Which cloth diapers to buy

Plus, they were just cute. Cloth diapers have created a new niche in the diaper market — not just fledgling parents looking to cut costs and keep their kids alive and quiet for another day, but people interested in making a statement. They were wearable social and political statements. Social media is the perfect breeding ground for competition, and advertisers have used the medium to launch the popularity of many baby-related products, including cloth diapers.

The truth behind the great cloth diaper debate is also the truth behind most parenting decisions: there is no such thing as perfect parenting. There are no winners in the Mommy Wars, only profits. It might be time to consider lighting it on fire. Looking for a quick way to keep up with the never-ending news cycle? Host Sean Rameswaram will guide you through the most important stories at the end of each day. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Ove r cast , or wherever you listen to podcasts.

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Are cloth diapers really any better for the environment, your wallet, or your baby? Share this story Share this on Facebook Share this on Twitter Share All sharing options Share All sharing options for: Are cloth diapers really any better for the environment, your wallet, or your baby? Reddit Pocket Flipboard Email. View this post on Instagram. Most cloth diapers require a booster pad for nighttime protection.

Not GroVia O. Another perk: This cloth diaper has both a removable hook-and-loop closure and snap closures. The O. E is an all-in-one, one-size diaper that fits babies from 10 to over 35 pounds. Buy it: GroVia O.

The most budget-friendly cloth diapering option will always be a prefold, which is used with a separate cover. Tip: Wash these about three times prior to diapering to remove natural oils and ensure maximum absorbency. Prefolds by OsoCozy come in a pack of six and are available in two sizes one for babies weighing 7 to 15 pounds; another for those weighing 15 to 30 pounds. You can also triple-fold these and use them as inserts in pocket diapers, making these one of the best cheap cloth diapers in town.

Charlie Banana is one of the very best cloth diapers with disposable inserts. The starter pack comes with 12 highly-absorbent, washable, and ultra-soft inserts. Many parents like that you load the insert from the front not the back.

Charlie Banana is a one-size-fits-all cloth diaper that ups the customization quotient with two rows of snaps. If organic is a must for you and your baby, know that Charlie Banana is also one of the best organic cloth diapers around. Rumparooz is another awesome one-size-fits-all choice that adjusts to fit wee newborns up through the potty-training years.

Snaps make for easy modifications. A big reason that these are one of the best pocket cloth diapers on the marker is the double inner-leg gussets—or turbo-charged hem. This soft seal works to keep even the messiest of messes contained. Finally, Rumparooz comes with two microterry inserts that can be combined to up the absorbency for babies who are heavy wetters. Smart Bottoms is made from both organic cotton and sustainable hemp, making it incredibly soft and super-absorbent.

In fact, this all-natural double-layer blend boasts 30 percent more absorbency than Smart Bottoms prior organic diaper. We recommend this product for anyone who wants a versatile cover for pre-folds, fitteds, or inserts that can be trusted to handle some heavy-duty messes. The Imagine Baby Pocket Snap is one of the top-performing diapers in our tests and one of the lower-priced products. This pocket diaper has a four-layer microfiber insert that soaks up liquid and locks it away from the baby's skin and earned a relatively high score in our absorbency tests.

The soft micro-fleece fabric lines the entire diaper and does a great job of keeping the baby comfortable and dry. The pocket opening is wider than some of the competition, making it easier to stuff and prepare. It is large enough to allow more than one insert inside if you have a heavy wetter or use it overnight. We appreciate the double row of waist snaps that keep the diaper in place. This feature also helps to relieve single points of pressure around the tummy. Although it only has a single-leg gusset, we had no problems with leakage.

The Imagine Baby can be bulky, and we wish it came with a smaller insert for younger infants. However, for older babies, this extra bulk means extra absorbency. Without it, the diaper wouldn't be nearly as absorbent, and we feel this is a small price to pay for better absorbency.

As with any pocket diaper, you'll need to put in a little more work before a diaper change. You must take the time to stuff the insert, which is the price you pay for performance. The combination of above-average performance and a budget-friendly price tag of the Imagine Baby make it tough to beat.

We tested the Flip with the matching Flip Stay Dry Insert , and we think they are an award-winning combo. Most hybrid systems fit a little trimmer than other types, and the Flip is no exception. It is small enough to almost look like a disposable diaper under regular baby clothes. It is simple to lay the single microfiber insert in the cover and adjust it to fit, while a double row of waist snaps helps with fit and comfort. It is easy to get a proper fit, and despite only having a single gusset, we didn't experience any leaks during testing.

With an above-average score for absorbency, it is on the upper end, and we are happy with its performance.

Since this is a hybrid system, there is nothing to hold the insert in place aside from the cover, so if you do not fasten the snaps securely, it may move around as the baby moves, causing more of a mess. With any single gusset diaper, blowouts are possible as there is less protection than a second gusset design. Because the insert and cover are two parts, this system requires extra prep before each change, but the post-change clean-up is more straightforward. We like this one size fits all hybrid and find that it works well on most babies.

This perk can save you a chunk of change and prevent the need to purchase different sizes as your baby grows. It is an economical hybrid system that measures up to the competition. The GroVia O. It is an all-in-one AIO product with foolproof snap-in inserts that allow you to tailor absorbency levels. The double row of waist snaps is easy to adjust, and the cozy microfleece lining has some outstanding wicking properties.

This diaper is ideal for babies who need frequent diaper changes or for overnight use. If you prefer Velcro, the O. Some prefer this method for faster diaper changes. As the bulkiest diaper of the group, our attempts to put clothing over the diaper were somewhat comical. The numerous layers also take a much longer time to dry, even when snapped apart.

Although many users rave about absorbency, GroVia recommends washing the diaper times before first use. We find it doesn't reach maximum absorbency until much later, more like 9 to 10 wash cycles. Investing the time to launder this diaper multiple times before use ensures that you get the full absorbency that makes the GroVia O.

Overall, we were pleased with this absorbent, high-quality diaper, and some may appreciate its optional Velcro closure tab. Read Review: GroVia O. The simplicity of the bumGenius Freetime makes it a favorite among parents. It is an AIO diaper that requires no snapping, stuffing, or folding. This diaper has two inserts sewn into the diaper on one end only. They then layer over each other for a double absorbency that can be adjusted and customized as needed.

We like that this system keeps the diaper in one piece yet allows the inserts to separate for quicker drying. The top side of the polyester inserts has a lining of stay-dry fabric that keeps the baby from feeling soggy. Plus, there is a handy pocket sewn into each insert's underside if your little one requires more inserts for extra absorbency.

A downside of being an AIO system is that you must wash the Freetime diaper in its entirety after every diaper change. It also cannot be machine dried, so it will take longer to dry, which means you may need to purchase more diapers than you would with other systems. This diaper gets a bit bulky, and if your baby doesn't need both inserts, you can't remove them.

This diaper only has a single gusset, which could result in increased leakage, though we didn't experience any leaks during testing. Despite these drawbacks, this is a great and versatile diaper. We would recommend it for first-time cloth users or those looking for simplicity. Read Review: bumGenius Freetime. We love its simplicity and durability and the bamboo cotton blend is very soft. It is all-natural, so you can feel better about what is next to the baby's skin and what you're contributing to the environment.

Thanks to their simple square design, these prefolds are super versatile and can be used for more than diapering down the road. Many parents use them as burp cloths, bibs, or a handy rag for inevitable messes. We like to use these combined with the Thirsties Duo Wrap cover. A downside to any prefold is that there is a lot more prep. Also, there's a learning curve to folding, positioning, then fastening cloth properly.

This prep is not something every parent wants. You can use this product with only a cover, but we recommend using a cloth diaper fastener to hold them in place.

We found reports of fabric staining, which is a looks only concern, as it can be cleaned and reused. If you choose to purchase this prefold, you'll need to account for some significant shrinkage. However, OsoCozy is clear about this and considers this during sizes. As one of the most cost-effective options on the market, you must be willing and able to dedicate extra time to each diaper change. If you make it past the learning curve, we think that OsoCozy Prefolds are a great economical option that you can remain useful past the diaper days.

Cloth diapers are usually way too big for the average newborn, so many parents opt to go with disposables in the beginning. It is an AIO style, with two absorbent inserts sewn into the liner. The fabric is a natural cotton-hemp blend with a waterproof polyester outer cover. With two snap adjustments for the rise and four waist adjustments, this diaper can be tiny , making it perfect for new babies and premies. Unfortunately, this diaper only fits babies from lbs, and your little one will outgrow it fairly quickly.

So you'll need to have larger diapers on hand. Also, the Newborn AIO has comparable or higher prices than the others with a much shorter usage range. The inserts are not removable, and there is no pocket, so you cannot customize absorbency. We appreciate the natural fiber interior, but the wicking properties are not excellent and may leave your baby feeling damp.

However, the natural fibers may still be worth the trade-off for those caregivers who are particularly concerned about what touches their baby's skin. The Newborn All In One from Thirsties is the perfect solution for the newborn period, especially for those looking to avoid disposable diapers altogether.

Consider Blueberry Trainers for the next step in potty training. As a partially absorbent training pant, it can hold small leaks while still allowing your toddler to feel when they are wet. The pull-up style undies come in various fun colors and patterns and are ideal for toddlers who have daytime potty training under control. If an accident were to happen, Blueberry Trainers could be the difference between cleaning up a puddle on the floor versus a simple underwear change. Extra absorbency equals extra bulk, so you may have a little trouble fitting them under regular-sized clothing that doesn't stretch.

