Pictured: Elemental Joy Pocket (only $7.55 at Cotton Babies)

Lots of people use their pocket diapers not just as pockets – but as covers. And it can save some time and money, which is why I decided to devote this little blog post to it.

The outside of a pocket diaper is really just a waterproof cover with a lining, usually of fleece, sewn inside. It’s designed in such a way that you can stuff a diaper or insert into a front or back opening. The lining is often a “stay dry” material that can help wick moisture away from your baby’s skin.

But you can use a pocket diaper as a cover, and eliminate the hassle of stuffing.  Just fold up a flat or prefold and lay right in the shell (or pin the diaper on your baby first before fastening the cover on top). You can also use one or two inserts/soakers stacked on top of each other.

Here is a pad folded flat laid right on top of a pocket diaper. It’s ready to wrap around the baby:

Here are a couple of reasons you might consider using your pocket diaper “shell” as a cover:

• Some brands of pocket diapers are actually cheaper than diaper covers. For example, Kawaii and Diaper Safari pockets, sold at Nicki’s, are only $10 each, quite less than some mainstream brand covers. Or the Elemental Joy pockets for just $7.99.
• You like the fit of a certain pocket diaper brand, but you don’t like stuffing.
• Are you thinking of switching from pockets to covers? Don’t buy a new stash of covers; just use your pocket shells. This will also save you the hassle of trying to sell your pockets (re-sale value of cheaper brands is pretty dismal anyway).
• Have a few pockets you rarely use? Utilize them as emergency covers when everything else is in the wash. Or stick them in your diaper bag for covers to use when out and about.
• What if you find a beautiful print or color only available in a pocket? Buy it and use as a cover. Donate the microfiber insert that comes with it; or keep it for an extra booster to stick under a prefold or flat.
• If your baby has very sensitive skin, you might find the fleece-lined pocket shell, which has fleece along the leg openings, is gentler than a 100% PUL (poly) shell.

Can you only use it once before washing? If the fleece gets wet, then the pocket shell can’t be re-used. But if you do frequent changes, and only the diaper is wet, then you can re-use the cover. Even though fleece is a “stay dry” fabric, you can tell when it’s wet by touch.

Roderick is wearing a Wink bamboo pocket diaper in the photo just below. I like using this one as a cover because the lining is bamboo, not the typical synthetic fleece. You can buy Wink Diapers (and inserts) with 20% off using my exclusive code ZEPHYR20.

Have you ever used a pocket diaper as a cover, or do you have any other alternate ways to re-purpose a pocket?