All About Prefolds and Flats

What are Prefolds and Flats?

Prefolds and flats are what most people think of when they think of cloth diapers.  These are the square or rectangular pieces of cloth that you can put onto baby with pins.  Flats are simply on flat piece of cloth that do not have a thicker section of cloth in the center.  Prefolds may be the same size and shape as the flats, but there is a thicker (more absorbent) center.

Prefolds and flats can be wrapped around baby and secured with pins or a snappi.  Or, prefolds and flats can simply be laid into a diaper cover in a trifold and used that way.  A trifold is simply folding the prefold or flat into thirds.  Prefolds have stitching on them, with two outside thinner areas and the middle being thicker, that makes it simply to fold into thirds.  The flats however do not have this stitching to make folding easier.

Prefolds and flats come in a wide range of sizes and fabrics, it is up to the parent to decide what size and fabric works best for them and for baby.

Prefolds and flats are the most economical method of cloth diapering and is therefore quite desirable.  You can buy an entire stash of prefolds or flats and covers for much less than other modern cloth diapers.  Also, prefolds have superior absorbency and that is very desirable.  However, many parents do not like the extra steps (either to fold or wrap) and prefer simpler diapers.

Pros of Prefolds/Flats

Much less expensive than other modern cloth diapers

Extremely absorbent

Wide range of sizes, fabrics, thicknesses, and absorbency

Washes easily and dries very fast

Can be used for other purposes when child is done with them ie. Cleaning.

Cons of Prefolds/Flats

Can be difficult and/or take more time to put on than other types of diapers

Requires a waterproof cover

Tutorial on How to Fold a Prefold or Flat:

(I ran out of time this weekend to make my own How-To guide on how to fold prefolds and flats, but here are some really nice site that show how to do different folds)

http://www.angelfire.com/id/megnkatesplace/folds.html

http://diaperpages.com/pf_folds.php

http://www.diaperjungle.com/folding-diapers.html

http://www.diaperjunction.com/cloth-diaper-folding.html

These are just a few of the ones that I like, you can scour You Tube for many MANY videos on how to fold!!!  The internet is wonderful!!!