How to Choose Cloth Diaper Covers

Many cloth diapers, including prefolds, fitted, contour and flat diapers, require a diaper cover to help provide waterproofing and hold the diaper in place. Pocket diapers and all-in-ones typically already include built-in diaper covers, so you don’t need to buy separate ones. There are many brands and styles of diaper covers available, so choosing diaper covers can be the most confusing part of choosing a cloth diapering system. For newborns, most parents like to have six to eight diaper covers, while four to six is often enough for an infant. You may only need two or three diaper covers for a toddler.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Select a style of diaper cover. Wrap style diaper covers fasten much like disposable diapers, and can hold most cloth diapers in place without pins. Pull-on diaper covers slide over pinned diapers, and can be more difficult to get on and off, but they are usually less expensive.

2. Choose a fastener style. While pull-on diaper covers simply use elastic, most wrap covers use hook-and-loop tape (commonly sold under the brand names Velcro or Aplix) or snaps. Hook-and-loop closures typically provide a more customized fit, but snaps may hold up better in the washer and dryer.

3. Decide what type of fabric you’d prefer. Diaper covers that use nylon or polyurethane laminate (PUL) can often be wiped clean and laundered less often, while wool and fleece covers are softer and more breathable. Some diaper covers are also available in organic or sustainably grown materials.

4. Figure out what size diaper cover your baby needs. Most diaper covers use slightly different size systems, and some are available in newborn and preemie sizes (often with a cutout for the umbilical cord), while others only come in larger sizes.

5. Read reviews of diaper covers from other parents who use cloth. You can find reviews on some sites that sell cloth diapers, as well as on the Diaper Pin website (see Resources below). Keep in mind that every baby is a different size and shape, and some covers fit certain body styles better than others. Pay special attention to reviews from parents with babies the same age or size as yours.

6. Compare prices. Some cloth diaper covers cost quite a bit less than others. While less expensive covers can save money, finding a cover that fits your particular baby well can be worth paying a little extra.

7. Shop around for diaper covers at several different cloth diaper websites. Different sites often have a different selection of covers, and some have better deals on diaper covers than others.

8. Decide if you want to try several different cloth diaper cover brands, or just one. Some cloth diaper websites offer package deals that include a variety of covers, so you can experiment with what works best for your baby.

Tips & Warnings

• You will mostly likely need several sizes of diaper covers as your baby grows. You may want to buy several sizes at once, or start with just the current size so you can find a brand you like. You may want to stay with the same brand as your baby grows, or you may find that different diaper covers work best at different stages.

Resources

• Softclothbunz.com offers tips for choosing diaper covers.
• The Diaper Pin has reviews of diaper covers.
• Cottonbabies.com has customer reviews of diaper covers.