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Spotlight!

A cloth diaper pail liner can save you from scrubbing! Using a cloth diaper pail liner keeps the inside of the pail clean. Just wash the pail liner along with your diapers.

Diaper Facts

Pocket diapers are a good choice for babysitters and diaper newbies. Just stuff a few and leave them for the sitter. As easy as disposables!

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Overwhelmed by your cloth diaper choices?

...Cloth Planet is here to help!

How many cloth diapers do I need? What else do I need? How do I choose the right diapers for my family? Don't worry if you feel a little overwhelmed at first. Cloth diapering is much easier than it looks, but with so many choices available it can feel overwhelming at first.

What kind of diapers should I use?

Choosing diapers is easier if you think about the reasons you want to use cloth diapers. Are you doing it for your pokcetbook, the environment or your baby's health? Does cute matter a lot to you or are you willing to trade cute for cheap?

Type of Diaper	Wool or PUL Cover	Cost	Cute	Easy?
Flat or Prefold Diapers	Yes	$	*	!
Fitted Diaper	Yes	$$	**	!!
Organic Fitted Diaper	Yes	$$$	*	!!
Pocket Diaper	No	$$$	***	!!!
All In One Diaper, AIO, AI2	No	$$$$	***	!!!!

Easy to Use Cloth Diapers

Cloth diapers have come a long, long way since our mothers and grandmothers used them on us. Even if you opt for an old-fahioned prefold or flat diaper, you no longer need to mess with pins or swishing in the toilet. Modern washing machines are much more effective than older machines and pins are only used by those who prefer them or those who are using pull on waterproof covers.

Welcome to the new age of cloth diapers!

Flat Diapers

Flat diapers are usually the traditional squares of birdseye cotton that our grandmothers used before prefolds were invented. They wash and dry quickly so in addition to being the cheapest diapering option, they will continue to save you money since they are so fast to dry. These are the easiest diapers to line dry if you choose not to use a dryer.

Flat diapers can be folded to fit almost any baby. You may need to double them for an older baby.

In addition to birdseye diapers you can sometimes find hemp hersey or flannel flat diapers.

Chinese or Indian Prefolds

Prefold diapers are folded for you and stitched in place so they are easier to fold to fit your baby. Don't settle for the ones you'll find in big baby stores. These are NOT real diaper service quality diapers (DSQ). They don't absorb well and they will just leave you frustrated.

You can find prefold diapers in many materials. Most common are the 100% cotton diaper service quality Chinese or Indian prefolds made from cotton gauze or twill. You can also find cotton or hemp flannel, jersey knit or sherpa prefolds.

Prefold diapers can be used with a Snappi fastener or pins, or with no fastener by folding them into thirds and placing them in a snug fitting hook and loop or snap diaper cover. These diapers do require a cover. Prefolds are a very economical diapering choice and they still wash and dry fairly quickly despite their thickness.

Semi-fitted or Contour Diapers

A bit more expensive than prefolds, but cheaper than fitted diapers. Contour and semi-fitted diapers are cut to fit a baby more readily than a rectangular prefold. Sometimes they are elasticized to fit more snugly. The real difference between semi-fitted and fitted diapers is that semi-fitted diapers do not have fasteners.

These diapers will require a cover.

Diaper Covers

Diaper covers also come in a wide variety of styles and materials. You can get by with the cheap plastic pants sold in baby stores (such as Gerber) but you'll be much happier with a better quality cover. Diaper covers will cost from $6-12 on average. Wool covers or longies (long pants) will cost more, between $18-85 depending on the style and how they were made. Hand-knit wool long pants will cost the most, wool cloth covers will cost less.

Polyester and Nylon Covers

The most common diaper covers are made with polyester or nylon fabrics. Laminated polyester fabric known as PUL is used by many manufacturers to create a waterproof barrier. PUL comes in many solid colors and can also be found with a printed cotton outer layer or may be made of laminated print fabric to provide some fun and add to the cute factor.

Covers may fasten with snaps or a hook and loop tape similar to Velcro. The most common brands of hook and loop used for diapers and covers are Aplix and Touchtape.

Fleece Covers

Polyester fleece makes a good, breathable cover. Look for covers made with high quality fleece such as Malden Mills brand. Fleece covers are great for overnights and for heavy wetters.

Wool Soakers and Longies

Wool is a wonderful diaper cover. It is breathable and when it is properly treated with natural lanolin it is very water resistant. The lanolin reacts with urine to neutralize odors so wool covers do not need to be washed as often as other covers.

Wool covers are usually made with a soft wool such as merino so they are not scratchy. Wool soakers are perfect for summer because wool is naturally breathable and does not allow heat to build up the way a polyester cover can. In the winter, wool longies can provide a diaper cover and pants in one piece. Wool absorbs up to 30% of its weight in moisture before it starts to feel wet. Wool is not well suited to long car rides or other situations that may lead to compression leaks, however it makes a very reliable overnight diaper cover.

Fitted Diapers

Fitted diapers come in a vast array of styles. You can find plain white or unbleached cotton fitted diapers, fancy flannel prints, or plush velour in soft bamboo, cotton or hemp. In general, fitted diapers are moderately priced. Most range in price from $7-12 dollars. You'll pay a bit more for fancier fabrics, extra features (such as a stay dry lining) or organic materials.

Fitted diapers may fasten with snaps, hook and loop tape (such as Aplix or Touchtape), or ties. These diapers do require a cover as they are not waterproof.

Fitted diapers are great at containing messes, wash and dry fairly easily, and are usually easy enough for even novice diaperers to figure out.

Below is an example of some pretty organic diapers from Ecobaby.

Pocket Diapers

Pocket diapers are easy to use and they retain their resale value very well. A pocket diaper is made with a waterproof outer layer, usually polyester laminate (PUL). The inner layer is made with a moisture wicking material such as Minky, suedecloth, or microfleece. The diaper has an opening for an absorbent insert. The baby's skin stays mostly dry due to the inner layer. You can add extra inserts if needed for overnights or heavier wetters.

Pocket diapers are available in many prints and colors.

Little for Now Pocket Diapers

All in One AI2 or AIO Diapers

An all in one (AIO) diaper is a diaper that has the absorbent and waterproof layers all as one piece. They can be harder to wash and dry because of their thickness, but they are the easiest diapers to use. There is no guesswork and they are the fastest diapers to put on a struggling toddler.

An All in 2 (AI2) is a diaper cover that has a snap in or sewn in soaker. It functions much like an all in one, except that the soaker is easier to wash and dry.

Drybees All in One Diaper

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Little For Now Pocket Diapers - the cutest side snapping diapers you've ever seen. Really.