Cloth Diapering 101: Not You're Grandma's Cloth Diapers!

So the first reaction most people have when they find out we use cloth diapers is they almost always talk about the pins and prefolds that people typically know cloth diapers to be.

Let me tell you, these are not your Granny's cloth diapers! They have changed so much over time. Sure, many people still use prefolds-with much success. But we were more interested in the updated styles.

We use pocket style diapers. The nice thing is that they are made to grow with the baby. Our personal favorite, and what we think fits Wren the best, are the BumGenius 3.0 or 4.0 pocket diapers.

Here's a picture of a BG 4.0, we still use them on the smallest setting...Wren will probably be moving to the middle setting soon:

Here it is closed up:

And here it is on the largest setting, you can see the snaps allow you to make it bigger so it grows with the baby:

Here is the insert pulled out of the diaper. The insert also has snaps which allow you to make it "grow" as you make the diaper bigger: 

Many diapers are also made with snaps. Fuzzibunz are probably the most popular or most widely used snap diapers. Many people think that the snaps are better than the velcro because the wear and tear on velcro doesn't hold up quite as well as the snaps. We like the way the velcro fits, plus it's easier for daycare, and Wren's Papa even says the velcro are easy to change! We have quite a few Fuzzibunz One Size diapers, but they tend not to fit Wren's chunky little thighs quite as well. FB also makes a Perfect Fit diaper, and they fit Wren better, but you have to buy them in Small, Medium or Large. We didn't opt for many of these because we like the idea of only having to buy one size to last most of her diapering days (with the exception of newborn).

This diaper below is actually a Swaddlebee's. It is one of Grammy's diapers (yes, she loves them so much and had to purchase her own stash for when Wren visits her!). We have a few Swaddlebee's in our stash, but all from Grammy...they're more expensive than the others! But only the best from Grammy! :)

One of the funnest parts of cloth diapering is being able to get cute patterns and match the diapers up to her outfits. We have accumulated quite a range of fun different colors and patterns! Here's a snapshot of most of our diapers, save for what was dirty and/or at daycare at that time:

Can we talk about these cute patterns?!:

These next ones are 2 of Grammy's latest purchases (sorry it's sideways). I am dying over both, but the Owl print is just too stinkin' much!  

And I thought I would show some of the fun ways that we can use the diapers as almost an accessory. I am so excited for dress season. Let me tell you, this child has DRESSES. Wayyyy too many dresses! And skirts! So we are going to have a summer filled with cute little dresses and coordinating diapers. So much fun! Just a few examples:

The bottom line? These diapers are far from the boring old cream colored prefolds! They come in every color and pattern you can imagine.