Most babies go through an average of 3000 diapers within their first year. Commonly, most babies don’t require diapers when they are two years old, but some babies do potty in diapers even after three.
The cost of these baby diapers varies depending on the brand, but on average, it could cost up to $500 for just the first year. This is where cloth diapers come as a budget saver for most of the parents who would like to save money.
That one major fact about cloth diapers that should be agreed upon is that it requires more work to clean than the other disposable diapers that could be thrown into the bin once used. They are considered as not the best choice by many families who don’t have time or those who don’t like scraping out the baby poop from the diaper to the toilet.
But thanks to the latest advancement that implemented the usage of tush covering along with the cloth diapers. These have made it so easy for the parents and saves a lot of effort for them.
Advancement is a significant aspect of anything, and it has helped even with diapers to evolve over a period of time. Currently, various types of cloth diapers are available in the market. No matter the size of your baby or his/her body type, there are so many options to choose from.
Different Types of Cloth Diapers :
Prefold Cloth Diapers
Prefold diapers are the rectangle diapers that you see in the market. It is stitched with multiple layers in the middle to give a thicker and softer feel in the center. It is the least expensive option while choosing cloth diapers since one could buy a prefold cloth diaper for just $2 and above.
It is not just that, and you may need to buy a cloth diaper cover to use along with it. The diaper cover is the waterproof outer layer that contains the wetness of the prefold cloth diaper that is present inside.
Most covers are in the shape of disposable diapers, wraps around the prefold cloth, and closes at the baby’s hip. It is usually made of poly blend fabric with a laminated interior for waterproof capability.
Hybrid Cloth Diapers
Hybrid cloth diapers are designed with the sole purpose of combining the benefits of cloth diapers with the ease of disposable diapers. It consists of an outer layer, which is, as usual, a waterproof cover, and the inner layer, which could be used to place a cloth insert or a disposable insert.
The cloth insert is a rectangular runner that is available in so many fabric varieties, including cotton, microfiber, etc. Some parents prefer adding an extra layer of ultra-absorbent microfiber.
Disposable inserts are similar to single-use diapers. It offers the same convenience as disposable diapers, especially when you are on the go. These inserts are comparatively smaller and produce less waste than disposable diapers. They are mostly made by using fewer chemicals, and even some are biodegradable.
All-in-one Cloth Diapers
This diaper gets its name because they provide both the absorbent and the waterproof layer in one piece. Like prefold diapers, these too close to the baby’s hip with the help of velcro or snaps.
But the difference between these two diapers is that all-in-one cloth diapers would not require any inserts, and one could put these for washing once it’s soiled. Since these diapers are made of cotton, it does not take too long to dry, and therefore you can wash and change these diapers several times.
Pocket Cloth Diapers
Pocket cloth diapers are more similar to the AIO cloth diapers but with one difference. It contains a pocket that could contain a removable absorbent insert. You could increase or decrease the absorbency level by trying out different adsorbents or even inserting two absorbents together. Like All-in-one cloth diapers, these too require only a small amount to dry after washing. Pocket cloth diapers even dry faster if the pieces are separated and kept to dry.
Before investing a substantial amount in a particular brand, try out different options and choose what best fits your baby and make him/her comfortable wearing those. And know for a fact that babies up to 3 years would require on average of 5-6 diaper change a day.
At the bottom line, the choice is up to the parents to choose the baby diapers. Some start with disposables in the first few weeks and slowly change to disposables. Some use disposables in the starting few weeks and travel with cloth diapers in the course of time. So choose the product that is the right fit for your baby, and do not hesitate to consult your pediatrician for help.
Barry Lachey is a Professional Editor at Zobuz. Previously He has also worked for Moxly Sports and Network Resources “Joe Joe.” He is a graduate of the Kings College at the University of Thames Valley London. You can reach Barry via email or by phone.