Cloth Diapers For Beginners -- Vocabulary Cheat Sheet

Cloth diapers can seem intimidating, especially for those who are just beginning to learn about them.  It's not really a complicated idea.  But with all of the different options available now, there's a whole new vocabulary to learn.  Let's break things down into some of the most popular options, and go from there.

Absorbent Inner Layers 

This is the functional part of the diaper.  Without an absorbent layer, you have no diaper.  Here are some examples:

Flats
Prefolds
Contours
Fitteds
Inserts
Doublers 

 

Waterproof Outer Layers

Technically, you can use cloth diapers without an outer layer.  But it's risky.  Once the absorbent layer has reached its saturation point, there's nothing to keep leaks from happening.  Here are some examples:
 

Wrap covers
Soakers
Pull-on pants
Longies
Shorties
Skirties   

 

Combination Systems

I use the heading "combination" to include any diaper system where the absorbent inner layer and the waterproof outer layer are connected to function as one piece.  You generally put on and take off both layers with only one closure system.  Here are some examples:

Pockets
All-in-Ones
All-in-Twos
Hybrid Diapers

 

Sizing

One last consideration is what size diaper you are purchasing.  Sized diapers are designed to fit most babies within a certain weight range.  You need to buy a new size diaper when your baby outgrows it, every few months.  Examples:

Newborn
Small
Medium
Large
Toddler 

Other diapers have a system of snaps or folds to make them adjustable as the baby grows.  Many of these are called "One-size", meaning only one diaper size is needed from generally around 8 pounds until the child is ready to potty train.

 

Closure

Cloth diapers need something to hold them in place as the baby moves around.  The closure can be on the inner layer, on the outer layer, or on both.  Some examples:

Pins
Buttons
Velcro/Aplix
Snappi
Snaps
Diaper Belt
Drawstring

 

That's It!

There are additional accessories and products that you can use along with your cloth diapers, but for the actual functional diaper, that's all you really need to know to get started.  I plan to write additional articles outlining the function, pros, and cons of these different types of diapers, so stay tuned!

 

Do you have any questions about how different cloth diapers work?  Please let me know in the comments below!

 

PS:
There are still some cloth diaper covers in my Etsy shop.  Check them out!
*** Earth Stork Etsy Shop ***