Perhaps you’ve been hesitating to try flat diapers. At first glance they seem very daunting, because you have to know how to fold them. And then there is the Pin factor because they don’t fasten on their own, and you also need to use a cover. It seems complicated, right? Truth be told, Flat Diapers are fairly straightforward with a bit of practice. If you’ve been hesitating to give them whirl, well, here are 5 reasons why you should give Flat Diapers another look!

Flat Diapers are Inexpensive

You can buy them individually, or in bulk, and even the more expensive Bamboo fibre is only about C$4.67 per diaper. The cotton ones are even cheaper at less than $3 each! Alternatively, you can buy inexpensive Flour Sack Towels at Target or Wal-Mart and you can even upcycle old Receiving Blankets or T-shirts.  Any square piece of cotton, or other skin-safe absorbent fibre, around 27″ x 27″ in size. You do need to buy covers, but when folded right you can use 1 cover for every 3 to 4 diaper changes saving even more money. Or, if you are willing to invest a little bit into Wool Covers, you can use the same wool cover for up to 2 weeks before it needs to be washed and lanolized (provided you don’t get any poop on it).

Flat Diapers are Easy to Wash and Dry Very Quickly

This is my favourite thing about them: Flat Diapers are very easy to wash and dry quickly because they are only one layer of fabric. Your soap and water doesn’t have to work as hard to penetrate into multiple layers, leaving you with a much cleaner diaper with less effort.  You can even hand wash flat diapers in a bucket or sink and hang them to dry outside. Say hello to your perfect solution for Camping, Travelling or a broken Washing Machine! Or if you’re extra environmentally cautious, flats will use less energy and resources to keep clean diapers on your baby.

Not many cloth diapers are legitimately One Size, but Flats are!

Flat Diapers are TRULY One-Size!

Depending on how you fold them, the exact same square of fabric will fit your baby from birth to toddlerhood. That means you don’t have to buy multiple sizes!  Check out the Mini Kite fold for newborns, or the Origami Fold for babies and toddlers. With just about any flat diaper fold, you can turn the front or back down to make the diaper smaller. And if you Pad Fold, you can make it an insert of any size to lay into a cover or pocket diaper.

Flat Diapers are the Most Versatile Diaper

Because of the different folds and fits, you can literally make a flat diaper into any shape or size you need to. Overnight? Use two flats together! Little Boy needs more wetness protection up front? Google “Flat folds for boys” and be amazed! Going for a car ride or nap? Fold or tuck a booster into your flat with ease. You can close your flat diaper with traditional diaper pins, modern Snappi fasteners or Tie-off the ends depending on the fold (origami). Or don’t use anything at all and the cover can hold it in place.   Need a burp cloth? Use a flat diaper. Baby spilled something and you have nothing else in reach? Use a flat diaper. Chilly outside and you forgot a blanket? Use a flat diaper. The options and applications are endless.

My favourite Flat Diaper fold is the Origami fold, seen here with my “Ikea Burp Cloth” Flat.

Flat Diapers are the perfect Emergency Stash – for all babies!

You never know when you might need an emergency stash of easy to clean, one size fits all diapers. Perhaps you use disposables but ran out and the store is closed. Perhaps you’ve been caught in a natural disaster and washing machines or store bought isn’t an option. A stash of read-to-go Flat Diapers is a great idea for every mom’s baby closet! Not just cloth diapering moms. I Leave one, with a cover, tucked into the seat pocket in my car just in case!

There you Have it

I hope you enjoyed reading 5 Reasons to Try Flat Diapers! If you have any questions or comments I would love to hear from you! Have you used Flats before? Can you think of any more reasons for another mom to consider flat diapers?