Buttons Diapers was always an AI2 system, with reusable shells and snap-in pads. But since the shells also make great little diaper covers, it makes complete sense that Buttons would add prefold diapers to its product line-up. We received a complimentary review pack of Size 2 Buttons prefolds, which are made of 55% bamboo and 45% unbleached cotton.
If you’ve only used cotton prefolds before, the bamboo/cotton version is softer and silkier in comparison. You’ll notice this right off the bat.
Buttons recommends a minimum of two washes before first use, but they achieve maximum absorbency after four or more wash/dry cycles. Our Size 2 prefolds measured 13×5 by 14.5 out of the package and about 12×12.5 inches after prepping. Buttons prefolds are 4x8x4 ply, which translates to 4 layers on either side and 8 layers down the middle. They are durable “diaper service quality” prefolds, meant to withstand years of washing and drying.
Before first use, prefolds are dense and smooth (below), but after washing they fluff up.
We chose Size 2 because Mary Kate is 9 months old and about 15 pounds. She wears her Buttons Diapers on the medium setting right now, and the Size 2 prefold is a perfect fit inside (photo below).
If you are using Buttons covers on the largest setting, fully opened up, the Size 2 prefold fits but with some room to spare. It’s very possible that with an average sized baby you could make the Size 2’s work and not have to go up to a 3. However, if you’re already diapering a bigger or older toddler, definitely go with the Buttons Super Covers and Size 3 prefolds.
If you are diapering a newborn, or using Buttons covers on the very smallest setting right now, you might opt for Size 1. Or, you can make a Size 2 work by folding the front or back under, or by folding and pinning.
If you don’t pin your prefolds, but just like to trifold and lay in a cover like I do, try fanning out the wings in the back, like a newspaper (below). This little tip helps to give you some extra coverage in the rear. Speaking of pinning, Buttons bamboo prefolds have worked just fine with both of our diaper fasteners (Snappi’s and Boingo’s). And it goes without saying that you can use Buttons prefolds with other brands of covers in your rotation.
Pricewise, Buttons bamboo prefolds are comparable to others on the market, at roughly $2.58 and up per diaper. This is higher than 100% cotton, but with bamboo you get extra softness and absorbency. As evidence of this, Mary Kate can’t always wear a plain cotton prefold through a nap, but with bamboo it’s always a win. At night, you can pair a Buttons insert of your choice on top of or underneath the prefold.
Having tried bamboo blend prefolds, I don’t think I’ll ever go back to plain cotton! <—–SPOILED Over time, bamboo prefolds do lose a little of their initial softness, but it’s nothing dramatic.
I don’t want to wrap up this post without mentioning one of Button’s newest prints – PINE! The warm, mossy green, accented with white pine boughs, is beautiful at any time of year.
Mary Kate (9 months and 15 pounds) is wearing the Pine cover with her new, trim bamboo prefolds:
If new to Buttons Diapers, you might be wondering, “Which should I choose? The prefolds or the snap-in pads?” Good question! Although it certainly doesn’t take a long time to fold a prefold in thirds and lay in a cover, many people still like the convenience of an insert that snaps in and stays put. You can snap your Buttons inserts in ahead of time and have the diapers all ready to go. In terms of absorbency, it’s difficult to compare the two since Buttons has so many options (Stay Dry, Hemp, Bamboo, etc.) and they can be used in different combinations (two inserts snapped together, one insert with one prefold, etc.). One area you may notice a difference in will be drying times; our Buttons bamboo prefolds definitely dry more quickly than the multi-layered bamboo and hemp inserts.
Where to buy: You can shop for Buttons Diapers directly at their website; the new prefolds are covered under a 90-day no questions asked warranty when purchased through their site. Sizes and styles available are:
- Cotton Prefolds, Pack of 6 starting at $10.50 in sizes 1, 2 and 3
- Bamboo Prefolds, Pack of 6 starting at $15.50 in sizes 1, 2 and 3
Weight estimates are: Size 1 (7-12 lbs), Size 2 (12-25lbs) and Size 3 (25-40 lbs).
You can also shop Buttons at retailers like Amazon and Diaper Junction.
Giveaway: One lucky reader will win a 6-pack of Buttons prefold diapers in choice of size. Open to US and Canadian residents. Use the entry form below, and good luck!
I absolutely LOVE the Pine print and have been wanting to try their bamboo Prefolds so this is super exciting!
I’d love to try their bamboo prefolds!
I am in love with Flourish right now!! Oh it’s amazing!
I think the new pom design is super-cute for a cover.
I would definitely be interested in Bamboo prefolds. I hear they’re a great option for absorbency and they can make a great booster as well. I really like the “brite” pattern, but I think it may have been LE.
Love the Phoenix pattern!
I would love to try the bamboo prefolds! New baby coming soon and I have yet to find a great newborn diapering option. I think prefolds might be my best bet.
I love bamboo blends for flats and prefolds. They really are a game changer for heavy wetters and overnight. That pine print is gorgeous!
While we have some Buttons diapers and are very happy with them we have yet to try the pre-folds. I’ve read so many good things about the bamboo and absorbency. We have been looking at pre-folds as a cost reduction. Thanks for the review. Love the Pine print too.
Oddly enough I have never tried prefolds in my Button diapers. I love the softness & absorbency of bamboo & would love to try the Buttons prefolds to replace the other prefolds we have that are now too short.
Flourish and lumberjack are my favorite!!!
Can you use prefolds as boosters? I love Critter and Flourish!
Kellyn, yes you can! You can pair a prefold with a Buttons insert easily. ~Anne
I would love to try their bamboo prefolds! And I absolutely love their Pine print!!
