Questions about CD'ing a newborn

[brietta]

I've never cloth diapered a newborn, but I'd like to next time around. I feel a little lost, though, especially since there is a lot of variation in my babies' sizes at birth (7.5-10lbs).

I have everything I need for diapering a baby once they fit well in a small fuzzi bunz. I really just want something for those newborn days, especially thinking of umbilical cord stump care.

My thought has been to go with prefolds and covers-- simple enough, right?

Except that I've never used prefolds, and after looking at greenmountain and other recommendations from others, I can't figure out which size to start with. If I get the newborn orange-edge, will that be too small if I have another 10lb baby? Will orange prefolds last until the small fuzzi bunz fit? Or should I get the small yellow-edge?

Also, I've heard rave reviews about Thirsties covers. But I love the prints available in Bummis Super Whisper Wrap and Bummis Super Brite Diaper Cover. Is there any of these that's easier than another? Does one work better than the others for newborns specifically? And what sizes of each of those is best? For example, I noticed that Bummis SWW smalls are from 8.5-15lbs, but are they generously sized? Am I better off getting newborn (7-10lbs)? [ETA: What about the Bummis Super Snaps? I like snaps better than aplix when it comes to diapers, so should I just get those?]

The last question is regarding putting the diaper on the baby. I like the idea of just trifolding inside a cover. But will that contain newborn poop? Do I need snappis or pins?

Thanks!

[Mrs.Oz]

I hadn't CD'd a newborn either (started when DS was about 2 months) so I had no idea what size to get either when I was PG with DD. Since DS was 8.5 lbs., I decided to skip the orange-edge and go with the periwinkle from GMD since I figured DD would be bigger and I didn't want to spend money on something that might be outgrown really fast. Glad I chose the periwinkle as DD was 9.5 at birth. Initially I just folded down the edge a little since it was the rise that was long (but not by much), or I used the twist fold since that makes the dipe a little shorter when it's on. IMO, I'd actually like it if they were a little wider, and DD doesn't even really have a big hip/waist area. I don't think the orange would have lasted long at all on DD, mainly in the width. Right now at exactly one month, the periwinkle fit perfectly for just a regular angel-wing fold. Not sure what DD weighs but I'm guessing in the 12 lb. range or so, and I think we've still got a couple weeks or so where they'll still fit. Trifolded, they are the perfect sized doubler, so they will continue to get good use once outgrown.

Can't really help you with regard to covers as I use Dappi nylon pull-on pants (can't beat $4 for 2 covers), but I do know that while trifolding in a cover will likely keep poop off of clothes if the cover fits well, it will definitely lead to poopy covers which I hate dealing with. I used a snappi the first couple weeks as DD is really wiggly, but now I pin. I can get a much better fit around the leg with pins, but either one works well once you get the hang of it (buy the nappy pins from GMD--they're the best).

[mom2ewc]

I CDd my newborn from Day one (it was my first time using CD, too - pretty proud of it!). I can tell you what we used, as I have quite a variety.

He was 7 pounds 8 ounces, and our small fuzzi bunz fit. Loved it, in fact.

The Pro Raps and Lite Wrap with the umbilical cord cut-outs fit from birth, and the Lite Wrap still fits (he's 10 pounds 13 ounces now at 5 weeks). The Pro Raps were too small a week or so ago. I didn't really like the Pro Raps material... but they fit around the cord well. Wouldn't fit a 10 pounder, I don't think.

We also have a Bummis Super Whisper Wrap in newborn size, and that still fits my DS, but it's getting small.

We also used the Bummis pull-on pants (forget the name) which is huge, but worked after 2 weeks when it started fitting his thighs better.

I didn't use our Polar Fleece (S) for about a week or two, but I was surprised that it actually fit him.

We also used Happy Heinys in newborn size - those still fit... and the Bum Genius 3.0 OS actually fit him within a week (wrapping the sides around him a bit, but they fit!)... and now fit great.

