Inserts, inserts, inserts!

Inserts are what you stuff into your pocket diaper or lay in a cover. There several different kinds of inserts.

Microfiber~ this insert cannot go against a baby's delicate little heiney. It will dry it out too much and lead to rash. Microfiber sucks moisture up very quickly and works pretty well for when babies are little. A lot of babies start to experience compression leaks with microfiber as they get bigger and pee more, at a higher output rate.

Microfiber blends~ These are microfiber with another material on top. The one in the picture is bamboo on top and microfiber on the bottom. The bamboo side can go against the skin. 

Bamboo~ this insert can go against a baby's heiney. Bamboo absorbs quickly and can hold more than microfiber. It is also thinner and very trim. Bamboo is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-microbial, so it is great for little heiney's that are prone to rash.

Hemp~ this insert can hold a ton of moisture, but it absorbs super slow, so it is best paired with a microfiber or bamboo insert on top of it. It can also go right against the heiney. Hemp is also anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and anti-fungal. It is a favorite for overnight since it contains so much urine.

Charcoal Bamboo~ sadly, there is controversy over these inserts as they are so new and use nano-technology in their manufacture. My personal experience is that they work wonderfully and can hold a lot of moisture. I love to use them with my toddler. They can sometimes absorb slower than a child pees. To combat this, I either stuff into a pocket with another type of insert on top of it or I just put the insert right next to the skin. The compression helps it absorb faster. *Note: the controversy is in the online world of cloth. There are many blog posts about it when you Google the inserts. As with anything, they are opinion. Take them with a grain of salt. Many, many people have used the inserts with success. I only spoke of the controversy because it is out there.

Prefolds~ I know several people who tri-fold a prefold and stuff into a pocket diaper. This is a bit bulkier, but absorbs great! They are 100% cotton and you can get them bleached or unbleached. There are many, many different folds and you can use pins, a Snappi, or just tri-fold and lay in a cover. Prefolds can go right up against the skin. They are not stay-dry.

Prefolds, blended~ These are just blends of materials. Bamboo/cotton, hemp/cotton, etc.

Flats~ Like prefolds, these are folded and stuffed in the pocket diaper. The flats will be a little bit trimmer, but still bulkier than the other kinds of inserts. As with prefolds, there are many ways to fold these to use with a cover and either pins or a Snappi, or just lay in the cover.