Trying to start my stash, wanting all natural materials, overwhelmed by choices

[here we are]

I have been reading for hours trying to understand how all of this works, and i dont have the best memory. I looked at green mountain diapers, GMD,they say you need newborn size, then size up from there but that its not true that its all in one sizing at that point, which logically made sense. Or perhaps i've read too many poo up the back stories. I just liked how it was all in one place. Then i started poking around at peoples recommendations , looking up the brands and trying to find out what each one was made of or just more info. Every page was saying ,"overwhelmed, confused, dont worry, its normal!", i just really want to get this figured out, its hard when there are so many comparisons to make. I am waiting on hand me downs but want to have a sense of what i may need, without knowing if i need to watch out for chubby thighs or narrow hips or all those variables.. I think i want breathable cotton as i use for myself, possibly hemp but i am not sure about washing it besides in cool water, which i think is not so clean plus i think i only came across the prefold inserts.. Then theres wool covers which i see i may need less of, plus inserts of that, for more absorbancy i think. I looked up , what was it, lovelybums?, motherease?, ,but the cotton fitted was mixed with a minimal amount of polyester hidden in between , it said it helped to help keep its shape. I felt so conflicted, not knowing how big of a consideration this could be. I personally am very sensitive to small amounts of polyester, so i worry about it. Anyone have the all cotton GMD, workhorse or fitted style? They seem to be unique for having this option available. Does it work fine, not needing anything to hold its shape? I thought of my underwear, all cotton vs 5%spandex and how that holds its shape, but maybe a diaper is different with the snaps or velcro holding it on? It seems fitteds are like a prefold cloth but its attached? And you can still stuff a prefold or two in? All the other choices seemed to be with waterproof covers, which makes me nervous, b/c i cant stand synthetic, including bamboo. Can the waterproof covers be totally skipped? I keep thinking something like the nightime Disana covers all the time will keep it covered, and they say the daytime wool is just lighter from changing more often. Guess i just want to hear others confidence that whatever you are doing is working to help me make my choice. Do people use the prefold under a wool cover or only fitted under a wool? I am so interested in wool, more questions to come. Thank you for helping me simplify this. I will continue to research. I looked at a couple on esty seemed the same price range as GMD, maybe besides the wool, like TinyBirds, but i got confused by the sizing recommendations being so different, GMD has me thinking there are more stages to size to get the proper fit over time. It sounds like so many people have had diaper issues at some point so i dont know if i can avoid that from the start, but i am very determined. I wish i had some friends with experience to point me in the right direction following those footsteps.

[LilyTiger]

It sounds to me like the easiest thing for you to do would be to get prefolds, a snappi (or diaper pins) and a Disana wool cover or something similar.  I use prefolds and PUL covers, but it sounds like you are really trying to avoid plastic altogether.  We use wool covers overnight and they are great.  So I would start out simple and recognize that your needs will likely change. 

For starters you'll probably want:

20 prefolds (you'll have to wash roughly every other day with this amount)

Two wool covers (Disana or homemade or another brand)

Two snappis or a few diaper pins

30 cloth wipes (if you are using them - these can just be squares of flannel.  Cut up receiving blankets work well)

My daughter is 14 pounds at 15 weeks and still fits newborn size prefolds, but you can also use the premium size without a problem, it just makes for a very big baby bum.  For simplicity you can avoid infant sized prefolds if you don't mind folding the premium size over.

If you wanted to go cheaper for wool covers, there are a ton of how-tos online about upcycling wool sweaters into diaper covers.  It is very cheap and easy, especially if you can pick up a bunch of wool sweaters at a thrift store.

