Cloth diapers can be confusing. Gone are the days when the only diapers on the store were white terry squares. These days, there's a proliferation of distinct types, shapes, sizes, colours and systems. And with more and more diapers advent on to the store every year, it can all seem a bit bewildering.
So here is an introduction to the basic kinds of cloth diaper you will find today.
New Born Diapers
This first narrative looks at
Flat diapers
Pre-fold diapers
The next narrative will look other types on the market. Remember that you don't have to stick to one brand. Mix and match your diaper stash to get the right aggregate of cloth diapers for you, your baby, and your family's lifestyle.
1. Flat diapers.
These, basically, are the old-fashioned terry squares (though you can get them in distinct colours these days). You fold it, then fasten it snugly colse to your baby. There are many distinct ways to fold a flat diaper, from a simple triangle to what can only be described as diaper-origami. For newborn babies, you can also use a square of muslin folded in the same way, which cuts out the bulkiness. The diaper is the absorbent part, so you need to use a cut off waterproof wrap over the top.
Flat diapers are the cheapest you can get. It might be worth stocking up on these, which will save you a needful estimate of money compared to the more costly cloth diapers, so that you can afford good waterproof wraps.
And don't be fooled by the fact that flat diapers are so cheap. Once you get the hang of how you use them, they can work as well as (if not good than) any other kind of superior cloth diaper. Practise distinct folds until you work out which you like best, and you can tweak, tighten and tuck the diaper so that it moulds your baby's unique shape absolutely perfectly.
Parents who start off using shaped diapers for their first baby often end up 'graduating' to flat diapers for subsequent babies, because they've realised how versatile and trustworthy they are. Once you're an specialist at folding and fitting a flat diaper, they'll withstand any estimate of wriggling. Nothing will leave from the diaper - not even the baby!
The other advantage of flat diapers is that they dry so fast. Because they unfold into a single layer of cloth, they will usually dry in a matter of hours. Other, thicker, shaped diapers, with several layers of cloth, take longer.
You need something to obtain the diaper in place. In the past, this used to be safety pins. These days, you can get clever dinky stretchy devices with tiny 'teeth' that hook into the fabric and do the same job.
The only real disadvantage of flat diapers is that they can be a bit bulkier than some of the more costly brands. Shops tend to sell baby clothes to go over disposable diapers, not cloth ones. But if you dress your baby in stretchy clothes, though, this shouldn't be a problem. So it's worth having a stash of these, even if you only use them at home.
2. Pre-fold diapers.
These are pretty much like flat diapers, except that they consist of a merge of layers of absorbent material, with a pre-stitched 'fold' line. Think of a three-fold leaflet - that's how you fold a pre-fold diaper, to make what is basically a rectangular wad of cloth. The waterproof wrap holds this in place. The only real advantage of this diaper over the flat terry squares is plainly that you don't have to mess about with any folding.
Pre-folds work well with smaller, less movable babies. You may find, though, that as your baby starts crawling around, pre-fold diapers might start to slip out of place.
Some parents swear by pre-folds as a perfectly workable compromise between cost and convenience. They're still pretty cheap, but you don't have to mess about studying any folding. So, if you really, really, absolutely can't stand the idea of folding a diaper, but you still want to keep your costs down, think pre-folds.
But do yourself a favour - just have a few tries with a accepted flat diaper as well, just in case you change mind. Who knows? You might find (as many parents have before you) that you enjoy the art of folding diapers - and even become something of an expert.
Cloth Diapers - Flat and Pre-Fold Diapers
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