Different Types of Cloth Diapers in India

Once you have chosen cloth diapers for your little one, there is no looking back. And as the next step, you need to decide which is an ideal choice from a range of different type of cloth diapers for your baby. Gone are those days when cloth diapers came as cut pieces required to be folded and pinned around the baby as a loin cloth. Today, cloth diapers are designed to be as easy to use as disposable ones. Comforting features, and the eco-friendly nature of cloth diapers, make them an ideal choice for parents. However, choosing the correct cloth diaper may seem daunting for first-time users, especially when so many types of cloth diapers are available.

So to make the buying process easier, our experts at SuperBottoms have compiled this detailed guide. In this article, we take you through the different cloth diaper types and tips to choose the right one for your baby!

Types of Cloth Diapers

Diapers play a massive part in your baby’s life for the first few years until they are potty trained. On average, your baby needs 6-12 diapers daily for the first few weeks after birth (1). It means you will have to spend considerable money on stocking these diapers. So, when you choose to go for cloth diapers, you must be well aware of the different types available in the market to make an informed purchase decision.

Here are the types of cloth diapers -

Flats Cloth Diapers

These are the original and the most basic cloth diapers. These come as single layered pieces of fabric typically made of cotton. To fit your baby, flat cloth diapers must be folded in various ways to create a multi-layered diaper-like shape. It must then be secured with pins or clips to ensure no leakage.

Pros of Flat Cloth Diapers -

• Inexpensive
• Customizable absorbency
• Adjustable sizing

Cons of Flat Cloth Diapers -

• Requires folding skills
• Needs safety pins or clips to secure
• Requires a separate diaper cover

Pre-Folds Cloth Diapers-

These are the good old types of cloth diapers that have been used for decades. Similar to folds, this cloth diaper is pre-folded into three distinct panels. The middle panel is the most absorbent of them all. Moreover, pre-folds too require safety pins or clips to fasten and a diaper cover to prevent leaks.

Pros of Pre-Folds Cloth Diaper -

• Low in cost
• It already comes in panels or layers
• Adjustable sizing

Cons of Pre-Folds Cloth Diaper -

• Requires folding skills
• Needs safety pins or clips to secure
• Requires separate diaper cover

Pocket Cloth Diapers-

If folding is not your preference, then pocket cloth diapers are the type of diapers meant for you!  These diapers are ready to be used with elastic leg holes, fasteners, and a waterproof shell. The term “pocket” is used for this type of cloth diaper because they include a pocket inside, which must be stuffed with an absorbent insert to prevent leaks. In addition, many pocket cloth diapers are lined with stay-dry material to ensure that the baby feels dry, even when wet.

Pros of Pocket Cloth Diapers -

• Needs no folding
• No separate diaper cover is required
• Customizable absorbency

Cons of Pocket Cloth Diapers -

• Costlier than folds and pre-folds
• Requires separate inserts
• Stay-dry material may cause allergic reactions in some babies.

All-in-One Cloth Diapers (AIO)

AIOs are the type of diapers with an absorbent pad attached to a waterproof cover making diaper changes as easy as disposable diapers. Moreover, they come with adjustable closures which fasten at the hip with velcro, snaps, hooks or loops. These diapers work on their own without needing any extra accessories or inserts. They are also available in different colours and patterns.

So if you are looking for a premium quality yet easy on-the-pocket, all-in-one reusable cloth diaper, SuperBottoms UNO is an ideal choice. We offer a range of reusable cloth diapers for newborns and toddlers, which come with adjustable snaps and 100% cotton fabric.

All-in-Two Cloth Diapers

These type of diapers come in two pieces - inserts and covers. AI2 cloth diapers are very similar to pocket diapers, except that the inserts are usually snapped inside the diaper instead of going inside a pocket.  Thus, these diapers are more handy as you can remove and replace the wet insert without having to change the whole diaper!

Pros of AI2 Cloth Diapers -

• Easty fit
• Covers can be resued
• Wet inserts can be removed

Cons of AI2 Cloth Diapers -

• Attaching inserts requires an additional diapering step
• More costlier than folds and pre-folds
• Difficult to customize absorbency

Hybrid Cloth Diapers

Hybrid cloth diapers are designed to make cloth diapering as easy as possible. They are a cross over of cloth and disposable diapers. Hybrid cloth diapers consist of an outer reusable cover with a disposable insert on the inside. So once the disposable layer on the inside is soiled, all you need to do is toss it in the trash, and replace it with a new insert!

Pros of Hybrid Cloth Diapers -

• Secure fit
• Reusable outer cover
• Travel-friendly

Cons of Hybrid Cloth Diapers -

• Requires separate disposable inserts
• Disposable inserts are not eco-friendly
• Costly

How to Choose the Right Type of Cloth Diapers?

Here are some of the features you must look out for while choosing the right cloth diaper for your little one -

• Material -

Materials like cotton, microfleece, and bamboo are durable, soft, and highly absorbent. They could be an ideal choice for cloth diapers, because they are easier to clean and safe for baby’s sensitive skin too.

• Free-size -

It is always better to choose a free-size cloth diaper which comes with adjustable snaps. Such diaper offers a comfortable fit and can be used for babies between 3 months - 3 years.

• Inserts -

Always choose cloth diapers which comes with one or more inserts to soak the fluid. If your baby is a heavy-wetter you can go extra absorbent soakers. Moreover, if you wish to give you baby diaper-free time, go for Superbottoms Dry Feel Langot which comes with elastics and can soak upto 1 pee!

Key Takeaways