Prefold Sizing

[amnda527]

I'm expecting my little boy to come in late may, and I really wanted to try cloth diapering this time! I plan on using indian prefolds and thirsties covers. Do you think I can get away with buying just the "standard" size prefolds, or are they going to be too big for a little baby? I just want to save as much money as I can, and I don't want to end up buying the infant size and then have them only fit for 3 months. I plan on using disposables for the first couple weeks, or until his cord falls off completely, and until I feel capable enough to wash diapers! Thanks everyone!

[curly_mommy]

The regular size will be way too big for a newborn. I would get newborn/infant sized diapers. Despite the added cost (and for prefolds, they shouldn't cost too much), the better fit will be worth it. At least, for me it was.

Since you already plan on using disposables for a few weeks, could you wait until your little one is born, and then order some newborn or infant prefolds when he arrives, once you know what size he is? If he is really small, you'll definitely want the smaller size, but if he is a large baby, you might be able to get away with using a large size. My little guy was a big baby and he grew out of his infant prefolds pretty fast, but I was really glad we used them because of the fit.

Good luck!

[confustication]

I just scored 2 dozen infant, and 4 dozen premium dipes, and a new stash of snappis for less than $100 including shipping.

The premiums would be way too big for a newborn- even infants were huge on my son for the first 2 months.

Look around for 'seconds' you can get some amazing deals. You really will want both sizes, though.

[Ackray]

My favorites are the square prefolds from green mountain diapers. They fit much better than regular infant prefolds.

[busylizzybee]

I agree- the regular ones are way too big- our LO is a month old and we've been Cding for 2 weeks now (after her belly button was pretty much healed)
We use the prefolds with thirsties and it's been working great. The newborn ones don't fit her to actually pin on anymore but they wrap up perfectly in the thirsties covers. We've been pleasantly surprised with how easy it's been.
She's a big girl however- over 12 lbs already- so the newborn AIO's we got as a gift never fit her.
What I wanted to say is how awesome the prefolds are for everything else baby related- burp cloths etc. You can def use them after your LO has outgrown them for a number of other uses- cleaning etc, so I doubt they would go to waste. We have 2 doz prefolds and this comfortably gets us through with doing a load of laundry every day. Hope this helps!

[Ola_]

If you really want to minimize how many different sizes you buy, how about flats?

[sept04mama]

We were the same way- but then after my baby was out of small covers, I decided to learn to sew pocket diapers- and used the infant prefolds to stuff them all through the medium stage- which for DS1 was through potty training- they were used so much they were reduced to holey rags- I was glad I got the infant.

Also, at first when they are too big, you can fold them the opposite way and they fit better into a NB cover.

Good luck!

[AKislandgirl]

My daughter is 5 weeks and still in the newborn prefolds. She was little and I'm so glad to have had that size. We'll use them as doublers, burp rags, etc. once she outgrows them. i am also really glad to have NB sized covers. I think it is really worth it to get the little ones.

[UptownZoo]

OK, I'll be the dissenting voice. I started CD in the old days (as in, before the internet made a zillion kinds of fancy diapers available) and used standard diaper-service, prefolds (and pins! and pull-on vinyl pants!) on all my babies from birth. It worked fine, and none of my babies minded a bit that they couldn't put their legs together because of their bulky diapers.

[Mrs.Oz]

Originally Posted by Ola_

If you really want to minimize how many different sizes you buy, how about flats?

Flats rock...I can use them on DD who is seven weeks, and on DS who is 20 months. They wash up easily and dry faster than anything else. You can get a dozen for $16 at www.greenmountaindiapers.com. I did also buy the periwinkle edge newborn prefolds there as well, which I've been using from birth to the present on her, and plan on using trifolded as a doubler in the flats as she gets bigger.