Don't get bogged down with different variables right now.  Just get some prefolds and some wool covers and you'll eventually figure out what you need.  My friend has a wonderful blog post on getting started with cloth diapers.  It might help you: http://www.elisaloves.com/2011/09/how-we-cloth-diaper-our-babies.html

[here we are]

Thank you LilyTiger. I really appreciate it. I loved the link you sent, very reassuring. Did you just get the hang of it, with the prefolds? I think it sound wise to get the infant size also. Its just when they say infant , and then 3 other sizes above that its confusing. I know i shouldnt worry so far ahead. But GMD got me convinced , how could diapers be only premium size after newborn? I guess its just getting the different size covers that is key? Do you mind sharing why you use the PUL during day, wool at night? Expense? Do the covers get messier? Does PUL just work better in some situations? Dont let me overwhelm you, i am just putting these questions out there. I guess i just lack the experience and confidence. I am not a good person with details, so i worry about putting it on right. Maybe the snappi really does the trick, like your friend says, making more secure like a fitted diaper maybe? I am considering searching for those fitteds., but maybe you also need more sizes that way? I guess i imagine not folding perfect enough and having leaks, or it will be messier somehow than a fitted..Like you said LilyTiger i must recognize that my needs will change. I read someone said boys may have a better time with the fitted cause of the angle but then someone else said it made their boy feel more wet and unhappy. That blog link didnt seem to think so, she had 3 boys.. LilyTiger, you must think my plan to use wool in the day is not too risky b/c you said you think i could just try it..I wonder what might go wrong, from those who have been there. Again, thank you for putting it all so simply, i hope its going well for you. Feel free to share any issues you may or not be having, as this helps me to learn.

[Millie Ivy]

I have cloth diapered three kids and about to use cloth with my final kid (due whenever he decides to freaking make his appearance, thankyouverymuch)

I have used plastic, wool, fleece, fitteds, all in ones, all in twos, shaped, prefolds, flats, and everything in between.

By far, my favorite system is prefolds, wool, snappies, and I usually have a few inexpensive pul wraps on hand as well. 

For prefolds I only use infant and then premium sized.  Infant works for the first several months, and then I skip the medium sizes and jump to the big prefolds.  You just end up folding them down more, but they work perfectly (and absorb a ton!) and I'm not interested in spending more money on a size that isn't necessary for only a few months.

Reason I prefer prefolds is the flexibility with fit, the low cost investment, the fact that they are workhorses that last for so many kids, the simplicity of them, the nice way they stack in my storage, the quick drying, the lack of any buildup or wicking (common with aio's) and less stuff to wear out or break (elastic and snaps on the fitteds.

Wool- you already sound like a believer in how awesome wool is so I won't go into all the reasons wool rocks, but it totally does. ;-)  I knit, so I always have several knit shorties and longies, and pull up covers.  I also like felted wool wraps, but my stash varies kid to kid based on what I've acquired and what I've loaned out.  All you really NEED is two good dependable wool covers in each size, but if you knit or crochet or can afford it, more is fun.  I tend to have lots of short and pants and they double as outfits so it's very simple.

PUL covers.-  Aren't necessary, really, but it's nice for me to have some on hand for if we are having a lot of blowouts and all my wool is drying, or if you have someone (grandma, friend, whatever) that are weirded out by wool, or even allergic to wool, changing your kiddo.  I really like proraps, they are very inexpensive, flexible fit, deep gussets that catch lots of leakage, and last a loooong time. I have newborn ones for the messier first days that have already gone through three kids and look brand new.

snappies- stretchy little T things with little plastic claws that attach to the prefolds to keep them closed.  cheap and awesome

this is, in my experience, the best working all natural system on a budget and even though some of the other cute stuff out there is fun and functional, I tend to pick up cute things over time and not worry about stocking them ahead of time.  I just make sure I have enough prefolds, snappies, and wool.
 

[here we are]

MillieIvy, want to tell me what you do love fitteds for? Or maybe yours have worn out? I just like the idea of them, i am thinking more containble, or if i am just learning and tired with a newborn for ease. Of course they wont wear out right away..like maybe i will only have one child. Maybe just get a couple to try? Why not i am thinking. I think i need to start a thread all about blowouts. Or if a fitted can be planned to use at a certain time/times of the day for poo. Maybe i just havent tot used to thinking of how to slid off a folded prefold thats all messy and not make a bigger mess. And then, do blowout cause major clean up issues in general or just on the diaper cover? Who hand washes all their wool? Does no one wash in machine gently? The machines vary so much. But i guess just washing a handful sounds simple.

