ABC's of CD's AIO's and other acronyms

Where to start?
Congratulations on your decision to use cloth. Now to decide what you want to use..
The acronyms can be confusing, the options seem endless and very confusing check here for some answers-

Basic Types of Modern Cloth Diapers

Flat diapers and prefolds- are what comes to mind when most people think of cloth diapers. These are made of cotton fabric which is folded to fit the child and may be fastened with Pins or Pin substitute. These can be easy to use if folded and placed in a Velcro wrap. Fold the diaper, place in the wrap and Velcro closed. Its as easy as a disposable diaper, very affordable, and no pins needed! See here for pictures on using prefolds

Fitted Diapers are diapers which fasten with snaps or Velcro, which makes them more convenient to use. They are not waterproof, so they need to be used with a cover. The covers have elastic around the legs and waist which help protect against poo “blow outs.”

Pocket Diapers are diapers that have a waterproof outer shell with a stay dry inner layer. Along the top edge is a pocket into which an insert is placed and then fastened with snaps or Velcro. These are popular due to the ease of use, reasonable cost and good resale value. Common brand names of these types of diapers are Fuzzi Bunz, Happy Heinys, Swaddlebees, Bum Genius.

All-In-Ones are the absolute easiest to use. These diapers have a waterproof shell and absorbent inner layer. Use them as you would a disposable diaper. Just slip on Velcro and go!

But what about the poo?
This is hands down one of the most intimidating aspects of cloth diapering. The old way of washing diapers involved reaching into the toilet bowl to rinse them off. Now there are many options to deal with this so that you will never have to dunk a diaper in the toilet with you hands.

Exclusively breast fed babies, do not need to have the waste rinsed off, it is liquid and comes out in the wash. When babies move onto solids, their poo becomes more solid, (more of a peanut butter consistency) and will need to be disposed of. There are flushable biodegradable liners that you can use to catch the poo to simply dump and flush away the waste. Microfleece liners can be used to line pocket diapers to allow you to easily shake off the waste into the toilet. Mini-shower is a hand held water spray which can be used to spray the poo into the toilet without ever touching it.

Thoughts to consider when deciding to cloth diaper:
What is your goal? easy diaper changes, or the most affordable way to diaper a baby?
If easier diaper changes are your goal, you may want to use pocket diapers or AIO’s. There is a higher cost associated with pockets and AIO’s, with the AIO’s being the priciest option.
If you are looking for the most cost effective way to diaper a little one, the way to go would be prefolds or flat diapers and wrap covers.
You will need 2 dozen diapers and 5-6 covers to start, assuming you will wash them every other day.
There are different fabrics and fibers used in cloth diapering. Cotton is found in most prefolds, flats and fitted diapers.

Fabric options explained:
Cotton is used in most flat, prefold, and fitted diapers. It is absorbent and easy to care for. The thicker/heavier the diaper, the more it will absorb, although heavier diapers take longer to dry.
Hemp is an absorbent fabric said to be more absorbent than cotton, is grown using less pesticide than cotton, and has naturally occurring antibacterial properties.
Bamboo is made from bamboo fibers and is surprisingly soft, and more absorbent than cotton. Bamboo is an easily renewable resource as it can grow 3 feet in one night! It is also naturally resistant to insects, so less pesticide are required in it’s growth.
Microfiber is a synthetic material which dries quickly and absorbs well. It is commonly used as a pocket diaper insert. This material is most like disposable diapers in that it will feel spongy and heavy when wet.
PUL is a waterproof PolyUrethane Laminated material that is mostly used for the shell of diaper covers, pocket diapers, and AIO’s.

Wool or Fleece are used in diaper covers, they are ‘breathable’ and a popular option for night-time diapering. Wool is both waterproof and absorbent, so it is a great overnight choice, however it does require different care than the rest of the diapers.

Odds n Ends: There is a plastic accessory called a Snappi which allows you to fasten a diaper without the risks of pins. While you can easily fold the diaper in thirds, place in wrap and go, it isn’t the trimmest fitting option, nor is the the best at containing poo. Using a Snappi is easy, gives a trimmer fit and contains solid waste better.

What about when we’re out of the house?
You can use a waterproof wet bag in your diaper bag. Place dirty diapers in the bag and seal, when you return home you can place it in the diaper pail. These are available with zippers or drawstring. A large zip lock bag also does the trick. In a pinch a shopping bag works fine, too.

