Posts in this series:
Getting Started
All About Diapers
All About Covers
Other Diapering Methods
I know we talked diapers earlier, but this post is more in depth about the diapers that aren’t just diapers, but are diapering systems that are self-contained, which often proves an easier method for many.
What are All-in-Ones?
Coleen: All in ones go on just like a disposable diaper. They are one piece and don’t require stuffing. All in ones are convenient, easy to use and great to have in the diaper bag for a quick change when you are away from home. I am really impressed with the new Thirsties Duo all in ones.
What are All-in-Twos?
Coleen: All in twos have a soaker that snaps in to the diaper to help it dry faster than an all in one. Unlike some two part systems, the cover can’t be used more than once and you will need a brand new diaper for every change. Bottombumpers are an example of this style of diaper and are one of my favorites. They are trim fitting, super soft and available in Velcro, snap and one size.
What are Pocket Diapers?
Coleen: Pocket diapers have an opening for you to stuff in an absorbent insert. The outside of the diaper is a waterproof fabric and the inside of the pocket is usually made from a stay dry fabric like suedecloth or fleece. You just need to remove the insert from the pocket before putting them in the diaper pail. Pocket diapers are available in both sized and one size versions. FuzziBunz and bumGenius are very popular examples of this type of diaper but there are lots of other great brands to choose from.
Amy: I didn’t chime in on the AIO’s and AI2’s because I don’t own any; however, I do own a whole stash of FuzziBunz Pocket Diapers. These are my favorite diapers for traveling! However, I am looking into some All-In-Two’s for travel and grandparents as well. These really are the kind of diapers you need if Dad or Grandma are a little freaked out by cloth diapering.
Coleen: I also wanted to add that€¦. As your baby gets ready to potty train, there are lots of cloth options to make it easy!
How do I care for these kinds of diapers?
Coleen: They are easy to care for! I do a cold water rinse, a hot water wash with detergent, followed by an extra rinse. You want to be careful not to use too much detergent as it can build up and cause odors.
Amy: I do the same wash routine as Coleen. I do want to clarify that you need to separate the inserts from the diapers, don’t use traditional diaper rash cream on any of your cloth diapers (I’ll do a post on this later on), and make sure they are dried thoroughly. More on that here…
Is it hard to get AIOs thoroughly clean and thoroughly dry?
Coleen: Some may take a little longer to dry, but most have been redesigned to allow for better cleaning and quicker drying.
What are the best stuffers for pocket diapers?
Coleen: Most pocket diapers come with microfiber inserts, but there are several other kinds available. If your baby is a heavy wetter, you might try adding a hemp insert for extra absorbency. In fact, Thirsties Duo Diapers include a microfiber/hemp combination insert that works very well. FuzziBunz Elite one size come with soft, minky inserts. You could even try bamboo inserts or stuff a pocket diaper with a cotton prefold.
Amy: If you can stuff it in a diaper and it is even remotely absorbent, I’ve used it! I really like hemp inserts and I LOVE the minky inserts; however, I’ve been known to go to the store and buy shop towels (you know those absorbent microfiber ones) and stuff those in there too! And yes, prefolds are great as well!
Why would I want to use these diapering methods?
Coleen: These diapering methods are very convenient and may offer a trimmer fit than prefolds. With all the different styles and brands available you are sure to find one that works for you.
Amy: These diapering systems are most like disposables. If you have nightmares about cloth diapering, yet still want to try it, this would be a good place to start. They do cost more, but you are paying for convenience and ease of use.
I’ll be adding to this series throughout the year, but this is a good start. Let me know if there are any other cloth diapering topics you would like to see discussed!
Stephanie says
I am so glad that you give such an easy method for washing. I have seen so many complicated methods and it scared me off a little from cloth diapering.
Jillian says
Can you please clarify something for me? : ) I would’ve thought that the all in ones would be easier because it’s all one piece. Instead, you recommend the two in one’s for the hesitant crowd. I gather that with the two in one’s you need a new diaper for each change. I suppose that’s true of the all in one’s too? The only difference I see is that the two in ones have a snap in insert as opposed to the aio that has it sewn in. I’m sure I’m missing something, but can you help explain the advantages of the two in one’s vs. the all in one. thanks. : )
Amy says
Actually, I recommend any of these for the hesitant crowd. I didn’t mean to single out AI2’s specifically. 🙂
Jillian says
It’s funny because I’am the “hesitant crowd.” : ) Thanks for the clarification.
Suanna says
I just wanted to add that some all in two’s have reusable covers, like the GroVia brand. This is because the snap in soaker actually has a PUL lining on the back of it. I let them cover air dry between changes as well, but only really need to change the cover if if it gets dirty.
