Cloth Diapers - Yes! AI2, AIOs, A-I-Whattttt?

Cloth Diapers - Yes! AI2, AIOs, A-I-Whattttt?

1)  Flats

The most intimidating kind of cloth diapers! If you have heard of 'kain lampin' or 'traditional napkins', it also falls in this category.

'Kain Lampin' or traditional cloth napkins - A square sized cotton cloth. The most breathable but the most easiest to leak! One pee and its wets the bed (!). Now that's something that we want to avoid definitely. 

2) Prefolds

 Prefolds are thicker and amazingly durable (They are 3-panel diapers made from multiple layers of lightweight, woven fabric with extra layers in the center panel for absorbency) and therefore hold more volume than flats. Heard about indian cotton, birds eye ply, unbleached cotton? Yup its in this category. There are also hemp prefolds which holds more volume, but I find them to be quite stiff and might be uncomfortable for baby. To prevent leaks, it is advisable to get  a cover on prefolds. Learn about folding techniques here.

3) Pocket Diapers 

Pockets diapers are my favorite! Its easy to customize according to the baby's needs. 1 inserts? 2 inserts? Or maybe you want to add on a hemp inserts as well? It has a pocket opening to hold the inserts. No unnecessary folding and snapping in. And oh! talk about the variety. From China Cheapies such as Sunbaby, Alva baby, Pororo etc. and up to the premium ones like Charlie Banana and Bumgenius. Many many kind of lovely prints to choose from as well. Not to mention the versality of changing it from day to night diaper. 

Pocket diapers normally have a stay dry layer such as microfleece and suedecloth. You have to try both of it to see what you would prefer. After thorough researching (i.e, going through many many blogs and web pages =p), I was 100% sure I would prefer suedecloth and I got most of my initial stash from this range (Alva baby, Pororo, Bumgenius). And while casually shopping in Happikiddo shop in Quill City Mall, I came across Charlie Banana. 

I have this bad habit of touching fabrics, and I touched CB's fleece inner, and it was love at first TOUCH! Hehehe. Then I looked for those with fleece inner. Example, Sunbaby and our own Malaysia brand, Bayu Diaper. Many of them claim that Bayu and Sunbaby comes from the same manufacturing company. The cover might be the same but the inserts are definitely not. 

I am looking to do a review of pockets soon. So just follow my journey okay? 

4) All in Twos (AI2)

Its not difficult to spot a AI2s although explaining them would be more of a challenge. To keep it simple and short, AI2s are similar to pocket diapers except that instead of stuffing a pocket, you snap the insert inside the diaper. It has snaps rather than pocket. The image below will give you a better idea. This was taken from our own Malaysia brand, Tiny Bibiya.

Tiny Bibiya was also one of my first diapers collection. I love its simplicity. You just need to change the snapped inserts when baby pees, you do not have to change the whole cover. When baby poops, however, its a different story. You MUST change the cover. Normally this is my 'going-out' diapers. I keep 1-2 covers and extra inserts to save space. The downside about this type is that I feel baby's wetness is saturated just at one part, not the whole insert. For pockets, the wetness is normally kinda evened out (if you know what I mean). 

Other than Tiny Bibiya, Bamboolite is also our home brand AI2. High end brands are Itti Bitti, Grovia, Flips, Funkyfluffs and most of fitteds and hybrid fitted are AI2s as well. 

I would be reviewing Tiny Bibiya vs. Bamboolite very very soon!

5) All in Ones (AIO)

All-in-one diapers are a most easy to use and are usually pricier than the other types. They require no covers or stuffing. They are all one piece–just like a disposable! These types although famous for dads and babysitters, are usually not mom's favorite because it takes long tome to dry (previously, and there are some brands that have the inserts sewn-in, ans therefore takes a longer time to dry). 

However, cloth diaper manufacturers are always innovating the CDs for better, and now many brands are offering tongue-like inserts, not sewn in, therefore the drying time is quicker and easier. My favorite is Bumgenius Freetime! Love it's absorbency, love it's quick dry time and love the stay dry layer that touches baby's skin. Another popular option is the Simplex AIOs. I haven't try them (yet!) but many mommies swear by them.

So ladies, that's the basics of basics. I would love to know your favorite systems. Or are a bit here and there, like me?

P/S: I would love to keep this CD diary towards Malaysian context and the CDs that are either locally made or available locally.