How To Fold Cloth Diaper

A cloth diaper is a washable diaper composed of natural fibers, synthetic materials, or a mix of the two. Preformed cloth diapers, all-in-one diapers with waterproof exteriors, fitted diapers with covers, and pocket or “stuffable” diapers are just a few of the different forms available today. They are frequently constructed from materials including wool, bamboo, unbleached hemp, and even industrial cotton that has either been bleached white or left in its original hue. It is also possible to utilize artificial materials like a PUL waterproof layer or an interior absorbent layer composed of microfiber toweling.

Originally, linen fabric, cotton flannel, or stockinette were folded into a square or rectangle and used to make cloth diapers. These days, this kind of diaper is known as a “flat”. The rise in working moms during World War II created a need for “diaper service” and on demand, fresh cotton diapers would be provided. The prefold diaper was designed in 1950 by a diaper service entrepreneur and manufactured by Curity. Cloth diaper use went out of favor in the 1960s, but resurfaced in the 1980s owing to environmental concerns over disposable diaper use.

Is there more than one way to learn how to fold a cloth diaper? Cloth diapers can be folded in tons of ways. The more methods you know, the more easily you can fit cloth diapers onto your baby perfectly every time. You can also ensure you’ll always have the right fold for your child as your little one grows.

In this article, we’ll teach you how to fold a flat diaper, including prefolds as well.

Read on to learn more about how to fold a diaper in many unique styles!

Option #1. Triangle Fold

Materials Needed

One flat cotton cloth diaper

Diaper snap

Steps

• Fold the diaper with the top corner down to the opposite bottom corner.
• Fold the other bottom corner up toward the opposite top corner.
• You should have a triangle with a center point and a long opposite straight end.
• Place the diaper so that the center point is down between the baby’s legs. Pull this end up, then fold the other flap ends over and secure in place with a clip or snap.

Option #2. Origami Fold

Materials Needed

One flat cotton cloth diaper

Diaper snap

Steps

• Lay the diaper flat.
• Fold in half lengthwise.
• Fold in half in the other direction.
• Pull only the top layer to the side, creating an open triangle on top.
• Flip the diaper over.
• Leaving the triangle open, fold the remaining square into thirds so that it sits in the middle of the diaper. Secure on baby with a snap.

Option #3. Trifold/Pad Fold

Materials Needed

Two cotton flat cloth diapers

Steps

• First, lay the diapers on top of each other.
• Fold the diapers together into thirds.
• Fold the diapers in half to create a short, fat square.
• Fold in half again lengthwise.
• Place the diaper inside a diaper cover just like this.

Option #4. Bikini Twist

Materials Needed

One cloth flat cotton diaper

Diaper snap

Steps

• Start by folding one diaper in half lengthwise.
• Lay the diaper out vertically in a rectangle.
• Twist the diaper once so there is a single crossed fold in the middle.
• Put the diaper on the baby with the crossed fold between the baby’s legs and the two ends folded around and secured on the baby’s body with a snap.

Option #5. Angel Wings

Materials Needed

One flat cotton cloth diaper

Diaper snap

Steps

• Fold the diaper into thirds lengthwise.
• Fan out the top.
• Fold up the bottom quarter.
• Place the diaper on the baby so the bottom quarter comes up and over the baby’s stomach, and the fanned portions are wrapped around the baby’s body. Secure with a clip.

Option #6. Newspaper Fold

Materials Needed

One prefold cloth diaper

Diaper snap

Steps

• Fold the diaper down about two inches in the front.
• Place the diaper under the baby and tuck the two front corners toward the middle.
• Wrap the tucked front over the baby and the back end around the sides, securing in place with a snap.

Option #7. Jelly Roll Fold

Materials Needed

One prefold cloth diaper

Diaper snap

Steps

• Fold excess diaper down in the back.
• Roll the sides of the diaper toward the middle to create a V-shape.
• Put the diaper on the baby so the V-shape comes up and over the belly. Secure in place with a diaper snap.

Option #8. Origami Fold with Pad Fold

Materials Needed

Two flat cloth cotton diapers

Diaper snap

Steps

• Fold the diaper in half lengthwise and then again in the other direction.
• Open one corner to create a triangle.
• Flip over and fold the remaining square into fourths.
• Fold a second diaper in half lengthwise and then again into fourths.
• Place the pad fold diaper into the origami fold diaper and secure on baby with snaps.

Option #9. Double Origami Fold

Materials Needed

Two flat cloth cotton diapers

Diaper snap

Steps

• Lay the diapers on top of each other, opened fully.
• Fold both diapers in half lengthwise together.
• Fold in half in the other direction.
• Grab the top corner of the first two layers of diapers and open into a triangle.
• Flip over and fold the remaining square into fourths.
• Put on baby and secure with diaper snaps.

Option #10. Kite Fold

Materials Needed

One square flat cloth cotton diaper

Diaper snap

Steps

• Open the diaper so that one corner is facing you.
• Fold the left corner to the middle.
• Fold the right corner to the middle. The shape should look like a kite.
• Pull the top corner down to the middle.
• Fold the bottom corner up to the top.
• Put on baby and secure with snaps.

Option #11. Airplane Fold

Materials Needed

One flat cloth cotton diaper

Diaper snaps

Steps

• Open the diaper fully.
• Fold up one edge by about four inches.
• Fold the right corner up to the center, then the left, forming a paper airplane shape.
• Fold up the point to the middle of the diaper.
• Fold the sides up on an angle to create a straight line in the center.
• Tuck in the top flaps.
• Secure on baby with diaper snaps.

Option #12. Doggie Bag Fold

Materials Needed

One flat cloth cotton diaper

Diaper snaps

Steps

• Lay diaper flat in a square.
• Fold sides onto each other.
• Fold up bottom by four inches.
• Fan open back.
• Place on baby and secure with snaps.

Option #13. Maria’s Boy Fold

Materials Needed

One flat cloth cotton diaper

Diaper snaps

Steps

• Lay diaper flat in a square.
• Pull in all four corners to the center.
• Pull bottom corners over each other to form a straight line where they meet.
• Fold up and tuck in flaps.
• Secure on baby with snaps.

Option #14. Happy Anteater Fold

Materials Needed

One flat cloth cotton diaper

Diaper snaps

Steps

• Lay diaper flat in a square.
• Open triangle as if in an origami fold.
• Fold over square into thirds.
• Fold up edges to create a slim fit.
• Secure on baby with snaps.

Option #15. Neat Fold

Materials Needed

One flat cotton cloth diaper

Diaper snaps

Steps

• Lay diaper flat in a square.
• Pull in two corners to meet.
• Fold other two corners over to create a straight line where they meet.
• Place on baby and secure with snaps.

Option #16. Jo Fold

Materials Needed

One cotton flat cloth diaper

Diaper snaps

Steps

• Lay diaper flat in a square.
• Fold in four corners.
• Fold over sides.
• Open up top into a fan.
• Secure on baby with snaps.

Option #17. Mutt Fold

Materials Needed

One cotton flat cloth diaper

Diaper snaps

Steps

• Fold diaper in half, then fold into a Kite fold.
• Fold edges Anteater style.
• Fan out the top in the Doggie Bag style.
• Tuck tabs into each other and secure on baby with snaps.

Conclusion

How do you know which method will work for your baby? Here are some tips to help you determine this:

1. Consider whether or not you have a boy or a girl to determine where you need the most layering.

2. Think about the rise of your baby’s middle and choose the right height for your child.

3. Consider how active your child is to choose the best fit.

Keep these tips in mind to choose the right method for your child!