Choosing your Diaper Stash

Prefold diapers are likely what your mothers and/or grandmothers used on their babies. If you are looking for a budget friendly solution, prefolds are the way to go.  Now with that being said, they are not as convenient as some of the other choices you have now. Prefolds are flat rectangular fabrics serged together w/ a few extra added layers in the center. You simply fold them (like a tri-fold, jelly roll, kite etc) and then put them on baby and add a cover over the top. When it comes to covers you can go "old school" with wool pull-ons or use the newer technically advanced waterproof styles. The cons you may run into with prefolds are that you may need to buy larger sizes as your baby grows, they can be bulkier than other solutions, and require a fastener (for most folds) and cover. The pros for prefolds are that they are versatile, easy to clean, fast to dry, and are inexpensive. Also, you can use the same cover through multiple changes in a day in most cases since you only need to change the cover if it is "dirty" since they can be wiped dry.  (This is the solution I used exclusively for the first 6 months of our daughter's life)

Fitted diapers are made up of the same material as most prefolds, multiple layers of absorbent material.  Unlike a Prefold though these have leg and back elastic, and fasten on baby with snaps or hook and loop closures that are built into the diaper instead of a separate piece. Fitted diapers do NOT have a waterproof outer layer, so like a prefold a waterproof cover is required. Also like Prefolds, most fitted diapers are sized thus you will need to buy larger sizes as your baby grows. There are a few brands that have one-size options that have snaps on the front of the diaper (the rise) which allow them to extend and grow with your baby. Cons of fitted diapers would be that they not waterproof by themselves and are more expensive than prefolds are. The Pros for fitted diapers are the highly absorbency, they are easy to put on baby, and do a good job holding in those poosplosions thanks to the leg elastic. 

The pocket diaper was really the first big change to cloth diapers in our lifetime, our parents' lifetime, and maybe even our grandparents' lifetime. Now with that being said the designs of some of the other/newer solutions can make even a pocket diaper look outdated.  A pocket diaper is simply a waterproof cover that has a "stay dry" lining (polyester in most cases) that forms a pocket between the lining and the cover. (Hence the name) You have a lot of options on what you "stuff" into this pocket.  You can use prefolds, flats/flour sack towels, absorbent inserts (microfiber, bamboo etc.)  The cons of pocket diapers is that some brands can be bulky or provide a poor fit (china cheepies as they are often referred to). When it comes to cleaning, the process of "un-stuffing" the pocket can be a bit tricky when you have a really messy diaper.  Luckily items like sprayers, finger protectors and disposable inserts can make this much less of a con.  The process of "re-stuffing" the diapers can also take a bit of time until you get in a routine (goood excuse to sit down and watch one of your favorite shows while you "stuff" the diapers.  The pros of pocket diapers are that they are easy to vary the absorbency you need as the baby grows or for night time, they do not require a cover since it is built in, and they are super simple to put on baby. (This is the bulk of my stash)

All In One (AIO) diapers are similar to Pocket Diapers since they will need to be washed after each change (unlike a diaper cover over a flat or fitted diaper).   AIO diapers consist of a set of absorbency layers that are sewn inside of a waterproof cover. Since it is all one piece (see where the name comes from on this one wink wink nudge nudge) they are great for quick changes and are quickly becoming a lot of families primary diapering choice.  Now, with an extra diaper booster inside can be a great night time solution.  Lets talk cons of AIO diapers.  Since the absorbency layer is attached to the cover this does mean longer drying times for almost all brands.  These can also be one of the most expensive option per diaper.  Now for the pros.  AIO diapers are easy easy easy to put on and are normally a nice trim fit (less likely to have to size up on pants).  

This system can also be referred to as an All In Two (or AI2) cloth diaper.  Like AIO diapers these were designed for easy diapering.  Like all of the options, Hybrid diapers consist of a waterproof cover (often called a shell) and a snap in absorbency layer.  Some brands who make Hybrid diapers use a sized approach (you will have a stash of different sizes as your baby grows) or in a one-size option like most Pocket and AIO solutions. The most common complaint with Hybrid diapers is that some Hybrid systems are not shaped to the contour of the little one thus experience leakage. Some brands have answered this complaint with Leg gussets and elastic. The pros for Hybrid diapers would be the flexibility you have with all of the absorbency inserts.  Some brands have designed solutions where the cover/shell can be used through multiple changes like Prefold and Fitted diapers.

Still not sure what option is right for you.  Well... that may be because it isn't just ONE solution.  Perhaps you will be like our family and do a mixture of Prefolds and Covers, Hybrid and Pockets!