As a rookie parent you might be surprised to know that there are different types of cloth baby diapers available at stores. How do you pick the right one for your baby?

Let’s check out each type of diaper.

• All-In-One. Sometimes labeled AIO, all-in-one cloth diapers are easy to use because they have inserts where absorbent material can be fastened. It’s like putting on a diaper cover at the same time with no hassle.

• Pocket. The name pocket comes from the feature between the cover of the cloth diaper and the layer that makes contact with baby’s skin. The absorbent material can be placed inside this pocket for easy use.

• Flat and Prefolded. You might see this type of cloth diaper among your mother’s old pile of baby clothes. As the name implies, this type of diaper is flat and prefolded to create several absorbent layers.

• Newborn. A newborn’s skin is very sensitive and not all of them are of the same size. A newborn cloth diaper can have any of the features listed in other types of diapers to make sure that it will fit properly without harming the umbilical cord stump.

• Fitted. Also called contoured diapers, fitted cloth diapers are ideal for parents who want an option that is easy to use. They look like disposable diapers and have a variety of absorbent materials and fabrics to choose from.

• Hybrid. A hybrid baby diaper is a combination of both a cloth and disposable diaper to make the most of the design and convenience of each. It has a reusable cloth cover and either a disposable or reusable/washable insert.

• Swim. This cloth diaper has a waterproof cover to protect the lining inside, although most of these do not have an absorbent insert. It can be worn by your baby at the pool or at the beach.

• Trainer. This type of cloth diaper can be used when potty training your child. Some styles look like regular underwear, but there are also trainer cloth diapers that are waterproof, padded, and others that are designed for heavy wetters or for overnight use.

• Disposable. This type of diaper is the most convenient to use because you don’t need to wash the cloth anymore, however, it can also be a waste of money. When looking for a disposable baby diaper, pick materials that will fit properly, have high absorbency, and is comfortable to wear. Check the parts of the diaper, such as the closure, waterproof outer layer, inner layer, and the absorbent core. If you’re worried about the super absorbent polymer (SAP) in the core, studies show that it is safe and non-toxic to babies.

When choosing between cloth and disposable diapers, it’s better to enjoy the best of both worlds. Make sure, however, that the diapers fit properly, and the diapers are effective at preventing leaks.

There are many reasons to cut back on dumping leftovers from Christmas dinners and using them for future meals. Not only is it wasteful to dump perfectly good food that you can freeze and reheat, but you also have an instant trove of food ingredients that you can cook in different ways.

Here are a few quick and easy ways you can use them up or save them for later meals:

1. Mix the leftovers into rice.
Fried rice is the standard go-to for chopped leftover meats and vegetables from last night’s Christmas dinner, but you can also mix up the recipe by adding cheese sauce and baking the mixture in the oven.

There are many recipe guides online that you can refer to for different ways on how to spice up fried rice post-Christmas dinner, which you can even have fun experimenting with.

2. Wrap and store them in the freezer.
While this may be the first thing to come to your mind with leftover food, a lot of people underestimate the power of a tightly sealed container and a refrigerator. When kept well, leftovers can actually last you for the rest of the year and can save you a lot of time and effort in cooking because you can simply reheat them.

A simple test to determine if your leftovers are still edible goes: sight, smell, touch, and taste. If it looks (i.e. presence of mold) and smells bad, throw the leftovers out immediately.

3. Embrace the stock pot.
Ham bones, roast turkey, beef, or even chicken can be made into stock that you can use for future dishes, especially when left for a few hours to simmer. While the meat does end up flavorless, all the juices are absorbed into a delicious, flavorful broth.

You can also use the stock pot and leftovers to make the stew of your liking, as well as reheat large chunks of previous dishes with added spices to taste. Once that’s done, you have a free meal that takes very little effort to cook, and it can even last you for one to two days.

The trick to using the stock pot effectively is to keep the ingredients simple and to allow the water and heat to work its magic to produce the symphony of flavors you usually wouldn’t associate with leftover foods.

However, a stock pot can also be made for many things, including cooking beans, lentils, and even blanching vegetables before adding in with other leftovers. Its versatility in the kitchen makes it indispensable for anyone looking to do other things than feed a crowd of people.

(Disclaimer: This list is compiled in no particular order.)