Names?

[tracysroberts]

Ok so what is the difference between prefolds and flats? Not sure which I have. And are all prefolds, chinese prefolds?

Just trying to get all the terminology correct.

[chase_mommy]

I will try to get this right.

Prefolds are flats that have been folded down and serged. They come in different sizes but the normally have a thicker middle panel and then a thiner panel on each side. There are Chinese, Indian and regular Birdseye prefolds. Some are bleached and some are not. Here is a link that will tell you there difference between Chinese and Indian prefolds.

Flats are huge pieces of material that you fold up into different folds and put on baby. These come in different materials too and can be made out of practically anything from receiving blankets and old bed sheets.

HTH!

[My3guys]

An easy way to think about it:
Prefolds are just flats in which the folding has already been done and sewn to never be undone.
Flats, you have to fold yourself.

There is a lot of funny terminology in the beginning. Don't worry. It gets easier.

[Ola_]

Flats are just a single layer for the whole thing. Prefolds have a thicker centre and thinner edges (usually 6-8 layers in the centre and 2-4 layers on the edges). To an extent they're already "pre-folded" for you to make the middle section more absorbent. Flats also tend to be larger I think.