Many users report that there is a lot of pilling on the fabric over time. However, ideally you won't be using these for very long, so durability shouldn't be a big problem. We like that Blueberry makes a training pant that adds an intermediate step to bridge the gap between diapers and grown-up underwear. We think that these would be great for any child who needs a little backup.

Read Review: Blueberry Trainers. This cloth swim diaper has a PUL waterproof cover lined with mesh on the inside. Crunchy, vinyl underwear-style diaper covers have been replaced by stylish water-resistant polyester covers that rely on snaps to adjust in size as babies grow.

The experts we talked to agreed: No single diaper works well for all caregivers and babies. Much of the difference comes down to personal aesthetic preference, how well different diapers fit on a particular child, how comfortable caregivers are interacting with body fluids, and the at-home laundering routine.

Some brands sell both diaper and insert together as a set, or even attached; others have you select your covers and inserts separately. The main options are:. Prefolds and add-on diaper covers: This is the modern version of the traditional cloth-diapering setup. Parents may secure the prefold with a three-pronged elastic Snappi , which is less likely to poke a baby than a safety pin, before covering the diaper with a waterproof shell.

These types of diapers are often offered by diaper services and are the traditional type of diaper parents used before disposable diapers became commonplace in the s.

Using prefolds and separate shells is generally the least expensive way to cloth diaper. This setup tends to work with smaller newborns better than other types of cloth diapers, which are usually intended for use with babies who weigh at least 8 to 10 pounds. Because the shell is simply wrapped around the prefold, you may be able to reuse an unsoiled shell several times before washing it, a significant advantage when you have a newborn, as newborns typically go through 12 to 16 diapers a day.

But the advantages of prefolds wane when a child is bigger, pees less often but in larger volumes, and poops fewer times per day. Prefolds can also shift inside the cover.

This is less of a problem when an infant is largely still, but you may prefer a more secure diaper that stays in place better for a wiggly, growing baby.

Cover diapers or wrap diapers: These are similar to the prefold-and-cover setup but with a design that eliminates the use of a Snappi. The included insert is either shaped to lie flat in the cover on its own, or snaps in. Like with prefolds and covers, this type of diaper allows you to avoid washing the cover after every use, since it likely will not be soiled every time.

Hybrid diapers: Hybrid diapers are a type of cover diaper which can be used with either a cloth insert or a disposable insert similar to a mini disposable diaper. Some parents prefer these because they allow the occasional convenience of disposable use without taking a child out of cloth. Pocket diapers: Introduced in the early s, pocket diapers are often credited with starting a renaissance of sorts for cloth diapering. The pocket design eliminates the need for safety pins or a Snappi to keep the insert in place.

You stuff an insert or two, if you want more absorbency into a pocket that runs the length of the diaper. All-in-one diapers: This type of diaper attaches the insert permanently to the shell. The advantage: no time spent stuffing the insert into a pocket and no need to remove a soiled insert from the pocket before washing. All the diaper manufacturers we spoke to mentioned the increase in popularity of all-in-one diapers over the past several years, as the design has improved.

To determine which cloth diapers to test, we made a list of every brand and model we could find, ending up with more than Based on what we learned from our research and conversations with experts, as well as my own four years of cloth diapering, we determined that a quality cloth diaper should have several attributes.

We found that making objective absorbency comparisons between brands is difficult, though, as inserts come in a number of different shapes and sizes and many diaper brands encourage you to double up on inserts at night or if you know your child is a heavy wetter. We looked for trends in user reviews and eliminated brands that seemed to have above-average reports of leaking from consideration. Some diaper brands will simply fit certain kids better than others.

Overall, we searched for brands that, according to parents, result in relatively few leaks. Intuitive to use and easy to adjust for size: We wanted a diaper that would be relatively straightforward for uninitiated caregivers to figure out how to use, easy to put on a baby, but difficult for kids to undo themselves. Several of the diapers we considered are available with either Velcro or snaps.

Based on our personal experience with different types of diapers and what we found in reviews, we concluded that diapers that use snaps are better than those that use Velcro. All of the diapers that made our finalist list use snaps to close, as well as to adjust for size as a baby grows.

Durable: A great cloth diaper should stand up long enough to be used by consecutive siblings or passed down to another family. We looked for diapers with a solid history of user reviews indicating that they have this type of longevity. Straightforward to clean: While individual washing routines and machines will vary, a quality diaper will be easy to clean without staining.

We examined user reviews to help assess which diapers are more difficult to keep clean than others. Diverse in design: For many parents, part of the appeal of cloth diapering is picking fun colors and patterns to outfit their baby.

We favored brands that offer a wide array of broadly appealing colors and designs. After considering the qualities of different diapers and carefully assessing reviews of the diapers on our original list of 30, we narrowed our contenders down to nine:. We first assessed how easy and intuitive each diaper is to snap closed, pull open, and adjust for size.