Cloth diaper

Cloth diaper is a reusable diaper made from natural fibers, man-made materials, or a combination of both. They are often made from industrial cotton which may be bleached white or left the fiber’s natural color. Other natural fiber cloth materials include wool, bamboo, and unbleached hemp. Man-made materials such as an internal absorbent layer of microfiber toweling or an external waterproof layer of polyurethane laminate (PUL) may be used. Polyester fabrics microfleece or suedecloth are often used inside cloth diapers as a "stay-dry" wicking liner because of the non-absorbent properties of those synthetic fibers.

History

Cloth diapers have been used for centuries. The concept of cloth diapering has evolved over time from using pieces of old clothing or other absorbent materials, to the modern designs we see today with multiple layers of fabric and a waterproof cover. The first form of 'diaper' was a type of garment worn by the ancient Greeks, Romans, and other early civilizations. These early diapers were made from animal skins, moss, and other natural resources.

Types of Cloth Diapers

There are several types of cloth diapers, including:

• Prefold cloth diapers: These are made of multiple layers of fabric sewn together in a rectangle shape. They are typically fastened with diaper pins or a snappi.

• Fitted cloth diapers: These are contoured to the shape of a baby and fastened with snaps or hook and loop closures.

• Pocket cloth diapers: These have a waterproof outer layer and a stay-dry inner layer, with a pocket opening in which to insert absorbent inserts.

• All-in-one cloth diapers: These are the most like a disposable diaper. The absorbent layer is sewn into the outer layer, so there's no need for folding or stuffing.

• Hybrid cloth diapers: These have a waterproof outer layer and a removable absorbent layer. They can be used with a cloth insert or a disposable insert.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Cloth diapers have several benefits over disposable diapers. They are more environmentally friendly, as they can be reused multiple times. They are also more cost-effective in the long run, despite a higher initial cost. Some parents also prefer them for health reasons, as they do not contain the chemicals found in disposable diapers.

However, cloth diapers also have some drawbacks. They require more work to clean and maintain than disposable diapers. They also need to be changed more frequently, and can be less convenient to use when out and about.

See Also

• Diaper
• Disposable diaper
• Diapering