Newbie here

[MamaBear21107]

I used disposables with my first daughter, and am seriously thinking of switching to cloth diapers for my 4 mos old. I would like to do the cheapest/most basic route if possible, but I'm overwhelmed at all the different options...I was thinking prefolds with snappies and covers- and maybe liners as well? Will that work on a really chubby baby? I'm confused about what I need/how many/ wipes/the best covers, etc....I'm sure there are like a million threads on this, but does anyone have any basic advice for a newbie? (Also, still trying to convince my husband- not that theyre worth doing- hes on board with that, but that we will be able to handle it and keep up with the laundry, something I have a hard enough time doing now!)

[Nicole730]

Yay to switching to cloth! The least expensive method is definitely prefolds and covers. I don't use prefolds really, so hopefully someone else can suggest a brand. For covers I really like the Thirsties Duo Wraps. As far as laundry, diaper laundry is about the only laundry that gets done around here Because it has to get done!

If you plan on laundering every other day, I'd say to get 2 dozen prefolds. We have about 40 wipes, but I'm diapering two kids, so you could probably get by with less. I'd recommend getting the cheap baby washcloths and using those as wipes or making your own.

off topic, but is your siggy from a Story People print? I have a Story People print that says that...but I'm assuming it could be from somewhere else.

[chase_mommy]

We are a prefold and flat family... I started that route because of the cost factor. I am able now to change out my stash if wanted but I am so in love with them, I refuse to fix something that isn't broken.

We have used Bummis, Green Mountain Diaper (GMD) and Little Lions (LL) prefolds and LL flats. I got the Bummis Prefolds in a Bummis Kit, they have organic now but not when I started. I got the kit for two reasons 1) DD was 3 weeks early, I wasn't prepared and she was allergic to sposies and 2) I was so overwhelmed, it was a one stop shop. The kit was great, had a perfect amount on prefolds and covers... I used that as my diving board into the cloth diaper world. The Bummis prefolds have held up great, I used them until DD outgrew them and then continued to use them as doublers for most of her diapering time. When DD out grew the kit, I bought GMD brown edge unbleached prefolds. They worked nicely too. Very soft and absorbent. However, they did not hold up as well as the Bummis. They are still usable but there are definite signs of wear and tear on them, I suspect that they will need to be retired after this baby (the second one CD in these diapers). After DD grew out of them I bought LL toddler prefolds and flats. Honestly, we didn't use these long and the prefolds were seconds. However, in the short time we used them they seemed to work out just fine.. prepping did take a bit longer though. I didn't get to use them a long period of time before DD potty trained so I don't know how well they will hold up. The same goes with the flats. I am getting ready to purchase some preemie prefold seconds from them for this new LO though.

As far as covers go... I liked the Bummis that came in the kit but the next cover I bought, size up, didn't preform as well. I don't know why? I found that any cover that has leg gussets really help with the fit with prefolds. I didn't love Thirsties, they seemed to wick on me. I only tried one cover and maybe it was defected since so many others love them. I tried a Lite Wrap, that is by far the best PUL cover I found, no leaks ever and held up very very nicely and the price on it is nice as well... it also fits over the prefolds nicely. We tried Mommy's Touch and they worked ok but you have to work to get the cover over a prefold correctly... cute prints though. Then I started to venture into wool... there is where my heart is. This time around I will be getting more wool covers and making some fleece covers to add to what we already have.

Hope this has helped some. Oh, I like having 3 dozen prefolds. I could do laundry every 3 days, I usually did it every other day but it was nice to have the the extra day. It is also nice to have 3 dozen to have extra to use as changing pads, burp rag, or to make up for the ones that are misplaced (it happens way to much around here). I agree with PP, wash cloths make good wipes. As far as Cloth diaper laundry goes, I never mind doing it, it is so simple... with our prefolds we just started keeping in a laundry basket, unfolded.. we got super lazy by the time DD was 1 year old but flats really need to be folded though, makes for easier diapering but prefolds, it don't make a difference.

[Michigan Mama]

Prefolds & snappis are inexpensive, pretty easy, wash easily.

