Do You Use Variety of Brands/Types, or Mostly One Kind?

[orange_mommy]

I'm pregnant with my second child, my first child is 6 years old and I used disposables with him because I felt I "couldn't afford the luxury of cloth". In the meantime, I have become completely convinced about cloth diapering, and I'm ridiculously excited about it and I have to say CLOTH DIAPERS ARE RIDICULOUSLY CUTE!! I'm feeling a little overwhelmed though because I have no idea how to make sure I invest in good ones that me and my baby will love, and I'm afraid I'm just going to buy diapers because they look cute without any regard for how they work. Do most cloth-diapering families try to stick with one kind they love (whether brand or even type of cloth diaper), or do they use a hodge podge of diapers they have collected over time and from many places? I think the Lil Joeys by Rump A Rooz are adorable, and I love all the bright colors of many brands of AIOs. I am leaning towards AIOS, or fitted with a cover. Both seem fairly easy to me. The thought of folding and inserts kind of makes me shudder at this point as it's already going to be a learning curve for me.
So should I just order a few each from a ton of places, or go for a collection of one type and brand? Ideas? Thanks!

[cristeen]

I would not buy all of one kind before you know what works.

I bought a wide selection of used when my guy was born. Lots of them didnt work for us. When i found my fave, i bought more. Now my stash is pretty uniform. I have 1 fitted for daytime (18), 1 pocket fitted for nighttime (4), a doz pfs for backup, and ive just started w pockets now that hes walking and wanting to assert some control (aka fighting diaper changes). Love the Rumparooz pockets.

[Chamomile Girl]

Well, the AIO's have a learning curve too, but it comes in the washing not the wearing. They are notorious for having smell issues and other laundry trouble. Pockets have similar issues because they tend to be made from synthetic fibers.

I'm a big fan of prefolds. We have the Green Mountain Diaper prefolds with an assortment of covers from Thirsties, Imse Vimse, Mommies Touch, Bummies and Prowraps. Folding is a cinch, there is not much to learn really. Snappies are also super easy to use. Washing them is no problem at all. DS has worn prefolds since the day he was born.

[JudiAU]

I'd do a trial either by buying some various used kinds or do one at somewhere like Jillian's Drawers. They let you try a bunch and the return what you don't like. It is usually clear within two weeks you really like something and NOT the other.

We do all Fuzzi Bunz and I thought I wouldn't like the synthetic at all. But I DO

[Adaline'sMama]

When I was preggo I bought 10 Bum Genius pocket diapers, one per month of my pregnancy and then one the week she was born. One of my best friends made me a diaper cake of Green Mountian prefolds. Then, when she was born she was too little for the BG's so I bought 3 Thirsties covers and a 12 pack of Organic Cotton 3 ply Gerber dipes. We used the thirsties and thin prefolds until she was about 5 weeks, then moved up to the BG's. We use prefolds with the BG and Thirsties covers at home, and BG pockets when we are out.

Total we have:
10 BG pocket diapers
50 Green Mountian prefolds
3 Thirsties covers
1 Snappi (so she can just wear a prefold, no cover, and air out a little)

Its never all dirty at once, because it gets gross before I use up all the diapers. I will say, I suggest getting a lot of prefolds if you are going to do prefolds/covers because you'll want to rotate them out so they dont get so worn out.

CDing is awesome! You'll love it.

[orange_mommy]

I'm curious about Snappis. Ok, I'll admit it, I HATE the way they look... it looks like it can't possibly be comfortable to wear, like a tightly stretched cord over the baby's front area. Also, couldn't the teeth poke the baby if the prefold wasn't thick enough? But pins make me nervous as well. And those are the only two options for prefolds, right? I have to say, I LOVE the price of prefolds and they do look fairly easy to learn!

[Adaline'sMama]

Originally Posted by orange_mommy

I'm curious about Snappis. Ok, I'll admit it, I HATE the way they look... it looks like it can't possibly be comfortable to wear, like a tightly stretched cord over the baby's front area. Also, couldn't the teeth poke the baby if the prefold wasn't thick enough? But pins make me nervous as well. And those are the only two options for prefolds, right? I have to say, I LOVE the price of prefolds and they do look fairly easy to learn!

