The simplest and most old-school way of cloth diapering your baby is using a square or flat diaper. There are many benefits to using flat cloth diapers:
- cheap
- easy to wash and dry
- trim
- less buildup and stink problems
- travel easy
Here is a video demonstrating how to fold a flat cloth diaper using the origami fold. The origami fold provides you with a built-in liner and a tightness at the legs.
Because of the trimness make sure to pay attention to cover size. If using a one-sized cover you will probably be able to shorten the rise. For sized covers, a smaller size may be needed.
Peaches says
So I went to watch this, and Youtube deleted it because it violates their terms of service. :(
Lauren says
Just an FYI: The video has been removed from youtube
Maddy says
Video removed because its content violated Youtube’s TOS. o.O What the deuce?
Autumn Beck says
hmmm…i still show it playing. refresh and try again.
Jen H. says
I’m getting the same message.
judi says
It seems like this would the ideal product to provide for people who live in apts. and are struggling with poverty. They can be washed in a pot of boiling water on the stove and hung to dry, thus avoiding the laundromat diaper washing scenario. I’m thankful that we have a washer and dryer now but I used disposables the whole time we were in apts. because it was actually cheaper (I bought the store brand and only used 3-4 a day) then the laundromat. I’m sad that I didn’t know about this option as we were soooo poor and had to compromise a lot just to make ends meet. My baby’s bottom would have been much healthier if I’d done this and it would have been even cheaper then the $15 a month we spent on disposables.
Jessica says
We use this fold for our 10 month old and also for our almost-3-year-old for his naptime. Gotta love a dipe you can use from birth to potty time! My little guys wears wool covers and the big guy wears Thirsties Duos. Plus, you can’t beat a cloth diaper that only costs about a buck!
Amanda says
Love this fold! We used it on our son until he got to be a bit too big to get the sides wrapped around him! It worked great when he was under 15lbs or so! I used Thirsties duo wrap covers with the flat.
Courtney Fisk says
Great video! I have never used flats, and now I know how too!
What a sweet little model too. :)
K says
This site has helped me MASSIVELY in figuring out cloth diapering!
This video just sold me on flats vs. prefolds for our backups. My mama will be so proud, as this is exactly what she used to diaper me in. :P
Janise says
Wow. What a Pro! It is truely inspiring to see the different ways people cloth diaper. It sure keeps the fire going for me.
Laurie says
LOVE THIS!! I’ve wondered how to use my flats! I’ve wanted to use flats to cut down on stink/build up issues with my dipes, but couldn’t figure out how to fold them properly. Thanks!!
Wendy says
I don’t have any flats but after watching this fold and how trim it is I really want to try them! We use prefolds at night and they are pretty bulky.
julia says
super cute video! i’ve never tried using flats, but now i think i might purchase some for my second child.
Mikaela levy says
I love flats and I remember a post I saw once I can’t remember if it was here or on DS but it talked about stripping receiving blankets and using them as prefolds which is an extreamly cost effective way to cloth diaper! You can find receiving blankets at thrift shops for a quarter!!! I did not try this with my dd since she is now PL’ing but I plan to try it with the next one for sure
Emily D says
I used this fold back when I first started CD, but my flats were cheapo kushies from WalMart and I couldn’t use the snappi at all. Now I’m thinking I should get proper flats for the one on the way…
Kari says
Where do you buy the flat diapers? I haven’t found any in my searching online for cloth diapers. They also look really easy to make out of cloth sheets or something would that work?
Autumn Beck says
They can be made out of receiving blankets. I’ve found organic flat gerber diapers at Target. Banana Peels carries Tiny Tush.
Stacy says
Many mommas also have a lot of luck using the floursack towels from Walmart. I just picked up a pack of 5 for $5 to try. I hear they tie dye beautifully also!
Keller says
Great video Autumn! I’ve never tried flats, but I know lots of mommies love them. They just don’t look as absorbent as prefolds to me. I swore by prefolds when LO was too small for pockets. The flats in the video definitely look like they offer a trimmer fit though.
Brandy says
This is the fold I am using for my 8 week old son. I love how trim it is. You do have to watch the cover you use…I am using a Bummis original now. The prefolds I have are too bulky for now, so the flats are working well.
Rachael says
I love it! I was just thinking last night it that I needed to see about finding directions for folding flat diapers… I have some idea, but figure more ideas never hurt and give me some options. Hubby tends to be folding-challenged (*everything* goes on a hanger) so I will find something simpler that he can use (or he can use fitteds or somesuch).
Thank you Autumn, you have been such a wonderful resource!
angela says
LOVE this vid. Love the whole thing! Music etc. Love the name Eowyn too :)
How do you make flats work for older babies??? I used them on my newborn but they weren’t absorbant enough after a while. Now I use them for doublers in my fitteds…..
Update….I just used that fold with two flats layered together. It’s late so I left it folded on the changing table…see what happens in the morning :)
Valerie says
That is the cutest little diapering method ever!!! I’m not sure I’d have the patience to do it every time, but watching that makes me want to try!!! :)
Carrie says
Hi Autumn, do you have any suggestions for what type of cloth would work best with this Origami fold?
Autumn Beck says
birdseye cotton flat diaper…is that what you mean?
Nicole Betts says
I actually use this fold quite often for my 5 week old. I didn’t like the flats at first until I learned this. I now prefer the flats to the prefolds until she’s bigger since the prefolds are so bulky. We use Kawaii covers with prefolds/flats in the day and the Sunbaby pockets at night. So far this is working for my hubby and I with our first child together. Thankfully my hubby was not scared to use flats/prefolds because he used prefolds and pins with his first daughter who is now 18!
Karrianne says
How many covers are you using? and how many flats do you
have?