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Pre-Fold Diapers
PROS
- Inexpensive
- Faster drying time
- Easier on environment
CONS
- More steps when changing diaper
- Require a cover, sometimes pins
COSTS
| Time Between Washes | # Needed | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 2-3 Days | 3 Dozen | $75-$100 |
| 1 Day | 2 Dozen | $50-$75 |
(video provided by bummis)
Prefold diapers are the cheapest path down the cloth diapering route. These are similar to the type of diapers that our mothers and grandmothers used. If you want to go about 2-3 days between washes you'll need two to three dozen, which are about as cheap as $1 each for cotton twill, and up to $3-$8 for organic or hemp. Its always cheaper and better for the environment if you get more, the washes will be less frequent. The pricier ones are organic, for mothers that are going cloth for the environment. The diapers are super durable, and can last through multiple children.
After your first purchase of prefolds, they should do little pre cleaning to get out all the waxes and oils from the cotton. This will make the diaper a bit more absorbent. If you got the Chinese type or hemp, they should go for about 8 cycles. The Indian or organic should go for 4-5. If your are wondering what the difference between the two, the chinese prefolds are sturdier, but the Indian prefolds are softer. Chinese prefolds last longer.
Should you use pins, a snappi, or nothing at all? Diaper covers allow most parents to side step any kind of fasteners like pins or a snappi and nothing but the cover is usually fine. However, should you encounter some leakage, switching from prefolds to fitted or contours is more convenient than using pins. I like the ease of use of the snappi, and with pins I always feel like there's a chance of poking the baby.
Why are they called prefold? The diaper is folded so that the center is twice as thick as the edges. Our mothers had a single ply diaper that they folded to double up in the center. This is all done for us now.
After you have the diaper on the baby, you just whip on the cover and your set! No much more difficult than a disposable, by you save money and the environment! For me, the coolest part about cloth diapering are the options you have for the diaper cover. They come in all different colors, camouflage, floral patterns, etc.