Baby Diaper Covers Explained
Covers & Wraps
Baby diaper covers and wraps are made of waterproof material. They
are used with diapers that are not
waterproof on their own, such as flats, prefolds, and fitteds. There are a lot of baby diaper
cover options you can choose from, and we’ll highlight some of our
favorite reliable choices for covers below.
Prefolds or fitted diapers, combined with a baby diaper cover of your
choice, are a flexible and economical diapering system. Please note, you do not need covers for pockets and
all-in-one diapers, since they already have a waterproof outer.
Styles of Baby Diaper Covers
Wraps
My favorite cover type is the wrap, which has velcro or snap closures on
the front. You don’t need to use a Snappi or pins with a cover (you
can if you want, though) if you’re using pre-folds, you can simply fold
them into thirds, and lay them inside the cover and do it up.
Single layer PUL wraps can be reused between washes – just wipe it clean
and hang it to dry near your change table so it’s ready for the next
diaper change.
Pull-on Covers
Diapers must be fastened onto baby before a pull-on baby diaper cover
can be used. Fitted diapers or prefolds with snappis work best.
Pull-ons make for quick diaper changes with your mobile baby, but can
make for messy diaper changes if your little one has a runny poopy
diaper.
Most wool covers are pull-on style, and fleece is another option.
Waterproof nylon and vinyl pull-on pants are a very affordable cover
option.
How to Choose a Baby Diaper Cover
You don’t need to limit yourself to just one type of cover, but keep in mind when choosing a baby diaper cover:
- What is your budget?
- Will you use a synthetic fiber, or do you want to use only natural materials?
- How old is your baby? How wiggly are they? Do you plan to use a snappy or fitted diaper, or a pre-fold or flat?
- Are you looking for a day or night-time solution?
Fabrics Used for Baby Diaper Covers
- PUL (polyurethane laminate): Highly popular, this is a
synthetic fabric coating usually applied to polyester knits, but also
sometimes applied to knit cottons and rayons from bamboo. Waterproof,
durable, and easy to clean. Can be wiped clean and reused between
washings, and can be washed with your diapers, even in very hot water.
Less breathable than wool or fleece. - Waterproofed nylon: A very affordable, but less common option
for covers these days. Nylon is durable, waterproof, and breathable.
Plus, it’s machine washable and dries very quickly (but needs to be hung
to dry). - Vinyl: not many vinyl diaper pants are available any more.
Vinyl does not breathe. It also tears easily – it is much less durable
than nylon. Because the cost for vinyl is only slightly less than nylon
baby diaper covers, most retailers will recommend the more durable and
breathable nylon, such as Dappis. - Fleece: a synthetic fabric that is breathable and lighter
weight than wool. It is durable and machine washable, and dries
quickly. While it wicks moisture away from baby, some people don’t like
fleece because it can wick moisture through to clothing too. - Wool: one of the most expensive choices, but
completely natural option, wool can hold water, and is both breathable
for air circulation (less rashes!) and anti-bacterial. Lots of moms
swear by wool baby diaper covers, especially for overnight diapering. Wool covers are a bit more fussy: lanolizing and special laundering is necessary. Click on link to skip down to more information on wool further below.
How Many Baby Diaper Covers Do I Need?
It depends on how often you plan to do laundry and how old your baby is.
Most parents find that 6-8 is best for a newborn. For older infants,
4-6 is usually enough, and by the time you get to toddler age (when
babies are eating solid foods!) you can get away with only 2-3 diaper
covers.
For wool, you can usually manage with a few less, since it doesn’t need
to be washed as frequently. You should plan for 3-4 for full-time use,
and 2 if you will only use wool for night-time diapering.
Snaps or Velcro?
It’s really up to you! In a great blog post on The Cloth Diaper Whisperer,
writer Tammy goes through the benefits and disadvantages of both. I
completely agree with her thoughts that there is a time and a place for
both, but never does the question become more relevant than when baby
becomes more active.
As Tammy points out, the biggest dilemma at that
point is “do I choose snaps so that the baby can’t get the diaper off or
do I choose Velcro so I can get the diaper on?” I encourage you to
click on the link to read the whole article if you are unsure of which
to choose.
And to clear up any confusion, hook and loop and aplix are other names for Velcro-like materials.
Sized or One-Size Diaper Covers?
