Pre-fold diapers are by far the most economical type of diaper on the market. By using these simple but absorbent cloth diapers, you can save a substantial amount of money while putting soft, natural cotton or hemp next to your baby's skin. Some people are wary of using pre-fold diapers because they seem complicated or messy, but today's many diaper options mean you can use pre-fold diapers without having to worry about pinning and sizing.

Because pre-fold diapers don't have an outer shell, they do need to be used with a diaper cover. Fortunately, there are diaper covers available in numerous sizes, styles and colors to suit every taste. The beauty of these covers is that they do away with the need for diaper pins when putting on pre-fold diapers. Simply fold the diaper into thirds so that the two thinner, outer layers are folded over onto the thicker, inner layer. Now place it into a diaper cover and diaper your baby. The snaps or Velcro will securely hold the diaper in place. If there is extra material at either end of the diaper, you can fold it into the cover or, if you prefer, fold it out over the edge so that the cover doesn't have to touch your baby's skin.

Pre-fold Diapers may seem a bit old-fashioned, but they are practical for several reasons:

• They don't add to the problem of landfill waste.

• You won't need as many of them as your child grows. You can adjust the size of your child's diaper simply by folding more or less of the material over when you are putting the pre-fold diaper into a diaper cover.

• They are the least expensive of all cloth diapers but are just as absorbent and soft next to your baby's skin.

• They are extremely versatile. You can also use them as burp cloths or changing pads.

When shopping for pre-fold diapers, you may run into some confusion because there are so many different types available. For the most part, pre-fold diapers are manufactured in either China or India, and each kind has its advantages. You may also come across some hemp diapers that are made here in the United States.

Pre-fold diapers made in India may be bleached or unbleached, with unbleached being the most popular choice. These are very absorbent and long lasting, but you will need to wash unbleached cotton diapers several times before they reach maximum absorbency. Some people prefer the soft, natural beige of unbleached cotton because it hides stains better. Chinese pre-fold diapers generally have a bit less quilting but do have serge stitching down the sides to prevent fraying. These are white, bleached cotton and do shrink a bit less than unbleached cotton. Regardless of where they are manufactured, look for pre-fold diapers labeled as "DSQ," which means they are Diaper Service Quality, the highest standard for pre-fold cloth diapers.

Pre-fold diapers also come in a variety of thicknesses based the number of layers of material. For instance, a 2x5x2 diaper will have two layers on the outer sides and a thicker middle section of five layers. The most common thicknesses are 2x5x2, 4x6x4 and 4x8x4. It's largely a matter of preference. A thicker diaper will be more absorbent, but the fit will be bulkier, so you need to gauge both comfort and how much your baby wets when deciding which you style you use. You may want to consider using 2x5x2 diapers during the day, but switching to 4x8x4 at night if your baby sometimes soaks through a thinner pre-fold diaper at night.

Because they are so versatile and inexpensive, pre-fold diapers are becoming increasingly popular as parents discover how easy to use they really are. Consider trying cost-effective, comfortable, pre-fold diapers on your baby if you've been looking for an inexpensive and easy way to keep your baby dry.