Coleen says
You are right about the GroVia! I love how they have a PUL back that keeps the cover dry. I put them in the two part system catagory since you can reuse the cover, but they could be considered an all in two. It is so hard to divide the different brands of diapers in to categories, some of them seem to overlap! :0)
Hillary says
I don’t know what it is exactly. I love pulling warm, clean fluffy diapers from the dryer. I like wrapping little bottoms in cloth instead of paper and ?? I love hanging prefolds on the clothesline in the sunshine.
Misty says
With a new baby coming soon, I would LOVE to win this!
Cindy G says
I tried cloth diapers when my daughter was 2-4 months and had such a tough experience with leaks and blowouts and such. I’m a little gun shy to try again, but I want it to work SO much!
April Menking says
The thing I love most about cloth diapering is how cute my little guy looks in them ; ) I really love cloth diapering!!
billie says
I like not having to keep paying, paying and re-paying for disposables. 🙂
Sarah says
I have really appreciated this series. We used disposables with our 3 boys because I didn’t want to deal with it. I always thought I had to clean out the nasty stuff in the diapers before dumping them in the wash. Now though, number 4 is on the way, and we need to keep our budget costs down. From what it sounds like, I don’t really need to touch the diapers after changing, so it’s not as messy as I thought, and that was my biggest obstacle to trying cloth diapering. I think we’re definitely going to give this a try.
Brita says
Thank you for showing how easy it is to cloth diaper! I did disposables with our first three and am currently cloth diapering our forth. The cloth diapers are so much better in so many ways!
Elise says
I will be expecting #3 this summer and feel like I would like to switch to cloth so this blog has been very helpful. 🙂
Stephanie says
Hey guys, just letting you know that the Sweet Little Blessings site has not been working for 2 days. Not sure if it is my my computer or not.
Amy says
Stephanie,
Hello! I’m wondering if all of you are overloading her server! It’s working right now, so keep trying! 🙂
christy davis says
my new fav cloth diaper right now are blueberry aio’s i like how trim they are and i think that you can add more inserts in for a heavy wetter! they are great! but i do love my fuzzi bunz i have some that i first bought in 2005!! and have been used through 4 kids!!! thats good quality there!!
Tabitha @ A Restful Place says
This series has been great! Thanks! 🙂
Stacy says
I love that cloth diapers are much gentler to my babies’ skin and the fact that they produce less waste. Now that baby #2 has arrived and my stash is full, I’m looking forward to the cost savings.
jenny says
Would love to win these!
Jessica Cash says
WHEN DOES THE SWEET CODE DISCOUNT EXPIRE?
Coleen says
It is good through 2/22!
Bri says
I did really enjoy cloth diapering, but I’ve run into a snag. My youngest son has a LOT of trouble with diaper rash! I’m excited to read your future post about diaper rash cream alternatives.
Mama Mirage says
I love BumGenius and FuzziBunz myself. I haven’t tried a ton of cloth diaps but I tried 4 or 5 different brands before I found what I liked, and tried a couple more since then and still favor the BumGenius and FuzziBunz.
Traci Jackson says
Thank you for this post! Looking forward to using Cloth Diapers with #4.
Angela V says
I am interested in cloth to save money long term… but my husband has bad memories of swishing his little sisters diapers and has said if we switch, I’m on my own … so if I were to go cloth I would have to get them for free to justify trying it out.
Lovey says
This series seems to answer a lot of questions, so this may be a really dumb series of questions to ask. Is there somewhere to look for pictures of each type?
I’m a newlywed, no kids yet, who had cloth diapers as a child (actually, I inherited a box of cloth diapers that were actually used on me), and always figured I’d use cloth when the time came. Now I’m starting to think ahead and prepare, and all of this series is like slogging through Greek without even knowing the alphabet..
Where do you purchase cloth diapers? How do you figure out what to use if you haven’t had any babies yet? What do any of these different things actually look like? Where do you put the dirty ones? (Probably not one of those dirty-diaper-sausage-making-machines for the disposables, eh?)
It’s entirely possible that you’ve answered some of this, and I promise you I’ve read all the posts, so far, but I’m still lost. Please forgive my ignorance. All I know of cloth diapers is folding them up into a triangle, pinning them on with one or two of those ginormous safety pins with the pink or blue plastic heads, and then sticking a rubberized waterproof pair of crinkly panties on over it all… I’m guessing all that is out the window, now, from all I’ve read here. 🙂
Amy says
If you click on the blue links in all the posts, I think you will find the information you are seeking. 🙂
Blessings,
Amy