When I started cloth diapering a few months ago, I was overwhelmed by all of the different terms and different types of diapers. Unfortunately, I think some parents who may be considering cloth diapers are turned off because they can't figure out all the lingo! Although cloth diapering is really easy and sensible once you sort out all the different types of diapers, I acknowledge that it can take quite awhile to get there. When I first decided to cloth diaper, I had to e-mail a cloth-diapering friend to get some guidance and make sense of all the mumbo jumbo.
In an attempt to ward off the confusion for anyone else out there who might be considering cloth diapering, here is my attempt to decipher the world of cloth diapers:
Types of Cloth Diapers
Generally there are five main types of cloth diapers these days. They are (1) Pockets, (2) All-in-Ones, (3) All-in-Twos, (4) Fitteds, and (5) Prefolds.
Pockets
These are my favorite type of diaper. Pocket diapers consist of a diaper "shell" which has a waterproof outer layer with a soft interior lining and an absorbant "insert." The shell has an interior pocket into which you stuff the absorbant insert, hence the name.
Examples: Bumgenius 4.0, Fuzzi Bunz.
All-in-Ones
All-in-ones are exactly that -- all in one. These diapers contain the absorbant layer and the waterproof outer layer all wrapped up in a single diaper. They go on and off just like a disposable diaper -- no inserts and nothing to stuff. These are without a doubt the easiest type of cloth diapers to use. Some all-in-one diapers do come with an interior pocket in which you can stuff an insert for extra absorbancy. Bumgenius is a prime example of this -- many of their all-in-ones have an optional pocket.
Examples: Bumgenius all-in-ones, Bummis all-in-one.
All-in-Twos
These diapers are similar to pocket diapers in that they consist of two parts -- an outer shell and then an absorbant piece. Unlike pockets, however, these diapers don't have to be stuffed. They usually have an absorbant piece that snaps on to the shell.
Example: GroVia diaper system.
Fitteds
Fitted diapers are basically fancy old-fashioned cloth diapers. They have no waterproof layer, but are just the absorbant layer fashioned and sewn in such a way that they go on easily like a disposable diaper. Fitted diapers require a diaper cover if you want to avoid soaked clothing. Although a traditional fitted doesn't have a pocket, like an all-in-one, some fitteds also come with a pocket if you want the option of using an insert for extra absorbancy.
Examples: Thirsties Fab Fitteds, Happy Hempys.
Prefolds
Prefolds are cloth diapers like our mothers used 30 years ago. They are simply multiple layers of cloth (cotton, bamboo, or hemp) all sewn together. Most moms have a few packages of prefolds around the house because we tend to use them as burp clothes. These are the only modern cloth diapers that have to be fastened with an external fastener, such as pins. Prefolds can also be tri-folded and used as an insert for pocket diapers.
Technically, a sixth kind of diaper is a "flat," which is just a flat piece of cloth. These can be used like a prefold, but with all the other options out there, the chances that you'd do so are minimal.
Fastenings
Cloth diapers have four different types of fastenings: (1) hook and loop, (2) snaps, (3) pins, and (4) Snappis.
Hook and Loop: Also known as Velcro or aplix. Hook and loop or aplix are the non-trademarked names for these closures. Velcro is simply a specific trade name for a type of hook and loop closure.
Snaps: Pretty self-explanatory. Many diapers have tight snap closures. In general, it's half-and-half as to whether diapers use hook and loop or snap closures. Neither is better -- it's completely a matter of personal preference. Me, I like snaps.
Pins: Very few diapers use pins. The only time you'd use pins is if you were using a prefold as a diaper. And even then, there are Snappi fasteners, a non-pin fastener for prefolds.
Snappi fasteners: A plastic t-shaped device with a grip on each end. Once you have a pre-fold on your baby, the Snappi fastener holds all the pieces together, sans pins. I've never used just a straight prefold on Jake, so I've never had the opportunity to use these fasteners.
Inserts
All pocket diapers use inserts -- an absorbant layer that is stuffed in the interior pocket of the diaper. Some fitted diapers and all-in-one diapers also have a pocket into which you can stuff an insert for extra absorbancy. Inserts generally come in one or a combination of the following fabrics:
Cotton
Bamboo (4 times as absorbant as cotton)
Hemp (7 times as absorbant as cotton)
Glossary
Here's a glossary of some terms that come up frequently when researching and shopping for cloth diapers:
AIO: All-in-One
AI2: All-in-Two
BF: Breastfed
Bg: Bumgenius
CD: Cloth diaper
Doubler: A small insert that is used to "double" the absorbancy of the diaper. These are often used as the main insert in a newborn's diaper.
