A simple guide to flats and prefold nappies
Before the advent of the disposable nappy, the old terry-toweling cloth nappies (i.e. ‘flats’) dominated the scene.
A few short decades later, we are back to the basics.
In this article
Today, we realize the brilliance of flats and prefolds - how eco-friendly, versatile, economical, and safe they are (especially since we no longer need to stab ourselves or our babies with pin fasteners!!).
Flats and prefolds - they're not that complicated!
If you are as confused between flat and prefold diapers as I was when I started out, here is a simple guide that explains the different types, the benefits and drawbacks of each kind, and how to use them.
Having used both flats and prefolds on my newborns, I am a huge fan of both. Some parents shy away thinking they are a bit complicated or might need to be an origami sensei to master them, but I can assure you that once you get the hang of them, you’ll realize that they’re an amazing (and super cheap) nappy option for your baby.
We have also done a more detailed guide to all types of cloth nappies to help you navigate the world of modern reusable nappies.
What are terry-toweling cloth or ‘flat’ nappies?
As their name suggests, flat nappies are pieces of highly absorbent cloth made from fabrics including cotton terry toweling, muslin, bamboo, and hemp terry.
These traditional flats are square and measure around 60×60 cm or 70×70 cm. To be used as a nappy, they have to be folded before being placed on your baby. (This part will require a little practice, and we explain the different folds below.)
Instead of a safety pin, you’ll be relieved to know that nowadays the flat nappy is held in position with nappy fasteners or Snappies (see pics) and covered with a waterproof nappy cover to hold in the moisture.
An optional microfleece liner can be added inside the top layer of the nappy (against the baby’s skin) to prevent the baby from feeling wet and also to easily catch and dispose of any solids.
One of the best things about flats is that you can actually make your own! While there are some great options on the market, in a pinch you can fashion your own out of whatever absorbent (and ideally organic) materials you have on hand – cotton towels, tea towels, etc. Take it from me – this can be a very handy tip in an emergency!
What are prefold nappies?
Folding a terry cloth nappy can feel like origami to many parents—and rightly so, although with a bit of practice, we’re sure you’ll be folding like a pro!
But, what if your terry cloth flat nappy was already folded?
Well, that is exactly what a pre-fold nappy is! (Yes, pre+fold equals prefold – fancy that!)
A pre-fold nappy is made from an absorbent material like hemp, cotton, or bamboo and is stitched to form a super absorbent rectangular nappy.
A prefold nappy is larger by design so that it can be folded into three sections (otherwise known as a ‘tri-fold). In some nappies, the center section has extra inbuilt layers for higher absorbency. In addition to the tri-fold, a prefold nappy can be folded into the “Angel Wing” fold and snapped using a nappy fastener (see photos below). Similarly to flats, you will need to add a nappy cover or wrap over the top to make it waterproof.
Flats vs prefolds: is one better than the other?
Here is a quick comparison of flats and prefolds.
Flats | Prefolds | |
Material | Cotton terry toweling, Muslin (least absorbent) bamboo hemp terry | Cotton terry toweling, bamboo hemp terry |
Size | Square flats available in 50*50 cm, 60×60 cm and 70×70 cm | Rectangular pre-folded nappies Prefolds come in different sizes so you will need to get bigger sizes as your baby grows |
Stay-dry | No. Need a microfleece liner on top to keep baby dry | No. Need a microfleece liner on top to keep baby dry |
Ease of Use (Folding)
| Require different folding methods for different age groups. Little ones need an Origami Fold while older kids need the Kite Fold. Requires some effort to find the right fit | Easy and quick to use – tri-fold or Angel Fold |
Washing | Easy to wash | Easy to wash |
Drying time | Dries very quickly | The layers take slightly longer to dry as compared to flats but still much faster than other types of modern cloth nappies |
Versatility / other uses | Can be used with boosters/inserts in the modern cloth nappy, and even as swaddles | Use as inserts for pocket nappies, night nappies as well as wipes |
Price | The cheapest cloth nappy option around! | Slightly more than flats, but still more economical than most modern cloth nappies |
How to use a terry-toweling flat nappy
There are many ways to fold a terry-toweling flat nappy and depending on the baby’s size, where you need the most absorbency, and your own folding skills / preferences.
As a nappy:
To use a flat as a nappy, you need a nappy fastener and a waterproof nappy cover. The nappy can then be folded using a range of methods which can depend on the age and size of your baby, and where you need the most absorbency (see my demonstration below).
The nappy fastener is then used to secure the nappy before putting the cover over the top.
As an insert:
The flat nappy can be folded into thirds, or however you like really and used as an insert in pocket nappies or as an additional booster for night nappies if you are needing extra absorbency.
Using a prefold cloth nappy
Like the terry-toweling flat nappy, a pre-fold can be used on top of an insert and booster to add an extra layer of absorbency to a modern cloth nappy. These are also ideal for heavy wetters and nighttime nappies.
The pre-fold nappy is also used as an insert in pocket nappies by simply folding along the seams into a rectangle and placing it in place of the insert.
There are myriad ways you can fold both flats and prefolds based on what you find the easiest and what best fits your baby. It may take some experimenting but I find the fabulous thing about flats and prefold nappies is that they have the flexibility to work how you wish them to.
Below are some photos of how I used my Seedlings Diversifold for the angel fold, which was my go-to style. Since my babes have outgrown their prefolds, I have used my very willing model below! He’s a little small so the angel fold fit is a little bulky, but I hope you get the picture!
Flats and prefolds: The Verdict
So, who wins?
Is the terry-toweling flat nappy better than the pre-fold nappy? Or does the pre-fold score higher than the flat?
In my opinion, they are both lovely options that are inexpensive, eco-friendly, and extremely absorbent. Rather than picking a favorite, I always advise moms of small babies to have both in their cloth nappy collection.
Not only are they versatile, but having a combination of both gives you a choice to choose as per need. For example, I always used the pre-folds for nighttime nappy changes because I really didn’t have the mental presence to work through a flat nappy fold. I wanted to be sure I could do a quick change as well as have enough absorbency to last those long stretches.
However, since the flats are easier to wash, cheap, and dry quickly, I found myself reaching for those during the cloudy season. In addition, they make great boosters for other nappies once your children are bigger and need extra absorbency.
And I must admit that even after my babies had been potty trained, I continued to use the flats and prefolds as wipes for accidental spills. So in terms of price, longevity, and versatility, the old-school way is hard to beat – thanks Nan for the tips!