Nappy Guide: Prefold Nappies

What Are Prefold Nappies?

Prefold cloth nappies are a type of reusable nappy absorbency option that are made up of multiple layers of absorbent materials. They are folded and sewn in a specific way to create a "prefolded" shape, which makes them easy to use and adjust to fit babies of different sizes.

Features of Prefolds

Prefold nappies can be folded and adjusted to fit a baby's shape and size. Prefolds typically have a thicker layer of absorbent material in the centre, with thinner layers on the sides. This design allows the centre of the prefold to absorb the majority of the wetness, while the sides are less bulky and can be folded to fit the baby's body, much like a fitted nappy. The prefolds can be fastened on baby using pins or nappy fasteners or can be placed inside a reusable nappy cover. You can also simply pad fold the prefolds by folding the two outer sections on top of the central layers and place inside of a cover or pocket nappy.

Prefolds can be found in a wide array of natural fibre choices. Most commonly, prefolds are made from cotton, organic cotton, bamboo cotton, hemp, or blends of these fibres. Some are also topped with a stay dry layer consisting of a microsuede, microfleece, or atheltic wicking jersey (AWJ). If you wish to create a stay-dry nappy for your baby, you can simply add on top of the prefolds a reusable nappy liner.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Choosing Prefolds?

Pros:

• Affordable: Prefolds are usually less expensive than other types of cloth nappies.
• Durable: Prefolds are made to be washed and reused many times, making them a more sustainable option.
• Adjustable: Because prefolds can be folded in different ways, they can be adjusted to fit babies of different sizes and shapes.
• Trim fit: Prefolds typically have a trimmer fit than some other types of cloth nappies, which can make them a good option for babies who are on the smaller side as they won't be bulky.
• Versatile: Prefolds can be used with different types of nappy covers as well as pocket nappies

Cons:

• Bulky: Prefolds can be bulkier than some other types of cloth nappies, which can make them less convenient to use when you're out and about. It really only is an issue when you find you need to boost them with inserts or boosters as baby gets older.
• Less leak protection: Prefolds may not provide as much leak protection as some other types of nappies, especially if they're not folded and adjusted correctly.
• Additional covers needed: Prefolds need to be used with a cover to prevent leaks and keep the baby's clothing dry. They are part of a two part nappy system.

View our collection of prefolds.