I am no expert on using flats and prefolds. I prefer the convenience of my AIO’s or AI2’s. However, I have found an affection for the ease of washing that comes with using them. What my newness brings to you instead are a few ways to fold flats and prefolds that are so easy even a beginner like me can do it with ease. That means if you are new, you should have no trouble at all mastering them either!
I only have my daughter Sophia as my test subject. :) She is 23 months old now. These folds are what worked for us. What that means is that I dealt with mostly solid poo and a heavy wetter. What worked here may not work for you and may not be the right folds for a newborn or a baby that is EBF (exclusively breastfed).
First up, my favorite way to create a powerful anti-leak solution for heavy wetters. I first brought this up in my Cloth Diapering at Night: Budget Edition.
Lay out your larger prefold (1) and place the smaller prefold (trifolded) in it (2) or your insert (3), then trifold the bigger one over the smaller one (4). Use this as an insert in your favorite PUL/TPU cover, wool or fleece soaker.
Next up: The Diaper Bag Fold using a Flat
I tried this one because I found it here and Autumn said it was a good one. I have to agree.
Last: The Angel Wing Fold (or Newspaper Fold) using a Prefold
Lay the prefold out flat. Next fold it in thirds. Then fold the bottom up. Pull the tops out to form the wings (looks like an upside down triangle). Place baby on (or Minnie in this case), pull bottom up over baby and pull wings around and secure with either Snappies, Boingos or pins.
I’m so glad that I had a chance to work with Sweetbottoms Baby on this. I may not have ever ventured into flats and prefolds again. Click here to read my flats and prefolds review. If you haven’t already, please enter the giveaway that is being sponsored by Sweetbottoms Baby! You have 2 more chances to enter by commenting on this post as well.
Congrats! Heather K. was the winner!
Baby care tips says
Does this site active? I have email you and I have comment on your and I didn`t get any response anywhere. All about Cloth Diaper
Jennifer Reinhardt says
Hello, My apologies. This is an active site. I searched your email and it looks like I responded to the comments. And unfortunately I have received no emails. What are you looking for currently?
hillary says
I have two Truly Charis hemp flats that I either pad fold and lay in a cover or origami fold and they are pretty amazing. I like the ease of prefolds but the cotton ones I have just aren’t enough absorbency and I don’t have any inserts that I can lay in the middle and trifold around. They are too wide. Id love to find some hemp prefolds that aren’t scratchy, the hemp boosters I have are not soft at all!
Priyanka Kamble says
Cool ways to save on diapers. Well, I was just exploring various websites which offer really good deals on cloth diapers.
Irina Johnson says
Really loved what you wrote. I believe that cloth diapers are extremely good!!
Rachel says
I like the jelly roll fold for EFB poop, best containment to keep covers clean. For flats I like Airplane fold as it’s great for a boy with lots of layers in the front. It also leaves long wings so you can kind of rollaround the legs to keep stuff in too!
Hannah says
I have been looking for an idea on using inserts with prefolds for my heavy wetter at night!
Colleen Maurina says
I have always liked the trifold. It’s easy and works well!
Amanda Young says
Trifold-we keep it simple.
Alexandra M says
i trifold my flats and than double them again so they will fit in (otherwise they would be too long )
Carie says
Trifold
Catherine W says
I just trifold my prefolds and stick them in the cover.
Joanna moe says
Trifold
Heather Ann says
So far I’ve only used the pad fold for flats. But I like the envelope fold, jelly roll fold & bikini twist for prefolds.
Miriam Matheny says
I haven’t started cloth yet because baby boy is still cooking away, but I figured with having a boy the bikini twist would be good to try
Valerie says
I love the Grovia prefolds!
Alex P says
The bikini fold has worked well for my skinny little newborn.
Alex P says
I have not tried too many, but I like the quality of Bummis prefolds. Orgainc cotton on the babies bum is so sweet.
Lydia says
My favorite is a slightly modified version of the angel wing fold.
Tonja Honsey says
I use the pad fold for my little
Jennae Brehmer says
I haven’t had a chance to try any folds yet, my baby is due in October. But angel wing fold seems most likely for me to use!
Nicole U says
I like the Angel Wing Fold.
Jillian says
I use prefolds from our local diaper service.
Jennifer says
I have never used a flat or prefold so I don’t have a favorite fold. I’ve watched a lot of how to’s and think the first one I’d learn is the jelly roll.
Amy Jarman says
Thanks for sharing and modeling different ways to fold them!
Carissa Joslyn says
I liked the jelly roll for when my son was younger, now I just use a tri fold since he’s a lot older.
Cassandra Rae says
tri fold since day one!
Shannon X. says
I’m trying to learn new folds, as I am new to the CD world. So far, the only one I have down is the mini kite fold.
