without shredding, pilling or losing absorbency.    

Diaper Doublers

Diaper Doublers are independent rectangular or contoured multiple-layered inserts that are placed atop the center panel of a cloth diapering system to boost absorbency.  The extra layers can be made from any absorbent material and are often topped with an additional layer of fleece to wick moisture away from the baby, keeping the baby feeling drier.  Diaper Doublers can be used with any cloth diapering system as a way to keep baby dry through the night, naps, or even long car trips.  Diaper doublers can also be used daily for heavy wetting babies.

Fitted Diapers

Fitted diapers are made to contour to your baby and have layers (ply) sewn into the center panel for maximum absorbency.  The difference between Fitted Diapers and regular Flat or Prefold Diapers is that Fitted Diapers usually close with Velcro or Snap Closures (some may require diaper pins or some other fasteners), and ‘contour’ around baby’s shape with soft, enclosed elastic at the legs and at the upper back.  Some Fitted Diapers are made with additional built-in gussets (sort of built-in ‘pockets’ inside the leg bindings) for more complete containment of ‘messes.’  Fitted Diapers are not All-In-Ones and therefore, do require a diaper cover of some sort to be used.

Snap-to-Fit Diapers

Snap-to-Fit Diapers are simply fitted diapers that have improved on adjustability by strategically placing additional snaps in two parallel rows at the wings and on the ‘face’ of the diaper.  As baby grows, different snap-settings can be used for the give-and-take necessary to keep baby comfortable at the waist and thigh.  While Snap-to-Fit Diapers will usually reduce the need to purchase multiple sizes in diapers (2 sizes usually span from birth to potty-training), they may require a diaper cover, so you will need to purchase the necessary diaper covers in growing sizes.

Hemp

Hemp is one of the more popular cloth diapering textiles used.  Noted for its naturally anti-microbial properties, hemp deters bacteria, mold, mildew and fungus, thereby protecting baby’s skin.  When blended with cotton, hemp makes for a soft, highly-absorbent diapering choice.  Hemp is grown naturally, without pesticides and when blended with organic cotton, hemp is a favorite for those that desire an all-natural, absorbent, earth-friendly, unbleached alternative in cloth diapering.

Liners

A liner is a single-layer of material that is placed across the top layer (along the stride) of any cloth diapering system and rests directly against the baby’s skin.  Liners can serve multiple purposes and are made from a variety of materials. Fleece Liners will keep moisture away from baby’s skin by drawing moisture through the fleece (wicking) and locking it into the absorbent layers beneath.  Biodegradable and flushable liners an also be purchased and are placed in the same manner, but primarily used to aid in quick clean-ups for the initial meconium stage and then, once baby’s stools are more solid.

Flat Diapers

Flat Diapers (also called ‘square diapers’) are made from a single-ply of fabric (usually 100% Birdseye or Diaper Flannel) and measure anywhere from 27 to 36” wide.  Unlike Prefolds, Flat Diapers do not have built in layers for absorbency and will require multiple folds to get the absorbency in the center panel.  Flat diapers do have the benefit of drying very quickly on the line or in the dryer, and because of this, are often a choice absorbent ‘insert’ for Pocket Diapers.

Prefolds

Prefolds are cloth diapers that have been pre-folded and sewn into 3 vertical panels of differing thicknesses.  These rectangular layers are called ‘ply’ and the maximum absorbency is found in the center panel – anywhere from 6 to 8 layers if of diaper service quality.  The outer two panels usually have 2 to 4 layers (ply) of thickness.  The inner panel usually has from 6 to 8 layers (ply) of thickness.  Prefolds are made of several materials, but one of the more popular is cotton twill because it quilts-up and gets more fluffy and soft with each wash/dry cycle.  The different choices in thickness allows for tailoring the absorbency to meet a baby’s personal needs.  Edges are usually double-stitched for durability and longevity.  Prefolds can be put on a baby with diaper pins or any other style fastener, or placed inside a wrap-style diaper cover and secured on baby.  Prefolds require a diaper cover.

Pocket Diapers

Pocket Diapers are made with two layers sewn together to form a pocket.  The exterior layer is usually a soft, waterproof fabric and the inner layer (that touches baby’s sensitive skin) is a 100% breathable, lush poly fleece.  The fleece does not retain moisture, but dries quickly.  These two layers form a pocket where a folded prefold diaper, insert or diaper doubler is placed.  When baby wets, the moisture passes through the fleece to the cloth diaper or insert inside where it is absorbed and locked away from baby’s skin.  Created to fit much like a fitted diaper or an all-in-one, the pocket diaper has ‘wings’ that wrap around baby and fasten at the waist and thigh with hardy plastic snaps or aplix hook & loop closures.  Pocket Diapers do not require diaper pins and as long as the exterior fabric is a waterproof material, do not require covers either.

Wool

Wool is a popular textile for diaper covers.  Jnown for its longevity and durability, wool also has natural breathable qualities and absorbs moisture, alleviating the concern for trapped heat that can cause diaper rash.  Wool contains lanolin which is a natural, waterproof barrier that can be re-waterproofed as needed.  Wool boasts of a high level of elasticity, which makes for a comfortable wear as it can easily adjust to baby’s movements and recover to its original shape.  Wool tends to be bulkier than the nylon, polyester or laminate alternatives in diaper covers, but is a favorite for night-time and nap-time diapering as wool is easily worn over bulkier diapering systems.

Sherpa

Sherpa is often considered one of the more luxurious diapering textiles.  Sherpa is an ultra-soft, heavier-weight, knit-terry fabric that has been brushed for a fleece-like, bumpy texture while retaining both the absorbent attributes and loops of the terry.  Sherpa is made from both cotton and polyester, with the cotton content tending toward 65 to 75%.  Sherpa, although absorbent, does not have the ability to wick moisture away from baby’s skin.

Soakers

The word soaker originally was used to define the multiple layers either sewn-in, laid-in, or snapped-in to the stride of a fitted or all-in-one diapering system.  Materials were chosen for their absorbent tendencies, such as Hemp and Sherpa. 

Another growing usage of the word Soaker is used to define a particular type of diaper cover – one made from wool that pulls-on and is either made from wool or fleece.  Many soakers are now knit with hand-dyed naturally water-repellant wools for beautiful finished products that either cover the diaper only or are extended to be worn as soft, woolly pants in the colder months.