AIO recommendations?

[mariacm]

First, forgive me if this thread is similar to others - I read a bunch on the resources and faqs and reviews sections, but most of those seem to be such old posts that I really want up to date opinions and info.

I am expecting my first, and considering CD'ing. (If not, maybe the more natural sposies, tho they're kinda pricey). I was brought up changing sibs grandma's style CD's, with pins, and toilet dunking BM's, so I have experience, but that's not so much fun.

So if we CD, we are pretty much only considering AIO's, for ease of use (for me, but esp for DH too). We have a top-loader washer so the HE thing is not a problem.

Questions:

1- What are your fav dependable, very absorbent AIO's? Absorbency is important to me as I don't want to stuff, and we can't afford leaks since our whole house is carpeted. (Feel free to tell me your thumbs-down ones too.)
2- How many dipes do we need for a newborn?
3- Should we get one size fits all (8-35 lbs like BG) or should we get several sizes?
4- Velcro seems not so good because it wears, so snaps are better. True?
5- Where can I buy your recommends at a decent price?


Thanks a ton to all for any help you can give!! We have time to figure this out still, but I feel a need to decide kinda soon for planning purposes.

[Juliacat]

It sounds to me like Mother-ease AIO's would be up your alley--absorbent, don't leak, close with snaps. However, keep in mind that an absorbent, internal soaker AIO may be more difficult to clean than a quick-dry model that might need stuffing or doubling.

[alegna]

For newborns I use kissaluvs fitteds, but after that we use all AIOs

www.lucyshopechest.com Solid colors are darn near leak-proof

-Angela

[RGsMom]

Congratulations!!!

1. Our Favorite All In One is the Monkey Doodlez Micro Doodlez and Bamboo Doodlez. They are very absorbent and we have never had any leaks with them. I like others too, but those are our favorite. The only down side of those is they take longer to dry like most AIO's and you need to purchase them in different sizes.

2. I say about 24 diapers for a newborn. Some say 24-36, but we never let our diapers go that long unwashed.

3. The One Size Diapers are great as we can currently use them for our toddler or newborn, but sometimes they can be too big for a newborn (ours they worked, but he was over 8lb baby). Sometimes I do like having that perfect sized diaper though.

4. I find velcro much easier to put on. Where it can wear more, if taken care of properly, it can last a while. Ours still works fine on our diapers we have had for 16 months. It is nice to have some velcro too for late at night when you're doing a change and your tired... snaps can be a challenge to get on at that time

5. There are many great sites to find diapers at.
Hope this helps!!!

[Juliacat]

Originally Posted by RGsMom

I say about 24 diapers for a newborn. Some say 24-36, but we never let our diapers go that long unwashed.

DD always went through 10 diapers per day--from birth until the beginning of potty training. So washing every other day, that was 20 diapers. I like to line dry and it took more than 4 diapers' worth to get everything dry on the line. So 30 was the minimum number for us, and I liked having another 6 so that I could stash extras in the diaper bag.

[tinyblackdot]

look into the mommies touch newborn AIOs

They are aplix, but for a wiggley newborn i prefer it, it can be a real PITA to get those snaps snaped IMO.

[inky leeuhhh]

Originally Posted by alegna

For newborns I use kissaluvs fitteds, but after that we use all AIOs

www.lucyshopechest.com Solid colors are darn near leak-proof

-Angela

oh i completely forgot lhc! they were my fav with dd1, thanks for the reminder!!

[dearmama22]

I just wanted to say to be careful of the BG's. That's what we use for an AIO, it's been 2 months and they velcro is already starting to fray and not work as well. Sooo annoying!

[Ifluffedthree]

Originally Posted by alegna

For newborns I use kissaluvs fitteds, but after that we use all AIOs

www.lucyshopechest.com Solid colors are darn near leak-proof

-Angela

I was JUST coming to post Lucys Hope Chest. Becky has been around a long time maybe 2000, and makes a kick-arse AIO.

[alegna]

And with prices going up, hers are even more of a bargain than they used to be!

I was shocked at the price difference these days...

-Angela

[Gremco]

I have the Kushies AIO. It is all I have ever used simply because it is the cheapest. I haven't had any problems with it. I think it leaked once because the flap in the middle came out the side when I put it on. I like the velcro. I don't think I could get DH to use snaps. I've had really good experience with them, and we are on our second child using them. We don't CD all the time, though.

[mariacm]

Thanks everyone for your input!

If anyone new is reading this, please give me your opinions too, as I'm still here doing my research...

