Starter kit - whadya think?

[Marilyn82]

Sooo, this will be my first time with CD and like most, I'm totally overwhelmed lol. After doing some research, I think I want to buy a starter kit with several different kinds of dipes to try. This is the one I'm looking at.

http://www.happybambino.com/ShopOnli...me,ProductName

It includes:
18 Infant Prefolds
18 Premium Prefolds
6 Proraps (2nb, 2S, 1M, 1L)
3 White Bummis (2S, 1M)
3 Patterned Bummis (1S, 1M, 1L)
3 Pack of Snappis
6 BumGenius Pocket Diapers
3 M Hemp Stuffers
3 L Hemp Stuffers
1 Small Wet Bag
1 Large Wet Bag

And then I thought I would just need to get wipes and a few AIOs to try. What do you expert mamas think?

[alfabetsoup]

I wouldn't call that a starter kit, I'd call that an everything kit. It looks ok, but doesn't really give you a lot to try out--there are only 2 different kinds of wraps. Also, I really liked prefolds for the newborn/non-mobile stage but once the baby starts to move, starts eating etc I prefer fitteds and covers or all-in-ones.

The prefolds are probably fine, but you'll need more of them for the newborn stage, probably 24 total infant or nb. At least 4 nb sized wraps, 6 is better--bummis small are too big until they're about 10 or 12 lbs, IME. I like Imse Vimse wraps, esp on a newbie with prefolds, and the nb size is just right. Lots of people like Thirsties or Bummis super brights nb as well.

HTH!

[cristeen]

I agree that you need more - you're going to be washing diapers daily with that... but we made it through the NB period with just 1 cover - he spent most of his time coverless. And that one cover was a preemie size. Even now at 5 mos, the NB Imse Vimse is too big in the waist - but just perfect in the rise. And he's still wearing Small dipes - we have at least 30 of them to get to the point we do laundry every other day (prefolds don't work for us - so the dozen I have we use as burp cloths).

[Ola_]

I agree with the above - this kit will have you washing every day for a little one which might get old fast. Plus, I'd recommend getting different things to try in the small sizes only (or one size, though they won't fit at first). The large items you can buy later depending on how you liked the small ones (i.e. if you find you're not liking the prefolds you won't be stuck with a bunch in a larger size, same for the med/large covers).

I can totally understand being overwhelmed though - there is so much out there to choose from! But I think with a little help you can put together a "starter package" of your own. I'd aim for 24-36 diapers for a newborn, and to get variety how about 18-24 prefolds, 6 fitteds, 6 covers, and say 6 all-in-one/pocket dipes to try? Then all you'd need is some wipes, a wet bag (optional), a couple of snappis and maybe some doublers just in case. That would give you a lot more options than the package you're describing and more variety to try out.

[Marilyn82]

You guys are awesome I'm so glad I posted! I took your advice and, with your guidelines, made my own "starter kit" on another site. Turns out, I can get a lot more for that price, and be able to try out lots of different kinds!

[Mariposa40]

What site did you end up using for your starter kit? I'm looking into a starter kit myself, and maybe I'll choose the same site.

[Galatea]

I am not a big fan of starter kits, b/c I find it better to try out a variety of dipes.

For the first 2 months, you want 24-30 NB/XS diapers. Many people do this:

18 infant prefolds for home/day
6 fitteds & doublers for night
8 XS/NB covers
6 pockets or AIOs for going out
2 Snappis

For months 3-6, you want 24 diapers total, and at this point, you can buy Smalls or One-Size (if you get one-size, they will be bulky at this stage, but that's okay.) People often try pockets and AIOs for full-time use now, but they also often start to need a heavy-duty night diaper b/c the babies tend to eat a lot at night at this age. Fitteds and wool or fleece soakers are your best bet for night.

Many babies will start fitting in mediums at around 6 months, and depending on the brand. If you buy diapers at this point, 18 diapers should be enough.

For the whole time you have a baby in cloth, you want about 40 cloth wipes, a wet bag, a pail liner, cloth-safe rash cream, and wipe solution.

[Marilyn82]

Ok, here is my new and improved "starter kit" which I put together based on y'alls suggestions.

all are nb/xs sizes from diaperjunction.com:

2 Bumgenius deluxe AIO
2 Bumkin AIO
1 Motherease AIO
1 Kissaluvs contour dipe (just want to try it out)
2 Thirsties diaper cover
2 Flip one size diaper cover
1 Bummies super snap wrap
2 Bummies super whisper wrap
1 Imse Vimse soft cover
2 Kissaluvs marvel One size cover
2 Happy Heinys One size
1 Kissaluvs super soaker diaper doubler pack (3 in pack)
2 snappies

The only things missing are the prefolds because they were out of stock in the kind I wanted, so I will buying those seperately (about 24). I also will be getting one large and one small wet bag, a pail and liner, wipes (going to make some flannel ones and buy lots of baby washcloths) and rash cream from different sites.

I'm also going to be watching craigslist for used dipes of some different brands/types and will be knitting some wool soakers.

Does this plan seem better?

[Pinoikoi]

I think the first list is a starter kit because it has quite a bit for the newborn stage (although not enough) but the bigger sizes it will just send you 1 cover-- apparently so you can size compare? Because 1 large prorap and 1 large bummi are not going to be enough.