Cloth Diaper Types
I'm sure you've already read the myriad of reasons why cloth diapering is good for your baby, for your earth, for your budget and for you. If you haven't heard, it's pretty easy information to find without having to go very far. I DO believe that while cloth diapers do take some water to wash, water is a renewable resource and overall my opinion is that cloth is MUCH better all the way around. I'm not one to beat you over the head about the information or chase you down to shove it down your throat. If you ask, I will answer.
And as far as the "extra work" involved with cloth diapers...it's my opinion there isn't any! One of my greatest pleasures is washing cloth diapers and hanging them on the line to dry. Laundry isn't one of my most favorite jobs either, but there's something about cleaning adorable diapers that really makes me feel that much better about doing something great for my kids! As a side note, I would much rather stay home and stick a load of laundry in the washer than to have to get my kids dressed, put them in the car and drive to a grocery store or mega mart because I forgot to buy diapers. You talk about extra work!
I talk about long or short dry times with some of the diapers as a pro or con. Why would this matter you may ask? It matters because while I do hang my diapers out to dry on days when it's warm, if I need the dryer, I don't want to put the diapers in the dryer for 2+ cycles which is what it takes for some diapers to dry. There are new cloth diaper materials being used everyday. Some of them are quicker dry than others but usually the general rule is the more absorbency the diaper (i.e. the more absorbent layers sewn internally) the longer it takes to dry. I can't see the savings of using cloth when I'm spending the money to run them in the dryer for 2 or more cycles.
I guess it's best to start out simple. I'll try to explain things in the best way I know how. If you have questions, I hope to have answers. I'll give my opinion (pro and con) to each diaper and maybe it'll help you out a little :o). Please understand this information is strictly opinionated (but I will try to be as unbiased as possible).
Prefolds
Prefolds can be used for a great many things, the cheap ones can even be used for burp cloths! Prefolds can be used with pins or with devices that hold diapers on that are pin-less (A.K.A.Snappis). Many times prefolds can be the most economical way of cloth diapering. They don't always have to be pinned, many of today's wrap style waterproof covers simply require you to lay your folded prefold into the cover and put it on, far cry from sticking your baby with a pin, no?
Prefolds often times also work great for inserts in pocket or All in 2 style diapers, which we'll get into later. They have a great many uses!
Cons to prefolds: may be tricky to fold, somewhat bulky (in my opinion), may require use of closing device such as pins, and can take a bit longer to put on (opinion), and requires a waterproof cover. It's been my experience that for runny solids like that from breastfed infants, prefolds often leak some in the legs.
Pros to prefolds: can be inexpensive, VERY versatile, seem to last forever and can be used for house cleaning once your babies are out of diapers.
Contour diapers
are a cross between a fitted cloth diaper (which we'll discuss later) and a prefold. It doesn't require folding unless it's too long and in that case may be folded down in front, and can sometimes come with its own closure (snaps or velcro). It's called a contour because it contours to the shape of a baby, somewhat. It's usually less bulky than a prefold, can contain a little to a lot of absorbent layers, and can be made from a vast array of materials. Basically, it's a lot like a prefold except in the design. Normally these DO require a waterproof cover.
Cons to contours: Won't usually fit as long as a diaper that has elastic, may require the use of closing device like pins.
Pros to contours: Easier to use (opinion) than prefolds because they don't usually require folding, can be somewhat inexpensive.
Fitted cloth diapers
I started with fitted cloth diapers because I didn't like the idea of folding and pinning and I was afraid of beginning diaper sewing with fabric (PUL) that was $ 9+ a yard. SO, I chose flannel because it's soft, somewhat inexpensive and comes in ADORABLE prints. Fitted cloth diapers are basically a contour diaper with elastic. The elastic allows for a snug longer fitting fit than a prefold or contour cloth diaper.
Fitteds can come without or without closures, can be used with pins or snaps or velcro. They can be turned and topstitched (A.K.A. T&T where the diaper is sewn right sides together, flipped and then stitched again, sometimes they're just turned though and not stitched again), or they can be serged (think thread holding the two layers together all the way around) or they can be bound with Fold Over Elastic (A.K.A. FOE).
Fitted cloth diapers require the use of a waterproof cover unless otherwise stated (and in that case they'd normally be called an All In One, AIO, which we'll discuss later on).
Cons to fitteds: I can't think of any :o), I'm kidding. I guess the fact that they require a waterproof cover which can put some people off if they really like a one part system.
Pros: can fit a wider pound range because of the added elastic, most times will come with closures such as snaps or velcro, easy to use, can be inexpensive (BUT NOT ALWAYS!).
Now we'll get into what I call the modern systems of cloth diapers and I guess we'll start with an All In One (A.K.A. AIO).
