flat diaper en · NOUN
Etymology
From the shape of the fabric before being folded into a diaper.
Meanings
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(Canada, US) A makeshift cloth diaper folded from a large piece of (usually square or rectangular) absorbent fabric, such as terry (coarse cotton), which is held in place by a diaper pin or other fastener.
In the old days flour came in soft cotton sacks that were converted into all manner of useful items, like dresses and diapers. The descendant of the flour sack diaper is the flat diaper, made of gauze-that soft, thin, quick-drying, loosely-woven fabric that some baby-boomers might remember their mothers using on them.
2003, Theresa Rodriguez Farrisi, Diaper Changes: The Complete Diapering Book and Resource Guide, 3 edition, M. Evans, →ISBN, page 10:Equally favored by modern mothers is the rectangular flat diaper made of two-layer cotton gauze and foldable into four-cornered pants. Other less common fabrics found on the American market include the once popular (but now rather rare) cotton flannel and England's favourite, ferry towelling.
1965 August 14, “Diapers”, in Consumer Reports, volume 30, number 8, Consumers Union, page 402:Cheap fitted diapers can result in poor cloth diaper experiences (shrink, poor fit, lack of absorbency). I recommend trying a prefold or flat diaper for a comparable absorbency for a lower cost, easier to wash, more accessible cloth diaper choice.
2021, Bailey Bouwman, Cloth Diapers: The Ultimate Guidelines to Textiles, Washing & More, Simply Bailey Social Marketing, →ISBN, page 228:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| flat diapers | Number=Plur | lexicographic |