Using Proraps and Prefolds for Cloth Diapers

Now a days there is an array of different types of cloth diapers that you can use to keep your little angel's bottom dry, some of which are no more or less like a disposable diaper except made of cloth. However in efforts to save as much money as I possibly can, well almost, I went with one of the cheapest ways to cloth diaper, using prefolds and proraps. I don't even own an all-in-one, pocket or one size diaper. Nope just good out fashion prefolds, I could have saved more money using flatfolds, but I was given prefolds as a gift so that is what I went with. I happily used them for the years that my son was in diapers, without ever having to replace them.

The main reason that I went the route of cloth diapering was because I knew it would be better for the environment and more importantly better for my son. The reason the I am using proraps and prefold for the cloth diapering system of choice is because they are one of the cheapest. Not only do I feel great about the money that I saved by using cloth, but I also feel great about money I saved with these kinds of cloth diapers. With a dozen newborn prefolds and four newborn prorap covers I was all set for diapering my little one and only had to wash diapers once a day. I liked this because I could wash them the same time everyday and see just how many diapers my son was dirtying. With two dozen regular prefolds. a dozen premium prefolds and four covers for the next four sizes of prorap covers I was all set for the rest of the time that my son would be in cloth diapers.

Despite having to do some folding when using prefolds they are hardly the chore that flatfolds involve. I lay a prefold on top of a prorap cover and lay them under my son's bottom. I quickly fold in the middle of each side to create an hour glass shape and fold the front in almost a third and fold it over my son's front. Using a snappi, which is optional, I connect the sides of the cloth and close up the prorap. Pretty much takes the same amount of time any diapering system would take unless my son is particularly squirmy but that would slow anyone down no matter what kind of diaper they are using. You can see step by step instructions and pictures for the diaper fold described above at Baby in Cloth Diapers. Over time you use two regular prefolds per diaper change instead of one. As for night time that is where the premiums come in, depending the age of your baby and how much they pee at night will affect how many prefolds you use, when they are younger one premium or a premium and a regular might do it and when they are older two premium prefolds will do. When I put away my diapers to save time I will fold two together so when it is time for a diaper change I can quickly grab two at the same time.

There are no special things that you have to do when washing cloth diapers. I cannot tell you how many loads I have done washing my prefolds but I probably could do it in my sleep. You can find detailed information about washing prefolds and proraps in the article Washing Your Flatfolds, Prefolds and Proraps and in Baby in Cloth Diapers. I would not go back and change how I cloth diapered my son. Some times I read about the neatest diapers that do not involve more than one piece but I do not mind that I might have to take an extra step, it really is such a very small extra step and I saved so much money.