Contour/Fitted Diapers

A contour is a type of diaper that came about not long after prefolds.  People realized there was a way to cut the material so it would fit to the “contours” of the baby’s body.  It basically looks like an hourglass and doesn’t have any sort of fastener or elastic to help with the fit, but since they are the kind of diapers that use a pin or a snappi, that doesn’t matter all that much.  Some contours have an absorbent middle like a prefold, but most are simply 3-4 layers of material sewn together in the hour-glass shape.

Contour diapers are used much like flats or prefolds, except minus the folding.  You simply lay the child on the wide part and pull the front up and pin or snappi the wings down.  Then, after the diaper is attached to the child, you add the cover, wrap, or woolie.  Many times people find this is the easiest type of diaper to use on a low budget.

They are sized according to the weight of the baby.  Much like disposables if you are familiar with those.  If you buy them, it will depend on the manufacturer what weights will be used as a sizing reference.Many people actually choose to make their own and measure their baby accordingly.  To measure your baby for a contour or  fitted diaper, Measure around their waist, this would be the length of the long-part of the diaper including wings, and from their back (level with navel) to their navel.  That is the length  of the whole diaper.  From that, cut an hourglass shape with the front being a little narrower than the back.  It only needs to cover their little belly while the back needs to swing around to the front

These can be made of almost any absorbent material. Many people choose to make the inner layer out of microfiber which would work beautifully to be absorbent.  For a rundown of materials…. Click here.

1. Cut out pieces
2. Sew around edges and flip right-side out, Overstitch or Serge the gap

A fitted diaper  is a multi-layered material cut to fit the child’s body and has elastic to help keep everything in.  Most Pocket, AIO, and AI2 are described as “fitted,” but that is a descriptive term, a “fitted diaper” is a type of diaper all its own.

A fitted diaper is used much like your flats, prefolds, or contours.  You lay the baby on the diaper and fasten it with the velcro, snaps, or snappi and then add a cover for water-proofing.

Sizing is, again, based on the weight of the baby.  For this information, click this link “sizing your baby”

Sewing a fitted is, in my opinion, the most work for the least amount of gain.  You have to deal with elastic when you’re going to be putting a cover on over it (which normally have elastic in them too).  But, to each his own I guess.   Many people choose to use Fitteds if they don’t have a heavy wetter.  They can then use only the fitted diaper around the house without the cover and they don’t have to worry about feces squeezing out the sides (like some people deal with if they use contours or flats).1. Cut out Materials.
-2-4 layers of material
– Don’t cut the Elastic!!!! One long strip is a lot easier to stretch and make work right
– Velcro or Snaps if you so choose (though most people tend to use nothing, pins, or a snappi)
2. Sew layers together two at a time, (if you choose to do more than two layers)
3. Add velcro in the middle with tabs sticking out if you choose to use velcro,
4. Add Elastic while sewing all four layers to one another (making sure to leave the velcro on the outside so it will stick right)