After a long break from using cloth diapers because I just couldn’t keep up with laundry, I decided to start back up with them. I wanted to change the type of diapers I was using, though. I had previously been using Kawaii One-size pocket diapers, and while I never had any real issues with them, I was ready for a change. I had several friends tell me how much they liked the simplicity, versatility, and ease of care using flats and covers so I sold my Kawaiis and bought a bunch of Sweet Pea covers.

I had read that receiving blankets make good flats and I didn’t have enough funds from the Kawaiis sales to buy “real” flats so I thought I would try out the stack of blankets that’s been sitting in our closet for months!

I started looking for different ways of folding flat diapers and after trying several, this has become my favourite. I did tweak it a bit from the original “airplane fold” to put a couple of more layers in the front. This fold is especially good for boys because it has so many layers in front.

First, start out with your blanket laid out flat.

Fold one bottom corner up just past the middle. You’ll want it to go just a bit beyond the center line of the blanket; this adds an extra layer of absorbency.

Fold the other bottom corner up just past the middle as well. The front center of the blanket now has 3 layers of fabric already (in the original airplane fold there would only be 2 at this point)

Fold the bottom point upward. How far you fold it depends on the size of your baby, so you might need to experiment a bit. There are now 6 layers of fabric in front. If you want even more layers, you can do this fold in 2 steps, just folding it upward a little bit first, and then up again.

Fold one side of the blanket toward the center,  just past the middle again.

And do the same for the other side. There are now 10 layers of fabric in the front.

Fold down the top points in between the layers of fabric at the back.

Lay your baby on the diaper. Roll each side of the diaper in toward his legs, front to back, making sure that the roll continues to the back of the diaper. This acts as a poop catcher so that you are more likely to be able to reuse the cover.

Attach a snappi, pin, or boingo. (Sorry for the fuzzy picture. He was getting impatient.)

Put on a cover, and you’re done!

I know it seems a bit confusing and like it might take a long time, but after a few changes it will go much more quickly. I’ve only been using flats for a week and it takes longer for me to snap the cover onto a squirming baby than it does to fold the diaper. I hope this was helpful!