Award Winning Service
| Since 2010
Since 2010
How Do You Use A Pocket Style Cloth Diaper
Ok, so you've decided you want to use cloth diapers for your baby and pocket diapers look like what you want to try, but how do you use them? Let's start from the top!
Pocket style cloth diapers are named so because they have...wait for it...A 
POCKET. Ta da! Easy right? On a pocket diaper, there is a water-resistant outer layer made of TPU or PUL stitched to an inner fabric like microfleece, athletic wicking jersey or cotton such that there is a pocket space left in the middle where you can stuff an absorbent insert of some kind.
Now, the location of the pocket where you stuff your absorbency in varies from brand to brand and isn't too relevant. There are pocket diapers with the opening at the front (like AMP One Size Duo Diapers). There are pocket diapers with the opening at the back (like Kanga Care's Rumparooz One Size Diapers. Some where the pocket is in the middle or ones that open at both the front and the back (think Thirsties).
What goes inside the pocket to provide the absorbency?
Well, that's up to you. Depending on the brand, the inserts may come included when you purchase the diaper or you might purchase them separately. You can choose the inserts that match the brand of diaper, or use something like a tri-folded prefold or a pad folded flat. Inserts can be made from synthetic man-made materials such as microfiber (polyester), or natural fabrics such as bamboo, hemp, cotton, wool or blends of those. Sometimes inserts can even be a combo of 2 different pieces of fabric that snap together (ex. one part microfiber that snaps onto, for example, a layer of hemp), or you might see inserts that are natural fabric on the outside with a layer of microfiber sandwiched in between. There are lots of variations available to suit all fabric preferences and budgets.
You can even be creative and use things like folded flannel receiving blankets an old cotton t-shirt in a pinch - really anything absorbent (and safe against the skin) will do the trick.
*One word of caution - If your inserts are made of microfiber, always, always stuff the inserts into the pocket opening of the diaper. While it's possible to use natural fabric inserts by simply laying them on top of the diaper (rather than stuffing the pocket), you don't want to do that with microfiber. It's a bit abrasive and so absorbent that it's drying/irritating to the skin and then baby would be prone to a rash, so while it can be a very absorbent material to use, always place it within the pocket of the diaper where it's meant to be.
Using your pocket diapers
Now that you have your diaper and insert picked out, let's use it on baby. If you are using a pocket diaper that is a one-size variety (adjustable with snaps down the front), start by adjusting the front rise snaps of the diaper to suit the size of your baby. Most pocket diapers are 'one-size'. If your diapers are a sized kind, then there will be no adjustable rise snaps down the front of the diaper (only waist snaps) so skip this step. 
~If you're wondering whether to choose sized or 'one size' cloth diapers, read this~
Once your diaper is adjusted for baby, take the insert(s) you are going to use and stuff them inside the pocket opening of the diaper. Use a smaller insert for smaller 
babies, a larger insert for bigger babies or even two inserts together to accommodate the amount of absorbency your baby needs.
Pro Tip: You can stuff as many inserts as you need into the pocket to match the wetting requirements of your child (example, an extra insert or booster for nighttime). But at some point if you add too many you will start to get a gap at the leg. At this point, you will experience leaks and it's time to address the increased absorbency needs with perhaps a fitted style diaper instead. This is more of an issue at night. Pocket diapers are plenty absorbent enough during the day. More about addressing leaks here. More about leak-free nighttime diapering here.
Time for a diaper change
When it's time for a diaper change, simply take the diaper off of your baby and shake any solids into the toilet. Then grab the end of the insert, pull it out of the pocket and place both the insert and the diaper into a large wet bag or diaper pail for storage until wash day.
Don't want to have to separate the insert from the pocket diaper? Then consider Thirsties Pocket Diapers. The Thirsties pocket diaper opens at both ends so the inserts will agitate out on their own during the wash cycle; no need to separate those particular ones before washing. Another option is to consider All-In-One style diapers (AIOs) which have no pockets to stuff because the absorbency is built in.
Pocket diapers are a wonderful option for your baby. They are easy to use, and easy to wash. Most pockets have a layer of microfleece as the fabric touching baby's skin which is soft and comfortable and wicks moisture away into the absorbent core keeping baby feeling dry just like a disposable would. You can customize absorbency to your child's needs by adjusting the amount of absorbency you insert into the pocket and many of the styles are 'one-size' adjustable to grow with your baby. You can feel confident choosing any of our quality brands of pocket diaper for your baby. They are warrantied, ethically produced and made of safe fabrics.
| Shop our pocket diaper collections |
Some of our pocket diaper brands include:
AMP
- Made in Canada.
