All you need to know about Cloth Diaper Inserts and Liners

Hi friends, as promised I am back with my next post on Cloth Diaper. By now, you must be aware of major types of modern cloth diapers available in the market, some of you might have made up your minds too about which type of cloth diaper you want to buy for your little ones. But a Cloth Diaper without an Insert (also called as Soaker or Booster by some) is like a no absorbent piece of cloth which is good for nothing.

If you are new to Cloth Diapering, you may want to read my post on Types of Cloth Diapers >> Here <<

Thus, before starting with the types of inserts, let us understand what is the difference between a liner and an insert, as many get confused with these two words easily. In very simple language –

Liners are to line the inner side of the diaper to keep the skin in contact dry and protected.

Inserts are to be inserted into the pocket of the diaper and are responsible for all the absorption.

Easy right?

Liners can be disposable or reusable/washable. Pocket and All-in-one diapers already have an attached liner to them. Some people still like to use a separate liner in these diapers for the ease of cleaning.

Inserts are washable and are to be placed inside the pocket or in between the liner and the outer cover of the diaper. These can also be placed directly above the liner except for microfiber inserts.

Now you know the difference!

I have prepared a small table distinguishing between Liners and Inserts on the basis of 5 features –

Please Note – Never place Microfiber Insert in direct contact with baby’s skin as that can pull in all the moisture and excessively dry the skin.

Now let’s see what are the most common types of Inserts available in the market on the basis of their material –

1- Microfiber –

These are not a natural fiber but are quite cheap and have a great absorbency but tend to get bulky when moist.

Image Courtesy – Google

2- Bamboo –

These are again synthetic fabric and are super absorbent but unlike microfiber, these are quite soft and comfortable.

Image Courtesy – Google

3- Hemp –

These are the natural or organic fiber usually blended with cotton to make them comfortable. These have the best absorbancy of all, also dry out fast and are not bulky. But these are the most expensive of all.

Image Courtesy – Google

I hope now you have got a clear idea about Liners and Inserts and how these are used in a Cloth Diaper. If you still have any queries, please feel free to write them down in the comments below.

In my next post on Cloth Diapers, I will write about different brands available in the market and which among those are my favorites. Till then, do share your views or experiences about cloth diapers in the below comments section.