Please recommend a diapering systerm for short term foster babies and toddlers

[LessTraveledBy]

I cd'd our daughter who got out of diapers about 4 years ago, so I know little about what's our there these days.

We are preparing to do short term foster care for babies and toddlers (newborn to about 24 months). We will take care of only one little person at a time. I definitely want to cd - I hate the smell of disposables and love cloth. With dd I tried all kinds of diapers, and did anything from snappied prefolds to fitteds, pockets and all in ones, but in the end prefered fitted diapers with wool covers or pants.

I am looking for suggestions for an inexpensive diapering system, mainly fitted diapers. These will come out of our family's small budget, so I cannot buy all the different sizes kids 0-2 might wear. I am thinking of maybe getting newborn ones + one size diapers.

My first thought was to get something from Mother Ease, as I know they have one size diapers that are real work horses. I need the diapers to work well for both boys and girls and for little ones of different shapes and sizes.

I would appreciate any suggestions of brands and amounts!

I know there used to be places that gave a discount to parents of twins, so I am wondering if any place would give a discount to foster parents. We will receive a small amount of money for each day we have a child with us, but I will need the diapers before we have any extra money coming in, and this seems like a huge expense all at once. The money coming in won't be much, anyway. Thus I am also interested if anyone knows of places selling diapers with flaws or something like that. (You know, they need to work and feel good, but don't need to look perfect.)

[chel]

Gmd has some nice fitted diapers, though you will probably need 2-3 sizes. I love the ME covers, but again 2-3 sizes. ME one size diapers were never my favorite

I know you said wool, but blueberry makes some nice one size covers.

If it was me, i would do prefolds ( lots of places offer seconds, maybe even try a local diapervservice.) and blueberry one size covers

[cristeen]

I agree on the pfs. You could probably get by w just 2 sizes, like GMDs infant (is it yellow? Not the NB size) and their brown edge will fit most kids to PL.

As for covers, have you tried fleece? It has a lot of the breathability of wool but its cheaper and machine washable. 2-3 per size could do you if you're willing to spend some time coverless (we spend every morning coverless). If you really like wool, Pipers Closet makes some great wool wraps for a great price, and she's happy to customize. Otherwise I like our Mommy's Touch OS PUL covers, but i dont know how theyd work on an infant.

I would also recommend keeping an eye on sites like babysteals, babyhalfoff and mamabargains for dipes. They pop up regularly for cheap. Selection is limited, but the price is good.

As for a OS pocket that would fit from NB to toddler, i really like our Rumparooz. They fit my 19 mo great, and he still has a couple inches on the rise and 2 snap settings before he outgrows them. I have tried a bunch of different OS pockets, and this is the only one that would have worked for his skinny legs as an infant. The internal gussets contain the mess before it ever reaches the leg opening.

[Jaimee]

I agree with the pp's and say go for prefolds.  Get DSQ Chinese Prefolds and they will last a long, long time.  You could get away with just the infant and regular size diapers.  Plus you can really beat them up and they still work.  So if you ever need to, you can bleach them to get rid of yeast or bacteria when switching between kids.  As for covers, I would think ease of use and price would trump wool.  I would go for used Bummis Super Whisper Wraps, Proraps, Thirsites, Flip covers, etc..  You could probably find good deals on newborn size especially since babies out grow that so quickly. 

Check out www.diaperswappers.com for great deals on used diapers.  I bet you could also post on there to find any deals that might be offered to foster parents.  Another thing to look for is "seconds" which is what imperfect diapers are called.  Many diapering sites like CottonBabies and The Fuzzi Bunz Store have clearance sections where you can find seconds for sale frequently.  And lastly, don't underestimate Craig's List... a lot of  CDers post there first to try to sell locally.

Good luck with everything!!

[Mom2M]

Congratulations on your fostering! I love prefolds/covers/snappi and you could go with two sizes, infants and premiums. I use Thirsties sized covers, Lite Wraps or wool and like them all. The Lite wraps are very economical and they last and last and they run pretty big. DD is still using mediums even though she is past the weight range and they hold everything.
I really haven't spent much on diapers at all. I was lucky to be gifted used fuzzi bunz and we use them overnight with a doubler and have very few leaks.
Good luck!

[SilverFish]

prefolds for sure, or even flats. you want something that is adjustable for every age and build of child, easily washable (and easy to sanitize between children), and for affordability, they just can't be beat. we had 24 nb prefolds, 36 infant, and 24 premium. for covers, again, i would go with a cheaper, hardy style like bummis. we love the thirsties duo wraps too, the size one and two, plus a newborn size will cover babies from 5-6lbs to 30lbs. if you are a fan of wool and are handy at all, you can easily make recycled wool covers from felted sweaters. next to our thirsties and bummis covers, i LOVE a snappied prefold under a pair of recycled wool longies or pull up cover.