There’s a first time for everything and for me that includes trying out flat diapers on my newborn son, Erik. In November I posted a quick tutorial about how to do the easy “pad fold.” It takes a mere 10 or 20 seconds and is very simple. Here’s the photo again for a basic pad fold. I use this easy fold for my older babies:
I quickly discovered that I could not use the pad fold for Erik, however. It renders a rectangle-shaped diaper that’s too long to fit in his newborn covers. And when I tried to fold the top down there was way too much bulk, and it caused the waistband to gape open.
I did a little Googling and got a bit intimidated by tutorials for the “trapezoid,” the “origami” and the “mini kite” for newborns. I just wanted something similar to my pad fold that did NOT require pinning and that could be laid in a cover. And so because there’s no right or wrong way to fold a flat….I just figured out my own quick and easy way to fit it in our tiny covers without creating too much bulk in the front or back. I dubbed it the “mini pad fold.” Here’s the rundown:
I’m holding up the diaper so you can see that this method creates the same number of folds at the front and back, so you don’t get a lot of bulk at one end and not the other.
And here’s Erik sporting a flat inside a Bummis Super Brite newborn cover:
Erik in a Thirsties Duo Wrap – this cover is roomier in the rear, so it easily accommodates bulkier diapers, which is great if using fitteds or when adding a doubler to your flat.
See all my newborn diaper cover reviews here!
Covers I’ve found that work well with fitteds and flats are the Thirsties Duo Wrap and the newborn sizes from Imagine and Nicki’s, all available at Nicki’s Diapers.
Flats are amazingly absorbent for newborns because there are so many layers of thirsty cotton fabric. And the unbleached flats are so soft they might surprise you. I like them better than thick prefolds! Other perks: flats are just a big square piece of cotton so they wash and dry better than any other diaper in our stash. And I’m using the same flats for Erik that I am for Samuel and Susanna – just with different folds. Later on, they work great as burp cloths or doublers. Flats also have a good re-sale value.
The softest flat diapers I’ve found (that are within budget) are the unbleached birdseye flats at Diaper Junction; it’s their exclusive Diaper Rite brand. It’s important to choose the unbleached diapers, which are a natural color. The white ones are not as soft and smooth.
Hope you have fun with flats!
We do not have children, but we have animals. I’m also studying to become a master herbalist. Where can I find just regular organic diapers? It’s recommended for poultices (animals and humans) and also having on hand to dry off newborn goat kids..or just old towels. I like the idea of cotton diapers designated for animals that you can wash. Any ideas of where I can get these without breaking the bank? I saw your post about diapers…but most were contoured for human babies. I just want the flat kind that can be washed over and over again with many uses:) Thanks!
Chaparral Hill Farms
-Heather
Hi Heather, thank for your question! I think the square unbleached flats would work great. Sent you and email
Anne
I would reccommend using flour sack towels in the kitchen section of walmart/target. they are just like diapers marketed as flats but cheap and work just as well if not better in some cases. i have about 25 in my collection that i love love love. they are also highly reccomended by many cloth diapering mothers and since they are less than $1 a piece they are cheap!
This is such a great idea, Brittany, thank you!!
We do not have children, but we have animals. I’m also studying to become a master herbalist. Where can I find just regular organic diapers? It’s recommended for poultices (animals and humans) and also having on hand to dry off newborn goat kids..or just old towels. I like the idea of cotton diapers designated for animals that you can wash. Any ideas of where I can get these without breaking the bank? I saw your post about diapers…but most were contoured for human babies. I just want the flat kind that can be washed over and over again with many uses:) Thanks!
Chaparral Hill Farms
-Heather
How are they working to contain newborn poo-splosions? I purchased the flip/flat set you mentioned above since I’d never tried either Flip covers or Flat diapers. I’m glad I tried them. They’re not my favorite but they definitely work. I do love how they come out of the wash so clean and no stains. I also bought some four sack towels and some flats from Buy Buy Baby. Both are bleached and I just don’t like them as much as the OsoCozy unbleached. They’re not as absorbent and the four sack towels are not nearly as soft.
As my baby girl grew and I had to start up-sizing my multiple sized diaper covers I had a hard time making the flats fit but after thinking about it for a bit I simply folded them asymmetrically and now they work just fine once again.
Thanks for the information. It’s highly unlikely I’ll have more babies (even though I’d like to, I don’t think I can handle more c-sections) but if I ever do I’ll keep this in mind.
Julie, I definitely agree that although flour sack towels are certainly a bargain, they just aren’t as soft. And I LOVE soft, especially for a newborn! I like how you found a new fold as your baby girl grew – flats are so versatile, aren’t they? Thanks for commenting! ~Anne
What is the diaper cover in the pictures where you demonstrate the fold? I’m looking for a newborn cover with a fleece inner… Thank you!
Hi Amy, that’s actually a newborn pocket diaper I purchased on Etsy. You can use any newborn pocket diaper as a cover since they all have fleece inners. I also reviewed a microfleece newborn cover from Little Bear Bums that is great. http://hyenacart.com/LittleBearBums/2116/category/20/Diaper-Covers But I don’t know of any newborn diaper cover with a fleece inner. Thanks for asking! ~Anne
Thank you for this tutorial, my daughter is having her first baby and she wants to try flats and prefolds.
Super helpful! I was gifted some flats with my last baby when she was a bit older and with my baby due next month was planning on getting more flats to replace all our old pre folds. Good to know how to use them with a newborn!
Great tips! Excited to try these on my newborn!