How to Properly Fit Each Type of Cloth Diaper on Your Baby

It may seem incredibly obvious, but getting the right fit is essential to a stress free and enjoyable three years of diapering with your baby. In this guide we will talk you through how to fit each type of reusable diaper correctly.

We have a general guide for best practices to employ when fitting cloth diapers but this here is our step by step guide for each type of cloth diaper available today:

Deluxe Diaper (All-In-One Diaper)

Our AIO comes with an additional snap in booster for added absorbency if you baby needs this as they grow. First, choose whether or not you’d like to use the snap in booster for additional absorbency in your Deluxe Diaper. Next, lay your baby on top of the diaper so that the back of the diaper sits just above the crack of their bottom, pull up the diaper through your baby’s legs and pull the sides around your baby’s waist and fasten the hip snaps first. Take a second to look at your child and make sure that the diaper fits snugly on the waist. Then snap the additional waist snaps. Do not snap the waist snaps too tight - you want to generally be able to fit two fingers between the diaper's tummy elastic and your baby’s belly. This allows your baby to move around and bend comfortably. 

The second part of fitting your Deluxe Diaper is to check and adjust the rise snaps located in the crotch area. Ideally the top of the diaper will lay under the belly button and in line with your baby’s hips. Be sure to push any excess fabric in the rise snap area up and under the waist snaps - not forgetting the corners. Lastly, run your fingers along the inner gusset to make sure it is sitting in the panty line of your baby and there are not gaps.

Everyday Diaper (Pocket Diaper)

Now let’s talk about the Everyday Diaper. Once you’ve chosen your pocket diaper inserts, place them inside of the pocket diaper via the slots at either the front or the back. Always place the faster absorbing inserts on top, closest to baby inside of the pocket. Next, lay your baby on top of the diaper so that the back of the diaper sits just above the crack of their bottom, pull up the diaper through your baby’s legs and pull the sides around your baby’s waist and fasten the hip snaps first. Take a second to look at your child and make sure that the diaper fits snugly on the waist. Then snap the additional waist snaps. Do not snap the waist snaps too tight - you want to generally be able to fit two fingers between the diaper's tummy elastic and your baby’s belly. This allows your baby to move around and bend comfortably. 

The second part of fitting your Everyday Diaper is to check and adjust the rise snaps located in the crotch area. Ideally the top of the diaper will lay under the belly button and in line with your baby’s hips. Be sure to push any excess fabric in the rise snap area up and under the waist snaps - not forgetting the corners. Lastly, run your fingers along the inner gusset to make sure it is sitting in the panty line of your baby and there are not gaps.

Outer (Diaper Cover)

When choosing to use a Bayrli Outer you also need to consider your type of absorbency - Bayrli Inners, Terry Cloth Diapers, Flats, or Prefolds. Place these on baby first (in the case of prefolds, you can simply pad fold and lay it inside of the Outer first if you wish).

Next, lay your baby on top of the diaper so that the back of the diaper sits just above the crack of their bottom, pull up the diaper through your baby’s legs and pull the sides around your baby’s waist and fasten the hip snaps first. Take a second to look at your child and make sure that the diaper fits snugly on the waist. Then snap the additional waist snaps. Do not snap the waist snaps too tight - you want to generally be able to fit two fingers between the diaper's tummy elastic and your baby’s belly. This allows your baby to move around and bend comfortably. 

The second part of fitting your Outer is to check and adjust the rise snaps located in the crotch area. Ideally the top of the diaper will lay under the belly button and in line with your baby’s hips. Be sure to push any excess fabric in the rise snap area up and under the waist snaps - not forgetting the corners. Lastly, run your fingers along the inner gusset to make sure it is sitting in the panty line of your baby and there are not gaps.

None of the absorbency you’ve chosen to use should be visible once you’ve placed the Outer onto your baby.

Inner (Fitted Diaper)

The Bayrli Inner is designed to get you and your baby through an entire night from birth until they're potty trained. Our goal was to give you all the absorbency you need, but allow it to be customizable as your baby grows and their needs change.

Choose your boosters, if any, and snap them into the Inner. The fleece topped bamboo booster can be used on its own and provides a stay dry layer, or you may choose both boosters. In this case, be sure that the bamboo fleece booster is on top.

Next, lay your baby on top of the Inner so that the back of the diaper is just above the crack of their bottom, pull up the Inner through your baby’s legs and pull the sides around your baby’s waist and fasten with a snug fit. Do not snap the waist snaps too tight - you want to generally be able to fit one-two fingers between the diaper and your baby’s belly. These can be fit a bit more snug that other diaper options to prevent leaks.

Adjust the rise snaps located in the crotch area until the top of the diaper lays under the belly button and in line with your baby’s hips while tugging any excess fabric in the rise snap area up and under the waist snaps. Lastly, run your fingers along the inner gusset to make sure it is sitting in the panty line of your baby. If you wish, you can tuck in the frills of the diaper. You will need to place an Outer over top of your Inner to make it waterproof.

Prefolds

Prefolds are a wonderful option for versatility. You can choose which fold to use and either fasten the prefold onto your baby with the use of a fastener or you may choose to pad fold the prefold where you can simply lay the prefold inside of the diaper cover and fasten it onto your baby.

Flats

Flat Diapers are both flexible and economical. You can choose which fold to use and either fasten the flat onto your baby with the use of a fastener or you may choose to pad fold the flat where you can simply lay the flat diaper inside of the diaper cover and fasten it onto your baby.

Terries (Terry Cloth Diapers)

Terry Diapers, similar to Prefolds and Flats, are a slightly thicker option to choose, but ideal for nighttime if you struggle with leaks. Choose a fold that suits your baby and fasten around them with the use of a diaper fastener. Once in place, you will need a waterproof diaper cover to ensure you do not get any leaks.