Michaele H says
We love the ol trifold!
Katy Baird says
The angel wing fold is my stand-by! I’ve tried the jellyroll and the bikini twist, but had very little success with either!
Jessica O says
I usually just trifold it into a cover! I am not very good with the other folds and using snappis!
Vanessa M. says
My first try will be the diaper bag fold w/ a flat, I’m liking flats a lot online.
Vanessa M. says
I have not yet tried flats or prefolds. I have been wanting too. I’ve been searching online for a good one to try but can’t make up my mind. Hopefully soon I will be joining the prefold/flat club!
Andrea Merrill says
I have no idea what any of this is yet. We are still learning. But we use inserts. or prefolds
Hannah says
I love Imagine brand bamboo – super absorbent and they dry quickly
April E says
I love the Airplane Fold with Flats, puts all the layers up front for little boys
Dawne says
i love the diaper bag fold with a flat. Love flats for their easy washing and drying :)
Jessica O says
I love the Thirsties Duo Hemp prefold because it is so, so trim and absorbent!
Diana says
I simply trifold my prefolds!
Yolanda S. says
I love our osocozy better fit prefolds and we jelly roll because that keeps the newborn poop in.
stephanie says
I love the grovia because they are soft and tag less
stephanie says
i like the angel wing fold
Mesha Clay says
I like the Angel Wing Fold the best.
Liz F says
I use Angel wing fold or just trifold prefolds. I haven’t tried flats.
Jutta P. says
I use a kite fold with my flats!
Jo-Ann says
I trifold, but the bikini twist is good too
Aurora P says
I use the trifolded refolds
amy acevedo says
I’m boring and just trifold
Lara Clinton says
Trifold is my favorite, because it’s so easy to learn and pass on to someone else.
Kim O says
Our little one isn’t here yet so I haven’t gotten to try anything out to find a favorite but I’m excited to try everything.
Vicki H says
I like the angel fold for prefolds and I pad fold my flats
Laura S. says
I’ve only tri-folded and Osocozy prefold so far… I’d love to try other kinds!
Marian F. says
As of right now I just have prefolds and I really like the Newspaper fold.
Stacy Renee says
I’m expecting with my first in just a few months so I’ve yet to cloth diaper but have decided that going with prefolds will be the most cost effective way to cloth diaper for my little family. :)
Irina Johnson says
Hey,
I really liked your article. I also feel that cloth diapers are very cost effective. Not only that but my kid really feels comfortable and it does not cause any diaper rashes also. I really love the range of cloth diapers which are offered by Lilhelper.ca. I have purchased a lot from there and always felt to buy more and more!! Thanks for the write up. it was informative!
Amber P says
I like hemp tri folded ( amp) or I do a mix between angel wings and jelly roll with bummis prefolds and a snappi. I love how easy prefolds are to clean and dry. :)
Kristi Potts says
DIAPER FOLDS: For prefolds I use Angel Wing and Jelly Roll most often. Or even just pad fold them.. quick and easy! I like doing a twist to make them trim inbetween the legs and the bring down the rise on too long prefolds.
For flats: Origami is totally my fave! I used it ALL of the time…. but my hubby got so confused whenever I tried showing him how to do it. It was easy for me to get the hang of (folding is fun! haha), but maybe I should have found something simpler for him.
Kristi Potts says
Oops.. that was supposed to say the bikini twist up there ;)
Kristi Potts says
My fave prefolds are most definitely Green Mountain Diaper’s Clotheeze prefolds! Their sizes fit great (and even have ones that fit and hold my 5 1/2 year old who’s tube fed large amounts while sleeping!)
For flats I really like OsoCozy (LOVED flats on my newborn! And I can still use those same flats on my 5 year old!) I also had flour sack towels. The size is great, but they don’t snappi or boingo well. I always meant to try some bamboo flats since I think the stretchiness would be awesome.
Gabrielle Dennison says
I haven’t used any folds since I use mostly pockets. Though I’d like to use flats/prefolds more. I don’t have a big enough cover for my son.
Katie Barrett says
My favorite fold is the diaper bag fold, it’s so easy to do, holds up well to being put in a diaper bag and is easy for others who don’t cloth diaper to figure out;)
Katie Barrett says
I love Green Mountain flats, they are so easy to use and wash.
Whitney says
I like to pad fold or trifold in a pocket diaper or newspaper fold in a cover. Daycare and hubs can even do it ;)
Whitney says
I like green mountain diapers cotton flats and prefolds. Great quality for a great price and have toddler sizes :)))
Denae says
I have used the angel fold a lot, but mostly I just tri-fold them.
Abbie says
I’ve folded pre folds in thirds, but maybe now it’s time to branch out!
Kimberly R says
I generally use padfold for my flats, and trifold for my prefolds, but I do occasionally use the Bikini Twist.
