Sized or One Size Cloth Diapers….Which Is Better?

Sized Cloth Diapers or One Size….Which Is Better?

When I do consultations with Moms-to-Be, I often get asked which are better; sized diapers, or one size (so called ‘Birth to Potty’) diapers?

Well the answer depends on several things, so let’s go through some pros and cons of each to help you decide too…

Sized diapers
These are diapers that come in more than one size to get baby diapered from birth to potty learning. They might come in Small, Medium, Large, or Size 1, Size 2 etc. They key with these is that they have snaps or velcro to close them in the front and no other adjustability. They are designed to fit specific weight ranges without having to fiddle with adjusting too many snaps.

Now, most people shy away from sized cloth diapers when they hear that they’ll have to buy multiple sets of diapers, each in a different size - but in reality, you don’t really have to buy more than one full set.

Newborns need 10-12 diapers per day, but once they get older (6+months or so) they only require 6-8 diaper changes, so once you move up to the bigger sizes, you need fewer diapers than you did in the smaller size. In the end it's not that many more diapers than a full supply of one size versions.

Another benefit is that over time, sized diapers tend to hold up better because they see less overall use. A sized diaper is used while baby is in the weight range, while a one size diaper will be used the entire time baby is in diapers. Less overall use = less washes and less wear and tear. This is especially important if you intend to use your diapers for more than one baby or if you want to preserve better re-sale value on the used market for when you are done with diapers. Bottom line, you're more likely to have diapers in good condition for use with an additional baby if you're in a sized diaper style.

But what are the biggest benefits of size diapers? Ease of use and trim fit. Without extra bulk or a front full of snaps to fiddle with, sized diapers are more intuitive to use, and are not as confusing to fasten. This is nice for dads, daycares, babysitters or grandparents who may be lending a hand in the diapering department or who are new to diapering with cloth. Sized diapers also tend to have a really great trim fit even on newborns so you are less likely to have to size up on pants and sleepers to fit clothing over them. Don’t get me wrong, there are some one size diaper brands that do fit newborns, but we’re talking bigger newborns (7-8+lbs) and yes they may function, but all the extra fabric makes them really bulky until baby grows into them. If simple diapers and a trim fit are important to you, sized diapers are the right choice for you.

One Size Diapers
If on the other hand, a little extra bulk doesn’t bother you when baby is smaller, then one size diapers might be better for you. One size diapers are designed to fit babies from ‘birth to potty training’.

To accomplish this, they have extra adjustment capabilities that allow the sizing to be scaled up or down to fit baby’s changing dimensions as they grow and gain weight. Most One Size diapers adjust with what's called a Snap Down Rise. On a snap down one size diaper, there is either snaps or velcro to close the diaper up on top and then a myriad of snaps below which are how you make the diaper smaller or larger as baby grows.

You can see the snaps on the outside of the diaper which some people don’t like, but it makes it super easy to adjust and once it’s snapped to the size that fits baby, it will stay snapped as you wash it until you re-adjust again in a few months when baby grows.

Since the snaps are so easily accessible and quick to do up or down, snap down one size diapers are a great option if you have 2 babies in cloth at the same time. They can both share the same set of diapers and changing the sizing is super quick depending on which child is using the diaper. Be warned that dads, babysitters or grandmas might get flustered when they see so many snaps, but with a quick tutorial (or pre-set diapers ready and waiting) they should be good to go.

The other benefit is that you only have to buy diapers once. No other diapers to purchase as baby gets bigger.

BUT, the trade-off for one size diapers means a very fluffy, perhaps bulkier bum at the smaller sizes which may not accommodate pants, let alone skinny jeans, so plan on sizing up on some clothing when baby is on the smallest settings.

Also, if you're using them on a newborn, keep in mind that one size diapers will sit up over the umbilical cord almost at about mid-chest. It might look a bit funny for awhile, but if you can get a good fit around the legs, they will function fine and babies grow into their diapers super fast.

Keep in mind that since a one size diaper is going to be used and washed regularly every 2 days or so for the entire time baby is in diapers (2-2.5 years), they will experience more wear/tear over time than their sized counterparts.

If you don't want to deal with a one size diaper over the umbilical cord or with some extra bulk in the tiny days, but you still want to go with one size diapers you can consider these other options during the fresh newborn phase:

Newborn diapers – You could purchase newborn specific diapers to bridge the gap. Lil Joeys, for example are a great option (4-12lbs) and fit newborns perfectly, but are outgrown fairly fast. This option can be pricey and defeats the cost savings of going with one size diapers. It also sees you getting two different sets of diapers very similar to going with sized diapers in the first place. There are some situations though where investing in newborn sized diapers is a good idea. Find out if you should buy newborn diapers here.
Use up those gifts – Many moms find that they receive newborn disposable diapers as part of their gifts at baby showers etc. Some moms just choose to use those up before switching to their cloth diapers. Other moms don't want to start their cloth diapers until a few weeks after they heal from birth and settle in with their newborn. Depending on how many disposable diapers you were gifted, how many weeks you want to wait before you begin cloth and/or how big your baby was at birth that may give you enough time for baby to grow into your one size diapers a little better.

So, if you know you tend to have larger babies that will fit one size diapers sooner, if you want to wait a bit after birth before you begin cloth diapering, if you are starting to cloth diaper with an older baby or if you are cloth diapering 2 children at the same time, one size diapers are the way to go for you.