With seven children and a budget to stick to, I’m all about saving TIME and saving MONEY.

That’s why we use a lot of flat diapers.

If the thought of this scares you, don’t let it. I procrastinated for four years, convinced that using flat diapers was too complicated. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, it’s been just the opposite! Not only are they really cheap (you can find flats for $1.83 each at Diaper Junction and $2.25 each at Nicki’s with free shipping), but they wash easily and dry SUPER quick.

I like to tell cloth diapering mothers “If you can fold a kitchen towel you can fold a flat!”

Here are three really easy ways to do just that.

THE PAD FOLD

I use this one for older infants and toddlers. It literally takes about 10 seconds. You fold the diaper in half once. Then you fold it again to make a square. Bring the two sides in, turn it over and lay in a cover. Voila! No need to be an expert. No need to pin or fasten.

THE MINI PAD FOLD

I invented this simple folding technique out of necessity. Padfolded flats were sticking out of the front of our newborn covers. So I adapted the fold to fit tiny babies. Fortunately, it’s just as easy as the Pad Fold!

THE CUSTOM FOLD

If you’re looking for an easy fold that uses pins or fasteners (like a Snappi or Boingo), check out another one of my creations – the Custom Fold. You can pick the width and length that best fits your baby. This is also a good fold to use if you’re trying to contain poo better or if you’d like your baby to wear a flat diaper around the house without a cover. There are just 4 simple steps: