Cloth Diapers

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The deal with covers and prefolds is this: for wet diapers, you can toss the wet prefold (or whatever your stuffing the diapers with, heck, an old sock would probably work, LOL) into the diaper bin, lay the wrap to air out until the next diaper change, and put on a new wrap with prefold on, and then at the next diaper change re-use the first wrap. As infants I used a wrap/cover 2-3 times before washing. So you can double or triple up on the prefolds and soakers compared to the number of prefolds you use. I buy my ProRaps and prefolds on eBay from the seller: Granitesmith.
I love Bumkins, but I use ProRaps more because they're cheap, and I've never ever ever had them leak. Kissaluvs are very soft and absorbent, but I found them to be bulky and heavy, and take longer to dry, though I know a lot of people love them.
I can't comment on the FuzziBunz, since I've never used them (I use Happy Heiny's for pocket diapers instead because they go on just like disposables and my husband likes them). Everyone I know who uses FuzziBunz either loves them or hates them, LOL.

- Krista

Oh, my new favorite subject! I am a newbie to CD too & at first found it COMPLETELY overwhelming, but thanks to mamas here & great resources on the web, I think I've pretty much got the hang of it A few quick basics:

The cheapest way to CD is using prefolds & covers exclusively. Prefolds are what our mothers used on us- a thick rectangle of cotton w/ many layers sewn together. You can either get Chinese (CPF) or Indian (IPF). The difference b/w the two seems to be that Indian are softer & more absorbant, while Chinese might last a bit longer (I'm going w/ Indian). Also, instead of PFs you can use flats, which I think is a much larger piece of cotton that you fold in to many layers.

Covers are either PUL (some kind of water proof material) or wool. Brands you'll hear of PUL are Bummis, Prowraps, Bumkins, Mother-ease Air Flow, Bumpys, etc. You can buy wool covers (Aristocrats) or knitted wool called soakers. The nice thing about covers is that you don't need a new cover ever time you change a wet dipe.

You can get totally set up w/ this system for under $100 (inc shipping) here:
http://www.mtdiaperstore.com/product...roducts_id=122
You get 36 prefolds & 6 Bummis. I'd spend the extra $10 to upgrade from newborn to infant/small size to last longer.

Other options... instead of prefolds, many people used FITTED diapers. These do the same thing as PF (absorb pee & hold in poop), but have elastic around the waist & legs to help hold in poop. Brands you'll hear are Kissaluvs, Muttaquin, Righteous Baby Fits Like a Glove (FLAG), umm? These are more expensive than PFs & still require a cover for waterproofing.

Then there are POCKET diapers like Fuzzibunz & Happy Heinys. For these have a pocket inside them that you have to stuff with an INSERT (the insert if what absorbs the pee). You can either use an insert made for the dipe (made of microfiber, hemp, or??) or you can stuff w/ a prefold, wash cloth, or anything else that will be absorbant. You don't need a seperate cover w/ these, but to wash, you must remove the insert. FYI- some stores will give you a microfiber insert free when you buy Fuzzibunz, so try to shop around!

Last on my list (but I'm sure there are others out there!) are ALL-IN-ONES (AIOs). These don't need inserts. I think the advantage to pocket diapers over AIOs is that you have more control over how absorbant you make the dipe w/ a pocket dipe (remember, the more absorbant the dipe, the bulkier it's going to be on baby's bum) & by taking it apart, it will dry faster after washing. Brands of AIO inc. Very Baby, Bum-Ware, Daisy Doodles, Rumpster, etc.

To save money, I'd highly recommend the Trading Post here (nothing wrong w/ used dipes!). Also http://www.diaperswappers.com/ & http://www.diaperpin.com/forum04/forum_default.asp Ebay has cloth dipes, too but I've heard you get a better deal if you use other sites. Also, if you're interested in PFs, I'm in a co-op where you can get unbleached IPF infant size $9.25/doz (other sizes too, prices vary) http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lct_diaper_supply/

Great sites for information include the diapering forum here http://www.mothering.com/discussions...221&order=desc
http://www.diaperpin.com/home.asp & http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/newmom.htm

Sorry this is so long! Hope it helps!

yes I am using the one size system. my system came with 4 covers and they suggested to get four of one size. I have found 2 to 3 covers are enough. I also really prefer the reki covers vs the airflow.....too many snaps I prefer the velcro of the reki. I have not found the velcrop broke down either. I did have a 8lb 10 oz babe so she wasn't tiny They were a bit big on her at first but it didn't take long for her to grow into them and I have never had an issue with leaking. I use the stay dry liners in my diapers (reusable) they do a great job at wicking away the moisture from babes skin and add exta aborbancy. They were 25 to 50 cents more per liner but well worth it. Even my anti cloth diapering husband likes these diapers as they are so easy to use. No folding etc. They dry nicely too because the liners snap out and the covers are seperate to there isn't alot of bulk. Hope that helps.
Carla

Wow! I knew I'd get some great replies! Thanks mama's.
I did check out that sale and purchased one of three different types as well as the Kissaluvs starter kit since I have heard great things about Kissaluvs. That will give me about 8-9 diapers to start out and see what I like best.
Jen, thanks for breaking that all down for me! I LOVE the idea of buying the fleece and cutting into strips. Mainly because it is one less thing to keep buying and it seems there is a lot of money needed up front although I am sure it pays off in a year or so cost wise.
I definately don't want to go with the prefolds cause the idea of the pins and all that seems like SUCH a hassle to me and I doubt my hubby would love the idea. But the contours, pockets and aio seem great. I just have no clue how many I would need of each size.
I also read about flushable liners and still haven't heard ANYTHING about this from people...any clue guys?
Thanks so much!

We've used mainly prefolds and covers with dd from birth and haven't spent anywhere near $700. I never wanted to feel stressed about running out of diapers, so I bought extra and have never had a problem washing every 2-3 (occassionally 4) days. I'll share some of our experience.

We started with 36 infant prefolds and probably 6-8 small covers. She grew very quickly and was in premium prefolds and medium covers at around 4 months (we have 36 premiums and probably 4-6 medium covers). I'm not sure when she went into large covers (we have around 10), but she has been in them for a while and still has room to grow in the prefolds at nearly 17 months. Now that she pees a bit more, we use doublers (cheapo gerbers or folded flats that my MIL gave us).

Links to basic packages: Cloth Diapers 'n More or Whole Family Market or whateveritisnow and Natural Babies (I'm not skilled enough to provide a direct link with the frames, so click on diaper packages and they have a couple of basic ones there.)

As far as poop, we bought a minishower when we started solids. Most of it just falls off on its own, then I spray the rest. (Great visual there, eh? )

I plan on getting a few more pocket diapers for out and about and am in love with the first bumGenius I got. It's a one size and it looks like it will actually work well on a small baby and dd is only on the middle setting! (It took a while for Wonderoos to fit her properly.)

I was never a fan of AIOs, but that's just me.

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You don't need to pin prefolds, at least not the chinese prefolds. You just fold them in thirds and lay in the wrap/cover. I place a non-pilling fleece liner over the prefold too. That's it.

I tried some liners, and honestly, they're not worth it until baby is older and has formed poops from eating solid foods. I found breastfed baby food just runs out the sides of the liners, or soaks right through!

- krista