Diaper Covers  

Pull up Styles work best with fitted diapers. If you want to use them with prefolds, you will need to use a snappi or pins to fasten the prefold. Pull up Covers can be used with some contour diapers that have long wings that can be used to fasten the diaper in place. Basically they are a waterproof layer that provides no support to the diaper so the diaper needs to hold itself up or be held up by a fastener. They are your most economical cover. Pull up Covers can be used several times before they need to be washed, as long as they are clean.

Velcro Styles in general provide support for the diaper so you can just lay a prefold diaper in the cover and fasten the velcro. One of our velcro covers is a pocket diaper (bumGenius) so the absorbent material goes in the pocket. Some covers (like the Kushies Wrap) will work better with either a fastened prefold or a fitted diaper. They are very adjustable and offer a customized fit for your baby. If you are just starting out in cloth diapering and are looking for a velcro fitting cover I would try the Bummis Super Whisper Wrap (velcro). It is our most versitile cover and fits most kids well and works with prefolds, most fitted diapers and contour diapers. Velcro covers can be used several times before they need to be washed, as long as they are clean.

Snap Styles provide almost the same adjustability as the velcro covers without having to deal with velcro in the wash. The Fuzzi Bunz is also a pocket diaper.

Swim Diapers are great for pool use. We recommend the Bummis Original Cover as well as the Kushies Swim Diaper.

Pocket Diapers are very similar to All in One Diapers with the exception that the absorbent material is not attached to the diaper in any way. The soaker is separate piece that must be used in conjunction with the diaper. The drying time for these diapers is shorter than the traditional AIO. You can add more absorbency by stuffing the pocket with an extra insert.

Cloth Diapers  

Prefolds are rectangles of cotton or cotton/hemp that have been folded and sewn together. A prefold has extra layers in the center of the diaper along with two lines of stitching which divided the diaper into thirds. The name isn't quite accurate - prefolds still need to be folded in order to be used. Together with covers, DSQ prefolds are the most economical choice for cloth diapering. When new cotton prefolds will be thin and soft and feel a little stiff. They need to be washed before being used. Bleached cotton prefolds need to be washed and dried 3-4 times in order to reach absorbency. Unbleached cotton prefolds and hemp prefolds need to be washed 7-8 times in very hot water to reach absorbency (they haven't gone through the bleaching process which means it is necessary to wash them often enough to strip off the natural oils from the cotton.) Hemp prefolds do not start out flat and stiff. All prefolds shrink several inches after being washed, and they quilt up and get soft and fluffy. Hemp prefolds will shrink more than cotton prefolds. Depending on the fold and cover, prefolds can be very trim or very bulky. Depending on the diaper cover that you choose, you may or may not need a snappi. Prefolds require a cover.

Contour Diapers are shaped to fit into a diaper cover without being folded. Contour diapers are not built with closures but may have elastic at the leg. For a snug fit, they will need to be pinned or snappi'd. Usually they are less absorbent than prefolds. Kissaluvs contours have extra-long wings in the back to make for easy pinning. Contours require a cover.

Fitted Diapers are shaped like disposable diapers. They close around baby's waist with velcro. Pins and snappis are not necessary. Fitted diapers are more expensive than contours and significantly more expensive than prefolds, but lots of people love them. With a cover they are the best at keeping in the more explosive poops. Fitted diapers require a cover.

All In Ones (AIO) are used exactly like disposables. They do not need a cover - the cover is built in. They are usually more expensive than other diapering options. You have to dry them on low, since the cover is built in, which means they take longer to dry, and they don't last as long because the cover is essentially being washed every time you wash the diaper. They are very convenient to use and most people like to have a couple around when their children are being watched by someone who is not familiar with cloth diapers. The Prorap AIO is the best at keeping in poop.

One Size diapers usually span infant to early toddler years. In the beginning, you snap down the rise so that they fit the baby. They can look really big on a newborn. One Size diapers are recommended if you don’t want to keep buying diapers as the baby grows. Also recommended if you’re starting as an infant and not later. A cover goes over the Imse Vimse. The bumGenius comes with a cover/diaper combo.

Pocket Diapers are a two piece system. The waterproof outer is attached to a suedecloth or fleece inner. They come with a microterry insert for absorbency. They are similar to All in One diapers in that you have to change the entire diaper every time that you change your baby. The advantage that pocket diapers have over the All in Ones is that the absorbent material (insert) is not attached to the waterproof outer. That allows you to wash the inserts and covers separately if you choose to. It also allows you to easily add more absorbent inserts for nighttime. Pocket Diapers also give you a built in stay dry liner to keep wetness away from your baby.

Liners  

Disposable Liners are made to help keep poop from sticking to the diaper. Disposable Liners also act as a stay dry barrier. They are meant to be disposed of after each use, but if they are only peed upon they can be washed a few times before they start to fall apart. Don't put them in the dryer.

Extra Absorbency liners are sometimes called doublers. They are basically absorbent material that is either rectangular or hourglass shaped. Some have a stay dry layer of fleece or mesh and are meant to allow for extra time between changes such as at nighttime.

Stay Dry liners are either washable or disposable. Most of the washable types have absorbent material sewn to them and are made out of fleece or mesh. We do carry a washable stay dry liner with no absorbent material.