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Choosing reusable cloth diapers is a big decision that can lead to a rewarding journey for you and your baby. But where do you start? Here are the most commonly asked questions on how to start your cloth diaper journey.

Nicki's Diapers is a family business founded by Nicki and later joined by her husband Jesse. As a husband and wife team, they worked together to ensure the highest quality products while following responsible environmental and social business practices. The company is now located in Akron, Ohio.

Cloth Diaper Types: Finding the Right Types of Cloth Diapers for You

You've done your research on switching to cloth diapers and you're finally ready to start using them. The next task is to pick the type of cloth diaper that will work best for you and your baby. With so many different types of cloth diapers on the market, this can be a daunting process.Cloth diapers come in all shapes and sizes. Literally! Depending on the options you're looking for (and your budget), there are many types of cloth diapers available to fit your lifestyle. Here's a breakdown of the different types of cloth diapers so you can make an informed decision!

Types Of Cloth Diapers and What To Consider When Buying One:

Many different styles of cloth diapers are available today, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the options. If you're looking to buy cloth diapers, consider which features are most important to you when choosing between them.

Do you want something that's easy to wash, or quick to dry? Or maybe you'll be swayed by a diaper's cuteness factor. We consider six main factors when choosing the best diaper for our customers. These factors are absorbency, comfort, budget, fit, function, and ease of care. Whatever your priorities are, there's sure to be a cloth diaper that fits your lifestyle.

Here's a look at the different types of cloth diapers and how they work:

All In One Diaper

All in one type of cloth diaper
Overview:

The all-in-one diapers are the perfect solution for those who want a simple, easy-to-use diaper that gets the job done. It's a one-piece system with a waterproof exterior and an attached soft, absorbent interior. There's room for more inserts too!

The all-in-one cloth is available with a natural fiber or microfiber interior and a snap or hook and loop closure. The all-in-one is excellent for those new to cloth diapers and those with little experience with folding prefolds or flats!

Pros:

✔︎ Goes on just like a disposable!
✔︎ No need for an additional cover or extra absorbent materials
✔︎ Simple and great for caregivers
✔︎ Perfect for Traveling

Cons:

𝗫 Takes a little longer to dry
𝗫 Can be a little more pricey
𝗫 The entire diaper needs changed after use
𝗫 May need some extra inserts

Suggested Accessories:

- Wet Bag
- Diaper Liner
- Doubler

Pocket Diapers

pocket diapers are another type of cloth diaper
Overview:

Pocket diapers are a great solution for those who are new to cloth diapering and looking for something that's easy to use!

Pocket diapers have a waterproof outer shell with an opening at the bottom for inserts, flats, or prefolds to be placed inside. Generally, pockets are sold with microfiber inserts. But there are some options that offer natural fiber inserts.

Pocket diapers are available in both snap or hook and loop closures. They're also great for people looking for customizable absorbency.

Pros:

✔︎ You can choose your level of absorbency.
✔︎ PUL/TPU shell, creating a waterproof outside.
✔︎ Easy to use and different closure options.

Cons:

𝗫 Diaper must be changed after every use.
𝗫 Add your own absorbers.
𝗫 Can be bulky, but nothing wrong with some fluff butt!

Suggested Accessories:

- Wet Bag
- Doubler
- Inserts

All In Two / Hybrid Diapers

all in two type of cloth diaper
Overview:

All-in-Two (AI2) or Hybrid diapers are the perfect diapers for busy moms on the go!

With an all-in-two, you get a waterproof outer shell with a separate insert. The soiled insert is changed out, but the cover can be reused multiple times! A good rule of thumb is to have 3 inserts for every 1 cover. Inserts are available in natural fibers and microfibers, and closures are available in snap or hook and loop!

An excellent option for parents of little ones who are heavy wetters. They're great for many reasons, including ease of use and easy care—you just toss the inserts in the wash every time, and wash the cover when needed!

Pros:

✔︎ Covers are reusable over multiple changes.
✔︎ Custom fitting, great for your growing little ones!
✔︎ Easy to use and they take up less space in your bag.

Cons:

𝗫 Not all inserts are compatible across brands, but most are!
𝗫 Can be a little pricey.
𝗫 Change insert sizes as your little one grows.

Suggested Accessories:

- Wet Bag
- 3 inserts per shell
- Diaper Liner

Cloth Diaper Covers

another type of cloth diaper, cloth diaper covers
Overview:

When you’re using the kinds of cloth diapers without built-in cover, a waterproof cover is an absolute must. Cloth diaper covers are the perfect way to add extra water resistance to your cloth diaper stash. They're made of a waterproof outer shell that can be used over flats, prefolds, fitteds, or even inserts.

Cloth diaper covers come in PUL/TPU and wool materials, with closures varying from pull-on and snap to hook and loop. The PUL/TPU versions create a great fitment and help keep your baby dry. If you're a fan of pre-folds, flats, or fitted diapers, this is a great option for increased water resistance!

Pros:

✔︎ Versatile with a trim fit.
✔︎ Reusable over multiple changes!
✔︎ Great wool options

Cons:

𝗫 Steeper learning curve
𝗫 A little harder for caregivers to learn, but practice make perfect!

Suggested Accessories:

- Wet Bag
- Flats, prefolds, fitteds, inserts 
- Cloth Diaper Fasteners 

Fitted Diapers

fitted type of cloth diaper
Overview:

Fitted diapers are a great option for those looking for something soft and comfortable for heavy wetters!