- One size adjustable design
- Pocket located in front of the diaper.
Rumparooz
- One size adjustable design.
- Features amazing, PATENTED inner gussets to keep messes in.
- Pocket located at back of diaper.
- Choose from hemp, bamboo or microfiber inserts
- Choose from AWJ or Stay Dry interiors
Thirsties Pockets (2 kinds)
- Made in the USA.
- One size adjustable design.
- Features signature leg gussets for superior leak protection.
- Pockets located at front AND back of diaper so inserts agitate out on their own during the wash cycle.
- Inserts included
- Comes in 2 varieties: the Original Pocket diaper has a microfleece inner layer for a stay-dry feeling or the Natural Pocket features a 100% organic cotton inner layer against the skin.
Kinder Pockets
- One size extended sizing to fit from 7-60lbs
- Pocket at the back
- Athletic Wicking Jersey (AWJ) interior for a lightweight stay-dry feeling
- Comes with a bamboo insert; heavier duty hemp or hemp/bamboo/cotton inserts available separately.
These Just In...
-
Thirsties Duo Wrap - SIZE 1 (6-18 lbs)
ThirstiesOriginal price $0.00 - Original price $0.00Original price $0.00$21.49$21.49 - $21.49Current price $21.49In stockIf you're after a trim fit, Thirsties Duo Wraps are for you! Great for trifolded prefolds or turn it into an easy to use all-in-two diaper by pai...
View full detailsOriginal price $0.00 - Original price $0.00Original price $0.00$21.49$21.49 - $21.49Current price $21.49 -
Thirsties Duo Wrap - SIZE 2 (18-40 lbs)
ThirstiesOriginal price $0.00 - Original price $0.00Original price $0.00$21.49$21.49 - $21.49Current price $21.49In stockIf you're after a trim fit, Thirsties Duo Wraps are for you! Great for trifolded prefolds or turn it into an easy to use all-in-two diaper by pai...
View full detailsOriginal price $0.00 - Original price $0.00Original price $0.00$21.49$21.49 - $21.49Current price $21.49 -
Lil Learnerz 2.0 Potty Training Pant - SMALL (20-30lbs)
Kanga CareOriginal price $24.99 - Original price $24.99Original price$24.99$24.99 - $24.99Current price $24.99In stockLil Learnerz 2.0 – Potty training just got an upgrade! The next generation of potty training pants designed to help your toddler make the big leap ...
View full detailsOriginal price $24.99 - Original price $24.99Original price$24.99$24.99 - $24.99Current price $24.99 -
Lil Learnerz 2.0 Potty Training Pant - MEDIUM (30-40lbs)
Kanga CareOriginal price $24.99 - Original price $24.99Original price$24.99$24.99 - $24.99Current price $24.99In stockLil Learnerz 2.0 – Potty training just got an upgrade! The next generation of potty training pants designed to help your toddler make the b...
View full detailsOriginal price $24.99 - Original price $24.99Original price$24.99$24.99 - $24.99Current price $24.99 -
Lil Learnerz 2.0 Potty Training Pant - LARGE (40-50lbs)
Kanga CareOriginal price $24.99 - Original price $24.99Original price$24.99$24.99 - $24.99Current price $24.99In stockLil Learnerz 2.0 – Potty training just got an upgrade! The next generation of potty training pants designed to help your toddler make the big leap ...
View full detailsOriginal price $24.99 - Original price $24.99Original price$24.99$24.99 - $24.99Current price $24.99 -
Lil Learnerz 2.0 Potty Training Pant - XLARGE (50-60lbs)
Kanga CareOriginal price $24.99 - Original price $24.99Original price$24.99$24.99 - $24.99Current price $24.99Low stockLil Learnerz 2.0 – Potty training just got an upgrade! The next generation of potty training pants designed to help your toddler make the big leap ...
View full detailsOriginal price $24.99 - Original price $24.99Original price$24.99$24.99 - $24.99Current price $24.99 -
Lil Learnerz 2.0 Potty Training Pant - XXLARGE (60-75+lbs)
Kanga CareOriginal price $24.99Original price $24.99 - Original price $24.99Original price $24.99Current price $12.49$12.49 - $12.49Current price $12.49Low stockLil Learnerz 2.0 – Potty training just got an upgrade! The next generation of potty training pants designed to help your toddler make the big leap ...
View full detailsOriginal price $24.99Original price $24.99 - Original price $24.99Original price $24.99Current price $12.49$12.49 - $12.49Current price $12.49Save 50%
