PFs and covers vs. all in 2's

[snoopy5386]

So for a variety of reasons I've decided that full time CDing is not for us, but I'm open to doing it part time, mainly at home. I'm looking toward economical options since we won't have the same cost savings as if we used CDs full time.

So basically I'm deciding between PFs and covers (GMD pfs and Thirsties covers) or All in 2/hybrid diapers (best bottom diapers or weehuggers).

Obviously, pfs and covers would be cheaper, but not significantly so.
Trimness is important to me, which leans me towards the hybrids, but from what I've read, pfs seem to be the workhorse of the CD world with the least amount of laundry problems.

Opinions?

[EmTheWife]

I currently use SoftBums AI2, which I love, but I have also come to love and extensively use the PF/flats and cover option. IME, they have about the same amount of bulk (and SoftBums are trim). The PFs and flats are much easier to launder, dry quicker, and sun bleach better. For the next baby, I am planning to go entirely with PFs (and possibly some GMD fitteds) and covers, and save the AI2s for outings and the toddler years.

[snoopy5386]

strongly thinking about softbums too.....so you are saying the trimness of the softbums is the same as a PF and cover? That would make my decision easier......

[cchrissyy]

have you seen Econobums by bumgenius?

[EmTheWife]

I'd say they're about the same in trimness, and when set side by side, they look similar, and ds's clothes fit the same with either. I think this is because the pf is thicker than the SoftBums insert, but the Duo Wrap is thinner than the SoftBums shell.
For pf/flat+cover, I use the Thirsties Duo Wrap, and I love it, or I use a homemade wool cover (which is bulkier, but perfect for nights!)
Also, fyi, I tested my the absorbancies if my diapers, and GMD med. unbleached flats hold 12oz, GMD yellow edge unbleached pfs hold 10oz, Softbums microfiber insert holds 8.75oz, and microfiber doubler (I add it for naps) holds 6oz.
HTH! em

[Blueone]

I used grobaby for awhile and they were good for a bit. But as my son got bigger they fit odd. I also tried Flip Stay Dry and as he got wigglier it was harder to get the thin insert to stay in place.

However I love using Flats and Prefolds trifolded into a cover. My son turned out to be sensitive to Synthetic material and was always breaking into a rash. But with a prefold he had no rashes. I'd say go with the cheaper option!

[Adaline'sMama]

We use mainly GMD prefolds and Thirsties covers at home and I love it!

[akind1]

Especially if you snappi pre-folds vs trifolding, they are pretty trim. I have 4 options in my house (but we CD full time)

prefolds (by swaddlebees) + cover (bummis super brite, bsww, thirsties duo, and a bumkins - I like variety!)

Grobaby - for now these fit really well and are the trimmest

Flip - easy for all of us to use, but prone to staining and not easy to sun bleach

4 pockets. mainly for use at church nursery or visits with MIL.

The pockets are honestly my least favorite for use (but are the cutest on!). I just don't like stuffing them.

have to say pre-folds and covers are my favorite.

[PennyGadget]

Look into Bum Essentials. They're economical because you reuse the cover until it's dirty like a PUL cover, but they have snap-in inserts kind of like GroVia, but without having a snap in the back (where the poo will be!). They're One-Size, so that's economical too. We put them on our newborn when he was about 3 weeks old and they are super trim and very absorbent. Easier than prefolds and covers and I find less diaper rash, whereas prefolds, when he's wet, he's sitting in a soaking wet prefold. The inserts in Bum Essentials kinda keep the wetness in the soaker pad completely and they're softer than prefolds by far.

[snoopy5386]

Ended up ordering both.....GMD seconds and a softbums, best bottom diaper and a weehugger. We'll see what I like best. Off to check out Bum Essentials!