Hi there. I know it is overwhelming and confusing. That's why I started my own business - people like you, who want to do it, but will give up b/c of information overload. First bit of advice - don't read too much on diapering boards! Too many conflicting opinions, and there is no one perfect diaper. Try one of everything you find interesting b/c only your opinion matters.
I have some articles in my blog about newborn diapering, but long story short:
-You need 24-30 diapers for a newborn. These will fit from 2-4 months. Most people get mostly infant-sized prefolds and covers, with some fitteds or all-in-ones for convenience.
A common newborn stash is:
18 infant prefolds ($36)
6 fitteds (Kissaluvs size 0 are the most popular) ($60-80)
6-8 NB/XS/S covers (I like Bummis and Thirsties best) ($60-80)
6 NB/XS all-in-ones (bumGenius, Thirsties, SposoEasy, FuzziBunz all make good ones) ($~90 - this is optional and only for convenience or for cloth skeptics)
2 Snappis to use to fasten the prefolds on ($7)
Accessories you need for the whole time you have babies in diapers:
1 wet bag (to put in your diaper bag to carry the dirties home in) ($10-20)
1 pail liner (you can just use a 13 gallon trash can for the pail and line it with the pail liner) ($20)
36 cloth wipes ($40)
Diaper Sprayer (spraying the poop off the diaper into the toilet makes the whole thing not gross) ($35)
cloth-safe rash cream ($10)
wipes solution ($6)
Once your baby hits 10 lbs or 6-8 weeks, one-size and smalls will start fitting. One-size can save you money, but it is also bulkier. Do consider sized diapers as well. At this point, 18-24 diapers will be all you need for 2 days of diapering. Don't buy ahead on sizes b/c you don't know what you will like and what will fit your baby best. Babies change shape as they grow, and what fits at 6 months may not fit well at 16 months (another argument for sized diapers.)
As for money - you can get nothing but the most expensive, easiest diapers and still save money over disposables (which will cost over $2000 per kid.) Remember that all the accessories shown above (about $140 total) will be for the whole time you have babies in diapers. In my newborn stash above, the prefolds, fitteds, Snappis and covers will run you $183. The AIOs are optional. I figure on $200 for the first 2 months of disposables, so $183 is already a savings, especially if they fit for 4 months (did for my 8 lb baby), and free if you have more kids.
I hope that helps. Don't overthink it or give up - cloth is way better than disposable!
In general, the bigger sizes of AIOs and pockets will run you about $16-18 each. One-size are usually a few bucks more. You will need 18-24 to wash every other day, so figure $300-400 for those, but the market is tough and there are always sales to be had these days. Next week there are going to be a lot of great sales - I know it is early for you, but you're not gonna see prices this good again before your baby is born.