[dayiscoming2006]

I have used prefolds in the past, but I really hate them for little babies with breastfed poo. Blow outs are an issue. I prefer fitteds for containing the poo mess. The GMD fitteds are some of the cheapest I've seen and I am thinking about getting some next time. If you are flat broke, prefolds will do the job though. If you use prefolds, I would think of trying thirsties PUL covers. Those are my personal favorite because they help contain the poo mess. Wool would be fine, but I think maybe more of a mess with blowouts? I have no experience. I have used malden mills fleece though and that works well and doesn't require any extra work from me. Those covers can be pricey as well though. Best price tends to be for PUL covers. 

I personally would want 26-30 diapers for washing every other day. My babies tend to used around 12-14 diapers a day when they are new. 24 would be my absolute minimum. With PUL covers, you need probably 4-6 with a newbie. 4 will get you buy if you wash them after a blowout and leave them to air dry. They dry pretty fast. I don't know what you would do with wool.

[newbie_mary]

It has been 6 years for me, but if I remember correctly, most wool covers you would have to use prefolds with a snappi or pins, which basically means you're folding the prefolds into fitteds.   fitteds are nice because you just put them on (more like a disposable diaper).  Prefolds ended up being my favorite, as well, and I used PUL covers, but am interested in trying more wool this time around...but I would want wool covers that have velcro (if there is such a thing) so I could just trifold the prefold into the cover.  Much easier for other people (Grandma, babysitter, etc.) to do that way, also.

I don't remember so many problems with blowouts (which can't be timed, by the way! Newborns poop all day long! :)  with using cloth as compared to the few times we went on a trip or something and used disposables...blowout central!!!

Best of luck - I remember being very stressed out when trying to learn about CDing before my son was born...it is just something you need to try out to see what you like!  If you can find any local CDing mamas (check out Finding Your Tribe) I'm sure they would help you out.

[dayiscoming2006]

I would consider trying a few types of diapers if you can. Otherwise if money is priority number one(along with natural), you can make prefolds work and you may be one that just loves them. They will do the job and do it pretty well. I like the elastic on the fitteds because that does contain things better than just a prefold. When I used prefolds, I used a snappi and that made it much easier. No pinning for me and I wasn't a fan of the trifold either.

Here's a link to a trial kit you can get if you are interested. Try Cloth for $10.

[here we are]

Are blowout messier with wool, as far as cleanup? How messy are we talking about? I would think a baby is only so small, but now I am imagining ways to clean poop off every surface possible as fast as possible .

[dayiscoming2006]

Originally Posted by here we are 

Are blowout messier with wool, as far as cleanup? How messy are we talking about? I would think a baby is only so small, but now I am imagining ways to clean poop off every surface possible as fast as possible .

I've never done wool, but with my fleece covers, I had to rinse them off and then wash them. I'd imagine you'd have to get the poo off somehow. So, however wool is normally washed. Blowouts are some powerful poops. I had a blowout happen all over me when I tried to change my 1 month old in a car with her in my lap. BAD idea. Was covered in poop and had to go buy a change of clothes from goodwill. If I were using wool, I would want fitted diapers under personally because it will help contain the mess and hopefully keep the covers clean longer. If you go with prefolds, it'd probably be easier to use PUL covers, but it's all up to you what you want to try. As you can see from previous posts, some women make the prefold and wool thing work. So, it's all personal preference and what you have for money in the end.

[LilyTiger]

If you do the angel wing fold with prefolds, it contains poop pretty well.  But you'll definitely have some blowouts and wool is a lot harder to clean than PUL because you have to lanolize it again after washing.  It's not a huge deal, but it's why I only use wool at night to protect the bed.  During the day we just use PUL.  She doesn't poop at night anymore, so I've never had to worry about the cleaning issue.

Blowouts are crazy, mostly because newborn poop is liquid, so it can shoot long distances like you wouldn't believe.  But again, there are lots of ways of folding prefolds that help contain the chaos. 

[LeighPF]

Prefolds.

-I work at a cloth diaper store and prefolds are by far the most popular choice for newborn diapers

-organic ones tend to use higher quality cotton and thus are more absorbent. The cost difference is small. I like the Bummies brand, but GMD are great (but only sold by them)

-unless you have a tiny baby, the "infant" size is usually 5-15 lb and works well. I had 36 which was more than enough. A little more than 24 is nice for a newborn.

