Help me get set with a $100 budget!

[brietta]

I already own 18 small fuzzi bunz (that my daughter will soon transition out of, but they still have a LOT of life in them), so I really only need some diapers to get me through those initial newborn days when baby might be too small to get a really good fit with the small fuzzi bunz and when umbilical cord care is important. I need to keep to a tight budget of under $100, so I'm thinking prefolds and PUL covers-- and I don't want to buy any more than I need.

Here are some of my questions:

1. What size prefolds should I get? Originally I was looking at the periwinkle edge prefolds from greenmountain, but they no longer sell them. I don't really like the other size options, as I anticipate the orange being outgrown SO fast (I anticipate an 8 to 8-1/2lb baby) and the yellow seems like it wouldn't accomplish my goal of fitting better than the small fuzzi bunz. With that in mind, I'm wondering if Swaddlebees Unbleached prefolds (size 1: 7-15lbs) would be a better option?

2. I'm thinking 1-1/2 or 2 dozen. For the past year I've washed diapers just about every night and then line dry them the next morning, and I plan on continuing. Will 18-24 prefolds be enough for this?

3. What are the best folds for containing newborn poop? Should I get snappis or pins? Can I trifold the prefold inside a good cover, or does that only work with older babies?

4. For covers, I'm looking at Thirsties and/or Bummis Super Brite. I want to be able to easily wipe down the inside of the cover in case of lots of poop leaks (my babies have all been the kind who poop just about every time they breastfeed, and I'd like to theoretically be able to wipe out the inside of the cover and let it air dry for the next change-- only washing in the evening). Thirsties are a bit cheaper, so I'm leaning towards them, but I'd love to hear feedback.

5. What size covers should I get? The smallest? How long will x-small Thirsties fit? Or newborn Bummis?

6. How many covers do I need? Can I get away with 4? Do I NEED 6?

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Michigan Mama]

I don't have experience with Swaddlebees pf's, but I do think 18-24 is a good number, especially if you're already washing daily. That should give you enough to still be covered when the clean ones are line-drying.

I like Thirsties - I would go with xs even with a big baby because they are designed to fit up to 12 lbs, and the S is not really designed for a nb. Thirsties seem to run a little big to me. Four covers is iffy, but you can always get more if you need them...

For folds, I like the jelly roll fold for nb's: http://www.littleturtleknits.com/sidewallpf.htm

Enjoy your pregnancy!

[Ola_]

The Swaddlebees prefolds look like the regular "infant" size at 12x16. Is that the same as the yellow-edge infants? If you're going to get infant anyway I'd probably go to http://www.little-lions.com/, they have good prices and their seconds are even less.

I believe Thirsties covers tend to run large so the XS might be a good choice there. From photos at least (i.e. on GMD) they look much bigger than the Newborn Bummis. For even more inexpensive covers how about Proraps?

[brietta]

Originally Posted by Ola_

For even more inexpensive covers how about Proraps?

Do prowraps wipe clean as easily as Thirsties?

Oh, and I really like the looks of the Little Lions prefolds! Thank you for directing me there!

Question: what are the pros/cons of bleached vs. unbleached?

[michelle123]

My DD is 13.5 lbs. and the XS Thirsties still fit. You can probably get away with 4, but 6 is a more comfortable number. DD grew out of the Proraps much more quickly, but they are similar in that they both have a gusset, which is nice for nb poo.

You'd probably be fine with any infant sized prefold, and can use them later as inserts!

[MoOnFiReGlOw]

Originally Posted by brietta

Do prowraps wipe clean as easily as Thirsties?

Oh, and I really like the looks of the Little Lions prefolds! Thank you for directing me there!

Question: what are the pros/cons of bleached vs. unbleached?

Unbleached are bleach free and absorb a bit more than bleached (at least in my opinion). Although most can't tell a real difference I tend to lean towards unbleached as well b/c they tend to hide the stains a bit more than the bleached ones

[eastkygal]

I like my Proraps just as good as I have Thirsties. I've diapered both my girls with $230 budget. I also think Dappi velcro covers are reasonable and work well - super cheap. www.babybestbuy.com I use organic Gerber prefolds without poly lining with a Gerber Birdseye flat doubled inside. This still works well for my 10 month old DD. I used a snappi at first, but now that she is very mobile I find pins are the better option. If you aren't opposed to using used diapers look at www.myuseddiapers.com for used auctions. Oh, and I have larger babes too. I find the size up from nb works for a long time. DD2 is just now getting big enough for the Large Green Mountain Prefolds.

[goodheartedmama]

I'd definitely get proraps. You can get 2 for the price of one bummis or thirsties. I also liked kushies covers pretty well, and they're cheap.

[OTMomma]

I would totally get a couple of snappies- I loved using those to help hold the diaper on in the newborn stage. If you trifold the diaper, you almost always end up with poo on the cover- I think I used the jelly roll too when ds was a newborn.

The infant size diapers like at little lions fit my big baby from birth, we never needed anything smaller.

[SuzyLee]

Prowraps easily wipe clean. We have them in a larger size and find they work well (esp. for the price).

I would get 4 velcro covers, and then 1 or 2 of the old fashioned plastic pants as a backup, since they are like 3 bucks each.