Homemade Prefolds/Covers vs. AIO's for Newborn

[weezix]

I make my own diapers...but I didn't start until my youngest was a couple months old, so I don't have much experience with a newborn.

I'm expecting again this fall and want to get some diapers made up and ready. (I will not be buying any store bought ones so I'm not interested particularly in what brands people prefer, just style).

Which do you prefer and why:

Prefolds with Covers
All-In-Ones

[macandcheese]

Subbing to see what others have to say. I'm not crafty or ambitious enough to make my own, but I'm torn over which to buy.

[MyLittleWonders]

Prefolds with covers - easy to wash and easy to fit.

[rlmueller]

Yup, my current project is prefold (converted to contour or fitted) that snap into a wool wrap.

[FurElise19]

I ask this at a recent birth talk circle. My question was "why would anyone buy the prefolds with covers when the all-in-one is so easy?"

Answer: The prefolds are less expensive and dry more quickly, which in turn also prevents bacteria from growing, etc.

[lunita1]

Originally Posted by weezix

I make my own diapers...but I didn't start until my youngest was a couple months old, so I don't have much experience with a newborn.

I'm expecting again this fall and want to get some diapers made up and ready. (I will not be buying any store bought ones so I'm not interested particularly in what brands people prefer, just style).

Which do you prefer and why:

Prefolds with Covers
All-In-Ones

snappiable or pinnable fitteds with separate covers. An extra layer of elastic around the legs (on the diaper AND on the cover) helps contain poop leaks. I'm really not a fan of pockets or AIO's. The waterproof layer is usually the most expensive and least durable part of cloth diapering. Separating it from the cover means you can use less of whatever waterproof material you chose, wash it less often (after multiple uses), and use more gentle laundering techniques, while at the same time getting the absorbent diaper material nice and clean.

[Ola_]

I think prefolds with covers (or fitteds with covers, or a mix of prefolds/fitteds) are a good choice for newborns. For one, it gives you two barriers to hold in poop/pee leaks instead of one. With most types of covers you can reuse them so you don't need nearly as many of them as diapers. Not having it as an AIO allows you to go coverless in case of a rash or needing to air out their bum.

As they get older and more mobile an AIO or pocket system is more convenient because it's faster to put on, but with a newborn they usually aren't going to run away from you.

[jeminijad]

Well, I'm a pocket girl. But of those two choices, definitely PFs + covers.

You can get all hardcore on cotton PFs and keep them really, really clean. AIOs not so much.

[weezix]

thanks guys. my plan was to do prefolds with covers but then i saw some adorable aio's at the consignment store and got to thinking...those look pretty easy.

cost isn't a deciding factor because i make my own and they are ALL so cheap to make. i guess i'll do up a bunch of prefolds and covers.

what size prefolds are the best? and aren't they more bulky under clothes or do they fit pretty snug? (I realize cloth diapers are bulky, but prefolds kind of remind me of the old diapers my sisters used to wear)

[Nicole730]

I like fitteds and covers best. If I had to choose b/w those two, totally the prefold/cover. Newborn poo explodes out of AIOs a little easier than a diaper and a cover.

We have almost all homemade diapers, mostly flannel pockets - used with a cover. Although, now that our local fabric store sells PUL, I'm going to try some pockets with PUL outer and a poly inner.

If you trifold the prefold and lay it in the cover, I don't find them to be too bulky. We use the standard size on DD at 4 months. But, I would suggest looking up the measurements for newborn prefolds and make a few that size for the beginning.

What layers do you use for your prefolds? I made a couple with two t-shirt layers and 2 zorb layers down the center panel. Also, some smaller ones of 2 layers of flannel and a middle panel of 100% warm & natural cotton batting.

[weezix]

I use diaper flannel and microfibre towel (because it's easy to buy locally and it works).
i sandwich 2 layers of the mf towel between two layers of flannel, so when it's trifolded thats 6 layers of flannel and 2 mf. i haven't used them on newborns but they work wonders on the other kids.