Cloth Diapering Systems

ALL IN ONE (AIO) / ALL IN TWO (AI2)

An AIO is generally viewed as a diaper that needs nothing else and is very similar to a disposable. The soaker is either sewn internally or externally (referred to as a quick dry soaker) and can close with snaps or Velcro (Velcro is a trademark but there are two other similar products: aplix (softer, long life, doesn’t roll in like touchtape can) or touchtape (stronger stick and available in a variety of colors) ).

An AIO does not require a cover. An AIO with an internal soaker will have a longer drying time because the air cannot circulate around the hidden material.

An external soaker, referred to as a Quick Dry (QD) soaker, allows for air to circulate around the soaker when drying, therefore quicker dry time.  The addition of a pocket to an AIO makes it a Stuffable AIO.

An AI2 has a snap in or lay in soaker . The name All in Two arose from the ability to get two uses out of each diaper.  When your child pees, theoretically you can remove the soaker and replace it with another if the shell did not get wet. AI2s also have a much faster drying time because the soaker is external.

APLIX

Aplix is a hook and loop fasterner similar to velcro.

POCKETS

A pocket diaper usually does not require a cover. The exception would be a fitted that has a pocket. A pocket can be made with a PUL (polyurethane laminate) or fleece outer.

The outer can also be any material backed or lined in PUL. Minky is lusciously soft and many makers offer this fabric for their pocket diapers.

The inner material choices for a pocket include: microfleece, suedecloth, velour, athletic wicking material, minky, cotton or bamboo. Different materials will feel different on the baby when wet. Of the fabrics listed above, microfleece, suedecloth and athletic wicking material are considered “stay dry”.  This means baby feels dry after a pee.

A pocket diaper is 2 layers of material sewn together on 3 sides leaving an opening for you to insert the amount of absorbent material you desire. The insert can range from a very trim microfiber towel to a bulkier infant prefold.  Another popular insert material is hemp. Hemp is a natural fiber that is antimicrobial and extremely absorbent as well.  Infant prefolds do double duty as an insert as well. Simply trifold the prefold and stuff the pocket. For added absorbency wrap the prefold around one of the above inserts.

FITTEDS

A fitted diaper is a diaper that contains no waterproof layer therefore requires a cover.  Fitted diapers are the easiest to make on your own because they can be made from any material you have laying around your house.

Fitted diapers can be made from cotton, hemp, fleece, velour, bamboo, knits, various types of terry cloth, kitchen towels, old t-shirts, sweatshirts and many other scrap fabrics you may have laying around. Fitteds are kind of like quiche…toss in any leftovers and out comes a great product!

Without a cover the pee will soak through and get you or the furniture wet. If you are just hanging out at the house for the day a cover isn’t necessary.  Just make sure to consistently change the diaper before a leak occurs.

You will undoubtedly stumble upon fitted cloth diapers and ask yourself the same question everyone asks at one time or another, “why are fitteds so expensive and cute when you just have to cover them up?”  Many factors go into the answer but just think of it like a good wine or expensive pair of shoes…you often get what you pay for.

DIAPER COVERS

Wraps or diaper covers are used over prefolds, fitted,  and contour diapers as the outer waterproof layer.  They can be made of fleece, PUL (polyurethane laminate), wool or other treated cotton and polyester fabrics.  They or snaps.  Some covers act more like pull-ups and have no fasteners.

MICROFIBER INSERTS

Microfiber insert are absorbent pieces designed to be inserted into a pocket diaper. The inserts are made from an absorbent material such as hemp or microfiber and generally created and sold as a multi-layer pad which does not require folding. These inserts can be used as diaper doubler for heavy wetters

PREFOLDS

Prefolds are an absolute staple that every mother should have in her basket. They are amazingly durable and versatile. A prefold diaper is a rectangular piece of cloth divided into 3 sections. The outside layers contain 4 layers of fabric and the middle contains either 6 or 8 layers. The middle layer is the absorbent layer.  You will see the prefolds described as 4×8x4 or 4×6x4. This describes the number of layers in the sections. It does not always mean the 4×8x4 are more absorbent. It is the weight of the fabric that indicates absorbency.

You will find some variations to the number of layers especially if you are purchasing specialized prefolds made with bamboo or velour. In some cases there may be 2 layers of bamboo with an extra layer of hemp in the middle.

Bamboo is a highly absorbent material, therefore needing fewer layers than cotton prefolds.  This allows for a trimmer fit as well. It comes down to what you want to pay and how soft a fabric you desire.

Prefolds generally come in three sizes-

• Preemie (4-10pounds),
• Infant (newborn to 15 pounds) &
• Premium/Toddler (15-30 pounds).

There are different types of prefolds out there and many abbreviations for them.

• DSQ simply means that it is Diaper Service Quality versus the type of diaper you would find in your discount store. They are more absorbent than the Gerber brand and are the type that you would pay money for from a diaper service company.

• CPF stands for Chinese Prefold
• Another option for prefolds are Indian Prefolds. Indian prefolds are said to be softer than the CPF and are made of gauze rather than twill.

• There is also the choice of bleached or unbleached. Bleached prefolds are not whitened with bleach but rather with peroxide. Unbleached are in a natural cream colored state. Unbleached do require extra prep time to remove the natural oils in the fibers.

LINERS

This is what keeps excrement from getting into the main fabric of the diaper. These can be fabric or paper. The former can be cleaned and reused while the latter is disposable, can be flushed into the toilet after use.

BAMBOO

Bamboo is a new fiber used for cloth diapers. It is made from real bamboo. You can find several different styles of bamboo fabric but the most commonly used in diaper making is bamboo velour. It is a very soft fabric that is more absorbent than cotton alone.

COVER

The waterproof outer covering used over a fitted, prefold or flat diaper to hold moisture in. Most commonly used diaper covers are made from PUL (polyurethane laminate), woven nylon, wool or polar fleece.

DIAPER PAIL LINER

Diaper pail liner is a bag made from washable waterproof material that allows you to remove all of the diapers from the pail at once, carry them to the wash and dump them in without touching them or having to scrub the pail every time you do laundry.

DOUBLER

An extra soaker that can be placed inside a diaper to make it more absorbent. Often used for overnights or for heavy wetters

FLEECE

There are two main types of fleece used for diapers. Cotton or hemp fleece is absorbent and is used for the main part of the diaper or for inside soaker layers. Polyester fleece is not absorbent and is used for wicking layers (microfleece) or outer waterproof layers or diaper covers (polar fleece).

HEMP

While the hemp plant is related to the marijuana plant it is not drug related. Hemp is a fast growing plant that requires fewer chemicals to grow than cotton.It is 30% more absorbent than cotton and is more durable. Hemp fabirc does not contain any drug-related compounds. While growing hemp is banned in the US due to an uniformed political situation, it was once grown freely in the US for making rope and other materials. Using hemp fabric does not in any way support the drug trade, despite myths you will see circulating on the internet

PUL

Polyester urethane laminate is known as PUL. This is a breathable, medical grade laminate used to waterproof fabric. PUL is used for diaper covers, diaper pail liners, changing pads, wet bags, all in one or pocket diapers and bibs, among other things.

PUL comes in dozens of colors and many diaper makers get their own custom fabrics laminated as well so there is an endless variety of PUL available. You can find diapers and diaper covers made from PUL brocade, Minky (a super soft fleece), cotton, polyester knits and other fabrics. Solid color PUL is the most reliable for overnights, but cotton prints work well as long as you are changing diapers every 2-3 hours (as is recommended anyway, it is not healthy to let a baby sit in a diaper for longer than that, even if it doesn't leak). Cute PUL prints make diapering fun