The many choices in cloth diapering can be overwhelming. AIO, fitted, pocket, prefold – what do they mean? Here's a quick and easy guide to help parents and future parents navigate the world of cloth nappies.
The Basic Cloth Diaper System
The basic and most inexpensive cloth diaper system is essentially the same as what our mothers used, with a few modern updates. A prefold diaper, so named because the diaper must be "folded" onto baby, or before putting onto baby, is followed by a plastic diaper cover, which fastens with either Velcro or snaps. Prefolds come either bleached or unbleached, and have extra padding in the middle for absorbency. A typical prefold diaper size may be listed as 4 x 8 x 4, which indicates the number of layers on the left, center and right sides of the diaper.
Prefolds diapers can be folded in thirds and placed inside a plastic diaper cover, or folded over the baby and secured with pins or a diaper fastener, and a plastic diaper cover is used over the prefold. The Real Diaper Association recommends purchasing covers that are made of polyester, nylon or wool.
The ABCs of Fitted Diapers
The other main type of cloth diaper is the fitted diaper, which has its own subset of diaper types. A fitted diaper goes on just as a disposable would, and is completely fitted to baby. There are several different fitted diaper options:
- A fitted diaper is a straight up cloth diaper that is fit to baby, and requires a waterproof cover. Some families prefer fitteds instead of prefolds because they do not require the use of pins or a separate diaper fastener.
- AIO, or all-in-one diapers, are just as they seem, an interior of cloth and a waterproof exterior that fasten with either hook and loop (Velcro®) or snaps.
- Pocket diapers also have a cloth interior and waterproof exterior, but have a pocked at the back of the diaper. A prefold or flat diaper, or an insert made of cotton, microfiber, or hemp, is stuffed inside the pocket.
- One-size diapers are distinguished by their single adjustable sizing, and actually are diapers that go across the spectrum. Fitted diapers, AIOs and pocket diapers all have one-size diaper options, and can be adjusted to fit baby from newborn to toddler, usually via snaps on the front and sides of the diaper.
For more information on cloth diapering, seek a local diaper resource in your area. Diapering groups can help you locate a retailer and gain hands-on education on the different types of cloth diapers. Visit the RDA Resource Directory to get started.
Lisa Ann Schleipfer - I am a creative writer from the Great Lakes area, now residing in the sticky state of Florida. I penned my first poem when I was eight, ...
