Fitted cloth diapers (also called fitted cloth nappies) are a version of the modern cloth diaper that is easy to use and generally highly absorbent. They are better for the environment than disposable diapers (the jury really is not out on this anymore*) and many people claim their babies get less diaper rash with cloth than with disposables.
Fitted cloth diapers are are fastened using snaps or Velcro tabs, and are shaped to fit your baby, making them far easier to put on than old fashioned flat diapers. In fact, they are on a par with disposables. Some brands have a range of sizes, from premmie up, while others are available in one-size-fits-most.
Many of the best cloth diapers are made using hemp or bamboo, both of which are far more absorbent than cotton, again putting these diapers on a par with disposables. Most people find they need to change hemp or bamboo diapers at a similar rate to disposable diapers. Night-time rated cloth diapers can also be left on all night for most babies.
BabyBeehinds make my very favourite fitted cloth diapers, made from your choice of bamboo & cotton, or hemp fabric
In addition, using hemp or bamboo makes them far more sustainable than either disposable or cotton diapers. Both hemp and bamboo require far less water to grow than the very water needy cotton, and can generally be grown without the use of pesticides, unlike cotton which is a very pesticide heave crop (unless you buy organic cotton of course). So while old fashioned flat cotton diapers are still arguably better for both the environment and your baby than disposable diapers, hemp or bamboo diapers** are undoubtably better still.
All in one cloth diapers (AIOs) incorporate a water-proof cover, or if you buy regular fitted cloth diapers you will need a few separate covers, usually made either from wool or PUL, a breathable polyester fabric. Even if you buy one-size-fits-most diapers, you will need a range of cover sizes. Like the diaper itself, covers can be fastened with velcro or snaps. Some people prefer snaps so that their baby cannot undo the cover, especially for older babies, others perfer velco which is quicker to fasten. Baby Beehinds make an excellent velcro fastening cover in a range of colours, which is this writer’s favourite.
Other modern cloth diapers include: pocket diapers, AIOs, and prefold diapers.
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*Source: “An updated lifecycle assessment study for disposable and reusable nappies” released by environment-agency.gov.uk 2008
** Although, see also our article on whether bamboo diapers are quite as good as we’ve been led to believe.
Thank you for sharing the information with us. There are so many cloth nappies brands in the market that we should compare the quality and other issues before making the decisions. It will impact the kids health, so we must be careful for the final decision.