Common mistakes:
You need the diaper to fit your baby for it to work correctly- too big and you will have leaks.
Incorrect laundering- many detergents have additives that promote leaking diapers. Please see our instructions on washing and detergents.

Glossary of terms:
All-In-One (AIO): This is a fasten and go diaper, no inserts, covers or any extra steps needed.

All-In-Two (AI2): Generally a water proof shell with a snap in absorbent layer. This generally allows for faster dry times. Some diapers allow you to use reuse the shell while changing the absorbent snap in layer.

Aplix: Brand name of Velcro fasteners used in cloth diapering. More durable than Velcro. For simplicity in this glossary, I use the term Velcro rather than Aplix as it is a commonly understood term.

Detergent Build up or Residue: This can happen if using a detergent which leaves a residue. The list of detergents are many, if you need specific recommendations for detergent, please ask. Generally the cheaper the detergent, the less likely it will be to use the enzymes or detergent causing residues. Those that say “brightens colors” usually leave residue. If you use the right detergent, you shouldn’t have this problem.

Diaper Cover: Waterproof shell you place over a diaper.

Doubler: A fabric pad you add to a diaper to increase it’s absorbency.

Diaper service quality (DSQ): The quality of diaper found in diaper services. Usually intended for industrial washing. Generally 4x6x4 ply (thinner middle layer than the 4x8x4 premium diapers).

Fitted diaper: Contoured diaper with snaps or Velcro for fastening.

Flat diaper: Square or rectangular diaper you fold to fit your child.

Fluffed diapers: Those that have been washed, they fluff up. When you get them new they look flat like a linen napkin.

Indian Prefold (IPF’s): See prefolds.

Insert: This is usually a folded fabric that you insert into the pocket of a pocket diaper to make it absorbent. These are often microfiber or hemp.

Liner: An optional step of placing something in the diaper between the diaper and the baby with the purpose of making waste disposal easier or giving a stay-dry feel to it. There are both disposable/flushable and resuable/microfleece liners.

Minishower: Name brand of a sprayer used to spray solid waste into toilet

One Size Diaper (OS): A diaper with a series of snaps designed to fit from 9 lbs to potty training.

Pocket diaper: Diapers with a pocket at the top edge that accepts an insert. Pocket diapers with a PUL outer layer are waterproof, where as hemp pockets are not (these are less commonly found or used). Common kinds: Fuzzi Bunz, Happy Heinys.

Prefold: Rectangular diaper that is folded and sewn to have a thicker middle. These are an economical choice in diapering. You can trifold and place in a wrap or fold/fasten. Common kinds: Chinese and Indian prefolds. The main difference between the Chinese and Indian is that the Indian is softer, the Chinese diaper has a denser weave to the fabric so feels rougher and looks less wavy when fully prepped.
Available in Bleached (white) and unbleached (natrual/tan) the natural/tan is the softest of all options.
The stitching in bleached prefolds generally indicates type of diaper (although there are exceptions to this).

There are 4 common sizes: Preemie, Infant, Regular, Premium and Toddler. Most cloth diapering moms use the Infant and Premium sizes exclusively. We have introduced a Capri size which is a shorter Premium diaper. Most of the time Premium diapers have several inches of extra length leading to bulk, particularly if you trifold. The Capri makes for a trim diaper even when tri-folding.

Quilting: In diapering terms, this is when diapers puff up as they are washed and dried in preparation for use. Washing makes the diapers look and feel much softer.

Stay dry liner: Liner usually made from microfleece or other polyester material that doesn’t absorb fluids, thus giving the baby a drier feel against it’s skin. Not to be confused with:

Stay dry doubler: This is a doubler which will add absorbency to diapers. These doublers have a layer of fleece or other dry feeling fabric on the surface that touches your baby.

Stripping diapers: This is a specific washing method you would use if you notice your diapers wicking (see below). It involves washing on HOT water several times, the first with a no-residue detergent, the rest with only hot water until no detergent or soap bubbles are seen in the water during the agitation cycle.

Wicking: The feel of moisture through the waterproof surface of a diaper. See ‘stripping diapers’ for treating this.

Wrap: Diaper cover that fastens with Velcro or snaps. Usually trim fitting, you can place a diaper in here and fasten without fastening the diaper.

For more information check our FAQ’s page