Kayla says
I like thirsties!
Bonnie W. says
My favorite fold is the Jelly Roll!
Bonnie W. says
My favorite prefold is the Thirsties Duo Hemp Prefold.
Kristina says
The jelly roll fold for prefolds has saved us from washing many covers after just 1 use! Protect those gussets! :-)
tiffany says
I’ve used several different brands. I like Imagine and dandelion diapers.
Ayla Marie Romero says
I like the newspaper fold with hemp/bamboo prefolds from nickis diapers. I sometimes just tri-fold my flats and stuff my 4.0’s when I can’t find all the inserts to match *gasp*????????
Sara Strum says
Don’t have a favorite. We use bummis prefolds and they are ok.
Ann Turner says
The only fold I have tried is the tri fold. I am looking forward to trying the others.
Lauren B. says
I love the anteater fold!
Ann Turner says
I love to try the prefolds and flats for our newborn coming in NOV. I have heard these work the best for littlest ones. Thanks for the folding tips.
Kaitlin L. says
I’m not very good with folding and using snappis with prefolds so I usually just tri fold them and lay them into a cover. I used to hate prefolds, but I found out they are great for night time.
Lauren says
This is our first, so we don’t know our favorite yet — but my partner is super excited about getting to do diaper origami! :)
Mia W says
The first fold I learned was the Diaper Bag, and it was perfect!
Mallory Eno says
We are awaiting the arrival of our first child, so I don’t have a favorite yet. Thanks for the picture tutorial!
Kari Barone says
I like my Osocosy Better Fit prefolds for everyday use, in a cover.I love Sloomb flats for extra absorbency in my pockets.
Kari Barone says
My favorite fold for prefolds is the trifold in cover.
I don’t own any flats. I do use repurposed receiving blankets folded in a cover.I fold so that the thickest part is where it is needed most, in the front for my boy.I have never used pins, boingos, or snappis.
Theresa L says
I do a modified kite fold (instead of just folding the bottom up, i spread it out so it folds more flat-hard to explain w/o pictures)
I use flour sack towels from Target and some flannel & jersey sheets cut into 28in squares
But I really like prefolds better, not sure what brand, I found them at a consignment shop and they don’t have tags.
Anne Sweden says
I like the pad fold best and found a way to modify it to fit a newborn, too!
Anne Sweden says
My favorites are the bamboo flats from Nicki’s!
Shera Sacks says
I am going to try my first CDing with prefolds today. This post was so fortuitous! Thank you.
Rachel says
Angel wing looks easy enough! Maybe that will be my favorite!
Emily says
I have only used potato sack towels and Gerber prefolds. I like the thicker prefolds- hold more. The potato sack towels I am really enjoying the origami fold. With the prefolds I do use the angel wing fold.
Janae says
I’ve never used the diaper bag fold but have heard several people suggest it. I’ll have to give it a try.
Stephanie Lowe says
For flats we jelly roll. Prefolds we use angel wings!
Stephanie Lowe says
We use cottonbabies prefolds!
jennifer laur says
i love the jelly roll with prefolds :)
jennifer laur says
i love diaper rite unbleached prefolds because they quilt up so well
Jennifer says
I’ve never used flats, but you make it look so easy!
Devin M says
I am liking the diaper bag fold. Looks like it offers great protection. No littles to test it out on yet though ;-)
ania says
I had no idea about this magic, angel wings, origami… I will try for sure! Really great idea.
christine k says
my favourite fold varies. If I am expecting poop, it’s the jelly roll fold. That holds all that EBF poop in really well! Otherwise, a modified kite fold for a flat or a trifold/padfold for a prefold.
christine k says
My favourite flat is disana because they are soooooo airy, soft, and thin!
Tannis W says
I found the “Angel Wing” fold to work well for us with prefolds.
Tannis W says
I don’t really know! I haven’t tried flats yet, and prefolds I have we’re bought used so I don’t know what brand they are. I’m guessing they’re Bummis and they work well.
noah knak says
I love the angel wing fold!
noah knak says
I just started on the nickis smart fit pre folds
Trisha W says
I like Swaddlebees flats because they are square shaped.
Trisha W says
For flats I love Jo and Origami. For prefolds I like the Angel fold’s gussets.
Sheridan says
Angel wings and a Snappi is my favorite fold
Amanda Alvarado says
I like just simply trifolding the prefold and using it inside a cover! I’ve tried the Angel wing fold but can never get it right plus if they poop, it’s so much harder to spray clean!
Melissa says
My favorite fold for flats is one recommended by karen on grrenmountaindiapers.com she calls the fold it like a prefold. I love how it makes the flats work for every size. i use this one to make it the size i want then trifold also.
