All In One: A one-piece cloth diaper that has its own waterproof outer layer, absorbent inner layer (the diaper body), and an absorbent soaker pad. The outer layer may be made of PUL, wool, waterproof lightweight fleece, or other waterproof fabric.
Aplix: Similar to Velcro, Aplix is a “hook and loop” fastener.
CD: Abbreviation for Cloth Diapers/Diapering
Cloth Diaper: A cloth diaper is a washable, reusable diaper. Some types of cloth diapers require a separate cover, such as prefolds, contoured, and fitted diapers. Other types of diapers do not, such as pocket and AIO diapers.
Contour Diaper: A contour diaper is an hour-glass shaped diaper that does not have any elastic (such as at the legs or waist), any built-in closures, and requires a waterproof cover of some type. The wings can either be fastened (with a Snappi or by using pins) or left unfastened. If unfastened, place the diaper under a hook and loop style diaper cover.
CPF: Abbreviation for Chinese Prefold Diaper
Chinese Prefold Diaper: A flat diaper that has three “long-way” sections for easy 3-way folding. Usually the center section has more layers than the outer sections. These can be purchased in various absorbencies and sizes. Prefolds are the economical choice for cloth diapering parents. There are two options for Chinese Prefold Diapers: bleached (white) and unbleached (natural color, organic or non-organic). Unbleached CPFs come with the original cotton oils still in the fabric and require several initial washings to make them absorbent. CPFs (both bleached and unbleached) will arrive looking very large and flat. With prewashing, they become fluffier, softer, and shrink to their intended size.
Diaper: The American English word for "nappy."
Diaper Cover: Used to cover up a cloth diaper for waterproofing.
Doubler: A flat strip of layered fabrics used to increase the absorbency of a diaper. Items labeled as "doublers" are usually slightly less absorbent than an "insert" and are not meant to be used exclusively, such as alone in a pocket diaper, but instead to supplement the diaper's absorbent layers.
DSQ: Abbreviation for Diaper-Service Quality, used in reference to Chinese prefolds. If a prefold is not DSQ, it might be an inferior quality diaper.
Fitted Diaper: A fitted diaper has elastic at the legs and waist to prevent leaks and “blowouts,” as well as a closure to hold the diaper on the baby, such as hook and loop or snaps. These are very popular diapers for newborns. A fitted diaper needs a cover to make it waterproof.
Indian Prefolds (IPF): Like Chinese prefolds… only a bit different. These are made with softer cotton and the unbleached variety usually doesn’t require as much prewashing to get started as compared to unbleached CPFs. As a drawback, they may wear out faster than the Chinese prefolds. Lighter weight thread is used when sewing the ends of the diapers so the thread may wear out before the fabric does.
Insert: A flat rectangular or hourglass-shaped strip of layered fabrics used as the absorbent layer in the pocket of a pocket diaper. Often these are made from microfiber terry (often 3 layers), hemp fleece or terry (often 4 layers), hemp jersey (about 7 layers), and other fabrics as well. Note that an "insert" is not the same as a "liner."
Liner: There are two types of liners. 1) Fleece liners: these are not absorbent or disposable, but can be used inside a diaper to wick moisture away from baby's skin or to keep diaper creams off the diaper. 2) Flushable liners: these are biodegradable paper, like thick toilet paper but they don’t disintegrate in moisture like TP would. These liners are used to make poopy diaper cleanup easier, but as a drawback they can press wetness against the baby's skin.
Nappy: The European and Australian term for "diaper."
Nylon Pants: Similar to traditional vinyl or plastic pants but are made of breathable nylon material instead.
One-size diaper: A one-size diaper is made to fit a child from birth up until about 30 or 35 pounds, however most are still way too small for newborns. The one-size sizing is created by having snaps on both sides of the front of the diaper, as well as on the front and back of one of the tab closures.
Pocket Diaper: A pocket diaper has a waterproof external layer (commonly PUL) and a wicking internal layer (such as microfleece) sewn together with one end open to form a pocket for an absorbent insert. Think of it like a pillowcase. The diaper fastens onto your child and does not require a waterproof cover. An absorbent insert is necessary, and can be made of many various fabrics, such as microfiber terry, hemp, or simply a CPF.
PUL: Abbreviation for polyurethane laminate, which is simply knit fabric that has a waterproof laminate applied to the back. Laminated polyester (usually your PUL solid colors) resists moisture, while laminated cotton blends (usually your PUL prints) wick moisture quicker and require more frequent diaper changes.
Quick-Dry: A term used to describe a soaker that snaps onto the inside layer of a diaper (such as an AIO or fitted) rather than sewn inside the diaper between the diaper body and the outer layer.
Rise: On your child, this is the measurement from the front waist through their legs and back up to their waistline in the back. On the diaper or cover, it is the length from the top of the front of the cover or diaper to the top of the back of the cover or diaper.
Side Snap: This is a closure option in which the wings go under the front portion of the diaper rather closing than over the front portion. Side snaps can offer a more snug fit to accomodate chunky thighs, but also can be a challenge to get the hang of.
Snappi: A three-pronged, rubbery device with grabbers on the ends that holds prefold diapers shut. These are a great alternative to pins.
Soaker Pad: The flat rectangular (or hourglass-shaped) strip of layered fabrics that serves as the absorbent layer in a diaper (such as an AIO, fitted, or contour diaper).
Stripping: In reference to cloth diapers (rather than an adult night club), this is the process of removing buildup on the diapers that is causing them to resist moisture or to smell bad. Buildup can be caused by barrier creams (diaper creams), fabric softeners (which should never be used on CD's), or from too much detergent or simply detergent buildup over time. Excess detergent can be stripped by running the diapers through a low-level very hot wash several times until no suds arise. Buildup from creams and softeners (and detergent too) can be stripped by using dishwashing soap on the diaper and running hot washes until the suds are gone.
WAHM: Common abbreviation for Work At Home Mom
Wicking: This is the physical action of drawing liquid moisture away from the body and moving it to another surface or layer. If this is intended to happen inside the diaper using a wicking fabric, it is a good thing. If it happens to your PUL cover it is a bad thing and means your diaper is leaking. This happens when the diaper is either oversaturated, does not fit correctly, was put on wrong, or is repelling water due to buildup.
Wings: These are the ends that come around from the back of the diaper to the front to close up the diaper.
Wrap: See Diaper Cover
Wool Soaker: A diaper cover knitted exclusively of wool. Due to its high lanolin content, wool works very well as a cloth diaper cover. It can hold up to 40% of its weight in moisture. These can be used with any diaper that requires a waterproof cover.