They're contoured to fit your baby, so there's no folding required! Different closure options are available, including snaps, hook and loop, or snap less (which will need a fastener). Most fitted diapers are made from natural fibers, an excellent option for babies with sensitive skin.

Fitteds tend to be more expensive than prefolds and flats because they require less work on your part.

Pros:

✔︎ Very absorbent.
✔︎ Can be an overnight option.
✔︎ Allows airflow to skin if used without a cover.
✔︎ Easy and comfortable fitting to your little one!

Cons:

𝗫 Takes a little longer to dry.
𝗫 Difficult for caregivers, but practice makes perfect!
𝗫 Has a bulkier fit, nothing wrong with a fluff butt!
𝗫 Needs to be paired with a diaper cover to be waterproof.

Prefold Diapers

prefold style of cloth diapers
Overview:

Prefold diapers are one of the most basic cloth diapers on the market! They're great for anyone who wants to try out cloth diapering without spending too much.

Prefold diapers are rectangular cloths made up of multiple layers of fabric sewn together. They're available in cotton, bamboo, hemp, and organic options. Prefolds also come in various sizes ranging from small to large, depending on your baby’s size and needs!

Prefold diapers can be folded and closed with a fastener or trifolded and laid into a cover. Once you learn how to do it, it’s both affordable and effective! They're perfect diapers for those wanting a cost-effective option to boost absorbency.

Pros:

✔︎ Very versatile!
✔︎ Low drying time and easy to hang dry.
✔︎ Very affordable and effective!

Cons:

𝗫 Size up as baby grows, but still very affordable.
𝗫 Difficult for caregivers, but not hard to teach!
𝗫 A slightly bulkier fit.
𝗫 Need to be paired with a diaper cover to be waterproof.

Flat Diapers

Flat type of cloth diapers
Overview:

Flat diapers are great for newborns and small babies! They're an economical solution for families looking to save money on diapers! They're also great for those who want to customize absorbency to their child's needs.

Flat diapers are a type of cloth diaper that is made from one large piece of fabric. This fabric is folded and closed with a fastener (Snappi, Boingo, pins, etc.) around the baby to keep it in place. They’re typically folded into a cover or laid into a cover for a more traditional cloth diapering look.

Flat diapers are available in a number of different materials, including cotton, bamboo, hemp, and organic options. They’re extremely affordable and versatile, but they take some time to learn how to fold and fit properly.

Pros:

✔︎ Very versatile.
✔︎ Easy to hand wash and dry.
✔︎ Very affordable and effective!

Cons:

𝗫 Needs to be folded, practice makes perfect.
𝗫 Difficult for caregivers with a learning curve, but teachable!
𝗫 A slightly bulkier fit.
𝗫 Need to be paired with a diaper cover to be waterproof.

A Word of Note on Cloth Diapers Types:

When you first start shopping for cloth diapers, it can be tempting to go overboard; after all, they're so cute! You might find yourself buying more than you need for your family at first, which can lead to your stash taking up way too much space in your house.

If that happens, try storing the extras in a container (a bin works great) and get creative with how you use them. After all, there's no sense in letting diapers take up space when they could be fulfilling other needs in your life. One idea is to use cloth diapers as burp cloths

Faqs About Cloth Diaper Types:

How Many Times Can You Reuse Cloth Diapers?

If you're new to cloth diapering and want to start with something super easy, we recommend All-In-One cloth diapers. They're quick and easy to use and require no fasteners or special folding. All-in-Ones are super soft, and absorbent and offer a trim fit, just like a disposable diaper.

What are The Easiest Cloth Diapers To Use?

The short answer: as many times as you want!

You can reuse cloth diapers as many times as you want. Cloth diapering is a great way to save money and reduce your impact on the environment, but it is also important to know how to properly wash and care for your reusable cloth diapers, so they last as long as possible.

How Many Cloth Diapers Should I Start With?

The answer depends on your personal preferences, the age of your child, your washing routine, and what brands and styles you prefer.

Newborns need to be changed every 2 hours. So if you're changing them 12 times per day (which is the recommended amount), that means you'd need 24 diapers in your stack at all times.

However, as they get older and their bladder capacity increases, they'll need less frequent changes. So after they reach 6 months old or so, you might only need to change them every 3-4 hours. That would mean 8-10 diapers per day.

So if you’ve a newborn, we recommend always having 20-30 diapers in your stack at all times. That way, you'll be prepared for any situation! But once they get older, we suggest having about 20-25 diapers in your stack for easy laundering every other day.

The Bottom Line For Cloth Diaper Types:

Cloth diapers are the best way to go if you're trying to save money and reduce your environmental footprint. Finding the perfect cloth diaper will depend on a few factors: your budget, your lifestyle, and of course, your baby. A good way to start is to familiarize yourself with the different types of cloth diapers currently on the market.

There are many types of cloth diapers available in the market, and they all have their benefits and drawbacks. You can choose between traditional, pocket, one-size, fitted, and all-in-one diapers.

You can opt for natural fibers (such as cotton, bamboo, hemp, etc.) or synthetics (polyester, microfiber, etc.). You can also get cloth diaper covers to add extra water resistance to your cloth diaper stash. If you follow what we've outlined in this article, you'll be able to find the best cloth diaper for you.