What's the deal with prefold and flat diapers?

What are they?
Flat diapers are a large square of fabric single-layer fabric that can be folded into a diaper shape and wrapped around your baby, and secured with diaper pins or a Snappi. They can also be folded into inserts. A flat diaper has no elastic, snaps, or velcro - it's just one large piece of fabric.

Prefold diapers are flat diapers that have been "pre-folded" into a rectangular shape with extra layers of absorbency in the middle.  They can be folded into a diaper shape and wrapped around your baby, and secured with diaper pins or a Snappi. They can also be folded into inserts. A prefold  diaper has no elastic, snaps, or velcro - it's just one large piece of fabric. Prefold diapers are larger and flatter prior to being prepped, but shrink and "quilt up" after prepping. This is normal.

For more information and lots and lots of pictures on prefolds, click here.
For more information and lots and lots of pictures on flats, click here.

What do they look like?

Prefold diaper

Prefold diaper tri-folded for use as an insert with a separate cover

Flat diaper (courtesy of Sage Old Wisdom)

What size do they come in? How do they close?
Prefold diapers can be sized or one-size. The length and width of the fabric may vary depending on the size. One-size prefolds are simply folded down to fit a smaller baby. Flat diapers are one-size. Neither come with snaps or velcro, but you can use pins or a Snappi to secure them around the child.

What kind of variations are there?
Contour prefolds are cut to a diaper (hourglass) shape, but generally do not have leg elastic or back elastic.
Prefitteds are contour diapers with added leg elastics and/or back elastics.

Bleached diapers are bleached white and may be softer, but may not last as long as unbleached.
Unbleached diapers are left the natural color of the fibers and may be slightly rougher, but last longer since the fibers have not been weakened with bleach.

Indian prefolds are usually made of gauze cotton and are softer, easier to prep (3-4 washes), and more absorbent, but they wear out more quickly.
Chinese prefolds are usually made of twill and are not as soft, but are heavier duty and last longer. They take 7-10 washes to become fully prepped.

What are the pros and cons?
Pros:
Wash and dry easily, very absorbent, very cheap

Cons:
Can be difficult learning curve to fold

How do I care for a prefold or flat diaper?
Prefold and flat diapers need to be washed around 5-6 times prior to use (this may vary depending on the specific brand).  Rather than washing, you can also boil them for 10-20 minutes to prep, and follow with a regular wash. After prepping, wash using your normal cloth diaper wash routine.

How do I fold a prefold or flat diaper?
How to fold a flat diaper
How to fold a prefold diaper


What are common brands of prefold or flat diapers?
Green Mountain Diapers
Osocozi
Bummis
Gerber (highly recommended to avoid these diapers)
Thirsties Hemp prefolds

Help! What are the different kinds of cloth diapers?

First, know that within the types of diapers, you can get several types of fits and closures.  You can read about the difference between sized and one-size diapers here, and diapers can either be snapless or close with snaps or Velcro (also called aplix).

There are six basic types (though each type has many subtypes!). For more detailed information on any type, including pros and cons, pictures, and brand lists, click on the name.

Diapers That Need Covers

These diapers need a separate cover to become waterproof. 

Flat

A flat diaper is just a layer or two of an absorbent material like cotton, sewn into a large square. You can fold the diaper into various configurations to create an absorbent diaper that is secured with pins or a Snappi, or fold it to use as an insert. A flat diaper needs a cover to be waterproof. If your grandmother cloth diapered, this is probably what she used.

Prefold

A prefold diaper is a flat diaper that has been pre-folded and sewn to create a more absorbent area in the middle. You can fold a prefold diaper around a baby and secure it with pins or a Snappi to create a diaper, or fold it in thirds to use as an insert.  If your mom cloth diapered, this is probably what she used.

Fitted

A fitted diaper is a prefold that has been sewn into a diaper shape. It looks like any other cloth diaper, diaper, but it doesn't have a waterproof layer, so needs to be covered with a cover to become waterproof.  The one above is snapless and needs a Snappi or pins to close it, but they can have snaps or velcro as well.

Diapers That Do Not Need Covers

These diapers have the waterproof layer included and don't need a separate cover.

All-in-One 




All in one diapers are just what the name says: all in one. Everything you need for the diaper is included - both the waterproof outer and the absorbent layer. All sewn together in one big happy package!  These are great for dads and daycares, as they are essentially just like disposable diapers, except instead of throwing them away, you put them into a wetbag or diaper pail.  On the downside, they usually take a long time to dry.

All-in-Two/Hybrid

 
All-in-two (AI2) diapers can be confusing, as there are essentially two types of all-in-two diapers, and they are quite different.  However, they are all named for the fact that there are two parts: the waterproof outer and the absorbent layer, and these two parts are separate.

• Hybrid all-in-two diapers are waterproof shells (covers) that can be used with different types of inserts, for instance, with a disposable insert or with a reusable insert. 
• Snap-in or lay-in all-in-two diapers are all-in-one diapers that come in two parts.  Rather than having the absorbent layers sewn into the waterproof outer layer, the absorbent layers are separate and can be snapped in or lain into the waterproof cover. 

Pocket



Pocket diapers are a waterproof cover and a liner sewn together, with a pocket opening at the front or back (or both). The diaper on its own has no absorbency, but when you place absorbent inserts into the pocket of the diaper you have a complete diaper. This allows you to customize absorbency and wash and dry the diapers quickly.

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While not types of diapers, these are important components to some types of cloth diapers:

Covers

Covers are placed over non-waterproof diapers like pre-folds or fitteds to create a waterproof layer. Covers are commonly made of PUL, TPU, wool, or fleece. 

Inserts, Soakers, Doublers, and Liners

Inserts, soakers, and doublers are layers of absorbent material that are placed into covers or pocket diapers or are part of an AIO or AI2 diaper. They are commonly made of hemp, bamboo, microfiber, or Zorb. Liners are thin pieces of fabric that are placed between the diaper and the baby to help with disposing of poop, to create a stay-dry feeling for the baby, or to protect the diaper from a non-cloth-diaper-safe rash cream.

Double Gussets

Double gussets are additional rows of elastic at the legs of the diaper to help contain leaks.