I also really like thirsties duo wraps. They are pretty middle of the road as far as price, but I love the gussets and I live that there are only two sizes, so you don't need to buy a lot of different sizes.

I think 30-36 with a nb is good, but with an older baby - even at 4 mo, I think 24-30 is fine. At the beginnnig I go through at least 12 dipes a day I think, and probably more like 10 later.

Now I EC(elimination communication - let my baby go in the potty when I know he needs to go) part time and he is 9 mo - we go through probably 6 or 8 dipes a day.

So really what you'd need at 4 mo, in my opinion, is:

24-30 prefolds (size depends on the size of your baby)
4-6 diaper covers
2-4 snappi's
2-3 doz wipes (I use 2 layer flannel)
3-5 doublers (like cotton, hemp or bamboo). Good for night or outings
wipe solution (I make my own with water, a smidge of olive oil & baby wash)
a diaper pail of some kind
a wetbag or two for outings
a diaper friendly detergent (I use Thirsties wash or Country Save)
a diaper friendly rash ointment if needed (I use Earth mama angel baby)

My fave folding technique is the jelly roll fold. Keeps ebf poops in very nicely.

[SilverFish]

we love prefolds too! mine are from a canadian company, and i can't remember the name of them right now. they are chinese bleached though. we have 18 prefolds and launder every other day. i do part time EC though, so that cuts down on the amount of changes.
we currently have like 12 covers, but that's cause we've been trying out different types... for an infrequent (like once a day or so) pooper you could get away with as few as 4. i like the thirsties duo, but my favs are the thirsties XS covers... they still fit, i'll be sad when they don't anymore... i just don't love the way the duo snaps bunch up on the rise, but maybe it'll be better once she grows out of the smallest setting. we also have a bunch of bummis super brites. they are great, dependable covers... my preference is thirsties only because they have a softer, more flexible feel and i love the colours and prints. by the way, all my covers are velcro... i hate snaps! velcro is way more adjustable.
i'm also experimenting with making my own wool covers. i'm vegan, so wouldn't ever buy wool new, but using thrift store sweaters to make felted wool covered has been fun, even if i'm not positive how i feel about its usefulness.
we don't use special laundry detergent, or wet bags (i use a big ziploc bag when i'm out!) but we do love our snappi, and the earth mama angel baby diaper cream.

basic diapering list:
18-24 prefolds
4-6 covers
snappi
diaper pail
diaper cream
wipes (old t-shirts, washcloths, etc)

[inky leeuhhh]

2 dozen prefolds
6 covers
2 snappis
2 doz wipes
pail
wetbag
nak

[Just1More]

My babies have all been too chubby for snappi's. I can use them with flat folds, but not a prefold. It isn't a big deal, though. I just fold the prefold in thirds and lay it in the center of the cover. I let the cover hold it on, and have only rarely had a problem.

As far as covers, I like mommy's touch snap one-size. They fit my 9lb newborn, and my 34lb toddler, with room to go in both directions. They are soft and flexible, and have seemed to hold up well. (Mine have been washed every other day for at about a year.)

And, yeah, diaper laundry gets done. No worries about that. You can always scrounge up another pair of pants for yourself, or throw the ones you just wore in the dryer. Not so with diapers. The need is different, and you, like the rest of us, will rise to the occasion, I'm sure. (Not that I haven't been known to grab one of dh's old white t-shirts to strap to one of the kids. when I haven't gotten mine done.)

It's easy to let cloth diapering feel like an all or nothing thing. You can start small. Just get a dozen prefolds, and 3 or 4 covers. Use them until you're out, switch back to sposies, and wash your diapers. Maybe try to just cloth diaper when you are home for a few weeks, or just in the morning, or just every other day. You can build up slow, both your confidence and your stash.

[MamaBear21107]

Thank you all so much!

I'm going online tonight to look to buy some things- I'm taking Just1more's advice and starting slow...I just reread this months issue of mothering article on cloth diapering for inspiration!

Nicole730- The quote is from a print a friend got me thats hanging on our wall- Its called "Her laughter" but I can't tell who is was written by -, its probably the same thing you have. :-)

Also...glad to hear that I'm not the only one that has a hard time keeping up with laundry