Best system for cloth--check what I want to try!

[dawell0]

I'm due in early Nov, but I would like to get some fluffy mail now to see what my options are, like creating my own little sampler package. My mom will be doing the daytime diaper changes and wants something that breathes, so I'm thinking that the best for her would be the PFs and Proraps Classic covers. She is also biased towards PFs and pins like in the 70s (and tried to buy the Gerber ones several times but I stopped her, thus far). Then again I saw that the bumGenius are one-size-fits-all, so it would save me from having a huge stash of various sizes. I don't think that I want AIOs because of the long drying time. Cost is not TOO much of an issue, but my DH will be upset if it doesn't save some money over sposies (he thinks that sposies would only cost about $35/month at Sams but that is only 8 changes per day and 15 cents each). Here is what I was thinking to buy 1 of each to try on my doll and teach DH and mom about the world of cloth:

Fuzzi Bunz pocket
bumGenius 1-size pocket
Proraps Classic
Kissaluvs Fitted

Is Cottonbabies the best place to buy from?

PS--I'm also buying a dozen each of NB and regular PFs from LizaJane.

[Momof3Labs]

FYI - the Proraps classic cover does not breathe. If you want a breathable cover, you need to look towards fleece (easy to care for) or wool (a little harder with newborn poop).

You also need something to stuff in your pocket dipes; IMO prefolds aren't the best pocket stuffers.

As far as fitteds, the Kissaluvs is really not that great. Are you looking for a newborn size dipe (if so, try muttaqin baby) or a small size dipe (try bijoubabygear.com)?

[dawell0]

Thanks, Lori, for your information. I didn't realize that the Proraps didn't "breathe". What brand of fleece do you recommend then? Is there any specific brands or places to order those covers easily? I don't need fancy just functional. As for fitteds, I don't have any love for Kissaluvs or any other brand, and I really just went by the diaperpin star recommendations. I think that I will listen to the smart BBB moms, however, and order what you think to look at. THANKS again for your help.

[m4nash]

The only fleece cover I have tried is from angeldrydiapers.com, but I absolutely love it. I got one of the light weight covers, but we just started using it recently. I also got a wool cover from there that we like alot too.

Nylon is supposedly breathable as well and it is cheaper in my experience. We like this cover: http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/covers.htm#clotheezcovers

I know I'm not Lori, but I HTH!

~Michelle
Will b.3/10/06 (5 lbs 8 oz)
13 lbs 2 oz at 3 months!

[daisymommy]

If you are talking about Kissaluvs O (newborn size)--then I personally LOVE-LOVE-LOVE these diapers. But for older babies, the bigger sizes aren't great.

If you want a cover that's easy like a Prorap, try a Bumpy Day cover. I find these to be breathable. My baby's tush is in a Kissaluv with a Bumpy on it each day, and it's nice and cool.
www.lilbunz.com or www.naturalbabies.com

I would also try something that closes with velcro in front like a Happy Heiny or Very Baby AIO (fast drying because it has a snap-in quick drying soaker). These type are my husbands favorite, because they go on and off so easy like a disposable diaper.
www.lilbunz.com for the Happy Heinys
www.tallulahbaby.com for the Very Baby

[m4nash]

I second the Bumpy Day over the kissaluv 0 or snappi'd prefolds. It was our favorite cover on our newborn!

~Michelle
Will b.3/10/06 (5lbs 8oz)
13lbs 2oz at 3 months!

[lizajane]

we did great with prefolds and proraps. i didn't even have snappis for schuyler. but LOVED them for dylan. and i did MUCH appreciate the KL0s that eileen (mudder) loaned me for dylan. i did have to use a doubler, but that wasn't a big deal since i make 'em.

if you want to wait a litttle longer on the PFs, i might be able to get a fleece cover made for you to test for me. since you have a little time, and all!! :)

[mudder17]

Denise, honestly, the prefolds are not difficult to learn to fold and snappi and your DH could learn to use it (DH figured out the "tricks" before I did because he was doing a lot of the early changes). But for a newborn, the kissaluv 0s really do work well, especially if your babe is not huge. I really like the doublers that Liza made for these (they also made great liners for me, LOL). But I do agree that you'll probably get more mileage out of the small Bijou or Mutts. Still, we probably used our K0s for at least 2 months, maybe 3 and I got them as seconds from the outlet, so they weren't that expensive and they've now been used by 6 babies and will be used for my next one. (eta: I'd be more than happy to lend you my K0s, but we're due close to the same time!) But there is a sherpa dipe from BabyMarketplace (http://www.thebabymarketplace.com/securestore/c153257p16752280.2.html) that Lori said were better than the kissaluvs, but somewhat equivalent. They were on sale last month, but they're back to $10.50 now, unfortunately.

For covers, PUL is just not that breathable. Nylon or fleece are really the way to go. I haven't tested my angeldry fleece cover on a newborn yet, but I LOVE her covers (both wool and fleece) for Kaya and already have 2 small ones ready for my next baby. The Bummis Super Whisper Pants seem pretty popular, and your mom my like that. Alternatively, you could try the Snap-EZ nylon covers. Again, I haven't tried either one for a newborn, but they have gotten good reviews.

For stuffing a pocket, I would say that microfiber or hemp or the combo of the two is going to be more effective and not as bulky as using a prefold. I haven't tried stuffing with preemies, though--possibly stuffing with a preemie + microfiber towel would work. It's certainly worth trying since you're going to have the prefolds anyway. FWIW, I did use my preemie prefolds as doublers for my infant prefolds and even the premium ones until Kaya was around 8 months.

Eileen

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33734.gif 28 months...
http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catcatcvi20040222_-6_Kaya+is.png
http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/p/dev317pp___.png
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33732.gif for Leah

[Momof3Labs]

For comparison, Logan outgrew the KL0's in 4 weeks or less - and he was not a huge baby (8lbs, 6oz at birth, about 9.5lbs at 1 month). Granted, they have good resale, but they have so little absorbency - I just think that there's better stuff out there for the money. And for $10.50, I'd skip the babymarketplace sherpa dipe too (I got mine for under $7 each, I think) and just go with Mutts or Bijous - they are more absorbent, have a bigger size range, and are cuter!

[mudder17]

Ah that's good to know! I do have my original dozen K0s, but I also got 3 small bijous this time around (I couldn't resist), so I'll have plenty of "easy" dipes along with my preemie and infant prefolds. Thanks, Lori!

Eileen

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33734.gif 28 months...
http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/t/catcatcvi20040222_-6_Kaya+is.png
http://tickers.baby-gaga.com/p/dev317pp___.png
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/33732.gif for Leah

[dawell0]

I'm so glad that I asked the "queens and princesses of butts" on here.

[dawell0]

Liza,
No rush on the PFs at all! I would be happy to test whatever for you, since your stuff looks so cute. I just don't want to order too much yet until I have the size/gender of this baby. I'm just investigating cloth and seeing what my mother will approve of, since she will be the babysitter. She's a handful and thinks that the old PFs and pins are the ONLY way to go (without plastic pants). I guess I'm a planner of planners.