So, all in all, I would say pro raps are fine for those first few days when the cord is still on, but not for a huge baby. The Lite Wrap would be better for a chunker. The BSWW worked great, as would the pull-on pants.

Good luck!

[mama to 2 girls]

DS was a little over 10lbs and was just plain BIG....His stomach measured 14 1/2" and his chest was 15" at birth and he was 23" long.

Small FB fit him well......The GMD orange edge p/f's didn't even begin to fit him, they didn't even come close. I also had bought some KL0's for him (wasn't expecting a biggun' ) and they were too small. I would go with GMD yellow edge if you think it's going to be another 10lber....otherwise the periwinkle sound a bit better so you don't have so much bulk.

I had also bought newborn/x-small covers in the following brands..Pro-raps, Thirsties, BSWW, Stacinator fleece, Imse Vimse.....The ONLY ONES that fit him in the newborn size/x-small were the Imse Vimse..they are generously sized.

I would think a 9 1/2lber or less would be ok in anything newborn, unless they have big measurments like my ds.

You may have some blow-out issues just tri-folding......I bought some Snappi's because I was afraid of sticking him. It really is a lot easier than it sounds. I thought at first that trying to snappi or pin a p/f was too much trouble but it really isn't.

HTH!

[brietta]

I'm really not sure what to expect size-wise since my babies' weights have been all over the place: 8lbs12oz, then 10lbs even, then 8lbs4oz, then 7lbs12oz. The trend seems to be getting smaller lately, but you never know!!!! I went 22 days late with #2, which is why the big size. Since I'm very anti-induction, that's always a possibility again.

A couple of you mentioned the small fuzzi bunz fitting right away. Were there problems with the cord, or were you able to fold them down so that they didn't get in the way? Obviously that would be convenient for me since I already own 18 small fuzzi bunz!

The other thing with the periwinkle: I'm a little afraid of unbleached prefolds. I use Charlie's Soap. Will I be able to get all the oils off? (I've read some horror stories on here!) Maybe some of you can put my fears to rest.

mama to 2 girls: do you think small covers would fit an 8-8.5lb baby? I figure that if I plan for that size, even if I get surprised by a smaller baby, I can fudge things a bit and quickly order a couple smaller covers. But maybe it's unrealistic to think I can skip the newborn sized cover altogether?

Thanks so much for the help!

[Mrs.Oz]

Originally Posted by brietta

The other thing with the periwinkle: I'm a little afraid of unbleached prefolds. I use Charlie's Soap. Will I be able to get all the oils off? (I've read some horror stories on here!) Maybe some of you can put my fears to rest.

Thanks so much for the help!

Boil them. That gets rid of a LOT of the oils.

[myfairbabies]

If you go here- http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/...htm#periwinkle and scroll down, you can see the difference in size in covers (the thirsties xs are WAY bigger than the bummis super brite).

[croleRN]

My NB was 7-12; we used green edge PF and small covers (BSWW; prowrap & litewrap)
We just did a trifold - but we went thru a lot of covers since baby was EBF and runny poo. Next baby I'll probably try to do more snappi's & jelly roll. We did this as she got older & worked better.
GL!
Another option might be contours.

[MerelyGod]

My second DD was my first time CDing a newborn. I tried a lot of different things, and my absolute favorite was preemie prefolds with Nicki breathable poly covers. They are trim, trim, trim together, and the covers are not stiff and crinkly like some are. Also, the velcro is not as stiff and is quieter than some other covers I used. I can't say it enough, but I really loved the combination for a NB.

DD was 8 lbs at birth, and grew fast, but these worked for us for at least a couple of months. Also, they are cheap enough that I didn't mind that she outgrew them quickly.

Small covers were too big on her at first, unless she wore them over a fitted, but it was just too much bulk in those first few weeks. I also found the infant prefolds way too bulky initially.

I am pregnant again and planning on only using preemie prefolds and NB covers again. I think I still have some of DD's, but I will have to buy more of both because we did not use them exclusively. For me, it is worth the extra money just to have something that fits well and is not bulky for the first little while.