-under a pull on wool they need to be pinned or snappied (pretty easy, just practice on a stuffed animal) for better poop containment.

-In a wrap style wool, you can do a rectangle (also called tri or newspaper) fold with no pins etc, but with a little more leaking on to the cover.

-Fit every shape baby, you just fold them a little different

Fitteds

-these make the bulk of my stash

-the elastic at the top and sides (enclosed in the fabric) means that they are great at containment. I have had a handful of fitteds leak in three years.

-you can do just a fitted if you are going to change them as soon as they are wet. Great for bumming around the house pantsless or in the summer.

-I love my BabyKick one size fitteds and dislike Kissaluvs for their wide and short fit.

Flats

-big squares. A little more work to fold, but with a little practice, easier to get more containment with pins/snappi

-these are the easiest to wash and dry in a flash

-Truly one size fits all

-also the best burp cloths

Wool

-I heart wool.

-You want three covers, one to be washing.drying, one on baby and one airing out between uses.

-Easy to wash, Takes like three minutes of active work. I have a wool wash cycle on my washer and all mine washed fine in it. Lanolizing perhaps monthly is five minutes active work. If there was just a little poop on them, I just rinsed it off in spots. You do not have to lanoilze every wash, just when the waterproofing effect starts to fade.

-I love pull on covers, particularly the Aristocrat and EcoPosh. They have a huge size range, with often only two sizes from little baby to 40lb ish.

-I also love the BabyBeeHinds washable wool wraps. Easy starter wool and you can trifold in them (washing more often for the more leaks)

-Happy Heiny Stacinator two layer wool interlock is another great side snap wrap that we use a lot at night.

-Anything else gave my daughter heat rash in the summer. So she wore wool covers with the cuffs sticking out of her onesies

-May sure your wool is thick enough. Lots of people's handmade wool fails because it there is not enough of it. You also need enough diaper under to catch the initial pee stream (my first toddler could pee strait through a single layer fitted and wool interlock cover, you could see the stream coming down)

Hemp.

-the most absorbent for it size, I love Joey Bunz Hemp inserts as doublers for everything. You can wrap a prefold around one for nights, add them inside or outside a fitted

Washing

-I went to a great laundry seminar by the real cloth diaper association and learned a lot

-Diapers are the dirties thing you will wash (I really hope)

-warm rinse gets more out than a cold one (it was warm when it went in)

-warm or hot wash. Experiment. In the summer I can do warm, winter or preschooler night diapers need hot.

-cloth safe detergent without many additives. Country Save is my Fav. Don't use too to much, but often people use too little.

-extra rinses are usually not needed.

-Dry as you like, just don't dry covers on hot (I line dry mine and they are done before the dryer)

[inkandpaper]

I vote for prefolds and wool as well, and if you want fitteds, there are many that do not have that 10% of polyester.  I like my diapers to have all natural materials as well, so that's what I have experience with.  I started out with fitteds at the newborn stage as I was afraid of blowouts on my wool, but when I sized up, I tried prefolds and they are great!  

For fitteds I recommend Green Mountain Diapers workhorse.  I used the newborn & small size with snaps, and it worked great.  It fit a little funny though, so if I buy more I'd get snapless and fasten it with a snappi to get more adjustability.  I also tried and liked the Organic Caboose aplix fitted.  Fitteds are, well, fitted, so what fits one baby may not fit another.  I'd have a few kinds on hand, or one with lots of adjustability.

I tried prefolds because I liked the simplicity and the price.  I've never had a blow out, and she's still having ebf poops.  The trick is to use a jellyroll fold pulled snug around the legs and fastened with a snappi.  You can find jellyroll tutorials online.  Like this one - http://www.littleturtleknits.com/sidewallpf.htm

Also, use high quality prefolds.  They are absorbant and will soak up the watery poos instead of letting them puddle and run out.  I'm using GMD organic prefolds.  

As far as wool covers, I use Disana soakers at night, and Babee Greens wraps during the day.  I love the convenience of the snaps, which make it just as easy or easier than a pul cover.