Are Prefolds Really Easier?

[chely7425]

In the long run... are prefolds really easier? We have all OS pocket diapers right now and while I love them, they are expensive and obviously won't last through 4 kids. If I got prefolds I am guessing they would last through a lot more kids? I am scared of pins though... how do snappis work? What is the learning curve like? I guess I am just looking for some wisdom...

[michelle123]

I just blogged about this!
http://snootybootydiapers.blogspot.com/

Prefolds last a really long time. I've heard of women using the same prefolds their mothers used on them! I admit that I'm a terrible pinner-I'm jealous of those who can pin well. I was scared of Snappis at first and just trifolded a prefold in a cover. That's quick and easy. I finally tried a Snappi and it was very easy. You can try out different folds this way, and it holds in poop a lot better.

The learning curve is not terrible-try trifolding at first, then venture out slowly. You really can't beat prefolds for price and durability.

[chely7425]

I have tried trifolding... but it was really hard to get the diaper to stay where it was supposed to? I don't know... maybe I am just PF challenged!!! They look so much more comfy for the baby, no red marks and all that jazz? I don't know!! Gah... I am trying to get an idea of what I want to start buying though because when the new baby (due June) outgrows the NB stash we have I will probably need to expand our stash... are contours any easier? I wish they made like... a fitted that you could snappi!!

[michelle123]

Contours can be easier since you don't have to worry about fold-you just put it on one way. If you have some prefolds, maybe get a Snappi and practice on a doll or stuffed animal until you are more confident!

[Micheliala]

The trifolding only works in my experience if you have a very snug/good fitting cover. If the cover is a little roomy the prefold will just slide around and make a big mess! I love prefolds I've used everything and while I like a good fitted for convenience sometimes at that trying to roll over and crawl away stage. I still much prefer prefolds. They just never develop stink issues, I never worry if they are getting clean. You can customize the fit. Are inexpensive so you can have plenty on hand and not run out!! Are suprisingly absorbent and can be very trim with the right fold and sizing. Yes, there is a learning curve.... with my first one I diapered it was about 9 years ago and there were only a couple of wahm diapers even available and so my option was to learn prefolds. I think after a good couple of days I was pinning them pretty well and after a week it was as easy to me as putting on a sposey. And yes you are right, they will last and last!!! And I do believe they are easier in the long run once you figure them out because you won't need to stress over wash routine and sizing up ect.

[3tammuz]

As a newbie, I think prefolds are doable. We do not use pins. We have snappis and they are easy to get on. WE have a chunky, chunky babe, so there is less fabric to snap/pin together. We do NOT use the snappi anymore - we just make sure the cover is on tight. Most of the leaking problems have been overnight.

[Juliacat]

Prefolds last a long time, and fit every baby. The learning curve is definitely there, but you'll catch on. Pins are a must if you want a mobile baby to go coverless. They are not that bad. If you're going to use a cover, a Snappi will work fine, and it's pretty easy to use. You do need to make sure that you get a kind of cover that will fit on your baby.

[JamieCatheryn]

The premium sized diaper service quality Chinese PF's I used on DS wore out after 2 years of use, no using them on the next one. But they were only $2 each or so, they were so worth it. I never used snappis, just velcro closed covers (I liked prowraps). I'd open the back and keep the front trifolded, Angel wing fold or something like that? And lay them in the cover like that. They worked very well and went on very easily, could change a diaper quickly even in the dark with a little practice.

[chely7425]

I might have to try this... I would probably order from green mountain diapers but then there is the whole size issue!! So confusing... This is the reason I like my pockets, they seemed simpler!! But if we want to have at least 2 more kids, when these die I would like to replace them with something longer lasting...

[countrygirl28]

I've never CDed, so take my suggestion with a grain of salt, but have you thought about trying some of the prefold fitteds at GMD? They are a newer diaper that they have, and if I understand correctly, its basically just a prefold that they have modified to include elastic like a fitted. Since there is elastic, they won't last as long as a regular prefold, but they might be a good in-between option for you. There is no closure and you can either pin them, snappi, or even use a wrap cover and not fasten the dipe at all. I think they have something similar at Baby Bunz, and you can get 6 of them for about $25, I think. The ones at GMD are about $8 each, but if I had to guess, they are probably better quality.

[Ruthie's momma]

I think that prefolds are much easier to use (and wash!). I have never used a Snappi (or pins). I have a always done a bikini twist on my slim DD. Thirsties covers are my favorite.

