Diapering Info

Need help understanding what everyone is talking about? Cloth diapering doesn't have to be confusing! We've listed some diaper lingo to help you understand all of the different cloth diaper terms and what your options are.

All-in-Twos ~ Baby SoftWraps (AI2s): Our BSW's consists of a waterproof/water-resistant cloth diaper cover made of PUL or fleece with a snap-in hemp soaker.

Advantages -

Very easy to put on
Easy to take with you
Pick the absorbency your child needs
Easy to clean and fast drying
Re-usable cover
Less expensive than traditional AIOs
Ability to use the SoftWrap diaper cover with fitted cloth diapers or pre-folds as well

Disadvantages -

If the cover is soiled, you'll need to get a clean one

All-in-One Cloth Diapers (AIOs): This type of cloth diaper has it all with no fuss. It has a waterproof or water-resistant outer and the absorbent party of the diaper is usually sewn to the outer shell. It closes with either snaps or hook and loop. All in One Cloth Diapers are the most like a disposable diaper.

Advantages -

Very easy to put on
Easy to take with you
Easy to explain to the sitter

Disadvantages-

Usually more expensive
Usually longer drying time
ends to be harder to clean because of so many internal layers

Fitted Cloth Diapers: This type of cloth diaper has no waterproof/water-resistant outer and therefore requires a diaper cover. It closes with either snaps or hook and loop.

Advantages -

Easy to put on
Usually pretty absorbent
Helps contain blowouts

Disadvantages -

Requires a separate cover
Usually longer drying time
Tends to be harder to clean because of so many internal layers (but some offer attached soakers in place of internal ones)

Prefold Cloth Diapers: This type of cloth diaper is the traditional flat cloth diaper with an absorbent strip in the middle. These require a cover and you need to know how to fold a cloth diaper. Depending on the fold you choose to use, you might need pins or a snappi.

Advantages -

Least expensive option
Easy to clean and fast drying
Very versatile, allowing you to pick which type of fold you would like to use
Can be used as burp cloths or cleaning rags when done with them

Disadvantages:

Harder and more time consuming to put on a squirming baby, if you're folding and pinning
Can be hard to get the fold just right
Requires a separate cover

Pocket Diapers: A pocket diaper consists of a waterproof/water-resistant cover sewn to a permeable fabric (like micro fleece). You need to add an absorbent material inside the pocket... inserts or a pre-fold cloth diaper.

Advantages -

Easy to use (acts like an AIO when stuffed)
Easy to clean and fast drying
Easy to explain to the sitter

Disadvantages -

More expensive
Requires an extra step because you need to stuff them

Diaper Covers: Use over fitted diapers, prefolds or contours. Covers are available in a variety of materials. Waterproof: not as breathable (PUL*, vinyl, etc.) or Water Resistant: breathable (man-made polyester fleece or natural wool... these also can be constructed from recycled and/or Organic fabrics). A cover closes with either snaps or hook and loop.

*PUL stands for poly-urethane laminate. Diaper makers have cotton or polyester knits laminated with poly-urethane to make the fabric waterproof.

Doublers/Boosters: Usually several layers of absorbent fabric (we like hemp) sewn into a rectangle. Used to add or boost the absorbency of a cloth diaper. Our hemp doublers are 3 layers of hemp and fit inside each of our snap-in hemp soakers.

baby softwraps cloth diapers