Pictured: Elemental Joy Pocket (only $7.55 at Cotton Babies)
Lots of people use their pocket diapers not just as pockets – but as covers. And it can save some time and money, which is why I decided to devote this little blog post to it.
The outside of a pocket diaper is really just a waterproof cover with a lining, usually of fleece, sewn inside. It’s designed in such a way that you can stuff a diaper or insert into a front or back opening. The lining is often a “stay dry” material that can help wick moisture away from your baby’s skin.
But you can use a pocket diaper as a cover, and eliminate the hassle of stuffing. Just fold up a flat or prefold and lay right in the shell (or pin the diaper on your baby first before fastening the cover on top). You can also use one or two inserts/soakers stacked on top of each other.
Here is a pad folded flat laid right on top of a pocket diaper. It’s ready to wrap around the baby:
Here are a couple of reasons you might consider using your pocket diaper “shell” as a cover:
- Some brands of pocket diapers are actually cheaper than diaper covers. For example, Kawaii and Diaper Safari pockets, sold at Nicki’s, are only $10 each, quite less than some mainstream brand covers. Or the Elemental Joy pockets for just $7.99.
- You like the fit of a certain pocket diaper brand, but you don’t like stuffing.
- Are you thinking of switching from pockets to covers? Don’t buy a new stash of covers; just use your pocket shells. This will also save you the hassle of trying to sell your pockets (re-sale value of cheaper brands is pretty dismal anyway).
- Have a few pockets you rarely use? Utilize them as emergency covers when everything else is in the wash. Or stick them in your diaper bag for covers to use when out and about.
- What if you find a beautiful print or color only available in a pocket? Buy it and use as a cover. Donate the microfiber insert that comes with it; or keep it for an extra booster to stick under a prefold or flat.
- If your baby has very sensitive skin, you might find the fleece-lined pocket shell, which has fleece along the leg openings, is gentler than a 100% PUL (poly) shell.
Can you only use it once before washing? If the fleece gets wet, then the pocket shell can’t be re-used. But if you do frequent changes, and only the diaper is wet, then you can re-use the cover. Even though fleece is a “stay dry” fabric, you can tell when it’s wet by touch.
Roderick is wearing a Wink bamboo pocket diaper in the photo just below. I like using this one as a cover because the lining is bamboo, not the typical synthetic fleece. You can buy Wink Diapers (and inserts) with 20% off using my exclusive code ZEPHYR20.
Have you ever used a pocket diaper as a cover, or do you have any other alternate ways to re-purpose a pocket?
What a great idea! I love when you can use something for more than one purpose. My husband didn’t like the idea of using pockets because of the stuffing, but now I can explain to him we can use it as a cover, too! I would imagine, with so many layers, it would come in handy for the night time. Thanks for you tips, Anne! 🙂
You’re welcome, Anel! I like multi-purpose diapers, too. ~Anne
The only problem I see with this method is what you write at the end. That there isn’t wipeable PUL to allow the cover to be used more than often. I like the exposed PUL covers. If other people like the covered PUL covers then the use of a pocket makes a lot of sense.
If you change the baby frequently, though, you really can use a fleece-line cover more than once. And even a wipeable PUL cover can only be used once if #2 gets on it. But like you, I do prefer the exposed PUL; that’s what makes up most of my stash. ~Anne
I’ve been using our old pockets (sadly with worn out elastic – so no good for the little guy to catch no. 2 messes) like a cover for my 4year old for nighttime. When she gets up the morning, she’ll take it off and put it in the diaper pail. More than once that happened with a stuffed pocket. Wasn’t really fond of fishing it back out to “unstuff.” So, I just lay the prefold in top of the liner and save me that headache!!!
I love that you’ve found a way to re-purpose your old pockets, Carola. Like you, I’ve never been a big fan of “unstuffing” the wet or soiled inserts out of a pocket diaper. ~Anne
Hi there
I have some pockets that I received from shower. I am wanting to use the pul covers with prefolds or liners tho. I’m wondering if the fleece layer on the pockets could be cut out to make just a pul shell? I’m thinking it could work. Also maybe add a snap in back for snap in liners? Any advice would be great. Thanks
Jill
Hi Jill, I’m not a good sewer, but it seems like if you removed the seams to release the fleece layer, the elastic might come out of the legs. I’d have to “open up” one of my pocket diapers to see exactly they are constructed. Maybe you could do this with just 1 of yours? Adding the snap would be easy, though, if you have a press. ~Anne
I was actually thinking about just cutting the fleece layer out. It would still have a bit around the legs and all the seams really. But the outer layer of diaper is the waterproof layer rite? So if bebe didn’t get seams wet or soiled I could theoretically wipe out shell and reuse again like a cover rite? Thanks for your thoughts 🙂
Yes, that should work. It’s a really unique idea!
