Questions... prefolds/fitteds/covers...

[AmmiK]

I don't want to spend a fortune on a stash, but I want to have enough to feel comfortable, not overwhelmed. I have been eyeing ME OS/Sandy's/AF Snap, GMD prefolds/pins/snappis, Kissaluvs Fitteds, Bummis SWW, and Proraps. I don't want to buy a bunch of newborn sizes or something that won't be used very long. What would be an ideal combination to start out that will last and continue to be used?
I thought about maybe getting a dozen GMD newborn, a dozen GMD small, and get lost from there figuring out what combination of things I might need. Is it best to just use prefolds for the newborn stage or would ME Sandy's size small fit a newborn? I have so many questions but I will leave it at that for now.

[Juliacat]

The problem is that newborns are so tiny, they will be overwhelmed by diapers that will last a long time. But Mother-ease one-size or small Sandy's or regular 4x6x4 prefolds will work on a newborn if you're really determined to make them work. It might make the baby look like a Weeble though.

Bummis SWW, Proraps, and ME AF covers are all excellent. Maybe get 2 of each to see which fits your baby best.

[AmmiK]

More Info

I didn't start using cloth with DD#1 until she was much older. I will try give a run down of what I have on hand and maybe someone can help me figure out what I should invest in. I did borrow some of the diapers to a friend so I'm not 100% sure what all I have. I currently have some OS Pollywog fitteds (maybe 5-6) which I loved with DD#1 but they are bulky. Would be really bulky on a newborn, but could work in a pinch. Also have one pocket I never liked. I guess I don't understand the pocket diaper concept (Feel free to fill me in). I have some AIO's (maybe 5?) some of which I didn't mind. I have a some doublers (6-8?) and fleece liners (4?). All I know is what I did have was not enough of what I liked to efficiently use cloth and I got frustrated. I discovered that I really liked fitted and didn't have that many quality covers to use with the few bulky fitteds I had.

If I get a dozen of the newborn GMD prefolds and a dozen small is that enough to make it until we grow into ME or Kissaluvs, by filling in with the ME or Kissaluvs or some of the others I have as needed? I just want to do this right so I stick with it. I have also considered wool covers (maybe Aristocrat?) but I am kind of intimidated about caring for them.

[Juliacat]

People who like pocket diapers, like them because they work like AIOs but have customizable absorbency and are quicker to dry. People who don't like them, don't like them because they're expensive and have a synthetic lining that can be hard to clean.

You could start with the yellow edged GMD prefolds. They will fit a lot longer than the reds but should still work on a newborn, with extra folding. I would think 3 dozen would be a better number to have to not run out, and remember, you can always use them as doublers later.

I really disliked Thirsties covers on dd, but, I've heard the Duo is sized differently.

[AmmiK]

Originally Posted by valegal

Instead of the Bummis, I'd go with the Thirsties Duo Wrap. That way you don't have to buy multiple sizes, and I've yet to hear anyone have any major complaints about the Thirsties.

Ok, I look at the Thirsties Duo Wrap. I like the concept and it would save a ton to only have to buy two sizes, but I'm not a fan of hook and loop. Is it of good quality? I think my velcro would get fuzzies on it and stuff.

[lifeguard]

We use mommy's touch one size covers & have since ds was a newborn. He was 8lb 9oz at birth & is almost 27lbs now. They really are incredibly adjustable & love that the pul is really soft. Personally don't find the ME ones as nice.

[mamapixie]

Originally Posted by Juliacat

People who like pocket diapers, like them because they work like AIOs but have customizable absorbency and are quicker to dry. People who don't like them, don't like them because they're expensive and have a synthetic lining that can be hard to clean.

You could start with the yellow edged GMD prefolds. They will fit a lot longer than the reds but should still work on a newborn, with extra folding. I would think 3 dozen would be a better number to have to not run out, and remember, you can always use them as doublers later.

I really disliked Thirsties covers on dd, but, I've heard the Duo is sized differently.

The reds are the size after yellows, the size before are oranges.

Thirsties don't work on my DS either, I've come to discover that cheap Diaperaps and some old now discontinued(but found at a garage sale for 50 cents) Gerber velcro wraps fit DS best.

[Juliacat]

Originally Posted by mamapixie

The reds are the size after yellows, the size before are oranges.

Thirsties don't work on my DS either, I've come to discover that cheap Diaperaps and some old now discontinued(but found at a garage sale for 50 cents) Gerber velcro wraps fit DS best.

I'm sorry, you're right about the colors, my bad.

[mamapixie]

It's okay, the colors do get rather confusing.