FB: Fuzzi Bunz
HH: Happy Heinies
Hybrid: Another way to refer to an all-in-two diaper.
PUL: Polyurethane Laminate. This is a waterproof material often used in the waterproof layer of cloth diapers and diaper covers.
WAHM: Work at Home Mom -- referring to diapers made by a mom. I had to look this up when I first saw it because I kept Googling "WAHM" and naturally, nothing came up.
Wahmmies: See above. Cloth diapers made at home by a mom.
Wet/Dry bag: A bag for storing your cloth diapers. These have a large compartment that is lined in a waterproof material (like PUL), and then a front unlined pocket for storing clean, dry diapers. I have a large one for holding diapers at home and a small one that we use as a diaper bag.
Common Brands
There are tons of different kinds of cloth diapers out there. However, there do seem to be certain brands that are more popular than others. Here are some of the more popular brands I see, and my favorites as well:
Bumgenius: Made by Cotton Babies, this is probably the most popular brand of cloth diaper. The Bumgenius 3.0 was probably the best-selling pocket cloth diaper until it was discontinued a couple of weeks ago. Bumgenius announced its new Bumgenius 4.0 pocket diaper to take the place of the 3.0. Bumgenius also does an all-in-one diaper, and an organic version of both. The Bumgenius 3.0 happens to be my favorite cloth diaper.
Fuzzi Bunz: Also a great cloth diapering company. Fuzzi Bunz makes a very popular one-size pocket diaper, which is probably my second-favorite diaper after the Bumgenius. Fuzzi Bunz also makes a sized pocket diaper. They don't make an all-in-one (to my knowledge).
GroVia: Formerly GroBaby, GroVia makes a great all-in-two, or hybrid system. Their diapers have an outer shell and then a snap-in "soaker" pad for absorbancy. The hybrid system also offers an option for a disposable, biodegradable soaker pad. GroVia also makes an all-in-one diaper under the brand name DreamEze.
Thirsties: Thirsties makes a one-size pocket diaper, a one-size diaper cover (which is fairly unique actually), a sized diaper cover, and a sized fitted diaper, the Fab Fitted. I have a few of the Fab Fitted diapers and the duo wrap diaper cover (the one-size cover). They're not my go-to diapers, but a nice option to have around.
G Diapers: G diapers are one of the economical diapering systems out there. G diapers also appeal to a wide range of parents because this system offers two alternatives -- a washable, reusable insert, and a biodegradable flushable insert. I've never used them, but I am intrigued, so I might try to pick up a package sometime.
Econobum: This is Cotton Babies' economical cloth diapering system. Again, this is a system I've never used, but would make a great cloth diapering option for parents on a budget. You can get enough diapers to diaper a baby from birth to potty training for about $150 or so.
Goodmamas: Goodmama makes organic bamboo velour diapers. They make fitted and all-in-one diapers in really cute prints.
Knickernappies: Knickernappies' main product is a one-size pocket diaper. They offer an option of inserts -- either microfiber or "loopy do" inserts, which are a blend of hemp and microfiber.
Happy Heinies: Happy Heinies makes one-size pocket diapers, sized pocket diapers, fitteds, and diaper covers. One neat feature of this company -- they make a mini one-size diaper for newborns!
As I said, there are dozens of different kinds of cloth diapers out there. If there's one that you love that I didn't mention, please feel free to speak up!
My recommendation
If you're thinking about cloth diapering, but don't know where to begin, I'll pass on the advice that my friend gave me a few months ago. There are so many different types of diapers out there, and diapers fit babies in different ways, but the Bumgenius diapers tend to be universal favorites and fit most babies really well. I'd recommend just going to your local cloth diaper store (if you have one, if not there are tons of online retailers, I'd recommend Happybottomus, my local store), and pick up a few Bumgenius pocket diapers, and maybe a few Bumgenius AIOs. That will give you a good introduction to the world of cloth diapering. Another way to get an introduction is to search for someone selling cloth diapers on Craigslist. I've picked up brand new Bumgenius diapers on Craigslist that a mom decided for some reason or other that she didn't want (usually a preference for snaps over hook and loop). In fact, just this weekend, I landed some Bgs for $10 each!
But beware: once you start, it's nearly impossible to stop!
No comments:
Post a Comment