Cloth Diaper Glossary
Cloth diapers have a lingo of their own. Hopefully this glossary will help you make sense of it all!
AIO: All-in-One Diaper: An all-in-one cloth diaper has an absorbent inner and a waterproof outer which are sewn together. That's it- all you need in one. They are the closest you will get to disposable diapers, very simple to use.
AI2: All-in-Two Diaper: An All in Two or AI2 diaper is a two-part diapering system. An AI2 is usually made with a waterproof outer cover with an absorbent diaper or soaker attached in some way, typically the absorbant fabric is snapped into the cover.
Bamboo: Bamboo is a natural fiber made from bamboo. It is fast-growing and does not require pesticides or chemical fertilizers to grow. Being a natural fiber, it is also biodegradable. Bamboo is more absorbent than cotton and a little less absorbent than hemp. It is naturally antibacterial.
Cloth Diaper Cover: A cloth diaper cover is made from a waterproof or water-resistant fabric. They are necessary to use with fitted diapers. Some people like to lay a prefold or insert in it or use a flat diaper, which they change and they reuse the cover until an explosive poop takes it out! This is a very cost efficient way to cloth dipaer your baby.
Contour Diaper: A contour diaper is an absorbent trim diaper that does not have any fasteners, and sometimes no elastic either. The diaper cover is what holds it in place, although you could also use snappi's or pins for extra security.
Diaper Pail Liner: This is a waterproof bag that you put in your diaper pail, like a garbage bag. When you go to wash your cloth diapers you just empty the bag then toss it into the wash too. It keeps your diaper pail and your hands clean.
Doubler: An absorbent piece of fabric that can be added to a diaper for when more absorbency is needed.
Fitted Diaper: A fitted diaper is an absorbent diaper with elastic at the legs that fastens with snaps or Hook and Loop (like Velcro). They require a diaper cover since they are not moisture proof or moisture resistant.
Flat Diaper: A flat diaper is a simple square/rectangle of absorbent fabric that can be folded to fit most babies- the old school style. You can now get them not only in cotton, but bamboo, hemp and several other blends. You need to close them with a snappi or pins and use a diaper cover. You can also fold them to fit into your pocket diapers.
Fleece: There are two main kinds of fleece. One is made from synthetic fibers and is known as polar fleece or Microfleece. The other kind of fleece is made from cotton, bamboo, hemp or a combination of these. This natural fiber fleece is the same fabric that is commonly used for making sweatshirts. Natural fiber fleece can be used for a diaper inner, soaker or outer layer.
Hemp:
Hemp is a very popular cloth diaper natural fiber fabric, which is
really absorbent. It is fast-growing and is grown without pesticides or
chemicals. Amazingly, hemp actually improves the soil it grows in. It
is super durable and naturally antibacterial and antimicrobal. Why we
don't all use it for everything- I don't know! Hemp fabric is typically
blended with cotton for softness. Otherwise it would be rough, like
burlap.
Insert: An absorbent Soaker that can be added to any diaper for extra absorbancy. Great for nightime.
Liner: A layer of paper or fabric laid into a diaper to protect the diaper, to help keep baby's skin dry or to make transferring poop from diaper to tiolet easier.
Microfiber: A synthetic super absorbent fabric somtimes used to make soakers for pocket diaper inserts. It absorbs fast and dries after washing fast too. When compressed it will leak.
Microfleece: A synthetic fleece used to provide a stay-dry lining / barrier for cloth diapers. It is very trim, but not as soft as fleece.
One-Size Diaper: A diaper that has rows of snaps to fold and snap down in order to adjust the rise of the diaper so that it fits from a size small to size large.
Pocket Diaper: These have a moisture-wicking stay-dry lining and a waterproof outer layer. These diapers require stuffing- adding an absorbant insert or fabric which holds the wetness.
Prefold: A thick, absorbent rectangle of fabric that can be folded in a variety of ways to fit the baby or to stuff into your pocket diapers. If used alone, they require a diaper cover. They can be made from hemp, cotton, bamboo or other blends.
PUL:
Polyurethane laminate is a waterproof barrier that can be laminated to
polyester or cotton fabrics which makes the outside of pocket or AIO
diapers or diaper covers.
Sherpa:
A soft, brushed terry fabric used in making diapers. Most sherpa has
some polyester in it which makes it more durable. It is usually used to
make soakers.
Soaker: This is the absorbant inner part of a fitted or AIO diaper, which is usually from with several layers. Some fitted diapers also come with an extra soaker that snaps on if extra absorbancy is needed.
Suedecloth: A thin synthetic fabric used as a stay dry lining in pocket dipaers, AIO's and some fitteds. Like fleece, it allows moisture through and keeps baby's skin dry.
WAHM: A Work at Home Mom. In the cloth diaper world WHAM's are mom's who stay home and make cloth diapers and accessories.
Wet Bag: A waterproof bag, made of PUL, used for storing cloth diapers in your diaper bag.