Well, pins or snappis are the options for prefolds WITHOUT covers. I never use them if there is a cover on. I just fold the prefold and lay it in the diaper cover (I use my BG pocket diapers as covers when the insert isnt in) Then I just put it on like I would a AIO. I dont use snappis or pins inside the cover. I know some people do, so that when their kid takes the cover off, the diaper doesnt fall in the floor. We use bloomers or pants for that.

The teeth on snappis are sharp, but no where near as sharp as a pin. They dont go through the prefolds. I do think that the bottom strap has a hard time staying on, so I never use it. There a little plastic loop that covers the teeth when its not in use.

Here is a description of how I fold the prefold inside the diaper:
Lay prefold flat
Fold both sides inward at their seams
fold one third of it up (so it will be a double layer in the very front)
Place it in the diaper cover (not in the pocket,just right inside)
put it on the kid, and velcro it shut

[orange_mommy]

That's cool! So I assume the diaper covers are fairly snug?

[Bokonon]

I've gone through several different styles since starting to CD a year ago. DD was already out of the newborn stage at that point, but we've done prefolds, pockets, AIOs, and fitteds.

I have bought a lot off Craigslist and have gotten some great pre-owned items for amazing prices. My favorite styles change all the time, so I buy and sell to keep up!

If I was to start with a newborn, I'd go with prefolds and covers without a doubt, then ease into trying different styles.

I have a Snappi and never use it. I just lay my prefolds in the cover; they are very snug (except for Mother-Ease AirFlow covers IME).

[Juliacat]

I basically use DSQ prefolds, Swaddlebees ABC snap wraps, and Bumkins AIO's. Occasionally I try something else for fun, but it isn't necessary.

[MamieCole]

I had a hodge podge stash, but have sold everything except my Fuzzibunz and one Best Bottom shell. FB are just super easy to wash, stuffing takes just a few minutes per clean load, they are easy to put on a squirmy baby, they fit my LO really well, they hold up really well, are trim and they don't leak. I use the BB as our nighttime diaper.

When we were in the newborn stage, I had Clover fitteds, Kissaluvs fitteds, orange edge GMD prefolds and a variety of covers. I have a Snappi but never used it, just laid the prefold in the cover and it worked great. If I had it to do all over again, I'd skip the KL0s and do all Clover fitteds and prefolds w/covers. (The KL0s take FOREVER to dry. Clovers have a lay-in soaker which equals much faster drying.)

[treeoflife3]

I started out with only kissaluvs and bummis covers and BG 3.0s. I've tried about a million other things along the way as I realized I didn't like them much.

Now, I use gmd medium size flats for daytime and bsrb's for nighttime and have about 5 snapping pockets still for babysittiners/my husband.

If I had to start all over, I'd probably just do flats and maybe some prefolds with wool for daytime, bsrbs with wool for night time and an aio like sposoeasy for babysitters/lazy husband. I also prefer pins to the snappi

[Mosaic]

Originally Posted by Adaline'sMama

The teeth on snappis are sharp, but no where near as sharp as a pin. They dont go through the prefolds. I do think that the bottom strap has a hard time staying on, so I never use it. There a little plastic loop that covers the teeth when its not in use.

LOL!! I had no idea what those loops were for!!

I went w/ just prefolds and bswws. Over the years I added as needed: a few bamboos, a few prowraps, some homemade doublers and liners, and some AIO seconds for a new babysitter. Our stash isn't fancy; but it works.

[orange_mommy]

Thank you, I am enjoying all the responses! The past several days, I have spent hours on the internet looking at various cloth diapers and comparing prices, styles, etc. I have become a little obsessed... but it's so much fun!

[Ifluffedthree]

Originally Posted by Chamomile Girl

Well, the AIO's have a learning curve too, but it comes in the washing not the wearing. They are notorious for having smell issues and other laundry trouble. Pockets have similar issues because they tend to be made from synthetic fibers.

I'm a big fan of prefolds. . Folding is a cinch, there is not much to learn really. .

this info noted resembles my experiences also.

I loved prefolds but used a large amount of fitteds too. Remember that some fibers are also going to perform better than others in absorbancy.
Some are also more sustainable than others if you have a concern for the environment. Hemp is always the most responsible fiber to choose from of the fibers used in today's selections offered. Personally I won't touch anything with microfiber in it.

It is a good idea to mix it up a little until you understand what you like most.

Congrats on choosing cloth for your second. Best Wishes