I had a HH's pocket dipe and a couple of MT AIOs. I sold them a few months after purchasing them.

[3lilpunkins]

I bought a doz. infant size PFs, and I just fold em in 3rds and lay it in the cover. My DS had a LOT of issues w/ the expensive pocket dipes. I still use em but just as a cover, so the only thing touching his skin is the 100% indian cotton PF, and his rashes are gone!: They are super easy. I'm about to buy some bigger ones & a few snappis b/c I can't keep up w/ a doz. They're cheap enough, just get 1 doz. to try, chances are you'll be reachin for em allll the time

[Mal85]

We're using prefolds on our DD, almost 4 weeks old now. We started using them when she was about 5 days old. I had watched some youtube videos of different folds. I found with her being so tiny and she's a skinny girl, we do the twist (not sure what the actual name is, maybe bikini twist??) and use snappis to hold it together. I was also folding down the top, but don't need to anymore. They fit her great! We've only leaked a couple of times and that was my fault for not making sure it was on right... didn't leak out of the cover though. We're using Thirsties covers right now. We had some newborn Bummis that she outgrew within a week. For us, prefolds have been very easy and the learning curve is not bad at all. After just a couple of days I was putting them on as quickly as a sposie.

We do have a few fitteds and pockets for when we're out and about. I will probably invest in more of these as she gets bigger and more mobile, but for now prefolds are working great!

[lifeguard]

I think the prefolds have more of a learning curve then some of the other cd's. But they are easier to wash, usually cheaper & seem to last longer. I have only one size 'cause I made mine using these directions. Next time I might make some smaller ones for the newborn stage - but ds grew so fast that it was really only for about a month or so that mine seemed really too bulky.

[joshs_girl]

It's good to have PFs in every size I think because as they move into a bigger size, you can just use the smaller one as a doubler. If I put an orange edge inside a yellow edge and snappi it, Marion can go coverless for two hours before she soaks through.

Thirsties covers and Bummis super brites are good I think because the exposed PUL makes them a bit "stickier" which if you are just trifolding the prefold, it helps keep it in place a bit better.

Like several other people have mentioned, I've found a bikini twist to be super easy to do and it stays in place a good deal better than just a trifold.

[chely7425]

What is the bikini twist? How does one do that?

[LittleLlama]

Just lay flat and turn one side over so there's a "twist" in the middle and fasten by pin or snappi at the sides. It's not the greatest for boys though because they can get their little nozzle around the twist and pee directly into the cover.

[chely7425]

Originally Posted by LittleLlama

Just lay flat and turn one side over so there's a "twist" in the middle and fasten by pin or snappi at the sides. It's not the greatest for boys though because they can get their little nozzle around the twist and pee directly into the cover.

Good to know... what folds are better for little boys?

[littlemizflava]

you cant really get a prefold on wrong as long at it is covering and with a cover that fits on their thighs and waist its like fool proof. worse case the cover gets dirty
i never did any of the folds i seen just folded in 3 fliped out the two ends on one side to give wings for the snappi, then put under baby pull up and fold down if it is too tall, if needed flipping out the two sides to give wings(so that the snappi is not touching baby), put on snappi and cover

Originally Posted by chely7425

Good to know... what folds are better for little boys?

for my ds (he pee's massive amounts at once) i did fold in 3 in cover, fold in 3 fliping down to give extra in front, if it is too long folding down to give extra layers in the front, i did the normal fold in 3 fip out the two back sides and fold down any extra in the front and snappi and cover.

[KayleeZoo]

Yes, IME, pfs are the easiest way to go. In CDing 3 babies, I've run the gamut- super expensive, HTF fitteds and embroidered wool covers, pockets (FB and BG mostly), AIOs, and pfs. Hands down, pfs are easiest to use and maintain overall. I do think you get more blowouts w/pfs than with dipes w/elastic legs (fitteds, AIOs and pockets), but you get good with folding, getting covers tight enough around the legs, snappis, etc. The best thing about prefolds, IME, is that they come really clean with a simple routine. Fitteds and pockets are trickier (not saying they're difficult- I had pristine dipes with no odors/repelling when I used fitteds and pockets) but you do have to tweak your system occasionally, and rinse more, etc. Pfs are just easy-peasy

This time around, I'm buying prefolds and ME OS exclusively (grandma doesn't do prefolds, and she does all of our kid-watching when I do leave the kiddos with someone).