Cloth Diapers: How do I choose?
- rememberprov356
- Oct 22, 2025
- 7 min read
I did so much research on cloth diapers before my first was born, in part because I was excited but mostly because I wanted to make the right decision. With so many brands, materials, and styles to choose from, it can quickly become overwhelming when deciding which type of cloth diaper you want to use. I thought I would share my journey in choosing a cloth diaper for my child, as well as tips on how to choose cloth diapers that best suit your needs.
My experience with cloth diapers
When I was first looking at cloth diapers, I immediately was drawn to the pocket diapers. Many people online that I followed used those diapers, and they came in so many fun colors and designs. They seemed to be the most customizable diapers on the market, and you could find them at a decent price point as well. Since they have many rows of snaps on the front for closure, they can fit your child from birth to potty training. Not only that, but their pocket design allows you to use as few or as many inserts as you need to suit your child’s needs. I had bought about 30 pocket diapers secondhand with lots of various inserts months before my daughter was born, and I tucked them away, excited to try them out.
Popular pocket diapers:
The second type of cloth diaper I considered was an all-in-one (AIO) diaper. These diapers are the most expensive type of cloth diaper, though they are very convenient in the sense that the inserts are attached to the diaper itself (unlike the pocket diaper). This means that you have fewer little pieces to keep track of, and you don’t have to “stuff” diapers. They function basically the exact same as a disposable diaper except that you can wash and reuse them from birth to potty training. I had really wanted to try these but knew it wasn’t feasible with our budget, so initially I dismissed the idea of using AIO diapers. However, one of my extended family members had some AIOs that she didn’t need anymore so she handed down a bunch of her stash to me to try out.
All-in-one diapers:
The third type of cloth diaper I considered was the hybrid diaper. These are diapers that have an AIO type insert but also have a separate waterproof cover that you use over the insert. The idea behind this is that you only have 15-30 inserts (depending on your child’s age and your washing schedule) and 5-10 waterproof covers, since you don’t need to change the cover every single diaper change. This cuts down on storage space and dry time for your diapers. These also tend to be very expensive, but again, I thankfully received some hand-me-downs of the Esembly brand hybrid diaper to try out.
Hybrid diapers:
Finally, there are the good, old-fashioned pre-fold diapers. Made from muslin fabric, pre-fold diapers are large rectangles that have a thicker section down the middle to help with absorbency. I was intimidated by these since you have to fold them around your baby and secure them somehow, and as a first-time mom, these seemed way too daunting for me. There are so many different ways to fold your pre-fold diapers, and I thought that it would be a nightmare trying to do that while holding down a squirmy baby. Then after the diaper is secured, you place a waterproof cover over the pre-fold. Like the hybrid cloth diapers, you only need a couple of waterproof covers to get you between washings as you do not need to change them out with every diaper change. There were three main attractions to me when looking at the pre-fold diapers: material, cost, and ease of cleaning. Most of the pre-fold diapers I have seen are 100% cotton, and there several brands that offer organic, unbleached cotton as well. Most of the AIO diapers and pocket diapers contain microfiber, and while it may be a good material for absorption, I wanted to steer away from plastic in the diaper insert if possible. Of all the cloth diapers, these are also the most affordable, and they clean very easily as well since they are simply a large rectangle of fabric. You do have to buy 3-4 different sizes of pre-folds during the span of your diapering years. I bought some pre-folds to try out for my daughter, though I wasn’t expecting to use them as my primary diaper.
Pre-folds, flats, and waterproof diaper covers:
Cloth diapers in real-time
After my daughter was about a month old, I began cloth diapering. The first ones I pulled out were the pocket diapers, as those were the ones I had heard the most about and felt the most comfortable with. Unfortunately it was an immediate "no." There were two reasons why I did not like working with the pocket diapers: they were too big for a newborn and the prep was too much for me. I did not like that you had to pull the inserts out of the soiled pocket diapers in order to throw them in the wash. Also, the diaper was super bulky, and that was not just because my daughter was a newborn. Because you have to layer different inserts in the diaper, it can get really big really fast. So all those pocket diapers I had lovingly stored were sent to a new home.
The next cloth diaper type I tried was the hybrid diaper. That too had its pros and cons. I liked that it snapped on securely and that it had a gusset around the legs to help against blowouts. However, whenever I would change the diaper, the liner would be thoroughly soaked, and it was difficult to unsnap to throw into the laundry bag. I also had difficulty washing them, as the dry time was so long. Because of this, I decided to forgo trying the AIO diapers, as I was concerned that they would have similar issues. In fact, I could see that one or two of the AIO diapers that I was handed down had some mold spots on the inside of the liner (nothing against the person who gave them to me, I was very thankful!). But from that I could tell the AIO diapers would be difficult to dry thoroughly as well. With those options exhausted, I turned to the pre-fold diapers.
The pre-fold diapers in my mind were going to be a last resort as I had so many “easier” options. But when I reached for them on the second week of cloth diapering, I immediately knew that these were the ones for me. First of all, the folding isn’t as intimidating as it seems. It was actually easier for me personally to fold the pre-folds than it was to stuff the pocket diapers before each change. They also are so soft and actually feel like they would be comfortable, whereas the others were more stiff and not as cushiony. And cleaning them was a breeze! Since they are simple rectangles, I knew they were getting clean every wash and it took half the dry time compared to the pocket diapers or AIOs. This quickly became my favorite way to cloth diaper.
Choosing a cloth diaper for yourself
In my research and experience, I found that the main aspects you have to consider when choosing cloth diapers are cost, material, and ease of use. First, you have to consider the cost. From what I have seen, you can save money by cloth diapering versus disposable diapering no matter which brand/type of cloth diaper you choose (especially if you are going to be using them on several kids). However, there are some that are way more economical than others. Pre-folds and flats are the least expensive, running from $1.50-$5 per diaper depending on the size and whether you buy regular cotton or organic, unbleached cotton. Along with the pre-folds and flats you will also need to purchase covers, which have a huge range of pricing. Pocket diapers are in the mid-range price bracket and generally are between $2-$12 per diaper. Hybrid and AIO diapers have the highest price range and can easily reach up to $25 per diaper.
The second thing you need to consider when choosing a cloth diaper is the material. Most of the pocket diapers have a polyester lining that comes in direct contact with the baby, and some AIO diapers have that as well. I would advise choosing only cotton, organic cotton when possible, for anything that comes into direct contact with your baby. Polyester is not breathable, and it can shed microplastics while being worn and washed. There are some AIO diapers that have organic cotton interiors, the same with some hybrid diapers. Pre-folds and flat diapers are generally always made out of 100% cotton and are easy to find in organic unbleached cotton as well.
Finally, the last aspect you need to consider when looking for a cloth diaper is ease of use: for YOU! One size does not fit all when it comes to cloth diaper types, each family is going to be very different in what works best. If you have the opportunity, try out a couple different types of cloth diapers before buying a whole stash of a specific type you think you are going to like. They are an investment, and you don’t want to feel stuck in one particular type of diaper if it is not working for you. Find a couple second hand and see if you like their fit and function.
Choosing cloth diapers can easily lead to burnout when you realize all the different types to consider, but just remember that the best way to figure it out is by trial and error. The diapers I ended up loving were the ones I had put in the back of the closet “just in case” all the others didn’t work. Don’t stick yourself in a particular mold because of what a family member or influencer said, but do your research and don’t be afraid to try out a couple to find what you like.
You’ve got this, mama!
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