1. Typically, cloth diapers have two parts: the diaper and a waterproof cover. The diapers come in a variety of handy styles.
2. All-In-Ones, or AIOs, combine the most essential of both cloth diaper parts in one: the absorbent part of the diaper and the waterproof cover are joined, a bit like a disposable. They usually hook with Velcro or snaps.
3. Contour diapers are have multiple layers as prefolds do, but they're hourglass-shaped to accommodate a baby's plump little legs and either pinned or outfitted with Velcro or snaps.
4. Fitted diapers are a lot like disposable diapers, pre-shaped with elastic around the back and legs and attached with pins, Velcro or snaps - perfect for those new to cloth diapers.
5. Pocket diapers have a waterproof exterior, soft cloth interior, and a built-in pocket for removable, customizable absorbing pads called soakers.
6. Cloth training pants, much like fitted cloth diapers, are pre-shaped, but they pull on - and when dirtied, they're uncomfortable, which can be super-helpful in the potty training process.
7. Diaper covers go over the main cloth diaper to prevent leaks; they're usually made from waterproof wool, polyurethane laminate fabric, or fleece.
8. Cloth diaper material runs the fiber gamut, including gauzy birdseye fabric, hemp, bamboo, cotton fleece and flannel, merino, polyester, polyurethane laminate, various terry cloths, microfleece, silk, and velour.
9. Cloth diapers come with a major health benefit for babies: They're free of chemicals found in disposable counterparts, and they're proven to reduce the frequency and severity of painful diaper rash.
10. Cloth diapers benefit the environment, too: They're used approximately 50 to 200 times, whereas more than 92 percent of single-use disposable diapers end up in landfills, and they take a whopping 250 to 500 years to decompose.