I should add that yellows can last a long time, I had a playgroup friend that used them for almost the entire first year of her son's life. Bu then, reds last a long time too, my son is still wearing them, a year after he started(he's a little guy though)

[Ifluffedthree]

[QUOTE=Juliacat;14441964. I would think 3 dozen would be a better number to have to not run out, and remember, you can always use them as doublers later.

I really disliked Thirsties covers on dd, but, I've heard the Duo is sized differently.[/QUOTE]

I agree -- three dozen.
I preferred Nikky's covers over anything else. They have been around forever and have an awesome product.

[inky leeuhhh]

Originally Posted by mamapixie

It's okay, the colors do get rather confusing.

I should add that yellows can last a long time, I had a playgroup friend that used them for almost the entire first year of her son's life. Bu then, reds last a long time too, my son is still wearing them, a year after he started(he's a little guy though)

we love the duo wraps but not so much the reg thirsties.

[mamapixie]

Yeah, I don't like the way regular thirsties fit my DS either, I'm working on sell the 2 I have left(already sold one, and the other isn't in the best conditon, so I'm just using it until it's bit the dust)

[Galatea]

GMD prefolds, though they require no folding down of the excess length, often require more sizes and so cost more in the long run. My daughter went through orange, yellow and red in the first 6 months, and then I didn't like how wide the browns were. I think your cheapest bet would be:

Birth - about 3 or 4 months:

24 infant prefolds (unbleached Indian are the softest)
6 Thirsties Duo wraps size 1
2 Snappis

3-4 months to potty:

18 premium prefolds (premium is just a size, not a different quality)
4 Thirsties Duo wraps size 2
2 Snappis

You can get some fitteds or AIOs for quick changes at night or while out, but they aren't necessary.

[Ola_]

I think MEOS would be a bit bulky on a NB. I'd get whatever combo of little Sandy's/prefolds you would like and plan to use the MEOS once those are outgrown. I think how small Sandy's fit will depend on your little one, I'm not sure if they will fit under the cord stump though.

[octobermom]

Were doing prefolds and wraps for the NB stage I actually have a bunch of diffrent variety of wraps cause I bought most of them second hand or have them left over from my DD. I refuse to pay a ton for diapers a baby wont wear very long.
After this stage though were going to MEOS/sandy with airflows/dappi and some prefolds to round it all out. I tend to like it simple. But I'm willing to invest a wee bit in a stash that will potentially fit for 2+ years.

Deanna

[Juliacat]

Originally Posted by Galatea

GMD prefolds, though they require no folding down of the excess length, often require more sizes and so cost more in the long run. My daughter went through orange, yellow and red in the first 6 months, and then I didn't like how wide the browns were.

Mine would have done far, far better in the GMD yellows than she did in standard infant prefolds, since I was fastening them with a Snappi and she grew fast around the waist. When we tried the browns, I liked the width, but she outgrew the length before potty training, which I think she wouldn't have done in standard premiums. For being one of the simplest diapering methods, prefolds sure can be complicated.

[inky leeuhhh]

Originally Posted by Juliacat

Mine would have done far, far better in the GMD yellows than she did in standard infant prefolds, since I was fastening them with a Snappi and she grew fast around the waist. When we tried the browns, I liked the width, but she outgrew the length before potty training, which I think she wouldn't have done in standard premiums. For being one of the simplest diapering methods, prefolds sure can be complicated.

i am sort of wishing i got premiums instead of the brown edges for this reason. my dd has a long rise and i know these brown edges wont last as long as the premiums would. instead i think i will be slowly switching over to fitteds to use when she outgrows the brown edges. im pretty sure the cricketts fitted diapers i have will fit her till potty training. i love them. im waiting on some meos fitteds too that are just taking forever to get here from canada- can anyone tell me how the rise is on these on the highest rise setting? and sorry for going off topic here lol.

[Galatea]

Originally Posted by inky leeuhhh

i am sort of wishing i got premiums instead of the brown edges for this reason. my dd has a long rise and i know these brown edges wont last as long as the premiums would. instead i think i will be slowly switching over to fitteds to use when she outgrows the brown edges. im pretty sure the cricketts fitted diapers i have will fit her till potty training. i love them. im waiting on some meos fitteds too that are just taking forever to get here from canada- can anyone tell me how the rise is on these on the highest rise setting? and sorry for going off topic here lol.

Yeah, I sold my browns and just used premiums. I think two sizes of readily available prefolds beats 4 sizes of expensive prefolds. But everyone is different.

[octobermom]

can anyone tell me how the rise is on these on the highest rise setting? and sorry for going off topic here lol.

Mine measures 18 at full rise I could fit an MEOS on my tall 4 year old where I deffiently could NOT pin/snappi on a premium prefolds at this are.

deanna