I would definitely give these prefolds a try. We love the combo of prefolds with covers. Definitely the easiest way to cloth diaper.
I have been wanting to try Buttons for so long!!
Love the honeybuns one and the Fetch one.
I love bamboo prefolds! I haven’t tried Buttons prefolds yet though, so I would be excited to try a new brand!
I would love to try the Buttons bamboo prefolds!
My favorite buttons print is lumberjack. So cute! I also love flourish, but I don’t own it yet!
I really want to try these prefolds. I am curious how they compare to GMD cloth-ez prefolds.
Angie, I don’t have any of the GMC cloth-eez prefolds, but I do think the Buttons are comparable in size and absorbency to my Nicki’s and Diaper Rite prefolds. ~Anne
I️ want to try the bamboo!!
I would be interested!
Im in love with Flourish and can’t wait to get it. I love using prefolds for our new baby girl and am super excited to try their bamboo ones
I’ve heard nothing but good things about Buttons Diapers. I would love to try their prefolds
I am dying to try BD! I really love the florals!
As i havent tried buttons brand diapers before so either would work for me but the price of the cotton prefolds makes them the cheaper of the name brands and i will be buying them
Fav Buttons print right now is probably flourish, but I’m pregnant with #2 and we are not finding out the sex, so if I were to make a purchase it would probably be Pine since that much more gender neutral
I don’t have any previous love to try them love that they have bamboo
I would love to try Button’s bamboo/cotton prefolds! I have some of their cotton prefolds for out little guy that’s expected to be here January 1st, but I’ve had my eye on the bamboo! Also really loving the Pine and Maverick prints from Buttons
I really want to try the bamboo prefolds! I already love so many of their products.
I can’t wait to try these! We are a strictly prefold household.
I would live to try the bamboo prefolds. I think my Favorite print is probably the critter one since it also has the names on out!
I love bamboo in general .. I have a grovia bamboo prefold and they’re so soft .. I also have bamboo flats from diaper junction and they’re amazing .. looking forward to try thenlargest size from prefold as I’m more concerned about sizing for my chunky baby
Thank you
Oh and my fav print from buttons that I wish they make it in super siZe is lumberjack .. nextnis tropical
I would love to try the prefolds!! I love their other inserts and I’m thinking the prefolds are just as awesome!! My current favorite print is Fetch!! I’m itching for that one for baby boy due in April!
I really want to try prefolds. I heard they are better suited for heavy wetters. I love the new pine print and Amethyst and plan to get then soo. We love our buttons and it’s all our stash consists of.
Oh I’ve been wanting to try these! And pine
. And I wish Nicki’s carried Buttons 
I would love to try prefolds to see if they fit better on my tiny baby! I’m currently obsessed with Thicket <3
Love the print, and I LOVE bamboo inserts, so I’m certain I will love bamboo prefolds!
I started with Buttons and really liked them, still use the inserts, but couldn’t get the covers to quit leaking at the gussets so I finally gave up. I’d like to try their prefolds.
Amy – I’m curious as to which inserts you tried? ~Anne
I’m always interested in more Prefolds! They are a great alternative to microfiber inserts, which I am trying to replace.
I love Sherwood and Honeybuns! I am so curious to try buttons! We use majority prefolds and covers so this would be easy for us to use.
I love pretty much all of their prints and colors! We have Phoenix and I love it <3. I really like their snap in bamboo inserts and I would love to try out size 3 prefolds for my son!
I love the Marina color and we would love to try the bamboo prefolds! I’ve heard bamboo blends stay softer overtime than cotton ones.
I would love prefolds and I adore Pine
I loooove pine and flourish! Those are the first two I will order when I have a washer and drier so I can start using my cloth:)
I’m really digging the Swell print! I’ve heard a lot of good things about bamboo and usually use prefolds as soakers.
I would love to try the bamboo prefolds! Our first baby is due early February, so we have been reading various blogs and doing research to find out what would work best for us and baby. So far we only have 1 Buttons cloth diaper, the Lumberjack pattern. I couldn’t resist it and HAD to go ahead and order it because it’s just so darn cute!
Looking forward to reading and following your blog now. Thanks to Buttons Diapers for the suggestion to you!
Thanks so much for entering and following, Stephanie! ~Anne
I would love to try the prefolds!
my daughter would absolutely love having these
I would love to try the Bamboo prefolds!
I have only tried cotton prefolds in a different brand and they are just “meh ” for me. Curious to see how different bamboo is. I also love the Lumberjack and Pine prints!
I’m hoping to get my hands on a Flourish before they’re sold out! I’m looking to switch from our MF Buttons inserts since we’ve been having some compression leaks. I’d like to try out the hemp inserts and these brand new bamboo prefolds to see what will work out for us!
would love to try out the bamboo prefolds and love the pome cover
I would love to try their prefolds!
I used to be intimidated by prefolds. Every new baby, a few more prefolds creep into our stash. They’re not intimidating- they’re versatile! I can make them as complicated or as easy as I want. Everything I’ve tries from buttons is quality so I’d like to try the prefold!
I would love to try the bamboo prefolds and some of those prints are really cute too !
My favourite colour right now is the Monarch colour.
I love bamboo diapers! We used mainly cotton prefolds, but are excited Buttons has an affordable option for bamboo prefolds!
my favorite print is afternoon tea
I love the afternoon tea print!
Have really been wanting to try bamboo prefolds! Love that Buttons has added them!
My all time favorite was the little fox print and the animal alphabets (:
I think the Honeybuns is adorable, and so is the Acres print!
I would love to try the prefolds!! I bet they would be really absorbent.