[LoveChild421]

Hi! I am 24 weeks pregnant with my first baby- everyone in my family has always used cloth diapers but I can't seem to find the simple non folded ones and the "rubber pants." I don't necessarily want to use this kind but I am on a VERY TIGHT budget and can't afford all the fancy prefolds and colors and such. I was wondering if you could recommend some types, brands, etc, that are CHEAP but work well. Oh, and if you could give me some links or some info on where to find them that would really help too! Thanks!<br><br>
Oh, also, how many diapers should I buy at first? I want to have enough to not be constantly doing laundry but I can't afford a lot- what do you think would be a reasonable number to have on hand?

 

[becca011906]

Chinees Prefolds... they run about $1.00 a pf or so, Proraps for cover are the chepest that work well out there (about $4 for seconds i think). I would say about 3 dozen pf to start, and 6-8 covers... HTH i'm sure other will chim in with websites and such!

 

[ChristyH]

Welcome and congrats! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wave.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wave"> Where in Atlanta do you live?<br><br>
For a newborn I would think at least 2-3 doz prefolds if you want to be able to go a couple days without washing. Then about 5-6 covers and you should be ok.<br><br>
Ebay is a good place to get prefolds and covers if you don't mind them having been used and are looking for cheap.<br><br><a href="http://www.naturalbabies.com" target="_blank">www.naturalbabies.com</a> is a great place to shop too and she price matches <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up"><br><br>
Also <a href="http://www.bumwrapdiapers.com/catalog.php?category=4" target="_blank">http://www.bumwrapdiapers.com/catalog.php?category=4</a> Jen at Bumwrap has some great prices on prefolds too. $15 for a dozen infants. And if I know that Wal mart sells the Gerber pull up rubber pants for not much at all. And depending on where you are in Atlanta. New Baby Products in Snellville sell cloth diapering materials and then you wouldn't have to worry about shipping

 

[hnybee]

1st baby...how exciting!! I would have to say the cheapest way to go is to by 2 or 3 dozen prefolds, a couple of snappies (or pins) and 6 bummis super whisper wraps. they are the best IMO for newborn babies. they have velcro that you can overlap in the front for a good fit. You could start out for under $100 and be totally set! And then as the baby grows you can always buy a diaper here and there (that's what we did) to find out what else is out there and what works well for you.<br><br>
ps. the unbleached prefolds are WAY softer than the bleached prefolds!

 

[ChristiansMomma]

I'm 21 weeks with my second baby. I'd suggest getting a few AIOs or fuzzi bunz for going out or for babysitters that might be scared of cloth <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1"> Here is a great place with Free shipping and you can call over the phone if you have more cloth questions! She has almost everything!<br><br><a href="http://kellyscloset.com/" target="_blank">http://kellyscloset.com/</a>

 

[Goddess3_2005]

Check out the TP and Ebay for great deals on used stuff. Oh and check this co-op out for super cheap diapers <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/babyjunebugs/" target="_blank">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/babyjunebugs/</a>. I picked up everything I need to diaper my ne baby for the first 6 months for $100. Just don't buy too many new born things because they will get out grown quickly.

 

[Jillbob]

<a href="http://www.olixans.com/store/" target="_blank">http://www.olixans.com/store/</a><br><br>
They have prefolds on sale for $10 a dozen. Congrats on your pg!

 

[lisabc311]

Congratulations on your pregnancy!<br><br>
I agree with the others...prefolds and covers. I would recommend getting a few more than 6 covers, though. You go through a lot of covers (runny, explosive poops!) on newborns.<br><br>
Enjoy your pregnancy!

 

[WickidaWitch]

Another option so you dont have to dish out all your dough at once is layaway. The ones I've done were like a 3 month limit. <a href="http://www.naturalbabies.com" target="_blank">www.naturalbabies.com</a> has layway with 3.95 (or so) flat rate shipping and <a href="http://www.lilbunz.com" target="_blank">www.lilbunz.com</a> has layaway with free shipping. (you'll notice that some prices will be different between the 2 sites)<br>
Good luck!

