There are so many different kinds of cloth diapers now. The first thing you need to figure out is what kind you want to use or make. As you know, pockets are my favorite. The other two diapers most similar to a pocket are all-in-ones (AIOs) and all-in-twos (AI2s). AIOs have the three layers that I described in my “How pocket diapers work” post all sewn together. AI2s have the PUL layer with an insert placed in it. There is no wicking layer. AI2s, also, have disposable inserts that you can place in the PUL layer.
Then there are and flats and prefolds. These are the “old school” kind of diapers that everyone thinks about when cloth diapers are mentioned. Flats are just a flat piece of absorbent material that you fold and wrap around the baby. Prefolds are sewn in such a way that the very middle is more absorbent than the sides. Snappis are used instead of pins to keep the flats and prefolds closed. Most people like to have a cover made from PUL to go over their flats and prefolds so they don’t have to deal with leaks.
All of these types of diapers have variations. The most notable variation is one size vs. fitted. I bought my pretty baby one size diapers, which can grow from 10 lbs to 35 lbs using snaps or adjustable elastic. I made her fitted diapers, which she will grow out of soon, and I will have to make her more. The one size tend to be more bulky and the fitted more trim, but ultimately they get the same job done. The only reason I am okay with making fitted diapers is because they are so incredibly inexpensive to make.
From there the variations are more design features than anything else. You can use snaps or hook and loop (Velcro) to keep the diapers shut. Some covers are the typical plastic pants while others actually open up like a disposable diaper. There are many different materials that can be used for absorbency. I’ve already mentioned cotton, bamboo, and hemp in a previous post. Then there is wool, zorb, and microfiber blends, all of which I have less experience with. Linen should work as well, and technically silk should, too, but that would be a very expensive diaper, and I don’t think anyone has ever tried it. There are so many different ways to cloth diaper, and they all work.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
How Pocket Diapers Work
We are expecting our second little girl in November, and now that we cloth diaper, I have been trying to figure out how to cloth diaper a newborn. I don’t like covers or all-in-ones (AIO). Pockets are the diaper type for me. Unfortunately, getting newborn or even preemie pocket cloth diapers is very expensive; especially when you consider that they will only being using them for 2-3 months. To remedy my problem, I have decided to make my own cloth diapers, tailored specifically to my needs and wants.
I have learned a lot about how my pocket diapers work, while trying to figure out what I need to buy to make these diapers. First things first, the shell, is made of polyester, on the outside and the inside. The outside material is very fascinating. It is called PUL fabric, which is abbreviated for polyurethane laminated fabric. Basically, it is polyester material on one side, and plastic on the other. This material has proven wonderful for keeping fluids from leaking out. PUL was originally developed for the medical industry as a way to make disposable things reusable, and is able to be sanitized at very high temperatures.
The inside of the shell, the layer which touches the baby’s bum, is also polyester. Micro suede and micro fleece are common materials used for this layer, because they are soft and have “wicking” abilities. Wicking is when a material can pull a liquid through it from one side to the other. Having this wicking function on the inner layer is important to avoid rashes. It helps to keep their bottoms dry.
Next, the insert, is usually made out of a natural fiber material. The three most absorbent, from least to greatest, are cotton, bamboo, and hemp. Cotton is sufficient for most daytime use, where hemp comes in very handy for 12 or more hours of sleep. The polyester wicks the fluids away from the baby’s bum, and the natural fibers of the insert store the fluids until the diaper can be changed. Then the insert can be washed and sanitized separately from the shell, insuring that all bacteria is killed, thus reducing rashes and smell.
Those three components, the outside PUL, the inside wicking, and the absorbent insert make up a lot of different types of diapers. My preference for pockets comes in that I can wrap a hemp flat around the microfiber insert and keep our baby dry and sleeping for over 12 hours. You can stuff a pocket with just about anything that will be absorbent.
I have learned a lot about how my pocket diapers work, while trying to figure out what I need to buy to make these diapers. First things first, the shell, is made of polyester, on the outside and the inside. The outside material is very fascinating. It is called PUL fabric, which is abbreviated for polyurethane laminated fabric. Basically, it is polyester material on one side, and plastic on the other. This material has proven wonderful for keeping fluids from leaking out. PUL was originally developed for the medical industry as a way to make disposable things reusable, and is able to be sanitized at very high temperatures.
The inside of the shell, the layer which touches the baby’s bum, is also polyester. Micro suede and micro fleece are common materials used for this layer, because they are soft and have “wicking” abilities. Wicking is when a material can pull a liquid through it from one side to the other. Having this wicking function on the inner layer is important to avoid rashes. It helps to keep their bottoms dry.
Next, the insert, is usually made out of a natural fiber material. The three most absorbent, from least to greatest, are cotton, bamboo, and hemp. Cotton is sufficient for most daytime use, where hemp comes in very handy for 12 or more hours of sleep. The polyester wicks the fluids away from the baby’s bum, and the natural fibers of the insert store the fluids until the diaper can be changed. Then the insert can be washed and sanitized separately from the shell, insuring that all bacteria is killed, thus reducing rashes and smell.
Those three components, the outside PUL, the inside wicking, and the absorbent insert make up a lot of different types of diapers. My preference for pockets comes in that I can wrap a hemp flat around the microfiber insert and keep our baby dry and sleeping for over 12 hours. You can stuff a pocket with just about anything that will be absorbent.
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