cloth diapers for a newborn?

[holdingmyson]

I have a 2 week old son, and was so excited to get my cloth diapers in the mail! I bought them from Cotton Babies, and bought 3 Thirsties Duo wraps and 36 Chinese prefolds. The problem is the prefolds are huge, and my baby looks like a little oompa loompa when he wears them, lol. The Duo wrap needs to be unbuttoned and large to fit the prefold, but it makes it too big in his legs and creates leaks.

Any suggestions on cheap options? The prefolds will fit later in his life, but I would really like to use cloth diapers now, too . Thanks for all the help!

[SeekingJoy]

What size prefolds did you purchase? How much does your little one weigh?

[e(Lisa)beth]

We used orange GMD prefolds and x-small Thirsties covers with great success.

[Lineymom]

Yeah, I am totally picturing it! I have regular infant sized pfs and they so don't fit in the duo unless it is undone . Those things do not last to 18lbs either... well maybe if a baby was really really long and skinny.

I started with infant pfs. too. My baby was large 9#10 and took off gaining extremely fast so those pfs (mine were from cotton babies, too) were just right for us but your baby may need the sized pfs as pp said. diaper junction also has sized pfs as well as gmd and little lions... I think. I think cotton babies has premie ones, too. I guess it would be easier to try another brand of cover (no more preping pfs ), but I don't have any suggestion... my favs were/are homemade fleece.

Oh, you said cheap option... I have seen it suggested here b4.. for a little newborn... cheap 100% cotton washcloths. You can get an 18pk at walmart for like $4 I think.

[Katie T]

Are you just tri folding the diaper and laying it in the cover?

I would fold the back down and do the newspaper fold like this
http://diaperpages.com/newspaper_fold.php

Folding the back instead of the front of the diaper makes it seem less bulky. Once he is bigger you can fold down the front. Then put the cover snapped down all the way and it will fit nicely.

Cloth will never be as trim as a sposie, but they grow so fast.

Enjoy your little on and welcome to MDC!!! Don't hesitate to post with anymore questions.

[Ola_]

How about trying to fold the prefolds the "short way" instead of the long way? Folding down the back is a good idea too - looks less bulky than folding in the front, and can be helpful for catching poo too, depending on how you do it.

[Surfacing]

[holdingmyson]

Eli is nearly 10 pounds already! Big for a first baby, lol. Anyway, my Mom and I have tried all different kinds of folding, and it makes it so bulky no matter what. And makes the legs leak. Washcloths are a good idea! I might have to try that. Very clever.
I guess I will have to just save those soft prefolds for later, , lol.

[Ola_]

10 lbs should fit the infant size I'd think. What size of prefolds do you have?

[holdingmyson]

umm, the medium size, I think? I got that size because I thought I would just fold them until he got bigger. I would buy the infant size prefolds, but gosh that is a lot of diapers to have...probably expensive too . What do you think?

[Maine Mama Doula]

Originally Posted by e(Lisa)beth

We used orange GMD prefolds and x-small Thirsties covers with great success.

What she said

[averlee]

Until your baby becomes mobile, you can just go renegade. Stuff the diaper in his onesie or bloomers, and call it good! If the diaper is too big, try just using a big washcloth.

[Ola_]

Originally Posted by holdingmyson

umm, the medium size, I think? I got that size because I thought I would just fold them until he got bigger. I would buy the infant size prefolds, but gosh that is a lot of diapers to have...probably expensive too . What do you think?

In that case I'm not surprised that they're so big. Don't get me wrong, many people make big prefolds work on tiny babies, it's just not the most convenient or trim option.

Actually most mamas with average size babies find the infant size too big at first. It's definitely not a size I would skip. I'm not sure what your budget is but I know one site that gets mentioned often for their affordability is Little Lions. You can get a dozen of seconds in the infant size for $13 (plus shipping) which I think is pretty good. One thing to keep in mind is that you can use the smaller diapers later as doublers to boost absorbency (just fold them inside the bigger diaper).

But at 10 lbs it's up to you if you want to get the smaller size or just make do. You can definitely use them for future kiddos if you're planning to have any.