Prefolds Still Rock

I was reading some cloth diaper reviews today and seeing complaints about elastic giving out, snaps breaking, diapers wearing out faster than expected, and of course problems with washing cloth diapers. Anyone who has done research on cloth diapers inevitably hears such complaints. That, along with the overwhelming choices of modern cloth diapers today, could potentially scare off someone just looking into cloth diapers. This all got me thinking about good old prefold diapers. With all the talk of modern cloth diapers I think these guys are getting a bad wrap. Maybe they are “old-fashioned,” is that a bad thing? So, I have made a list of all the reasons prefolds still rock.

1. Prefolds are cheap! Talk of the financial crisis is all over the news. Cloth diapers are a great way to save money, and costing only $1-3 each, prefolds can save you a ton! Even 100% organic cotton, made in the USA, prefolds cost less than $10 each. 
2. Prefolds are easy to wash. All these “high tech” fabrics that have been introduced into the cloth diapering world have also made washing diapers seem overly complicated. Cotton doesn’t usually have issues with repelling like polyester can, so that’s one less thing to worry about with prefolds.
3. Prefolds last longer. This kind of goes along with being easy to wash. Prefolds have no snaps, Velcro, elastic, etc, none of those parts that need special care and can wear out before the rest of the diaper.  Part of saving money with cloth is that you can use the same diapers on multiple children. Most manufacturers’ warranties are 6 months or about 100 washes. Prefolds normally last much longer and when you no longer have kids in diapers, people find many uses for them around the house.
4. Prefolds are easy to use. Most people think of having to fold a prefold and pin it on and then tug on some rubber pants over the top. Snappies and Velcro wraps have put an end to that. I always recommend Snappies for exclusively breastfed babies. I think it makes a world of difference in containing leaks. Once the baby is older and more wiggly for diaper changes, trifolding a prefold and laying it in a snug fitting wrap is a lot easier and goes on just as quickly as a pocket diaper.
5. Prefolds are multi-functional. When the baby outgrows one size, they make great doublers in the next size, They also come in handy as burp rags, pocket stuffers, and dust rags later on. You can double them up for overnight diapering or put a fleece liner on top for a stay dry effect.
6. Prefolds are fun. You can dye them, tie dye them, or top them with any kind of diaper cover – including PUL, wool, or fleece.  Yes, you can still get plain white diaper covers, but covers now come in tons of styles, colors and prints so there is no reason to think of diapering with prefolds as boring.

I started out with prefold cloth diapers almost 5 years ago now, and I am still using those diapers around the house. I’ll admit I have mostly pocket diapers and all-in-ones for my youngest child now, but I still have a drawer full of prefolds at the ready and I like to bring them out every now and then to remember a simpler time.