Cloth Diapers Terms and Definitions

All in One  A cloth diaper that includes everything in one: a diaper, an absorbent liner and a diaper cover. These diapers usually hook with snaps and are great for parents on the go or traveling.

Cloth Diaper  A diaper that is made of cloth and is both reusable and washable. Requires the use of pins, a diaper cover or fasteners to keep it on a child.

Contoured Diaper  A diaper with "wings" that are snapped or fastened at the waist of a child. This type of diaper doesn't use elastic and requires a diaper cover. Chinese Prefold Diaper  Also abbreviated as CPF. This diaper is flat and comes in many sizes and absorbencies. These diapers come in white and unbleached white and are the most cost effective cloth diaper on the market.

Diaper Cover   A colorful fitted cover that goes over a child's base diaper. They keep a child's clothes dry and in many cases keep the base diaper in place without the use of pins or other fasteners.

Fitted Diaper  A diaper that has elastic at the waist and legs. It requires a cover and can be made of many different types of cloth.

Fleece   A wicking material that repels water and is commonly used for diaper covers. Night time liners are also often made of fleece.

Hemp   A fiber that is becoming more popular in the realm of cloth diapers. Hemp is made from the inner bark of the hemp plant and is durable and absorbent.

Liner   A thin layer of absorbent material that goes inside a diaper. These can be disposable or washable.

One-size Diaper   A diaper that fits a child from the time he or she is born until the child weighs 30 pounds. The diaper has a row of fasteners on the front that allow the diaper to expand as the child grows. This type of diaper is also usually stretchy.

Pre fold Diapers   Diapers that are divided the long way into thirds. The outer sections are thinner than the inner sections, providing higher absorbency where a baby needs it. Prefolds can be used with pins, other fasteners or with a diaper cover.

Pocket diaper   Two layers of absorbent fabric are sewn together to form a double layer diaper in one. These diapers can be used without a diaper cover and the inserts are usually made of super absorbent cloth.

Wool Soaker   A sometimes handmade or handknit diaper cover made of wool.