 

[musicmaj]

Hi,<br>
I was in your shoes a few years ago. It is a little overwhelming looking at how much cloth diapers cost up front. I love prefolds. They are very absorbant. I like the unbleached cpfs. The infant size will get you to about 15lbs. (For us it was about the beginning of 4 months, but some people can use them to 6 months old.) I would buy a package from <a href="http://www.naturalbabies.com" target="_blank">www.naturalbabies.com</a> with 3 newborn proraps and 3 small proraps. (about $90) Then I would either buy 6 more prorap seconds ($24), or buy some dappi nylon pull up pants. They are $4 for a package of two. You can't go wrong at that price. I would probably get two packages of newborn and 2 small ($16) Then I would go to walmart and buy 2 dozen cheap washclothes for wipes and doublers. ($10) Add a couple of snappis or pins -about $4This is what I used on my youngest and was pleased with it. That totals $120-$128 for your first 4-6 months. I know it seems like a lot, but if you add up how much you would have spent on disposables and wipes, you can see a huge difference. When it is time to size up, you will spend around $80 for more prefolds and covers.<br><br>
I also love flat diapers (the old fashioned kind that you have to fold many times to fit.) The flat diapers have more of a learning curve, and take longer to fold, but wash up great and dry very quickly. They can also fit your baby from birth-potty training. They are very inexpensive - a dozen is $15. Double them for more absorbancy. You can just lay them in a wrap, pin, or snappi. (Granitesmith on ebay sells them). I would get 3-4 dozen. (about $60 for the 4 dozen) Then get some good covers, again I like proraps in the small sizes. Buy 6 each of newborn and small seconds for $48, or buy 12 pairs of the dappi pull up pants - $24. Buy the washclothes -$10. add snappis or pins- $4. Your total is $98 - $122 for the first 4-6 months. But after that, all you will need to buy is bigger covers not more diapers. Plus, you can stuff your flats into pocket diapers.<br><br>
Just thought I would throw the flat option your way to consider as well.<br><br>
Also, is there any chance that people would give you money as gifts or buy you some cloth diapers as gifts? That would probably help you out a lot.

 

[loving-my-babies]

I recommend prefolds. Oxilan has them really cheap! (I think $10 for a dozen!)<br><br>
I got away with using 6 covers and 36 prefolds when ds was a newborn, I bought these to start out and it was enough! I think 6 covers is enough for the first few months, they grow so fast that it wasn't worth it for me to buy more than 6 smalls when ds was teeny tiny.

 

[Kerry]

I put an add in the local "Want it" book (WANTED: used cloth diapers cheap!) and got a bag full (maybe 4 dozen?) of curity prefolds for $10. I know most people don't like them but doubled up they work great and were super cheap. I also bought a doxen toddler CPF off ebay and a few Bumkins AIO and some Motherease wraps.<br><br>
I wish I knew then that fleece pants purchased at the second hand store and recyceld sweater longies funcioned AWESOME as diaper covers. I can get two bags full of wool sweaters for $3.00. I think that you can get started CDing far cheaper than $100. I only say this because when I was getting started I didn't have $100. I felt totally overwhelmed and didn't think we could afford to start CDing. Hind sight is 20/20, right?<br><br>
Good luck!

 

[Beansmom]

I second the 36 Infant CPFs, Snappi Diaper Fastener, and 6 or so Bummis Super Whisper Wraps. Those items will hold up very well and you can definitely get it all for under $100.

 

[bratmobile]

prefolds and covers! i like bummis, proraps and litewraps -that's what i used at first. if you are on a budget i'd definitely check the tp first. tons of nb and small covers like that floating around in great condition. that way you can probably afford to get a sampling of different covers so you can decide which works best for you. congratulations!!! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin">