Pocket Diapers vs. All-in-One Diapers
Which Cloth Diaper Style Is Best for You?
Choosing between pocket diapers and all-in-one diapers often comes down to your routine, preferences, and how much time you want to spend prepping cloth diaper laundry. Both offer great benefits, so how do you choose between these two options? Here is a breakdown of the pros and cons of both styles, so you can make a better-informed choice about which option may work best for you.
Pocket Diapers
- Pocket diapers wash easily and dry quickly because the insert can be removed before washing.
- You can adjust the number and type of inserts used in a pocket, making it easy to customize absorbency when needed.
- The inner lining wicks moisture away from your baby’s skin, helping them stay dry and comfortable.
- The inner lining catches messes and makes it easier to rinse off than other styles of diaper.
- Inserts need to be put inside the diaper before use and taken out before washing, which can add additional time and steps to your laundry routine.
- The stay-dry material is made from polyester, which some parents prefer to avoid against their baby’s skin.
All-in-One (AIO) Diapers
- The flap-style inserts are semi-attached to the diaper, so it washes and dries as easily as a pocket diaper and insert.
- No stuffing or folding.
- Flap-style inserts make it easy to adjust absorbency or add more when needed.
- This diaper comes with two heavy duty inserts, making it a great choice for heavy wetters or overnight use.
- There is no synthetic lining inside this diaper, allowing for natural fibers to be against baby's sensitive skin.
- Since AIOs don’t have a separate liner, spraying off solids can be a little trickier compared to pockets.
- There is no stay-dry lining to wick moisture away from baby’s skin.
Which Choice Is Best?
If you want easy spraying and a stay-dry lining, pockets might be your new best friend. If you prefer customizable absorbency, natural fibers against your baby’s skin, and no stuffing, AIOs could be your go-to choice.
But really, why choose one over the other? Many parents love having both on hand. Mix up your stash with pockets for home and AIOs for overnights or outings. The best part of cloth diapering is how customizable the experience is. With so many different styles and fibers to choose from, crafting a diaper stash that’s perfect for you is easy, it just takes a little trial and error.
If you’re still not sure which style is the perfect fit, check out the Nerdy Mommas New Player Bundle, which is a fantastic way to try out both styles of cloth diapers along with some changing accessories that are sure to get your cloth diapering journey started on the right foot.
If you already know which style you love and are ready to stock up, check out our value-packed Mystery Bundle options for both Pocket and AIO diapers.