I think I'm ready to make a purchase- critique my (soon to be) stash!

[Partaria]

Okay after doing a ton of research on cloth diapering and cloth diaper systems, I think I've finally figured out what I am going to buy to start out. I was hoping some of you mega savvy CD'ing mamas could critique my list and let me know if there are glaring omissions!

A little background: Having our first baby in mid-May. We live in an apartment and do all our washing at a laundromat three blocks away. We will probably get a portable washing machine to help with diaper washing, but would like to do most of our drying on a line outside. So major factors for us are drying time, ease of washing, and cost. We have relatives who want to go in on one of these kits for us, but I would like to ultimately end up with a diapering system that's inexpensive for when our baby starts to outgrow the initial stash and we have to foot the bill. :)

Kits:

1. The Bummis Organic Cloth Diaper Kit

includes:

• 24 infant size Organic Cotton Prefold diapers (4 x 8 x 4 layers thick)
• 4 Super Whisper Wraps – small
• 2 Super Brites – small
• 3 rolls Bio-Soft liners – small
• 5 reusable Fleece Liners
• 1 Fabulous Wet Bag – large (available exclusively in the Kit!)
• User Guide

2. The Newborn Package from Nicki's Diapers

includes:

• 12 XSmall Imagine Prefold Diapers (3x6x3) and fits 4-10 lbs. (choice of bleached, unbleached or organic)
• 12 Small Imagine Prefolds Diapers (4x6x4) fits 7-17 lbs (choice of bleached, unbleached or organic)
• 1 Best Bottom Diaper & 3 Small Stay Dry Inserts (choice of color and snap or hook & loop) 
• 2 Newborn Prorap diaper covers - hook & loop (belly-button cutout) fits 6-10 lbs.
• 1 Newborn Bummis Super Whisper Wrap fits 7-10 lbs.
• 1 Thirsties Duo Wrap - Size 1 (choice of snap or hook & loop) fits 6-18 lbs.
• 1 Size 0 Kissaluvs Fitted Diaper (unbleached) fits 6-12 lbs.
• 1 Small SposoEasy AIO (choice of snap or hook & loop)
• 1 bumGenius 4.0 One Size Pocket Diaper (you pick the color and closure style (hook & loop or snap) - please check what is instock)

[WifeofAnt]

Be careful with the Bummis Super Whisper Wraps and all other hook/loop covers.  I keep forgetting to use the laundry tabs and its wrecking the cover!  I absolutely LOVE my Thirsties Duo Snap cover though.  I have two and I'm actually looking to buy more because I don't think I have enough covers.

[nstewart]

Are you looking at getting one of the kits, or both kits?  I think that if you are looking at getting both, it's more diapers than you need to start out with (or need period).  As for the Nick's kit, I don't think you'll get your use out of the XS prefolds.  The infant size are the way to go.  I am STILL using mine and DS is 6.5 months old and 17lbs.  You just sort of adjust your folding as DC gets bigger (first a twist, then an "angel fold" and now I just fold it in three and put it in the middle of the cover.  Also, he wasn't a tiny baby, but not big either (7lbs 4.5oz) and I could use them right away.

Honestly, to start out with I'd say that you will want about 30-36 infant size prefolds and about 4-5 covers.  Wait on the pocket diapers (if you decide to get them) until DC is a little bit bigger and can be in the size small. You may be surprised and like the prefolds like I did.  I had planned on buying Fuzzi Bunz when DS was a bit bigger, and found the prefolds worked really well, were easy to wash, etc. and never bothered with the pocket diapers!  You can't beat ease of use or ease of washing that comes with prefolds.  And if you want economical they are hard to beat as well.  $80 for ALL my supplies (prefolds, covers, and 2 dry bags).  And that's in Canada, it'd be less in the US.

I found that DS outgrew the Bummies XS cover pretty quickly but I can still squeeze him into the size XS Thirsties cover (although the small now fits better).  I prefer the Thirsties covers over the Bummies hands down (although I am also an odd man out in that I actually prefer the hook and loop closer whereas most people seem to prefer snaps).  Are you breast feeding?  If so you probably don't need disposable liners as the poop washes pretty easily.  The fleece liners are handy to have in case DC gets a diaper rash and needs diaper cream.  But this doesn't happen often with cloth diapering. 

I also think the prefolds will be good for you because you can air dry them pretty easily and they can be bleached in the sun if you do get poop stains.

Sorry this isn't very eloquent!  Good luck!

[Ola_]

I agree that a prefold/cover system is definitely a good plan considering your laundry setup.  Have you considered Green Mountain Diaper prefolds?  They have shorter/wider sizes which many people find fit better than the standard infant prefolds.  I'm not sure how they compare in cost but since you'll be getting help paying for them it may be worth a look.  They have a package thing too but really you can just make your own and get the things you think will work for you:

http://greenmountaindiapers.com/index.html

I also like the PPs advice to try the Thirsties Duo covers - they are adjustable so they will fit both newborn and small sizes.  The Bummis kit looks like it only has size small which will be bulky at first and not give good containment depending on how big your baby is.

I think with your setup I would aim for 36 prefolds instead of 24 though (to give you time to launder however you end up doing it and extra time to line dry).  Some other things to consider:

- cloth wipes (you can buy these, make your own, or use regular baby washcloths)

- a couple of snappis or sets of pins to secure the prefolds (will help contain the runny newborn poop)

- wetbag for when you're out and about (you can get this anywhere, since you have some time you can look for a sale if cost is an issue, lots of diapering stores have free shipping)

[chel]

thinking my lo was going to come early and small, i went with 12 nb-orange GMD prefolds and 24 small-yellow.

it's much easier to deal with a slightly larger prefold.  a too big cover just doesn't work containing poo!

my dd was around 7lb and i would have been fine with just the small prefolds.

i needed newborn covers.

[Partaria]

Cool, thanks for the advice, mamas!