3 Types of Waist Tab Extenders for Cloth Diapers

Diaper tab extenders help lengthen the waist and leg opening on cloth diapers. They get snapped onto the wings of a cloth diaper to work as an extension. This is helpful if the front closure cloth diaper is too tight in the waist and/or the leg and you want to extend the life of your cloth diaper.

In addition to enlarging a cloth diaper, certain tab extenders also have the capability to add extra stretch in the waist of the diaper. This extra stretch enables the front closure cloth diaper to be pulled up and down like a pull up.

This is a great option for kids who are potty training or for adults who may need the protection of a cloth diaper in case of an accident, but are still able to use the bathroom.

There are 3 different types of diaper tab extenders: Curved, Square, and Elastic. Each of these extenders have a different snap formation and shape. Plus, you can easily sew these with scraps of leftover fabric.

Types of Diaper Tab Extenders

How to Use Diaper Tab Extenders

How to Sew Diaper Tab Extenders

3 Types of Diaper Tab Extenders

Diaper tab extenders have been a bestseller in my Etsy shop for some time now and over the years I have created 3 types based on customer feedback. Each of these extenders have a different pattern of snaps. Although if you make your own, you can adjust the snap formation, as well as the space between snaps to fit whatever cloth diaper you need.

1. Square Tab Extenders

The square tab extenders come in a simple rectangular shape with 4 columns of snaps. 3 sets of snaps are the socket snaps that face upwards on the PUL fabric, while 1 set of socket snaps face the lining. Each column is fairly close together, offering a variety of spacing options for your cloth diaper – depending on how much extra room is needed.

I like to make these with PUL outer and microfleece against the body. Since a large area of these extenders touches the body at a high friction point, using microfleece helps reduce moisture wicking. It also offers softness for a comfortable fit.

These work best on cloth diaper brands that have 2 columns of snaps on the wings.

2. Curved Tab Extenders

The curved tab extenders only have 3 rows of snaps. The snap formation on these is reversed from the square ones with 2 sets of stud snaps towards the curved edge and only 1 set of socket snaps against the flat edge. These work best on cloth diapers that have only one column of snaps, like BumGenius.

These extenders are shorter and smaller than the square extenders. They can also be serged or turned and topstitched. In addition, you can serge these with jersey fabric for an extra stretchy extender that can be used to turn a cloth diaper into a pull up.

3. Elastic Tab Extenders

I created this pattern based on a customer request modeled after waist tab extenders that Grovia had. Many Grovia diapers use size 22 snaps, so their elastic tab extenders don’t work on other baby cloth diapers – hence the request.

I sized these a little longer than the square tab extenders to allow for more stretch in the extenders. These are made using shirring, a sewing technique that uses elastic thread in the bobbin to gather fabric and make it stretchy.

You can make these tab extenders using jersey fabric for even greater stretch.

How to Use Diaper Tab Extenders

Diaper waist tab extenders are easy to use. Simply snap your chosen extender to the wings of the cloth diaper. Then put the diaper on as usual. The extenders essentially function to lengthen the wingspan of a cloth diaper. This also makes the leg opening larger.

How to Sew Diaper Tab Extenders

Sewing your own cloth diaper tab extenders is easy. All you need is 2 pieces of 10”x5” fabric, snaps, and a pattern. When you make your own, you can not only customize what type of fabric you use, but also customize the snap formation.

Check out sewing patterns for cloth diaper tab extenders HERE.

Some diaper brands stagger the second row of socket snaps on their diapers. While diaper tab extenders still work on these diapers, you can easily adjust the placement of snaps when you make your own.

Just note, that while size 20 plastic KAMSnaps are the most common types of snaps used, other brands of snaps may vary slightly in size. I’ve noticed this is more common on the stud snap than the socket snap. For example, brands like Alva cloth diapers or snaps like Babyville Boutique have slightly smaller stud snaps. These don’t snap as securely to a size 20 KAMSnap. So if you find that your snaps are loose, this is likely the cause.

Ultimately, cloth diaper waist tab extenders can extend the life of your cloth diapers. The extenders lengthen the wingspan and leg opening of the diaper, allowing you to still get a good fit even if your kid is outgrowing their diapers.