Diaper Types
All-in-Ones (AIOs): Like the name says, these diapers are a waterproof outer layer and absorbent inner layers all in one piece. These are the most similar to disposable diapers. Common materials for the inside layers are cotton and bamboo. Very popular for daycare and babysitters.
Pros: Easy; Trim.
Cons: Takes a long time to dry; Not customizable; More expensive option; New full diaper needed with every change.
All-in-Twos (AI2s): A waterproof shell with an insert that is laid inside. Common materials for inserts include cotton, hemp and microfiber. Some brands are designed so that if the shell is not dirty, it can be used more than once with fresh inserts (e.g., GroVia). Several brands require a new cover at each use (e.g., GoodMama Ones). Mid price range.
Pros: Dry quickly; Multiple use covers; No stuffing.
Cons: Inserts don't always keep poop off the cover so you may need several in the day.
Contour Diapers: See Fitteds. Contour diapers are like fitted diapers, minus the snap or hook and look closure. These diapers require the use of pins or Snappi for closure.
Fitteds: Shaped like a disposable diaper, usually have hook and loop or snaps to close. Some styles require pins or Snappi. During the day, some babies can wear these without a cover. Excellent nighttime option when paired with a wool cover. Common materials are cotton, bamboo and hemp. Some styles have a soaker layer sewn into the diaper while others have soakers that snap in to customize the absorbency. These are not waterproof and require a cover most of the time.
Pros: Less work than flats or prefolds; Easy for grandparents and babysitters.
Cons: Still requires a cover; Can sometimes take a long time to dry; Bulky depending on style.
Flats: Large, single-ply sheets of cotton, usually birdseye, that you fold up into different configurations to diaper your baby with. Secure them with a Snappi or pins. Depending on the fold, these diapers can be trim or bulky. These are the diapers most of our grandparents would have used. These are not waterproof and require a cover. Most economical option
Pros: Versatile; Easy to clean; Dry very quickly; Can be re-purposed as changing pads, burp cloths, rags, etc.
Cons: Folds can be a struggle with a squirmy child; Can be bulky.
Hybrids: A waterproof shell and an insert that lays inside. They have the option for reusable and for biodegradable disposable inserts. If the shell is not dirty, it can be used more than once with fresh liners.
Pros: Easy on the go; Pack small in diaper bag.
Cons: Even though they're biodegradable, they're not as eco-friendly as reusable inserts; The disposable inserts are more expensive than disposable diapers; Inserts don't always keep poop of the cover so you may need several in the day.
Pockets: A waterproof outer layer and inner layer form a pocket, either open to the front or back of the diaper. The insert is stuffed into an opening in the pocket for absorbency. The inner layer is usually made from a stay-dry material such as fleece or suedecloth. Common materials for the inserts include microfiber, cotton, bamboo, hemp. Good nighttime option with proper inserts. Middle price range.
Pros: Dries quickly because the shell and insert come apart; No separate cover required; Easy to customize absorbency; Depending on the inserts, these can be very trim; If you stuff diapers while sorting laundry, these go right on the babies bottom like a disposable.
Cons: New cover and insert needed with every change; takes time to stuff diapers; Synthetic fabrics.
Prefolds (PF): Layers of cotton that are "prefolded", as opposed to flats, so that there is extra absorbency in the middle. Generally there are 4 layers on the edges and 8 layers in the middle. You fold them around your baby and secure with a Snappi or pins. You can also fold the prefold in thirds and lay the diaper in a cover, no pins or Snappi required. Depending on the fold, these diapers can be trim or bulky. These are the diapers our parents would be most familiar with. These are not waterproof and require a cover. Second most economical option.
Pros:Versatile; Easy to clean; Dry quickly; Can be re-purposed as changing pads, burp cloths, rags, etc.
Cons: Folds can be a struggle with a squirmy child; Can be bulky.
General Terminology
Doubler: An additional layer that can be added to provide absorbency.
Fleece: Can be used inside the diaper as a stay dry layer. Also available as diaper covers.
Hook and loop: Generic term for a closure material like Velcro. Other popular brands include Aplix and Touchtape.
Insert: Item placed inside diaper to provide absorbency. See also Soaker.
One-Size diapers (OS): A style of diaper that is designed to fit a child from 10-35 pounds. For more info, read this great post on the Awesome Cloth Diaper Blog.
PUL: Polyester Urethane Laminate. Used to make waterproof diaper covers
Rise: The measurement of the height of the diaper taken from the center of the top front edge, down under the crotch, and up to the center of the back top edge.
Soaker: 1) Absorbant inner layer of a diaper. Can be sewn in place, laid in place or attached with snaps. 2) A pull-on style diaper cover, usually made from wool or fleece.
Snappi: A diaper fastener made out of stretchy polyurethane with three grips similar to an Ace bandage closure.
TPU: Thermoplastic Polyurethane. Used to make waterproof diaper covers
Wool: A natural, breathable fiber. Wool is antimicrobial so it needs infrequent washing, as infrequently as once a month if no poop gets on it. Properly lanolized, wool is very watertight. Most popular for use at night with fitteds or prefolds but many also use it during the day. Diaper wool is not treated with the same chemicals as commercial wool so it is not itchy. Most people have allergies to the chemicals used in commercial wool rather than the wool itself.1 Does require hand washing.
Acronyms
GeneralAI2 - All in Two
AIO - All in One
CV - Cotton Velour
EBF - Exclusively Breastfed
FL, FL'er - Front Loading washing machine
GN - Gender Neutral
H&L - Hook and Loop
MF - Microfiber
OBV - Organic Bamboo Velour
OS - One-Size
PF- Prefold
PL’ed - Potty Learned or Learning
PUL - Polyester Urethane Laminate T&T - turned and topstitched
TL, TL'er - Top Loading washing machine
TPU - Thermoplastic Polyurethane
Brand Names
AFFF - Artsy Fartsy Foo Foo
B4 - BuBuBeBe
BG - BumGenius
BSRB - Bagshot Row Bamboo
FB - FuzziBunz
GAD - Green Acre Designs
GM - Goodmama
GMD - Green Mountain Diapers
HH - Happy Heinys
KL0 - Kissaluvs size 0
MS - Monkey Snuggles
MSO - Monkey SnuggleZzz (Overnight)
RaR - Rump a Rooz
RLR - Not an acronym; Laundry additive
RnG - Rockin' Green detergent
SB - Swaddlebees
SBish - Sustainablebabyish
TT - Twinkie Tush
WB - Woollybottoms
WCW - Wild Child Woolies
Diaper Sales
EUC - Excellent Used Condition
FFS - Free for Fhipping
FS - For Sale
FSOT - For Sale or Trade
GUC - Good Used Condition
HC - Hyena Cart
IHA - I Have A
ISO - In Search Of
NWT - New With Tags
NWOT - New Without Tags
PP - PayPal
PPD - Postage Paid or Included
1. Green Mountain Diapers website