Congratulations!!!

1. Our Favorite All In One is the Monkey Doodlez Micro Doodlez and Bamboo Doodlez. They are very absorbent and we have never had any leaks with them. I like others too, but those are our favorite. The only down side of those is they take longer to dry like most AIO's and you need to purchase them in different sizes.

2. I say about 24 diapers for a newborn. Some say 24-36, but we never let our diapers go that long unwashed.

3. The One Size Diapers are great as we can currently use them for our toddler or newborn, but sometimes they can be too big for a newborn (ours they worked, but he was over 8lb baby). Sometimes I do like having that perfect sized diaper though.

4. I find velcro much easier to put on. Where it can wear more, if taken care of properly, it can last a while. Ours still works fine on our diapers we have had for 16 months. It is nice to have some velcro too for late at night when you're doing a change and your tired... snaps can be a challenge to get on at that time

5. There are many great sites to find diapers at.
Hope this helps!!!

RG's mom - do the monkey doodlez come in one size, with the velcro? I'm glad to hear some of you prefer velcro, it does seem easier than snaps! Have you used the dipes you've had for 16 months daily? (Trying to gauge how much use they've gotten to gauge velcro durability.)

We plan to have a few more kids after this one, so if the dipes are durable and last thru 2 kids or more, even more appealing!!

Thanks again!

[ssj77]

You've got some great questions! Just keep in mind when you are thinking of the one size that they generally won't last through multiple children since you are using them every day for such a long period of time. You'll have more luck re-using diapers with multiple children if you go with sized diapers.

If you are careful with the velcro, the velcro style diapers should last a long time. But I would suggest getting a mix of both aplix and snaps so that you can really try them out and see which ones you prefer. I really like the BG aio's - both the one size and the sized versions. I also like Drybees. Another system you may want to consider is the AI2 system, like Gro Baby or Rainforest Babies where you just snap in a new soaker. They are super easy and I find them to be more absorbant than AIO's because the soaker usually have at least some hemp in them.

I'm still using my bg one sizes on my son which I have been using for 17 months washing every other day. I'm super careful to always fold the laundry tabs over so that they don't stick to each other in the wash which is what can cause a lot of the early wear and tear.

So overall, I'd suggest trying out a few different types. There are a lot of great diapers out there and they are a lot of fun to try

Hope the birth goes wonderfully!
Sultana

[Mal85]

I just caught the AIO bug. I do mostly prefolds and have some pockets. I recently purchased two Bumgenius organic AIO one-size with the snaps and am IN LOVE. At $25 a diaper, they are expensive for me. I've been buying one at a time and that is officially the diaper I'm on the hunt for. After several washes, they are very absorbent, haven't had any leaks. So trim (I've had several people surprised she was wearing cloth they are so trim!) and fit my 3 m/o wonderfully. A lot less bulky than their pocket diapers.

[Galatea]

A very absorbent and trim cotton all-in-one is the SposoEasy. It comes in snaps or velcro, but the velcro is awesome b/c the laundry tabs are hidden inside the diaper so it never gets linty in the wash. They are made in the USA and are not expensive at all. They are sized. I prefer a sized diaper b/c they fit trimmer. One-size are fine but one-size do not fit all kids until potty training, and if you use all one-size diapers, they will get 3 years of wear and might not make it to a second child.

A newborn needs 30 diapers, small 24 diapers, medium 18 diapers, large 12 diapers.

[RGsMom]

Originally Posted by mariacm

Thanks everyone for your input!




RG's mom - do the monkey doodlez come in one size, with the velcro? I'm glad to hear some of you prefer velcro, it does seem easier than snaps! Have you used the dipes you've had for 16 months daily? (Trying to gauge how much use they've gotten to gauge velcro durability.)

We plan to have a few more kids after this one, so if the dipes are durable and last thru 2 kids or more, even more appealing!!

Thanks again!

Unfortunately the Monkey Doodlez only come in sized diapers. But if you are having multiple kids, it's not bad to have different sizes or you can usually resell. I've come to prefer those on the go over pockets, but I still prefer pockets on the go vs. prefolds! And the diapers that we originally started with I would say have been washed every other day. They generally go every cycle. And like I said, not in the best condition, but still quite functional.

[blissful_maia]

I love Dream-Eze AIOs and SposoEasy Organic AIOs. I like that they are cotton inside rather than a synthetic fiber. You can buy them both at http://www.tinybirdsorganicbabytoys....ory/AIODiapers with free shipping.