What is the difference between prefolds and inserts

Long thin inserts are also sometimes called snake inserts as they are long and thin, a bit like a snake. For both types of trifold, they fold into three and then are snapped into, or inserted into the nappy. Cloth nappy trifold inserts come in many different fabrics, our dinky nappy trifolds are made of bamboo and microfibre, but they also come in other fabrics, most commonly hemp and cotton. Prefolds are a nappy in their own right, usually used with a cover over the top, they can also be used as an insert in a pocket nappy or booster in snap in one nappy.

Prefolds are so called because they are in effect flat nappies that have been sewn, so that they need less folding. They have a thicker panel through the centre and are rectangle in shape. To be used as either a nappy or an insert, they need folding in three, in much the same way that a trifold needs to be folded. Prefolds usually come in cotton, but bamboo ones are also available.

Both make great inserts for pocket nappies. Cotton prefolds make great inserts for nappies, but bamboo ones are in some ways even better. They are thinner and absorb more liquid. So, which would be the better option for your babies nappies?

Soakers are also sometimes incorporated into fitted diapers for example, the snap-in soaker in the Bamboozle from TotsBots. Boosters are used with a soaker to provide extra absorbency.

Boosters are also often added to all-in-one diapers for heavy-wetters and for overnight use. Soakers and doublers are most commonly made with natural fibers such as hemp and cotton, and also bamboo. If you plan to use a doubler made of microfiber or Zorb soaker, you'll want to make sure that it incorporates another layer of fabric next to baby's skin, to avoid dryness. NOTE: Wool diaper covers are sometimes also called soakers.

These are not absorbent, so we won't talk about wool soakers in this article! You can read more about wool soakers at Types of Cloth Diapers. You don't even need to know how to sew to make your own stay-dry liners. Microfleece won't unravel, so making your own liners is as easy as cutting up a piece of fleece! Cloth diaper inserts are often made of cotton, hemp, bamboo, microfiber, or Zorb.

For soakers, the absorbent material is sometimes topped with microfleece such as the Soft Bums Echo microfiber soaker , or cotton or bamboo velour. Cotton is one of the oldest and most familiar fabrics used in cloth diapers.

This natural fabric is affordable, absorbent, and available everywhere! Fitted diapers and some all-in-ones use knit cotton, but prefolds and many other inserts are made of woven fabric. Infant prefolds can be folded into thirds to make good cloth diaper inserts for your pocket diapers, too. Bamboo fleece is a popular option for cloth diapers.

It is super soft, wicks moisture away quickly, and can keep your baby comfortable even when wet. There is, however, some misunderstanding about the eco-friendly nature of bamboo fabrics. Bamboo fleece is essentially a synthetic, not a natural fabric. Our article on bamboo fleece will give you more information so you can make an informed decision. Hemp inserts are a real work-horse in the cloth diapering world - they are durable and super thirsty! They have two parts, the cover and then an absorbent piece that is usually snapped onto the cover.

Many prefer this style because they are easy to put together, as you just snap and unsnap the insert, without any guesswork. Not all inserts are interchangeable between brands, so it can be an issue if they get mixed up.

However, overall, many do prefer this option for the ease as well. Pocket diapers are stuffed by putting the absorbent material inside a pocket between the water-resistant shell and a built-in liner which is usually a stay-dry fleece.

Unlike the AIO, the pocket diaper is not absorbent if you do not add your inserts to it. New pocket diapers usually come with microfiber inserts, but any absorbent material can be used inside them. What many people love about pocket diapers is that you can customize your absorbency with different types of inserts such as microfiber, bamboo, hemp, prefolds, and more.

A downside to pockets is the stuffing — not everyone enjoys it, and some find choosing from different absorbent materials to be challenging. Covers and Prefolds are another two part system. Prefolds are often used as burp cloths in non-cloth diapering families, and come in a variety of sizes, from preemie to toddler size. Some find them intimidating because it can take a bit of time to figure out how to fold the prefolds, but there is room for error.

Fortunately, there are many helpful videos on YouTube showing the various ways they can be folded. While there are some families that like to use safety pins to secure the prefolds, others use Snappis or Boingos, which act similar to Ace bandage clips and are very simple to use. Since prefolds alone are not waterproof, you need to pair them with a cover aka shell , which is the water-resistant layer.

Even though I initially perceived prefolds and covers as the most challenging system, I ultimately found that these worked the best for my family and kids. They are the most economical as well — covers are not that expensive, and you can choose what kind of absorbency you want to add. Because you are free to use whatever inserts you want, you can use a light insert for during the day, and double up on inserts for night time or during naps.

PRO: Dries fast, adjustable absorbency. CON: You have to stuff them. The biggest benefit to fitted diapers is that they are very absorbent and contain messes really well. Fitted diapers and covers are one of the most reliable systems, especially for babies who are heavy wetters and for overnight diapering. PRO: Most absorbent diaper style.

CON: You have to put a separate cover. Prefolds and Flats: A Prefold diaper is a rectangular piece of cloth divided into 3 sections where the middle layer is the absorbent layer.