Melissa says
I have tried some fancier diapers and even made tons of pockets and pocket fitteds for my second baby, but with my most recent baby I’ve realized prefolds and flats are actually my favorite! They just work and are actually pretty trim if you snappi them. No bubble butt!
Melissa says
My flats are the osocozy brand and they work well. very basic. i would love to try some others!
Judith Martinez says
I like the origami fold for flats.
Nikki A says
I only have flannel flats that my mom made for me, but I quite like them. Our favourite fold is the origami fold.
jessamyn says
We only use prefolds! Green Mountain Diapers preafolds, were handed down from another child and this is my second one wearing them. They are super tough and can be used for so many things after they are no longer nice enough for putting on a baby. We jest trifold them, then put them in a G-Diaper cover or what ever random cover I have found for free or cheap, even fuzzy-buns work well with them!
Jordan says
My favorite fold is Origami or happy anteater
Jordan says
I always said I’d never use flats or prefolds but I love flats now!! I use flour sack towels and bamboo diaper rite flats and love them both.
Amanda says
I just ordered some covers. I can’t wait to try these folds out n see if I like them better than my pockets.
Kiersten says
The angel wing fold has worked great for us!
Laura D says
I am just starting to cloth diaper so my experience is only with econobum prefolds. I really like them but I want to try others.
Psychsarah says
I’ve only used Bummi’s but they are great!
Carina says
My favorite way to use them is folded up in thirds as a soaker. I love the Indian ones I got years ago from SBB. :)
Carina says
I love using flats and prefolds!
Bekah Kuczenski says
My favorite fold is the twofold because of how simple it is :)
Bekah Kuczenski says
So far my favorite prefold brands are economy and Geffen :)
Christina says
Angel fold!
Christina says
I did like the angel fold but we have also switched to the pockets. We still use the angel fold in some situations.
Jennifer H says
I don’t have a favorite brand for flats. I’ve never bought any actual flats. I use receiving blankets and flour sack towels. My favorite folds are pad fold to keep it simple or oragami for containment.
Becky says
Right now all I’ve done with prefolds is trifolding them into an insert shape. Works great for me at this point!
Rosalyn says
I love the overnight fold because you can customize it with various inserts.
Rosalyn says
Perfect timing for this post! Was wanting to try a new fold!
Elena says
One of my favorites is the origami fold (http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_-cuAfnBwMU)
Elena says
I like my birdseye flats, and my homemade prefolds!
Shecki @ Greatly Blessed says
I have a half dozen toddler prefolds I use mostly for stuffing Fuzzi Bunz.
Amanda Mahan says
I have only tried Grovia bamboo prefolds so far, but I love them. We use them as pocket inserts for overnight.
Amanda Mahan says
Oh and my favorote fold is just a trifold so I can stuff it in the pockets.
Mariel says
I’ve only been prefolds for a few days and it just started experimenting with flats today. I’m excited! I’ve been using the angel fold and jelly fold for prefolds. I like the bikini twist too although I’ll have to wait to do it with a larger prefold not a newborn size.
Annalisa Nelson says
I have only made my own flats out of unbleached muslin and never bought any. Our first baby is due any day now, so we’ll see how they work out!!
Bailey says
I love Osocozy prefolds!
Elizabeth says
I will try the angel fold. I have trouble with flats because they wind up poking out of the cover and then Baby’s clothes get all wet. Maybe a different fold will help!
Katie says
We pretty much use prefolds exclusively with our lo… have ventured into using inserts wrapped in prefolds for overnight and realize just how easy they are! Definitely not as difficult as people think.
Heather Ann says
Newspaper fold but I am partial to AI2s so just using as a pad/insert is great too!
Kelsi says
I plan on using the Angel with my newborn (I only bought two nb covers) and then using the prefolds as an insert or doubler during the nighttime, like you posted.
Katy says
I used the angel wing fold a lot when little man was small, also the jelly roll worked really well. I’m curious to try flats this time around.
Kelli seelbach says
I currently don’t have any flats/prefolds at this time but I have been wanting to get some. I’ve been using bg’s elementals and free times but idk how I feel about them. I’ve only been cding for a little over a month, so in still trying to get the hang of this.
Amber says
I like my prefolds and use either the angel wing fold or I just trifold them.
Tara says
My favorite flat fold for my little guy is the airplane fold (lots of layers up front!). Prefold… I don’t really do a fold.. it is kind of like a newspaper or Angel wings, but I lay flat out, put baby on, fold between legs, pull up between legs, fold top down to shorten the rise, then Snappi.
Shannon says
I have a newborn coming this month and am excited to try out the angel wing fold!
Kelly Messervy says
we do the angle wing fold
Kelly Messervy says
I love flats and prefolds
Sarah Hayes says
i like them trifolded
Allie says
I love the overnight fold, excited to try it!