finding the right prefolds? help?

[KellyandBean]

I was doing CD in DD's early days pretty well. Then i fell out of it :( it was mostly because she outgrew the newborn prefolds i had and i bought a new size and they were WAY thick. I don't know what thickness they were but they are just HUGE like something you would use overnight on a very heavy wetter which she is not. nice quality but just TO bulky. I hate the way the bulk makes none of her clothes fit her or gives her a huge butt. So does anyone have suggestions on where i can buy CHEAP prefolds that aren't super stiff like the gerber kind but are thin and soft? Preferably a place with really cheap or free shipping would be good.

[thefreckledmama]

Honestly, anything better than and besides the Gerber prefolds will be diaper service quality (DSQ) prefolds, and they're all going to be thicker like what you're wanting to avoid.  Most DSQ prefolds are going to be 4x8x4; which means that the two outer panels have 4 layers, the middle has 8.  So, you might try looking for 4x6x4 prefolds (Little Lions carries them)-but you're likely to only find them in the traditional longer lengths (one size prefolds), rather than the trimmed sizes that places like Green Mountain Diapers, Diaper Junction, and similar places carry.  The downside to these is needing to fold down the extra length, unless you can trim them yourself (or pay to have someone else trim them).  

ETA:  You may want to look into flat diapers-large squares that are basically prefolds before they're folded.  There's multiple folds you can use, and they tend to be less bulky than their prefold counterparts, cheaper, and easier to wash and dry, because there's not multiple layers to wash through, and they dry more quickly.

[Galatea]

You definitely want to use the infant size prefolds as long as you can, b/c the next size up is a jump.  You can get more use out of traditional-size prefolds by using the ooey fold (on youtube.)  I sometimes use 4x6x4 layered regular size (15-30 lbs) indian prefolds on my 3 month old b/c even though they are longer and have to be folded down, they are thinner, and yet still soft b/c they are indian cotton.  Or, like a PP said, get the new-sized prefolds, b/c you won't have to fold them down, but they will be 4x8x4 layered.