Cloth Diapering 101: Prefolds and Flats

What's a flat?

If you're like me, when you hear the term flat used as a noun, you think of a box of peaches. But when you're speaking of diapers, it refers to a single layer of fabric you fold and lay in the diaper cover. You can make your own, but I wouldn't recommend it. They are the cheapest type of diaper to buy, so it's not like you're spending big bucks in the first place. You can buy the cheap cotton flats sold by Gerber...but mine absorbed so little I kept using them for burp rags. I prefer my bamboo flat from Nicki's Diapers. To use a flat, you fold it until it fits inside your cover, snap the cover around the baby, and change the flat when it's wet.

How's a prefold different than a flat? 

They're both absorbent pieces of fabric....

A prefold is more than one layer of fabric. (So, you don't have to 'fold' it into layers.) I have used the Gerber prefolds and the Econobum prefolds. Both are cotton, but the Econobum has more layers than Gerber. So, when I want a trim diaper that I don't mind changing every few hours, I pull out the Gerbers.

How to Fold a Flat

1. Fold the diaper into fourths (half, and half again, making a square).

2. Fold the diaper into thirds. TA-DA!

Using Flats inside a Diaper Cover

This is the best part of flats-just lay it inside the diaper cover.

How to Fold a Prefold

1. Fold the fabric into thirds.

2. Fan one end of the diaper.

Using Prefolds inside a Diaper Cover

The Easy Way

1. Lay the diaper (folded into thirds) inside the cover.

2. Fold the front of the diaper back to fit inside the cover.

Pinning a Prefold

1. With the fan of the diaper under the baby's rear, bring the folded end up to the front.

2. Fold the top of the diaper down as needed to fit the baby.

3. Pin the fanned part to the front, making sure it is tight around the baby's legs.

4. Put a diaper cover on.