So, what's a prefold diaper? This!
Yes, it looks like a rag. And plenty of Moms keep them and use them as kitchen/bathroom rags once their babies are out of diapers. A "prefold" is basically a big "flat" diaper (like our parents used on us) that is prefolded and sewn in place. The centre section is the thickest and more absorbent. You can buy these in newborn, infant and toddler sizes.
There are many different "folds" to put a prefold on as a diaper. 2 things you need when using a prefold as a diaper are: a snappi (or diaper pins) and a waterproof cover.
Here is an awesome video tutorial on the different folds.
I must admit here that I've never used a prefold, folded into a diaper. I do not own a snappi, or diaper pins. I never thought I'd use these "old fashion" cloth diapers. I did buy a dozen of them, used, when Noah was first born, with the intention of using them as backup diapers. And then I discovered the amazing concept of trifolding a prefold and laying it in a cover (Flip, Monkey Doodlez Tuck and Go). I love Flip covers, but their inserts just didn't work for us. So, one day I tried laying a prefold in the cover instead and - voila! Worked great!
I also use trifolded prefolds to stuff pocket diapers alot these days, as I recently stopped using microfiber inserts.
Prefolds are cotton (most of mine are unbleached organic) and very absorbant. They might not be as trim as microfibre inserts, but it's more than worth it in my eyes to use a more natural material. I actually use pocket diapers more now that I ever did in Noah's first year because I hated the leaking, often caused by bunched microfibre inserts. Since I started using prefolds to stuff pocket diapers, no leaks!
Another plus to using prefolds is that they are great to use when a rash (yeast, even) is present because they are easy to boil (in a big pot of water) or bleach to disinfect. They are also inexpensive and don't have snaps or velcro, so you don't have to worry about ruining them like you would your pocket or all in one diapers.
Lastly, Noah's prefolds were a lifesaver this summer when I decided to keep using cloth diapers for our week-long trip to the cottage. I didn't have access to a washing machine, so I brought 15 prefolds and my Grovia and Flip covers. I handwashed them in the bath tub every other day, with my liquid Nature Clean detergent, rinsed really well and hung them outside to dry. It worked amazing, even for overnight (I brought a few hemp boosters for that).
I definitely never thought I'd use prefolds on a daily basis, but I do. Along with the fitteds and pockets and all-in-ones, I use prefolds just the same. They are absorbant, cheap and relatively easy to use (though I wouldn't leave them with Daddy for diaper changes, unless it was pre-stuffed into a pocket). They also dry quickly (I line dry) but can be tossed in the dryer if necessary as well.
And yes, I'll be using these on future babies and then as rags/cleaning cloths for around the house!