If you’re trying to decide whether to buy sized or one-size baby diaper covers, consider the following topics:
- Save Money: if you’re trying to save money, one-size diaper
covers, such as the Sugar Peas PUL cover, are a convenient and
affordable option that can last from birth until potty-training. - Longevity: one-size is also great if you plan to cloth diaper
only one child. Diapers, just like other clothing, do wear out over
time, so one-size covers may not last through multiple children, whereas
sized covers may since they are not used as long - Newborn Fit: one-size diapers can be bulky on new babies, and
may not fit as snuggly. Even if you plan to use a one-size diaper, you
may want to invest in newborn wraps for the first few weeks. If you’re
not sure about making that investment, some retailers and diaper
services even rent newborn covers! - Quantities: newborn babies need more covers (since they need
more diaper changes!) than older babies, so you may find it’s better to
buy sized newborn covers and then invest in only a few one-size covers
when baby outgrows the newborn size. - Style/Fabric Choice: one-size covers are usually only an
option for PUL wraps. Wool and nylon pull-on pants need to be sized to
ensure a leak-free fit!
What are Gussets?
You may notice as you compare cloth baby diaper covers that some come
with gussets, while others do not. What exactly is a gusset, you may be
asking?
It’s hard to explain, but SoGreenBaby.com, a retailer in
Toronto, ON, does a great job saying, “gussets are that little piece of
fabric that hugs your baby’s leg, just inside the diaper leghole”.
Especially effective for newborns and skinny babies, gussets will help
you keep outfits clean!
My own first experience with gussets was with the Rumparooz pocket
diaper, and later with our first Bummis Super Brite baby diaper cover,
which we received from a friend who had used diaper service. I love
gussets in diapers – they help contain the messiest of diapers,
especially from newborn babies!
More Information on Wool
Wool covers are not waterproof, but they are very absorbent. Wool
can absorb up to 40% of its weight in liquid. It has antibacterial
properties that allow it to suppress odors.
While you can find wool wraps, most are pull-on covers. Wool covers are
often called wool soakers, and sometimes you will see them referred to
as shorties, since they are like little shorts. You may also see wool
longies – these are like a pair of pants that can be used as a
combination diaper cover. You can find lots of wool covers on Etsy,
where many are handknit or made out of “upcycled” wool sweaters.
If you want to save money, you might even want to make your own baby
diaper covers with thrift store wool sweaters – just be sure to buy 100%
wool or it won’t offer the same level of absorption. Check out our Cloth Diaper Patterns article for a link to free patterns for wool covers, such as the one from Katrina’s.
Not just for winter!
Wool will keep baby comfortable no matter the conditions, because it is
very breathable, helping with temperature regulation of the body. Wool
is a great solution for summer too, because it allows for air
circulation and will keep baby cool, even when wet.
Caring for Wool
Wool care can seem a bit mysterious and it can even be a bit
intimidating. Since wool doesn’t retain odors, you can wait 2-3 weeks
between washes unless they become soiled. It’s best to follow the
manufacturer’s instructions for washing, but here are some basics for
you.
Since wool shrinks, most wool covers should be hand washed in lukewarm
water. You can use baby shampoo or a wool wash such as Eucalan Wool
Wash. Simply soak the cover for 10 minutes. Do not rub it or wring it
out. Then roll it in a towel to remove extra water, and repeat with
clean water. Then lay it flat to dry so it doesn’t stretch.
You should lanolize your diaper covers before the first use. Lanolin
will extend the lifespan of your wool diaper covers and enhance their
performance too! To lanolize, simply dissolve 1/8 tsp of lanolin (the
same stuff that works awesome for breast-feeding moms!) in hot water,
and add to the last rinse every 10-12 wears.
For more details, here are few great wool tutorials:
- Prepping Wool Diaper Covers for the First Use
- Washing Wool Diaper Covers
- Lanolizing Wool Diaper Covers
Featured Cloth Diaper Covers
- Bummis Super Brite
- Flip One-Size Cover
- Best Bottoms One-Size Cover
- Wolbybug One-Size Cover
- Thirsties Duo Cover
- Sweet Pea One-Size Cover
- Applecheeks Envelope Cover
- Bummis Super Whisper Wrap
Some Cloth Diaper Cover Products and Brands
Cloth Diaper Wraps
Bummis Super Whisper Wrap:
- Has a waterproof layer sandwiched
between 2 layers of polyester so you don’t have to worry about laminate
rubbing at baby’s skin. - Hook and loop (Velcro) closure
- 5 sizes: Newborn (7-10 lbs), Small (8-15 lbs), Medium (15-30 lbs), Large (30+ lbs), XL (40 lbs)
Bummis Super Brite
- Has a single layer of PUL so that it
wipes clean easily. - This wrap is great for long, skinny babies, because
it has gussets! - Velcro and snap options.
