Prefolds, flats and fitteds; Options

(Also covers flats and fitteds) Prefolds and flats are fabric you fold around your baby and hold into place with pins. These are what most people picture as being what grandma used. Prefolds have a thicker section in the center for extra absorbency and thinner sections on each side. This appears as three sections and they are often quilted to some degree. Flats are just flat pieces of absorbent cloth one folds in a manner to add absorbency to the center and then wrap around baby. Fitteds are shaped and sewn in a way that conforms to baby. Fitteds may come with snaps or velcro or may be held in place with a fastener. Fitted and prefolds are held in place with a fastener such as pins, snappies or boingos. All options can be used alone, or with a waterproof cover. Most people choose to use a cover to keep clothing and bedding dry. The most common covers are wool and PUL. Both come in a variety of options.

Here we look at some prefold options available on the market for you. There are a few different fibers you will find most prevalent as well as a few options for fabric style.

*Hemp
*Bamboo
*Cotton

*Birds eye
*China
*Indian

These three are going to be the three you find most readily available with cotton being easiest to find and likely the cheapest. Birds eye fabric has a texture to it that is said to look like birds eyes. China prefolds are the very common semi quilted ones readily available. Indian are higher end and often unbleached, organic and natural. All options come in a variety from white bleached to natural to dyed usually a light green or blue.

Flats are pretty basic and other than coming in different size and fabric they are all pretty well the same, flat pieces of fabric.

Prefolds come in three or more different sizes. There are some in newborn or even premie size, standard regular sized, and xl or larger for bigger babies. These are often sold by weight ad this displays how large of a baby they will comfortably fit around.

Fitteds have the most variety, some are as simple as a shaped prefold you fasten to your child, some have layers of fleece or terry, some have snaps or velcro. These will come in a variety of sizes to fit your child.

You can add soakers/ doublers/ inserts to any of these options. Just make sure if it will be by childs skin it is not micro fiber.

And here is a link to show some different sizes of prefolds and ways of securing them. Of course the web is full of sources and examples. http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/prefolds.html