A detailed guide to cloth diapering – Cloth Diaper Inserts

Insert is a critical component of cloth diapers. Insert, also called a soaker, defines the absorbency of a cloth diaper. Typical cloth diaper inserts are pre-fabricated. However, even unstitched pieces of absorbent cloth material, when folded to form layers, are popularly used as inserts. The stitched inserts are usually rounded rectangles with layers of absorbent fabric.

Cloth diaper inserts come in different materials and have a varying rate of absorbing moisture and different capacity to retain liquids without leaking. The total number of layers for absorbency varies from insert to insert. These layers influence an insert’s thickness and price.

Read more to know different types of cloth diaper inserts and their features.

Types of Cloth Diaper Inserts

The insert material determines its ability to absorb as well as the capacity to hold moisture (pee). Following are the popular types of insert materials available:

Microfibre
Charcoal bamboo
Bamboo
Cotton Bamboo
Cotton
Hemp cotton
Hemp
Terry
Muslin

The insert material may be natural or man-made fibre. And each has different texture and absorbency.

Microfibre insert

Microfibre is a man-made fabric with a woolly appearance. It absorbs moisture the fastest but holds the least. Microfibre inserts make for good daytime wear but should never go directly against the skin. For that matter, no man-made fabric should as they tend to dry out the skin in contact and cause painful rashes. Microfibre inserts are always pre-fabricated.

Charcoal Bamboo insert

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Charcoal bamboo is another man-made fibre. It is black and has a felt-like smooth texture. It absorbs a little slower than microfibre. But it absorbs a little more moisture. Again, suitable for daytime use. These, too, are pre-fabricated.

Bamboo insert

A bamboo insert has a feel like silky fur. It is usually available in mixes with cotton and mostly comes pre-fabricated. Absorbs more than charcoal bamboo but absorbs at a slower pace. Recommended for daytime use.

Cotton Bamboo insert

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A Cotton Bamboo insert is slightly rougher in appearance than a bamboo insert.

But it has more absorbency and slower absorption speed compared to the bamboo insert. Still better for daytime use.

Cotton insert

Cotton inserts come in plain squares as well as pre-fabricated. Slow to absorb but good on the retention quotient. Tends to be suitable for travelling and nighttime use than the earlier options. These come pre-fabricated, as well as in squares. Also, can go directly against the skin on account of being a breathable natural fabric.

Hemp cotton insert

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Slightly rougher in texture than cotton, this has slow but very high absorbency. This fabric can retain really good quantities of moisture and is excellent for long wear and night-time use. These come pre-fabricated, as well as in squares. Also, can go directly against the skin on account of being a breathable natural fabric. This material is excellent for night time diapering as it holds a lot of moisture. Best used in combination with a fast-absorbing material on top.

Hemp insert

Hemp cotton inserts are best in class for moisture retention and worst in class for the speed of absorbency. The material is also rough-hewn. It is best used in combination with softer and faster absorbing materials. For example, for nights, use hemp as the base insert with a microfibre or charcoal bamboo as a top insert. Such a stacking arrangement helps in quick absorption of fluid and better retention of moisture. These come pre-fabricated, as well as in squares. Also, can go directly against the skin on account of being a breathable natural fabric.

Terry insert

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Terry is towel material, as simple as that. They come in plain squares, ease to pad fold into the shape of a pre-fabricated insert, creating several layers of absorbency. One can use them directly as a diaper using Snappi or Boingo to hold the ends in place. Terry is an excellent daytime diapering option if one doesn’t prefer the use of PUL cover for a while.

Muslin insert

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Soft squares of muslin pretty much function like terry but are less bulky. Muslin inserts are easily pad-folded as inserts or worn just like nappies. Again, good for daytime diapering option.

Booster inserts to increase absorbency

Boosters are small-sized inserts. They are usually made of a highly absorbing material, e.g. hemp, hemp cotton, etc.. They are usually snapped on rather than inserted into pockets. These provide for extra absorbency and are suitable for night diapering, especially for heavy wetters.