All In One (AIO)
An All in One basically is a diaper that contains an inner layer against baby's skin, sewn in internal soaker layers in the very center of the diaper that you don't see and a waterproof outer material such as Polyurethane Laminate (A.K.A. PUL, which some pronounce pull or P-U-L). There are other waterproof/water resistant fabrics out there including Procare and some people even use shower curtains. I don't condone the use of shower curtains for cloth diapers but it's been done however! All In Ones are waterproof fitted diapers basically.
Cons to AIO's: Can be costly, can take a long time to dry because of the inner layers being sewn in.
Pros: waterproof layer built in=one part system, easy to use, can be lined with materials that are stay dry, can be trimmer than 2 part diaper/cover system.
Pocket Diaper
This can be a term for a type of fitted cloth diaper that needs a waterproof cover or can refer to an All In One type of diaper BUT does not contain the sewn in soaker layers. It usually has a pocket in front or back (or both) or some type of opening that allows you to insert absorbent material between the inside layer (next to baby) and outside layer. There are diapers that are both an AIO and a pocket in which case there would be absorbent layers sewn in with a pocket opening to insert additional layers in between the inner and outer layer if you so choose.
Con: has to be un-stuffed for washing and re-stuffed for wearing, can be inexpensive, requires the purchase and use of a separate insert which isn't attached.
Pros: can be lined with materials that are stay dry, allows you to adjust absorbency by adding or taking away inserts while still having stay dry material against baby, waterproof layer built in, can be trimmer than 2 part diaper/cover system.
All In 2 (A.k.A. AI2)
This type of diaper can either have a waterproof outer layer (as in an AIO) or not (as in a fitted) and will have 2+ body layers and then an insert or doubler that either lays in or attaches by velcro or snaps to the inner layer of the diaper. The doubler/insert is against baby and contains the absorbent layers.
Cons: insert may have long dry times, can be expensive
Pros: you may be able to get away with having more inserts/doublers than actual diapers because you may just be able to change out the insert/doubler unless soiled. The diaper itself normally dries fairly quickly. It's a somewhat easy to use system, maybe a little less time consuming than pockets but a little more time consuming than AIO's.
Covers
 As far as covers, those are pretty self explanatory. There's front closing styles with snaps or velcro, there's side closing, there's pull on, etc. They can be made from many things including PUL (polyurethane laminate), Procare, wool, water resistent fleece, etc. They can be solid colors or prints. They can come with or without leg gussets. Gussets can help contain messes especially those of breast fed babies with runny poo and for babies with thin legs.
Wondering about Wool?
 
Are you thinking, "wool??? EWWW. Yucky scratchy wool against MY baby's bottom?" Yes folks, wool! It's been around and actually USED as diapers covers since, well a LONG time ago. And if you're thinking yucky scratchy wool, think instead yummy luscious CASHMERE. Believe it or not there are a few sheep wools that are actually very soft especially when blended with things like angora rabbit hair, it's really quite wonderful!
Are you asking yourself if wool is really waterproof? It's not really waterproof as in say a plastic raincoat, but it is somewhat water resistant and it absorbs up to 30% of its own weight in liquid without feeling wet. Wool is a wonderful material for cloth diapering because it's cool in the summer and warm in the winter. That doesn't mean I recommend using wool pants in the middle of a hot California desert summer, but wool is a natural product and it breathes, so using wool products suitable for weather and climate is a smart choice!
Does wool take a lot of extra work? It takes some extra work. I do recommend all woolen items be washed by hand, but this is a pretty simple task in some warm water with mild soap (NOT WOOLITE). Some woolen items will need to be soaked in a product called lanolin and this comes in many different forms. I use a paste form and basically what it is is oil from sheep that is used naturally by the sheep to keep their wool waterproof when they are wearing their wool. For us, it means keeping our woolen good water resistant. Gently wring your woolen item being sure not to stretch it and hang or lay flat to dry. Viola, easy peesy!
I really don't have a bad thing to say about it. I used to think, wool, wow what a lot of work but honestly I LOVE IT! Wool has been my work horse diapering routine at night. My 2 layer cashmere cover with a simple microfleece topped 3 layer bi-fold hemp insert has proven time and time again it will keep my almost 2 year old dry every time! It's no more work than regular diapers in my opinion, a warm wash about once a week and hang to dry. I haven't even had to lanolize (waterproof it with natural oil called lanolin) the thing AND it's ended up in my regular diaper wash a few times and while I don't recommend this, I haven't had a single problem with mine.
So, I think I've covered almost all the different styles of diapers themselves. There are as many different patterns as people it seems like and not every diaper from every maker will fit every baby. I liken cloth diapers to a pair of jeans, some people like low rise, some high, some relaxed fit, some slim fit, some boot cut some classic. It all comes down to what works best for your AND your baby.
If I've missed something here, please let me know. Do you have more questions? Let me know! I'm here to help and don't feel silly. Believe me, 5 years ago I started my search and I'm still learning to this day!
| 
