The different type of diaper enclosures

There are many diaper brands sold in the market. Most of them are sold online in Malaysia. Although there are many types, their designs don't differ that much. One thing to note is that the different design of these diapers enclosure and by diapers in here, i'm referring to the non-traditional type which are much like disposables' shape. So here are the types that i've come to know:

1) Velcro:

This is much like the style of disposables. Easy to put on the baby. These velcros are normally the strong typed that is durable. They stick even after frequent use. However, there might be other diaper brands which uses a non-durable type of velcro which a lot of customers might face problem with. But so far, i've seen and used Happy Heiny's, Drybees and Freshbots and their velcro are strong!

However, although this type is easy to put on the baby, it is also easy for the baby to undo it. Just put it this way, your baby is smart. After a few times using it she will also try to play with the velcro. My daughter does it too! That's why i wear her pants / skirts so she doesn't have the direct access to the diaper she's wearing.


2) Snap:

This is used in Fuzzibunz. You snap them shut or you open them back, like a push button. So far, I've found 2 different types of snap designs, namely one on Fuzzibunz and the other on Green Acre Design (GAD) diapers. These designs are trimmer than the velcro typed. Although both Fuzzibunz and GAD uses snaps, their different designs make them unique in their own way. The snaps in Fuzzibunz are designed such that you can control the size of the baby's waist and also the baby's leg casings. This is not something that GAD can do much.

Although most people think that using Snap would be difficult on your impatient baby, i think it's not that bad. You can snap the top row first, then the baby can be standing/sitting to have the second row adjusted and snapped. With snap, it is harder for your baby to undo them.

Fuzzi Bunz Pocket Diaper

GAD Pocket Diaper

3) Hook:

I have not used this, although i do have one in stock (Wahmies OS). It looks so complicated to be used, what's more with the instruction. But, i think by examining its details, it shouldn't be that hard to use. But, in my opinion, it is more difficult than using snaps. This type is trimmer than other diaper enclosures. That's what 'they' say but i've not tried it. I do believe that it might be true because by comparing it with other diapers, their size are a bit smaller/compact than others with different enclosure types. You may get this type of diaper, specifically Wahmies OS from miabambina.com or ezmotherhood.com (Online Malaysia Retailers).

Wahmies Pocket Diaper

Cloth Diaper Types

There are 4 major types of Cloth Diaper:

1) PREFOLD

- Requires a wrap or a cover
- May require a fastener such as pins or a snappi
- Usually made of cotton, gauze, Birdseye flannel, hemp, or velour.
- This are made of fabric and is almost similar to the traditional
cloth diapers except that the middle part of it is a bit thicker

2) FITTED

- Requires a wrap or a cover
- Usually fastens with snaps or hook and loop (velcro), sometimes
a snappi or pins may be used.
- Outer and inner layers are not waterproof and may consist of
many different fabrics types.
- A doubler will increase absorbency.
- Usually has elastic and legs and back area.
- Made from a variety of materials: organic cotton, bamboo, hemp,
terry cloth, sherpa
- Example: Freshbots EASI Fitted

3) POCKET

- Does not requires a wrap or a cover - this feature is built in.
- Usually fastens with snaps or hook and loop (velcro)
- Outer layer is waterproof...usually made with PUL, Procare,
fleece, or wool.
- Requires and absorbent stuffer material to be placed in the
pocket before use.
- Usually has elastic and legs and back area.
- Example: Freshbots DryZ One-Size, Fuzzi Bunz

4) ALL-IN-ONE (AIO)

- Does not requires a wrap or a cover - this feature is built in.
- Usually fastens with snaps or hook and loop (velcro)
- Outer layer is waterproof...usually made with PUL, Procare,
fleece, or wool.
- A doubler will increase absorbency since it already has a soaker
built-in.
- Usually has elastic and legs and back area.

(source: diaperjungle.com)

Prefolds and Fitted diapers require the use of a diaper cover since their materials are not waterproof. Meanwhile, Pocket and AIO have outer layer that is waterproof. However, since AIO has its soaker sewn inside the pocket-like structure, it will take longer drying time. Whereas, the soakers/inserts in pocket diapers can be washed separately which result in a faster drying time.

There are 2 sizing options for Cloth Diapers (Excluding PREFOLDS):

1) MULTI-SIZE

This is when the diapers come in its individual sizes of S, M, L. Most of the types the diapers are only available in standard size. This is partly because the sizing of these cloth diapers are 'generous'. Unlike disposable diapers, where user tend to upgrade sizes quickly, the range of a specific cloth diaper size is bigger than what the dispos can cover. So, for example, if your child wears a size M dispos, he/she might still be on an S size with cloth diaper. Example: Fuzzi Bunz


2) ONE-SIZE

This is when the diaper can be adjusted to cater the 3 different sizes (S, M, L). This is usually done by adjusting the rise of the diaper through the use of snaps. For example, take a look at Freshbots DryZ One-Size. Aside from adjusting the waist, there are also method for adjusting the rise of diaper.

The advantage of One-size diapers are that they can be used for a long time, starting from the small setting until toddler. However, it may be bulky when placed on a small/medium setting, especially for pocket diapers. Sometimes, babies that are premature/newborn and large babies may not fit them and they might also outgrow the diapers faster than expected (if your baby is one of those chubby-typed babies :) ).