Did you know that you can use a flat cloth diaper in a pocket diaper? You can use a flat diaper in an all in one, you can really use a flat diaper in so many ways. One of the simplest ways to use a flat diaper that ensures you enjoy the benefits of flat diapers, while also reaping the benefits of a pocket diapering system is the pad fold.

You can pop a simple organic cotton flat into any pocket cloth diaper using a pad folded system. Shop cloth diapers at my Prince George Children’s Boutique – Nest & Sprout. 

I’m Team Padfold.

This blog post was originally written in 2016 and updated in 2023. It remains consistent and up to date on the art of folding a flat cloth diaper. 

What is Padfolding?

Basically you just fold the flat into a pad (long enough or short enough) and lay it in the diaper and call it good. It just looks like an insert. This is great for diaper covers that have front flaps inside the diaper but you can. I know you’re looking for a demonstration but I want to reassure you that there is no wrong way to pad fold a diaper. Sure we have this half and half way, but you can get creative and move the absorbency and folds around to maximize your flat diapers. 

Why no fancy folds… Because my 9 month old could care less for a diaper change and runs away. Sure snappis make things easy, but honestly, just Padfold. This should be easy.

Even when I do baby oragami the poop still ends up on the cover. So, whatever. Padfold all the time – well except at night time.

How to Padfold 

Honestly, I wing it.

The basic steps is to fold the diaper in half, and in half, and then into thirds. But you can do any combinations of these steps.

 

Why I don’t Padfold at Night

I gave up padfolds because nights require TWO flats.

TWO Padfolded flats = BULK & Leaks…

Folding a cloth diaper on and fastening with your favourite fastener is more ideal way to limit bulk and get a trimmer fit around baby. For more ideas on how to use a flat cloth diaper overnight, check out this blog post I did during one of the challenge years. 

#teampadfold for the win! Join me on instagram if you are Team Padfold