Combination for Newborn?

[Mama_of_1]

I placed my order and received some stock in for when our baby comes. I have the infant prefolds (1 dozen from Cotton Babies already in and 2 dozen from clothdiaper.com on their way) and 3 Proraps Classics in newborn size (6-10 pounds). I know I'll need more covers but I wanted to see these before I got too many.

Problem: Once the infant prefolds are folded up inside the cover, they are HUGE! And BULKY! Is this normal?

Obviously, we don't know how big she will be until she gets here but...

Any suggestions?
How did you work around this?
Anyone use the Proraps Classics in Newborn size with infant prefolds?
Were they bulky also? Or did they smush up once you put them on an actual baby behind?

I got the Proraps Classics because they are inexpensive for the super short period of time until our darling's umbilical cord dries up. After that, we'll be switching to regular prefolds and one-size dipes.

[JessieBird]

We started out with exactly the same - infant PFs and NB Classic Prowraps. This worked really well for us. However, they didn't even fit for a month! My baby was 8 lbs 2 oz at birth, so on the big side, but lost a lot in the first week so I don't think he was that much above average for that first month. Infant PFs and covers are just really small once you start using them on an actual baby. They looked big and bulky to me at first too!

Have you prepped your PFs yet? They will shrink down a LOT.

PFs are definitely bulkier than some other CD choices but they still work well and are comfy for baby.

I'd say that 3 covers is probably enough. I only had two and never had a problem. Most of the time you only need to air-dry them or wipe them down with a cloth at changes. And 36 PF is plenty. I had 36 as well and could have made do with 24. They are so easy and quick to wash and dry.

To make your infant PFs last longer once the covers don't fit anymore, you can fold them into small g-diapers. This is what I did for a month or so while I was waiting for DS to fit into his one size AIOs which make up most of my regular stash.

[Mama_of_1]

Originally Posted by JessieBird

We started out with exactly the same - infant PFs and NB Classic Prowraps. This worked really well for us. However, they didn't even fit for a month! My baby was 8 lbs 2 oz at birth, so on the big side, but lost a lot in the first week so I don't think he was that much above average for that first month. Infant PFs and covers are just really small once you start using them on an actual baby. They looked big and bulky to me at first too!

My prefolds fit to the exact length as the covers... Did yours do that too? If I fold it, then it's super duper bulky but barely fits inside the cover. Of course, I don't have a baby to put it on to test it out...

Originally Posted by JessieBird

Have you prepped your PFs yet? They will shrink down a LOT.

I've run them through the washer on super hot and dryer on hot twice. Will they shrink more?

Originally Posted by JessieBird

PFs are definitely bulkier than some other CD choices but they still work well and are comfy for baby.

I'd say that 3 covers is probably enough. I only had two and never had a problem. Most of the time you only need to air-dry them or wipe them down with a cloth at changes. And 36 PF is plenty. I had 36 as well and could have made do with 24. They are so easy and quick to wash and dry.

To make your infant PFs last longer once the covers don't fit anymore, you can fold them into small g-diapers. This is what I did for a month or so while I was waiting for DS to fit into his one size AIOs which make up most of my regular stash.

My plan is to continue to use the prefolds until it looks like they are getting too small. After that, I'll use them as doublers, spit-up cloths, changing pads, drool wipes, etc.!

So should I just smush the prefolds into the cover and not worry about the bulk? Is there a fold style that works better for very first infant stage than just folding it in from the top and then in 3's and then pinning?

[MoOnFiReGlOw]

Originally Posted by Mama_of_1

I've run them through the washer on super hot and dryer on hot twice. Will they shrink more?

So should I just smush the prefolds into the cover and not worry about the bulk? Is there a fold style that works better for very first infant stage than just folding it in from the top and then in 3's and then pinning?

I usually prep prefolds 5 - 8 times to get them fully shrunk Make sure you are drying them completely between each wash so that they get their full shrink going! Prefolds *for me* usually shrink at least 2 - 3 inches in length (I've shrank toddler prefolds to the size of premiums before!)

Anything is going to be bulky on a nb! I acutally used premium prefolds on my newborn and was able to fold them fine and they weren't too bulky I'm sure your prefolds will be fine!

[Mama_of_1]

Oh, that makes me feel sooooo much better! I was worried that I've already gotten all the shrink I'm going to get out of the first two washes.

So, hanging them on the line in the initial prep phase is probably not a good idea... I'm guessing that as hot as the sun will get, the temperature in the dryer will be consistent.

Ok, I'll run them through another time tonight after I measure them.

[JessieBird]

Yeah, I'd keep washing & drying them a few more times. Once is probably not enough to get out all of the natural oils and whatever else has landed on them during manufacturing and shipping, and they will surely shrink up and fluff up more. Use the dryer instead of the line at this stage.

I folded mine in 3 towards the back (sides going under instead of on top of the middle panel), then placed it in the cover, then pulled the corners out just a bit so that they would wrap around baby's waist.

IME the bulkiness really didn't matter on my tiny newborn baby - they aren't trying to move much or sit up at that stage and their legs often naturally fall to the side and splay open. Once he got older, I was more conscious of where the rise of his diapers fell, etc, so that it wouldn't get in the way of learning to sit, etc. We did and still do lots of bare bum time both for air on his skin and so that he can feel totally free to kick his legs against each other. Most CD babies definitely have little bubble butts but I've heard over and over that they don't impede development.

There is nothing I love better than patting my DS's generously padded bum, it just isn't the same when he's in a disposable.