Did this work for you?? I was wondering the same thing.
And did the insert hold still without the anything holding them in (like the flaps)?
I did this with a cheap pocket, and it works. Technically. However, because my pocket diaper was a cheap Chinese version, the snaps were double layered with scrap PUL, random triangles and rectangles of PUL used to reinforce the snaps, so the end product was pretty ugly inside! I’m not sure if this is the way nicer brands construct their pockets. I did NOT rip the seams open because it appeared like that would ruin the leg gussets, but I trimmed the fabric pretty close to the seam and left a little fleece exposed. I repeat: it’s an ugly, ugly solution, but it technically works. The PUL is now wipeable. I recommend leaving a belly & back band of fleece so that baby has a soft layer against his skin where the cover might touch. (In other words, cut out only the crotch and pee zones.)
Mikayla, thank you for this detailed explanation of how you were able to convert and use an old pocket diaper! ~Anne
Thank you, looking into this for my daughter who is a big baby. I haven’t found any covers that fit her great with no leaks and don’t want to spend a ton trying to find one. I like the way big size alas fit her but I do prefer covers. going to try cutting out the pee zone area, hope it works.
Yesenia, I also have a post on cloth diapers for larger babies you might get some ideas from! Here’s the link http://bit.ly/1sOWZ2x ~Anne
Thank you so much for this!
I have been buying all my cloth diapers from reselling websites and started off with only prefolds and covers but once I had washed them, realized that the elastics had gone in most of the covers *sad face*
As a soon to be FTM and having never changed a diaper ever (sposies or cd) I am just buying anything I think is reasonably priced… Though now I’m realizing I might have been had more than once (I bought a lot of pockets… but there were no inserts 😮 ) Live and learn! I will be trying just folding the prefolds on to the pockets as I can’t get over the idea of taking the inserts or prefolds out of the pockets… yuck. We will see if my tune will change.
*tips hat* Thank you again!!!
I have maybe 16 pocket diaper inserts and 8 pocket diapers. My problem is pocket diapers is that you need to wash the cover every time if you stick the insert inside. Could I just still use the pocket diaper inserts but lay them on top of the pocket diaper cover (just as you do with your flat in the second picture)? Would it soak through to the pocket diaper cover? It seems like the same idea you have here.
I have a 4-month-old. Do you have any suggestions on how often I should change his diaper so that he’s less likely to leak onto the pocket diaper cover?
Sorry if my terminology isn’t good–I’m new to cloth diapering!
Mamie, you can definitely just lay the insert in a pocket diaper just like the picture shows. The only caveat is you can’t do this if the insert is microfiber; it shouldn’t be put directly against a baby’s skin because of potential irritation or drying effects. And remember, as the article advises, to change your baby more frequently, before wetness has a change to saturate and seep under the insert and onto the shell. This would be every 2 hours or less. ~Anne Marie
I just wanted to add that you can still lay the microfiber insert inside the diaper like a soaker, you just need to make sure to have a layer between it and baby’s skin. I purchase a lot of gently used pockets when I started CD and was sent a ton of microfiber inserts with it. I do use them in a pinch but I layer with 1 or 2 microfleece liners, which is what the pockets are usually lined with. I just purchased a few microfleece throw blankets (about $8 a piece) instead of purchasing the precut “stay dry” liners and cut them into rectangles a bit larger than the microfiber inserts. No sewing required since microfleece doesn’t unravel. I got approximately 30ish “stay dry liners” from each blanket and still have one I haven’t chopped up yet. I use them with almost every diaper on my youngest & only use them at night with my toddler as we’re starting training and want him to feel wetness.
Oh what a fabulous idea with the blankets! Thank you for that! Im going to start cloth this week… we have pockets but I, like, others, was confused about the need to stuff the pockets when you can just lay the inserts on top. I did not know about the microfiber and being against baby’s skin. Wonderful!
Glad to help, Amy, and please let me know if you have any other questions!
I also wanted to add, you can add a layer of outerwear type fleece, not microfleece/next to skin fleece, to the pocket closest to the sewn in liner to help protect it from wetness. It would be the same concept as the hybrid fitted diapers.
These are ingenious tips – thanks, Khris! ~Anne Marie
Can you use a pocket as a shell on top of a fitted diaper too ?
Yes, Maude! As long as it’s roomy enough to cover the fitted diaper completely. ~Anne Marie
Hi! I tried going to the link for the $7.99 covers. I don’t think the link is to the same website as when this was posted. Just a heads up!
Thanks, Rachel! The Green Nursery is liquidating all their cloth diaper inventory and closing that part of the business. I will remove the link and replace it with one to Cotton Babies. They sell the Elemental Joy pocket for $7.55.
Hi, Can I use this pocket diaper at night time?
Thanks.