Flat diapers are a simple and affordable cloth diapering solution, since they only cost about $15 per dozen and can fit a baby from birth to potty learning. Flat diapers are also easy to launder, since there are no layers of fabric to trap odors and they dry very quickly. The kite fold works best with flat diapers that are approximately square. For rectangular diapers, first fold the long edge of the diaper over to make the diaper square before starting the kite fold. The photos below show a birdseye flat diaper in each stage of the kite fold.
Kite Fold a Flat Diaper
- Lay the flat diaper on a large, flat surface (such as the floor) with the point facing you, so that the diaper looks like a diamond.
- Fold the left corner in to the center of the diaper. Do the same for the right corner. The flat diaper should now resemble a kite.
- Fold the top point of the diaper down over the other layers of fabric, so the top edge of the diaper is straight.
- Fold the lower point of the diaper up to meet the center. (Adjust the amount of the fold according to the height of the baby. For a short baby, fold the point up higher. For a taller baby, fold it less.)
Put the Kite Fold Diaper on a Baby
- Lay the baby on top of the diaper (or slide the diaper under the baby) so that the upper edge of the diaper lines up with the back of the baby’s waist.
- Bring the lower edge of the diaper up between the baby’s legs.
- Wrap the sides of the diaper around the baby to the front of the diaper, and fasten the diaper with a Snappi or with pins.
- Put a wrap-style or pull-on waterproof diaper cover over the flat diaper.
Tips for Diapering with the Kite Fold
For extra absorbency in the center of the flat diaper, place a doubler on top of the kite folded diaper before putting in the baby. This can be a purchased or homemade doubler, such as velour, terry, or hemp, or a preemie sized prefold folded in thirds, or another flat diaper folded long and narrow.
Since folding flat diapers requires some space, it’s best to diaper the baby on a changing pad on the floor, or fold the diaper before putting the baby on a changing table so that it will be ready to go. Parents can also kite fold all the flat diapers on laundry day after taking them out of the dryer, so that the cloth diapers are always ready to go.
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