About Cloth Diapers

We at Little Fox Cloth Diapers are glad that you have chosen to learn about cloth diapers and have chosen to investigate the option of cloth diapers for your children!  With so many choices today, cloth diapering your child can be overwhelming at first.  Here you will find lots of helpful information and some definitions to get you started.  Scroll down to find information on cleaning cloth diapers, a not-so-daunting task!  And, if you still have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us! 

Types of Cloth Diapers

Prefold Diapers or Flat Diapers

These are the ones you are probably picturing from the cloth diapering of the past.  They are made of a flat piece of fabric (usually cotton) that is folded and fastened around your baby.  They are then covered with a waterproof cover.  These prefold diapers are economical, easy to wash, and are actually still very popular today.  They require folding, fastening with a pin, and waterproofing with a diaper cover. 

Fitted Diapers

Fitted diapers are the modern cousins of prefold diapers.  They are made of a variety of different fabrics and are shaped to fit snugly around your baby without the use of pins.  They are form fitting, available in different sizes, and fasten using aplix (like Velcro, only softer) or snaps.  They require waterproofing with a diaper cover.

Diaper Covers

Formerly known as “plastic pants” today’s diaper covers have improved a lot.  Most are made of a waterproof and breathable polyester fabric and fasten using aplix (like Velcro, only softer).  They are needed as a waterproof layer around flat, prefold, fitted, and contour diapers.  Covers do NOT need to be changed with every diaper change unless they are soiled.  Most people find that they need one diaper cover for every 4 diapers.  They come in a variety of colors and sizes

Pocket Diapers

Pocket diapers are made of two layers of fabric sewn together.  The outside layer is usually a waterproof polyester and the inside layer is cotton, polyester, suedecloth, microfiber, or hemp.  Between the two layers is a pocket that can be stuffed with an absorbent insert, a prefold or flat cloth diaper, or even a folded up kitchen towel!  The absorbency can be adjusted to meet your baby’s needs.  These diapers fasten with snaps or aplix and do NOT require a cover.  They do require removal of the insert for washing and insertion of the insert prior to use.  Most One-Size diapers are pocket diapers and some All-In-One diapers also have a pocket for the optional use of an extra insert or doubler.

One-Size Diapers

A brilliant new design in cloth diapers, the one-size diapers are pocket diapers that are designed to fit from birth to potty training.  Most adjust size using a system of snaps and fasten around baby using snaps or aplix.  They are great for families with more than one child in diapers as they cut down on needing to sort sizes.  They are also an economical choice for modern cloth diapers.  They do NOT require a cover.  They do require an insert.  They come in one size only!

All-In-One Diapers

The easiest diapers to use, All-In-One diapers most closely resemble disposable diapers.  They are made of a waterproof layer, a soft layer for next to baby’s skin, AND an absorbent insert all in one piece.  They do NOT require a cover or an insert.  They are great for daycare, for weekends with grandparents, and for all those who are unconvinced about the ease of using cloth!  Some All-In-One diapers also have a pocket for the optional addition of a doubler for overnight or naptime use.  All-In-One diapers are sized from X-Small to Large.

Inserts

Inserts are the absorbent stuff-in for pocket diapers.  Most are rectangular or hourglass shaped and can be made of cotton, hemp, microterry, or a combination of materials.  There are now one-size inserts available for use in One-Size diapers or for sized pocket diapers to eliminate the need for multiple sizes of inserts.  Generally speaking, you will need one insert for every diaper. 

Doublers

Doublers are like inserts, but are usually thinner and smaller than inserts.  They are great for naps, overnight, and for kids who can quickly soak a regular insert.  They are used in addition to an insert in pocket diapers, pocket All-In-One diapers, and One-Size diapers.  They can also be used with fitted, flat, or prefold diapers-just wrap the diaper around baby and line the diaper cover with a doubler for extra protection from leaks.

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