Choosing cloth diapers is a significant decision for your baby’s comfort and potentially for environmental reasons. Once you’ve decided to use cloth diapers, understanding how to properly fold and use them is essential.
Before using new cloth diapers, always wash them thoroughly. New diapers have a coating that reduces absorbency and can irritate your baby’s skin. Wash them five to six times in hot water with detergent and bleach. If possible, dry them on a clothesline on a sunny day for optimal results.
There are various types of cloth diapers, including pre-folded, padded, flat-folded, nappy-style, all-in-ones, and all-in-twos. For simplicity, this guide focuses on flat-fold diapers—simple rectangles of absorbent cotton, sometimes with a quilted layer for extra absorbency. Here are a few folding methods:
**Angel-Wing Fold**
1. Lay the diaper lengthwise on a changing table.
2. Fold the sides inward to create an absorbent pad.
3. Fold down a few inches at the front.
4. Unfold the sides at the back, fanning them out.
5. Place the baby on the diaper, pull the front up between the legs.
6. Hold the front against the baby’s belly, bring the back sides around to the front, and secure with a diaper pin, ensuring the pin doesn’t touch the baby’s skin.
**Bikini Twist High-Cut Fold**
1. Lay the diaper flat.
2. Twist one end of the diaper completely over, creating a pad.
3. Place the baby on the diaper.
4. Pull the front up between the baby’s legs.
5. Bring the back corners around, over the front corners, and pin securely.
**Double-Diaper For Heavy Wetters**
1. Use one regular diaper and one infant-size diaper. Place the infant diaper in the center of the regular diaper.
2. Fold the sides of the infant diaper inward, then fold the sides of the regular diaper to cover the infant diaper.
3. Fold a few inches of the front up and fan the back out to create angel wings.
4. Place the baby on the diaper and proceed as with the angel-wing fold.
After folding, always use a diaper cover to ensure a secure, leak-proof fit. With a properly folded diaper and cover, your baby will be comfortable, dry, and ready to play.