A newbie getting set up! Take a look at my stash plans, and help, please?

[barcelona]

So, I am going to give CD a try with db#2, who is coming this October.

I looked on greenmountain.com to get ideas of what I need to get started.

Also, I have been lurking these boards, but am honestly so overwhelmed with the wide variety and tons of opinions. I like to keep things super simple.

So, this is my idea/plan. What do you think, what am I missing, what is too much, etc?

1) order 2-3 dozen newborn and size small prefolds from greenmountaindiapers.com
2) order 2-3 dozen snappis
3) order HOW MANY? wool covers. GMD suggests buying 5 or 6, but I've seen people on here saying they have 2 or 3 covers. I would like to start with using just wool, as I think that's what I'll love. If I need or want to branch out later, I will.
4) order cloth wipes
5) order pail liner, and find a trash can to put the diapers in. I will probably keep the pail/can outside by the back door, which is right by the laundry.

Last, but not least, will I be okay to just wash the dipes in my machine and use Charlie's Soap? I see so many complicated washing routines, and hope this will do...and of course, if I run into problems, I can address them then...

And I know I will be needing to lanolize and handwash the wool covers.

Does this seem like a decent plan? Am I leaving anything big out?
How many covers do I need? (in newborn, and then in small?)
And will I be okay to start out washing with just Charlie's soap?

Thanks for reading and taking the time to help out with this new, big, exciting project and part of my upcoming life with baby #2!

[chely7425]

You definitely don't need 2-3 dozen snappis, 4-6 should be fine. And I would get at least one PUL cover in newborn and one in small just in case. You should also be fine using Charlies from the start, just make sure to use the full amount and use it on all laundry, like you said you can always switch it up later if you have problems!! Otherwise looks like a good plan!!

[barcelona]

how many covers do i need?

also, what is a PUL cover?

Thanks!

[Juliacat]

PUL=polyurethane laminate, the material that most modern waterproof covers, like Bummis, are made out of.

You might want to try pins as well as Snappis (I can get Dritz diaper pins, which are wonderful, at my local Hancock fabric store). Also, when the baby is older you'll need a shower sprayer for your toilet--trust me on this one.

And yeah, 4-6 Snappis will be plenty. I'm probably going to start out with only 1, but then I prefer pins anyway.

I think you'll be fine starting out washing the diapers in Charlie's Soap. You can always change the routine later if it doesn't work.

I've never used wool full time but babies poop a lot, newborn poop is runny, and prefolds tend not to hold runny poop very well, although the jelly roll fold helps with this. You're probably going to be hand washing the covers a lot at first regardless of whether you order 3 or 6. Just out of curiosity, what kind of wool are you planning to get? My MIL knits so I've never done much in the way of commercial wool but I love the looks of the Lana.

[chely7425]

Originally Posted by barcelona

how many covers do i need?

also, what is a PUL cover?

Thanks!

Like the PP said PUL is what most water proof covers are made of... I am a big fan of them for newborns because they really hold everything in and they are relatively inexpensive and easy to wash/take care of. The ease of use was huge for me those first 6 weeks when things are still settling down.

I would say you want 4-6 covers for NB, and maybe small if you have a big baby. DS outgrew the NBs in like 2 weeks so we definitely needed a bunch of smalls too until we outgrew the "everything I poop it goes everywhere" stage.

[SuzyLee]

I would get 2 or 3 wool covers, and 2 or 3 inexpensive PUL ones as a back-up (look for used ones maybe). I wouldn't want to invest in 5-6 wool covers since most of the time 2 or 3 is enough. But if you have a bad poop day and have a bunch of blow-outs, you will be glas you spent 20 or 3o bucks on some backup PUL covers since wool takes a while to dry after washing.

[Swandira]

I suggest Thirsties covers for your PUL backups. Cheap and highly effective!

And, as to wool covers, the Aristocrat gets my for nighttime. I haven't tried any of the wool wraps, but I know a lot of people like them.

[AKislandgirl]

we didn't buy wool until she outgrew the NB size because they are expensive and I didn't know how big my baby was going to be. She might be out of them super fast... something to think about. We use a lot of wool now though and I love it! We have wraps in... natural blue cloud (etsy), loveybums, and biobottoms. LOVE them! I have 4 wool wraps and 3 PUL ones.

I highly recommend having a wool soaker for nights! We use babyology and like it. I want to try the disana once we need the next size. Also like pp said, aristocrat gets great reviews.

[barcelona]

Thank you so much for this feedback, mamas! I'll definitely be reconsidering doing only-wool for those newborn days. So much to think about!

Thanks again, and keep any tips or advice or opinions coming, should there be any more.

[barcelona]

btw, juliacat, i'm not sure yet what kind of wool i'm going to use, but am going to research that, as well, and probably get a few different things.
but now i'm thinking i'll hold off on getting much for the newborn phase and get mostly small, b/c of the expense and mess of newborn poops.

so nice that you have a MIL to knit for you!

i like the look of the lana, too