How does a Diaper Shell/All-in-one Diaper work?

October 30, 2022

How does a cover / all-in-one diaper work?

A cover — or all-in-one — is one of the smoothest kinds of cloth diaper. It goes on much like a disposable, but you wash it and reuse it again and again. The same diaper often stays with you through the whole diapering period, and then on to the next child. Here we walk through how it works and why so many parents land on this very style.

How does a cover/all-in-one work?

The style is built on two parts: a waterproof outer cover and an absorbent insert that you change. And you can use it in two ways:

As a cover diaper — the insert is laid loosely in the cover. At each change you take out the used insert, put in a clean one, and reuse the cover if it's dry and clean. You mostly wash the inserts, and the cover less often.
As an all-in-one — the insert snaps into the cover, so the diaper becomes one ready piece with no loose inserts. Handy when you want everything in place straight away.

You simply choose whatever suits the moment. If you need extra absorption for longer stretches, you can add an insert — this is called boosting.

The insert has two sides

Our bamboo prefold inserts have two surfaces — bamboo on one side and a stay-dry surface on the other. You turn the insert according to what your child prefers: bamboo against the skin gives a natural feel, while stay-dry wicks moisture away and keeps skin dry even over longer stretches. The same insert, two possibilities through the day.

A fit that follows your child

You never need to buy a new size — you adjust the fit with snaps at the front as your child grows. The Cover/All-in-One comes in two fits:

Cover/All-in-One Slim cloth diaper, 3–15 kg

Fit · SlimCover/All-in-One Slim · 3–15 kgA trimmer fit for slimmer babies, often from birth. One-size, adjustable with snaps.See Slim →

Cover/All-in-One Comfort cloth diaper, 5–17 kg

Fit · ComfortCover/All-in-One Comfort · 5–17 kgA roomier fit that suits most babies the longest — and the only one that pairs with the night diaper.See Comfort →

Why many choose the cover/all-in-one

The biggest practical advantage is less washing: because you reuse the cover and only change the insert, you need fewer diapers overall. The materials are chosen with care — the waterproof outer cover is made of recycled polyester (rPET) and the material is certified to OEKO-Tex Standard 100, gentle on sensitive skin. And because the same diapers are used again and again, often through several diapering periods, the cost is spread over a long time.

Because the diaper can be used both as a cover and as an all-in-one, it's sometimes called a hybrid — if you'd like to read more, our guide has the hybrid diaper explained.