what can I use Gerber prefolds for?

[femalephish]

A relative got me two packs of Gerber prefolds at my baby shower this past weekend. (which was thoughtful, she heard I was cloth diapering and was trying to be helpful)

But I don't think these are going to work as diapers, you know? They are huge and don't seem very absorbent... But I know new Mamas do use them for other things, I was just wondering... like what?
Thanks.

[UhOhWhatNow]

Good question! I have a few packs of them just sitting jobless myself (I cloth diaper, but I use a service).

[natural_momma]

They make great spit-up/burp cloths, and you can get clips (like at the dentist's office) to make them into bibs. I had a million of them (dd1 was a big spitter-upper) and used them all the time. Now they make great general clean-up rags for the dog, spills, sick days, etc.

[roseselene]

I used them as burp cloths and large washcloths and cleaning cloths for household cleaning. But i also used them as pocket inserts...not the main insert but an extra booster.
Amy

[Sasharna]

Originally Posted by roseselene

But i also used them as pocket inserts...not the main insert but an extra booster.
Amy

Same here. I used them like doublers at night.

[CrunchyChristianMama]

I always had 3-4 of them in the car with me anywhere we went because with a baby you just never know what kind of fluids you may be cleaning up!

They work great to throw down under them during a diaper change if you don't want to mess with the big bulky pad, I would put one on my chest when she was falling asleep in the sling because she would get soooo sweaty if her face was right up against my skin and then get all rashy, they worked great for spit up, I think I put one down under her bum in the carseat in case we had a blowout it would (hopefully) catch it...I'm sure there's more, but trust me, you'll find a use for them!

[sunshynbaby]

I discovered that if you fold them over, they fit nicely on a swiffer for wet cleanups.

[AKislandgirl]

I have seen people sew a cute fabric down one side of the center panel for cute burp clothes. We used them plain however! I didn't love wearing a nursing bra at night but was so leaky in the beginning. I slept with one over my boobs to soak up milk in the night. Also for cleaning rags.

[funkymamajoy]

-burp clothes
-lap pads
-portable changing pads
-doublers
-dusting
-polishing the car

[Lisoula]

Originally Posted by AKislandgirl

I didn't love wearing a nursing bra at night but was so leaky in the beginning. I slept with one over my boobs to soak up milk in the night.

Me too!!!!! Glad I'm not the only one...

[painefaria]

we use them as doublers for long trips and nighttime.

[Michigan Mama]

All the above suggestions are great!

I have heard of people using them as diapers, just simply using two. You could even sew them together on one end or both ends for simplicity sake.

There are tons of things you can use them for. I like the denist-clip-bib idea. : )

[Juliacat]

The 100% cotton kind work perfectly well as diapers as long as you use them two at a time. If you got the kind with polyester padding, then I recommend using them as cleaning cloths.

[Juvysen]

I have the poly-filled kind, I used them as burp cloths and now that we're doing the nakey-butt method of potty training, we use them for the occasional potty mess (they actually work GREAT for that). I also use them on my swiffer as a mop.

[hipmummy]

Originally Posted by sunshynbaby

I discovered that if you fold them over, they fit nicely on a swiffer for wet cleanups.

:

[hipmummy]

Originally Posted by funkymamajoy

-burp clothes
-lap pads
-portable changing pads
-doublers
-dusting
-polishing the car

: Too

[Chloebeansmom]

Originally Posted by sunshynbaby

I discovered that if you fold them over, they fit nicely on a swiffer for wet cleanups.

OMG I do that too! I thought I was the only crazy one!

[heatherweh]

I use them under baby's head at night (flat) and under my chest area to prevent milk puddles. I also will use them as a changing mat, like on his pack-n-play changer so his bum isn't on the cold plastic.

[elizaMM]

I just want to re-iterate, for the benefit of google and any moms out there who are wondering: Gerber cloth diapers do NOT work well as diapers. Okay, some people have used them and been fine with them. But a google search did not get anywhere near the multiple threads on Mothering about them so I am doing my part...

They have polyester inside!!! (Okay, I didn't do a chemical analysis but its not cotton!) They absorb a little but they hold stench like mad. I tried all the different ways of getting them to stop going ammonia on me within minutes of being pee'd in and failed.

So, I repeat, for all posterity:

Gerber cloth diapers do NOT work well as diapers.

[Nicole730]

I use Gerber cloth diapers as...<gasp> diapers! Sometimes just trifolded in a cover, othertimes in a Rita's Rump, which is a fitted pocket diaper with two layers of flannel.

We also use them for burp cloths, cleaning rags, runny noses, mama cloth, breastpads in the beginning, etc, etc...