Shopping Around -- Need Opinions

[jimblejamble]

I bought prefolds because I read that they were just sooo great but then once I actually used them and had them leak every single time, I got told they need to be changed hourly. I'm sorry (wait, no I'm not!) but that is stupid. So I'm looking for a new style and will probably put my 8 dozen prefolds on craigslist or something. Anyway, before I waste even more money (here I decided against BumGenius in an attemp to save money; I probably shoulda' gone with them in the first place!), could you give me your opinions on the following...

Kissaluv OneSize Hybrid Contours
Kissaluv Fitted
Any others I should check out?

[Ola_]

Hmm, I don't think it's stupid, it's just that tiny babies pee so often that they need to be changed. The actual frequency is somewhat individual though and as your little one gets older he will pee less often (but probably more at a time). Honestly, I think that having urine so close to your skin (whether you have a stay-dry liner or not) is probably not good for extended periods of time.

Are you looking for something with more absorbency or with a stay-dry surface? I think the Kissaluvs honestly have neither from the feedback I've read, but they are easier to use than prefolds. Some doublers can improve the absorbency though (you can use them for prefolds too). You can use your prefolds for inserts in pocket diapers too, if you decide to go with that style.

[jimblejamble]

Originally Posted by Ola_

Are you looking for something with more absorbency or with a stay-dry surface?

Both. It'd be really nice to not wake up and find him soaking wet & freezing, or to go on a walk and not have him leak onto my clothes.

[Ola_]

If you are looking at fitteds, I would consider the Mother Ease ones. The Sandys are very absorbent and although they're not stay-dry, you can get stay-dry doublers. The MEOS fitteds actually come in a stay-dry option. You can also use a piece of fleece on top of a any diaper, it will keep the surface dry.

[thefreckledmama]

I've never used them, but have always heard rave reviews for the Mother-ease one sized diapers. I'm also a new but HUGE fan of bumGenius, I only bought a few in the last month, the regular 3.0 and also the organic one size, both of which are awesome.

Are you sure your prefolds have been prepped to their full absorbency? My LO is 20 months, and the only time she has ever soaked through a prefold to the point that it leaked was overnight, and even then, it wasn't often-and I can get away with changing her every 2-3 hours or more depending on the time of day. You might try contacting the manufacturer or retailer you bought your diapers from and ask what the absorbency is supposed to be. Then you can pour water on them in that amount to see if they're absorbing what they should.

ETA: Also, what cover(s) are you using? It might be a cover issue more than a diaper issue.

[jimblejamble]

I prewashed them about 5 times. Maybe I need to do more. Grr!

I'm using a swaddlebees fleece wrap.

[Ola_]

Have you washed them since the initial prepping? I know that you can use them once they're prepped, but typically they keep getting more absorbent over the following wash cycles. Unbleached ones take longer too because they have more natural oils that the bleaching process would normally remove (not sure which ones you have though).

[jimblejamble]

I've only washed the ones I used. I'e been using Pampers until I found something else, but I will try washing them a few more times I guess. I'm using unbleached.

[Ola_]

To make it faster, try boiling them. Apparently that works really well on getting those oils out. I read about it on DiaperSwappers, folks had very good results with it. You can do just a few diapers, then dry them and see if they work better for you.

[Bokonon]

I didn't CD with my baby as a newborn - I started when she was about 4 months old. Honestly I've been loving the prefolds and Thirsties covers! I don't have to change her constantly and they haven't leaked for me during the day yet. Don't give up hope!

[inky leeuhhh]

i personally think babies should not sit in their pee too long (you wouldn't want to, would you?), but i totally understand wanting more absorbancy for when its too hard to stop and change a diaper. our bg were absorbant, maybe try one and see how it works for you? we do well with prefolds, but every baby is different. i do know that when dd was just born up until she was at least 3 months she peed and pooped LOTS. i don't really think most fitteds have a ton more absorbancy than pfs. if you are worried about cost, try buying some different used dipes from diaperswappers. if they don't work, you aren't out much money and you can re- sell. if they do great, you can buy more. don't give up though! maybe a pul cover like a thirsties would work better for you? how often are you wanting to go between changes? sorry for the scatter-brained response, i'm nak.

[jimblejamble]

Not too long, maybe changing every 2 hours or so (and at night, a little longer). But like I said, I'd like his diapers to absorb the pee instead of having the pee leak out onto his clothes so he gets cold.

[lifeguard]

I'm not familiar with those covers but even now the only time ds' diaper (prefolds with mommy's touch one size covers) has actually leaked out onto clothes is occasionally overnight - that's over 8 hours. I think I'd try washing those prefolds a few more times & maybe try another cover?

[inky leeuhhh]

we put a wool cover (longies) over dds overnight diaper to catch any leaks that get through the cover. keeps her dry and warm.

[luckygreen713]

Sorry you're having such a hard time!! If I was in your situation I'd first try prepping your pf's some more, especially since yours are unbleached. Then I'd think about trying other covers. If you can, try some thirsties and bummis, to see if they work for you and your babe. When my dd was as young as your ds I had a lot of success with infant pf's and bummi's original covers. You might also want to consider adding a hemp doubler--it would add more absorbancy without much bulk. These are just suggestions to try to make your pf's work for you. I don't know much about pocket diapers and AIO's, so I'm not much help there. I know this must be so frustrating, but hang in there, and good luck!

[michelle123]

Fleece liners will help him to feel dryer. It could just be that fleece covers are not working for you. Have you tried any PUL covers? They may help. A prefold can definitely last more than 2 hours, we use them overnight without any leaks. Newborns go so often you may need to change more than 2 hours anyway, but the absorbency should be there. What size are you using? What kind of fold and are you using pins or a Snappi?

[jimblejamble]

I'm using the Tiny Tush unbleached 4x8x4 chinese, fold it into 3rds the flare out the back, fasten it with a Snappi and put a fleece cover over it.

[RGsMom]

Hmmm, I agree that I would go with prepping them more, if it's not absorbing into the diaper, it probably just does need to be washed more. How many washes have they gone through? That is too bad they are not working, but with some time and ideas, I am sure they will be able to work! Is it soaked at all when it leaks or is it leaking out of the cover, around the legs, out the front? Is the cover a snug fit?

[Ola_]

I know nothing about fleece covers, but I vaguly recall reading somewhere that you can use fabric softener to wash them to help make them work better? It's bad for actual diapers because it causes them to repel liquid but for the cover that may be a good thing. As another poster said trying some PUL covers sound like a good idea if you haven't yet. There's an online retailer who has free shipping on covers, can't recall who off the top of my head though...

[Galatea]

If you want to not have to change as often, a pocket diaper that feels dry would be your best bet.