- 5 sizes: Newborn (7-10 lbs), Small (8-15 lbs), Medium (15-30 lbs), Large (30+ lbs), XL (40 lbs)
Flip One-Size Cloth Diaper Cover
- Waterproof cover, wipe clean and reuse
- One-sized (adjustable rise snaps) for 8 to 35 lbs
- Stretchy waist tabs with lycra provide a snug fit
- Flaps at either end of the cover hold inserts or prefolds or pad-folded flats in place
- We talk more about the Flip cover and insert system in our article on all-in-twos
- Snap or hook and loop closures available
- The picture below compares the Flip with the more economical one-size Wolbybug cover. One main difference is that the Wolbybug back flap has back elastic which holds the insert more snuggly in place. The tabs are slightly different as well.
Flip (left) vs. Wolbybug (right) cover
Wolbybug One-Size Diaper Cover
- Waterproof cover, wipe clean and reuse
- One-sized (adjustable rise snaps) for 8 to 35 lbs
- Like the Flip, flaps at either end of the cover hold inserts or prefolds or pad-folded flats in place, back flap has elastic to help keep flap snug against insert while you put it on
- Available in a variety of solid colors and prints
- Snap closure
Econobum One-Size Diaper Wrap
- An affordable option that can be purchased with Econobum prefolds or alone
- One-sized snap down 3-setting rise
- Wipe-clean PUL
- Single row of snaps on front closure
Fleece Diaper Covers
Stacinator Fleece Wrap (discontinued)
- Made with 2 layers of 200 weight fleece from Malden Mills
- A good choice for heavy wetters and naptime diapers when paired with a fitted
- Easy to care for: just machine wash and tumble dry
- 5 sizes: Newborn (6-10 lbs), Small (10-15 lbs), Medium (15-20 lbs), Large (20-30 lbs), Toddler (30+ lbs)
Wool Diaper Covers (Soakers)
There are lots of brands of wool baby diaper covers. We’ve
highlighted 3 below to give you a flavour a wrap, a light-weight cover,
and a heavier cover, perfect for overnight. Some manufacturers also
offer longies (covers with long legs).
Sugar Peas Wool Diaper Wrap
- Made with a single layer of breathable organic knit wool
- Elastic legs and waist, and stretchy fabric for a snug fit
- Side snaps for waist and rise adjustment
- Trim for daytime use
- Made in Canada
- 3 Sizes (Small (8-18 lbs), Medium (14-26 lbs), Large (24+ lbs)
Kissaluv’s Wool Diaper Cover
- Natural, breathable merino wool
- Gentle elastic around legs
- May become “fuzzy” with use, but this actually improves water resistance
- 3 Sizes: Small (8-18 lbs), Medium (15-25 lbs), Large (20-35 lbs)
Aristocrats Wool Diaper Cover (discontinued)
- An overnight diapering favorite paired with a hemp or other fitted diaper
- Double layer of soft, stretchy, untreated knit wool for maximum absorbency
- Soft, stretchy waist and leg bands
- Made in Canada
- 3 Sizes: Small (7-20 lbs), Large (20-35 lbs), X-Large (35-50 lbs)
Pull-on Covers & Nylon Diaper Pants
Dappi Nylon Pants
- White, nylon pull-on covers
- Breathable
- Machine washable (hang to dry)
- 5 sizes: Newborn (up to 13 lbs), Small (14-19 lbs), Medium (20-25
lbs), Large (26-31 lbs), Toddler (32-35 lbs) (sizing may run a little
bigger) - As low as $2 each (depending on size) on Amazon.com
Bummis Whisper Pant Nylon Cover
- White nylon pull-on covers with lycra elastic bindings
- Lead, phthalate and BPA free
- Made in Canada
- 5 sizes: Newborn (up to 10 lbs), Small (up to 15 lbs), Medium (15-30 lbs), Large (30 lbs), X-Large (35 lbs)
Conclusion
Thanks to new
fabrics and choices of design, the rubber pants used by our parents and
grand parents are a thing of the past! With so many options for diaper covers, whether you decide to go with sized or one-size, and easy-care PUL or another fiber option, there are lots of great choices to keep your baby dry and happy!
Disclosure: The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own, and
your experience with the product may differ from mine. I only recommend
products or services I use
personally and believe will be good for my readers. This article contains affiliate links. I am disclosing this
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