Flat and prefold cloth diapers (or nappies) are the least expensive of the modern cloth diaper family, but by no means the worse for it. Prefold diapers are really just as easy to use as pocket diapers, and no more likely to leak, as long as you have a good diaper cover.
While prefolds can be used in much the same way as a flat diaper, with pins or a snappy to do them up, they can also simply be folded and placed inside a quality cover, much like a pocket diaper.
What are prefold cloth diapers?
Prefold diapers are very like the old fashioned (but still perfectly functional) square or rectangular flat diapers, but with extra layers sewn in. Cotton prefolds typically have four layers on the outside panels and 6-8 in the middle. Which is better depends on a number of factors, such as how heavy a wetter you baby is, how quickly you want your diapers to dry, and how hot it is. Of course the thicker diapers will take longer to dry and are hotter. On the other hand, they are more absorbent.
Prefolds are usually made from cotton or a mix of cotton and hemp, or cotton and bamboo. Hemp and bamboo prefolds are usually made of 2-3 layers of fabric, as both fabrics are far more absorbent than cotton.
How to use prefold cloth diapers
Prefold diapers can be wrapped around your baby like a traditional flat diaper, in which case you will need a snappi or pins to hold them together. Alternatively they can simply be folded into thirds and held in place with a well-fitted diaper cover. Either way they will need a good cover to keep them from leaking (this applies to all cloth diapers, except all-in-ones). For an older baby most people recommend using a snappi to hold the diaper in place, as once the baby gets more mobile the prefold will shift around and leaks onto the cover are more likely.
As with flat diapers, the best way to fold your prefold depends on whether you are folding it for a girl or a boy.
For a girl, to fold you prefold to fit into a cover without the need for snappies, you fill fold it in thirds so that each panel is folded into thirds and the thick middle panel still sits in the middle (as opposed to simply folding the two out panels onto it).
For a boy, you can vary this so that you create more absorbency at the front. Fold one end of the diaper in about a quarter of the way (again, ensuring that you folding over the end of all three panels). Now fold both sides in to the half way mark. Turn the diaper over and place it into your cover, so that the smooth, unfolded side will rest against your baby.
You can also use a liner over the diaper to keep your baby’s skin dryer and ensure an easier clean up.
For more prefold folds, see How To Fold Prefold Diapers, Step-By-Step Instructions.
This video demonstrates four different ways to fold prefold diapers, both with and without a snappy.
Also use prefolds for…
Like flat diapers, good quality prefolds will last well past the diaper years of your first child, to be re-used not only for subsequent children but for burp cloths, for wiping up spills, for covering seats and even for blankets for your children’s dolls and teddies. They can also be used to as stuffers for pocket diapers, or as an extra layer in fitted cloth diapers.
In short, no matter what form of cloth diaper you decide to use, a few prefolds in your diaper bag will never go astray.
