Brainstorm - Opinions please.

[Kim919]

I'm due w/ my 1st baby in Oct so I've recently started looking into diapers. I know I'm going to do cloth, but I never realized how many choices were available!!!

My mom used pre-folds so that is all I had ever been exposed to (I don't know anyone other then my mom who used CD) The ones she had were store bought, then were white & cotton, and really thick. I haven't been able to find anything in that quality in my looking. I started to notice patterns for how to make diapers though, and it interested me.

So heres my idea, i'm hoping because your all more experienced maybe you could help me look at it from different angles & think of reasons it may not work. What if I made some prefolds, outer layer flannel, then a layer of water proof material, then the soaker part in the middle(suggestions for this material please-i'm thinking fleece) and then a layer of fleece for the inside.

The idea behind it is that by having a waterproof layer INSIDE I could avoid using covers. I would also be interested if anyone knows of any commercial cloth diapers that are like this (I havent' come across any yet) I don't really care if I make or buy the diapers I'm gonna use, its not really about the money as much as it is ease of use.

OK - so I just started looking further & realised what I'm talking about is basically a pre-fold instead of fitted All-In-One Diaper w/ a layer of flannel on the outside so its not plastic on the outside.

[Teddy'sMom]

I am not sure if I totally understand what you are thinking of, but this is what I understood....

Something like a rectangular prefold, but with a waterproof layer in the middle so you don't need to use a cover. Is this right?

I have a few comments...

1. Fleece will not work as a soaker. Your soaker needs to be able to soak up the pee and fleece is weird because it can either stop pee (when used as an outter layer) or make a stay dry layer closest to the baby's skin when used before the soaker. Soaker materials are things like flannel, old t-shirts, terry, microfiber towels (this is what I use...you can find them in the automotive dept of walmart or sams).

2. Prefolds get bulky between the legs as is...I don't know if adding a waterproof layer would make that even worse...plus, I imagine that with the flannel on the outside of the diaper, pee is going to end up wicking to the outside. My suggestion would be to buy or make prefolds and buy or make PUL covers to go over them...or just buy or make pocket or all in one diapers (i prefer pockets, they dry much quicker).

Sorry if I am not really answering what you are asking...

[Kim919]

Thanks for the reply. I went on like a diaper research MISSION yesterday (even drove 5 towns north to various different specialty baby & fabric stores)

I finally decided to just pull out the old sewing machine & brush up my skills & make some fitted pocket diapers. I think your right about my orig. Idea. It wont work. Beyond that, if I'm going to use all that material I may as well put the time in and make something nice.