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How to set up a Cloth Diaper system:

1. INNER; Absorbent cotton diaper. This is the part that absorbs the wetness, and comes in cotton, hemp, bamboo, or microfiber.
2. OUTER; Waterproof cover. You'll need something to stop the wetness from getting onto clothes or bedding.
3. Or, use an All-in-one diaper, it has diaper and cover all in one, so you don't need a seperate cover.
4. Doublers. An oval shaped smaller diaper that lays in the diaper and doubles the absorbency without the bulk of a whole extra diaper. Add one or two for heavy wetters, nap or night time or to add absorbency to any diaper to stop it from leaking.
5. Liner. Fleece, suedecloth, silk, or wool liner lays on top of diaper next to baby's skin to keep baby feeling dry, or to make clean up of soiled diapers easier. For fleece or suedecloth liners, the solid poos just ROLL right off into the potty!
6. Cloth Wipes. Cloth wipes instead of disposable ones makes changing time easier, and is much nicer on baby than all the chemicals in commercial wipes.
7. Large Waterproof washable wet bag. 1 Large bag to store dirty diapers in until wash day, and 2-3 smaller ones to use for outings, or to keep one in the bedroom or bathroom.

Kinds of Diapers Explained:

I'll start with the most basic diapers. I will add pictures later which does help to explain things a bit.

1. Flat or Prefold Diaper. A flat diaper is just a very thin 1 layer gauze peice of fabric about 27" square. In our Grandma's day they would have folding parties with the expecting mother to teach her all the ways to fold this thing to get it to work on any shape size or age of baby. Pins were essential with these or they would not work. Pinning although it takes practice is not as scary as it sounds and can make a flat diaper give a custom fit to baby's body. But usually these diapers sagged didn't absorb enough and leaked, BAD! Prefold diapers are flat but have many layers of thin material. This makes them very absorbent, but still takes a bit more folding and situating than many parents want to deal with these days. They are about $2.50 ea and seem like an economical choice for many, until you add up the cost of all the velcro covers you need to go over them.
2. Fitted Diapers are just like a disposable with cute prints outside and curvy like shape that fits baby to a T, except for the fact that they do not have the waterproof plastic outer. This maskes fitted diapers very breathable. Gentle elastic in legs and back means no leaks and most of these fitted diapers are very absorbent. They close with either front or side closures. Snaps or velcro and are super easy to use, ideal for heavy wetters as there is 2 layers in the body, and the attached snap in doubler adds another 4 layers of fabric for a total of 6 layers! These fitted diapers are just as easy to use as a disposable because of the good fit, great absorbency, and velcro or snap closures. As long as you have a good fitted diaper, you can even use this diaper without a cover during the daytime. When you want to put clothes over the diaper or for nap or night time you will need to have a waterproof barrier of some kind. The best covers for fitteds are a simple nylon pull-on cover. Or you can use wool or fleece pants as they will not leak and will work both as a pant and cover at the same time. As long as fitteds are made with high quality materials like organic cotton, sherpa, fleece, or terry they are exceptional diapers. Flannel or other thin materials can make for a wimpy, not very absorbent, slow drying fitted diaper.
3. All-in-one diapers have the absorbent cotton inner and waterproof outer cover sewn together all in one diaper! This is the closest diaper to a disposable(minus all the chemicals, cost, guilt and waste!) These are by far the easiest diaper to use, and most families no matter what system they end up using will have at least 6-12 all-in-ones in each size for outings, lazy days, daddy, sitter or grandma.
4. All-in-Two's just as easy as an all-in-one but you can reuse the outer cover if you wish by just snapping a new contour diaper inside. Easier and less expensive than any other system. Great for all babies!
5. Pocket diapers are a sort of diaper cover with an outer layer of waterproof material, and an inner layer of micro-fleece with a pocket in the back to stuff the absorbent diaper into. Some parents like using these over covers because you can pre-stuff them and it makes sort of an all-in-one, ready to go diaper. You do have to fold the diaper stuff it in the pocket, and shake the wet diaper out before washing. That can get tedious if you have all pocket diapers all the time, and also costs a bit more as you cannot reuse the outer pocket part once it's wet. Pockets are about $16 each and each stuffer is $3.50-$7 ea, some use prefolds to stuff in the pocket.
6. Covers come in PUL or Procare, waterproofed(or PUL'd) cotton or poly prints, Fleece in 200 wt(light wetters), 300 or windpro(heavy wetters or nightime), nylon, or Wool. Each has it's own special pros and cons, and most go with a PUL type cover because the cost is lowest. They all range about $8-$25 each, and if using flat diapers you go thru about 4-5 different sizes from birth to potty training.